As soon as these words fell, Nanyu almost instinctively raised her head and cast her gaze towards Tan Linyuan.
Similarly, Qu Jiaran was also waiting for his answer.
Tan Linyuan leaned back in his chair. One arm was resting on the table, and with the other hand, he slowly placed his chopsticks on the edge of the bowl.
He raised his eyes, and his calm gaze briefly swept across Nanyu's face.
Nanyu immediately lowered her eyes.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Tan Linyuan's voice showed no hint of emotion. "I'm not considering it for now."
"But you haven't ruled it out completely, right?" Qu Gaolin asked with a smile, trying to probe him.
Tan Linyuan could easily tell that this was an attempt to confirm his attitude.
He glanced over and stared directly at Nanyu.
After a moment, he said in a flat tone, "It depends on Nanyu."
As soon as these words were spoken, not only Nanyu herself, but also Qu Gaolin and Qu Jiaran showed different degrees of change in their expressions.
Especially Qu Gaolin, who obviously frowned.
How could an insignificant person influence his daughter's marriage?
Nanyu was stunned for a moment. It took her a long time to speak. "Me?"
What a joke!
Tan Linyuan nodded and calmly continued to explain. "According to seniority, Nanyu is my junior. I should take better care of her."
"Moreover, years ago, I was entrusted by her parents to take good care of her."
The more Nanyu listened, the more absurd it seemed.
"I'll only consider other things after she settles her life's major events."
Tan Linyuan deliberately steered the topic towards responsibility. "I'm also very busy with the chamber of commerce. I don't have any plans to get married for now. Please forgive me."
It was obvious that Tan Linyuan was now lying without even thinking.
When did her parents ever entrust her to him?
But she also realized that Tan Linyuan was trying to use her as a shield again.
"Besides, matters of the heart can't be rushed. There's plenty of time in the future."
Tan Linyuan added another roundabout remark, giving Qu Gaolin a way out. "This is also responsible for Jiaran."
He said the last sentence sincerely.
The depth in Qu Gaolin's eyes flashed by. He just turned to look at his daughter, as if trying to confirm her opinion with his eyes.
Seeing this, Qu Jiaran quickly jumped in to smooth things over. She said with a smile, "Dad, don't keep urging me to get married. Your daughter isn't worried about finding a husband."
Qu Gaolin looked at her helplessly. "Isn't it because I see that you like him? I want to settle your marriage earlier."
"Liking someone and getting married are two different things."
Qu Jiaran shook her head. "I'm having a great time dating Linyuan now. I don't want to step into the grave of marriage so soon."
Qu Gaolin said with a smile, "You always have such strange ideas."
"Anyway, don't make decisions for me without asking." Qu Jiaran winked. "I'm still waiting for Linyuan to propose to me. It won't be romantic if everything is arranged."
Finally, this topic ended with Qu Jiaran's joking.
Qu Gaolin didn't mention the engagement between Qu Jiaran and Tan Linyuan again. He just hinted a few times. "I don't understand your young people's world. Do whatever you want."
"However, she's my only precious daughter. If anyone bullies her—" Tan Linyuan paused, his tone full of meaning. "I won't let him off easily."
There was a moment of silence at the dinner table.
The atmosphere became obviously cold. Qu Jiaran couldn't help but hold Qu Gaolin's arm. "Dad, don't worry. Linyuan loves me so much. He won't bully me."
She leaned against her father's arm affectionately and said in a sweet voice, "Even if he does, it must be in bed."
"… You girl." Qu Gaolin was speechless for a moment. "You're not at all reserved. Where can I put my old face?"
"Anyway, there are no outsiders here." Qu Jiaran winked. "There's my dearest dad, my boyfriend who loves me the most, and my most important friend."
…
After leaving the Qu family, Tan Linyuan and Nanyu walked towards the parked G-Class.
Nanyu followed behind Tan Linyuan. When they were almost near the car, she suddenly said out of the blue, "Congratulations, Uncle Tan."
Tan Linyuan stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her.
In the night, under the bright lights, they could clearly see each other's faces.
There was no autumn in Jiangcheng.
It had only been a short while since they came out, but Nanyu already felt a layer of frost on the fluff of her face.
Tan Linyuan asked her calmly, "What are you congratulating me for?"
"Of course, I'm congratulating Uncle Tan on your upcoming happy event." She exhaled and rubbed her hands. "You were talking about engagement today. It must be a matter of time."
Her tone was full of irony and her unique awkwardness.
She looked up at him. Her nose was red from the cold air, and her cheeks were slightly hot. "Uncle Tan, you don't have to use me as a shield for such things in the future."
Tan Linyuan didn't bother to respond to her sarcasm. He opened the car door and got in. After getting in the car, he asked her, "Do you want to go and eat something?"
"We just ate. What else do we need to eat?" Nanyu lowered her head to fasten her seat belt. Her tone was very stiff.
She looked like a child throwing a tantrum.
"We did eat, but I didn't see you eat much." He said casually and turned the steering wheel. "Next time, if the food doesn't suit your taste, you can tell me directly."
Nanyu was silent for a moment.
At the Qu family just now, she really didn't eat much.
It wasn't because of the food, but because the topic made her lose her appetite.
But she didn't expect that Tan Linyuan would notice her every move.
He even knew that she didn't eat much.
Nanyu quietly pursed her lips into a straight line and then stubbornly said, "I'm not hungry."
Tan Linyuan nodded as if he believed her. "Well, I hope you won't be hungry tonight either. I asked the maid to clean the house this afternoon, and the kitchen is empty."
Nanyu, who had been cornered, deflated. She said dejectedly, "Then let's go to that restaurant we went to last time."
The porridge there was quite delicious.
Tan Linyuan raised his eyebrows. "Unfortunately, that restaurant is closed today."
Nanyu finally couldn't control her annoyance. "… Are you done?"
Tan Linyuan paused. The car gradually slowed down. He glanced at Nanyu.
Her hair fell, covering half of her face, making it hard to see her expression.
In fact, Nanyu's mood was also very complicated.
She was a little depressed, but also relieved. But it was more than that. There was also a bit of indescribable sadness.
In short, it was hard to describe.
The car drove slower and slower and finally stopped by the roadside.
Tan Linyuan's broad palm covered her hand. It was dry and warm.
He looked at her quietly.
Wrapped in his palm, Nanyu felt an indescribable warmth.
But this warmth also made her tremble with fear.
It made her feel insecure.
Tan Linyuan's voice was deep and calm. He asked her, "Why don't you want me to get engaged to Qu Jiaran?"
"Nanyu, answer me."