CHAPTER 287: CHAPTER 287: RUANRUAN, I THINK I’VE FALLEN FOR YOU (1)

Because it was not a pleasant memory, Chu Chen had never put much thought into it. As he grew older, that memory became increasingly hazy. Now, thinking back, Chu Chen had even less of a good impression of Guo Tongtong and felt even more disdainful towards Chen Fanghua’s reminiscing.

"Really?" Chu Chen asked indifferently, his face devoid of expression. He continued coldly, "I don’t remember things from my childhood."

Upon hearing this, the hope in Guo Tongtong’s eyes instantly dimmed, and her smile froze on her face. She pressed her lips tightly together and said nothing more.

"Hehe, it’s been twenty years. It’s natural that Chen doesn’t remember after such a long time." Chen Fanghua laughed to lighten the atmosphere.

"Yes, time flies. In the blink of an eye, twenty years have passed." Liao Baozhen remarked.

"But you haven’t changed much, you’re still so beautiful," Chen Fanghua said with admiration.

"Not at all. Chen is already thirty, how could I possibly not have changed?" Women love compliments, and Liao Baozhen was no exception. She smiled happily, revealing a few teeth.

"You really haven’t changed much, Auntie. You look exactly like how I remember," Guo Tongtong said with a smile, despite feeling disappointed by Chu Chen’s coldness.

"Haha." Liao Baozhen laughed, "You’re always such a sweet talker, Tongtong."

The three of them started chatting happily about old times, while Chu Chen and Ruan Pianran stayed silent, not wanting to join the conversation. They either sipped their tea or played with their phones. When the dishes finally arrived, they focused their attention on eating.

"Have some more." Chu Chen continued to ignore Guo Tongtong and Chen Fanghua, gently and attentively serving food to Ruan Pianran and occasionally adding some dishes to Liao Baozhen’s bowl.

Ruan Pianran ended up overeating, and in the slightly awkward atmosphere, she felt a bit of indigestion. When dessert was served, she excused herself to the restroom.

"Don’t think about sneaking away," Chu Chen whispered close to Ruan Pianran’s ear, with a smile on his face that looked warm and sweet but was actually delivering a warning only she could hear.

Ruan Pianran really wanted to slip away, but she was somewhat wary of Chu Chen, worried that he would settle scores with her later. With a resentful glance at him, she elegantly stood up and walked toward the restroom.

Standing in front of the sink, Ruan Pianran splashed water on her makeup-free face. The coolness instantly relieved much of her pent-up frustration.

Splash, splash!

After repeating the action a few times, she slowly lifted her head, and her slightly blurred vision fell on the mirror, freezing at the sight of Liao Baozhen standing behind her, looking at her with calm, unhurried eyes.

Liao Baozhen’s presence startled Ruan Pianran for a second. She then smiled slightly at the mirror as a greeting to Liao Baozhen.

"You don’t like Chen, so why did you come here with him?" Liao Baozhen asked calmly, without any aggressiveness or irritation. Her wise eyes seemed to see through all the pretense between Ruan Pianran and Chu Chen.

However, Ruan Pianran remained unflustered. She pulled out two tissues from the box and wiped her face, saying lightly, "Auntie, it’s better if you ask Chu Chen about that question."

Being the mother, she knew very well what kind of person her son was. Chu Chen had always been the little tyrant at home since he was a child, with all his siblings giving in to him in everything, which developed his self-centered and domineering personality. It was always him bullying others, never the other way around. In other words, it was possible that Chu Chen had forced Ruan Pianran to come here.

"Do you want to go home? I can have the driver take you." Liao Baozhen offered warmly.

"Yes." Ruan Pianran was naturally eager to leave, but though she was happy inside, she maintained a calm demeanor and thanked Liao Baozhen politely, "Thank you for your kindness, Auntie, but I can go back by myself."

"No need to be polite with me. I’ll talk to Chen about it. This place is quite remote, you won’t be able to catch a taxi easily. Let the driver take you home." Liao Baozhen said considerately.

"Thank you very much, Auntie." Ruan Pianran smiled beautifully, showing her appreciation.

The girl was indeed very beautiful! No wonder her son wanted to be close to her.

As a fellow woman, Liao Baozhen couldn’t help but take a few more glances at Ruan Pianran, secretly admiring her beauty.

With an excuse to leave, Ruan Pianran didn’t hesitate for a second, following Liao Baozhen out.

"Thank you."

Liao Baozhen found her car and, after Ruan Pianran got in, she rolled down the window and thanked Liao Baozhen again. Although she had no liking for Chu Chen, she held much goodwill towards his warm, elegant, and considerate mother.

"You’re welcome." Liao Baozhen smiled faintly and reminded the driver, "Drive carefully."

"Yes, Madam, I will keep that in mind."

Soon, the car started moving. Liao Baozhen didn’t linger; she glanced at the departing car and then turned to go back inside.

"Baozhen, we still have some things to take care of at home, so Tongtong and I will leave now. Let’s meet again for afternoon tea sometime." Chen Fanghua said gracefully as she stood up to say goodbye, just as Liao Baozhen re-entered the private room.

"Sure, we’ll catch up more next time. Apologies for not being a good host this time." Liao Baozhen said with a hint of regret.

"Not at all, the food here was delicious. Tongtong and I had a lot." Chen Fanghua said cheerfully.

"Yes, Auntie, the food here is really special. My mom and I haven’t had such authentic hometown dishes in a long time." Guo Tongtong said with a cheerful smile, trying to present herself as well-mannered and sensible to leave a good impression on Liao Baozhen.

After a few more polite exchanges, Liao Baozhen accompanied the Guo mother and daughter out, knowing that Chu Chen wouldn’t be willing to see them off.

After they left, Chu Chen finally had some peace. Recalling the conversations between his mother and the Guo mother and daughter, he chuckled disdainfully and then lifted his gaze to the leftovers on the table.

Chu Chen really liked the chef here; not only was the menu varied, but the taste was also excellent, so he came here quite often. Though his mother was hosting tonight, he had chosen the place because he didn’t want to be forced to meet people he didn’t want to see while also compromising on the food.

Despite Guo Tongtong and Chen Fanghua’s effusive praise about how great the place and food were, neither of them ate much, not nearly as much as Ruan Pianran alone.