CHAPTER 80: CHAPTER 77: COINCIDENCE

She knows the Orchid Restaurant isn’t far from here, so after thinking for a bit, Jiang Mingyue decides to go enjoy some spicy food.

However, before she experiences the feeling of being drenched by the rain, a black umbrella gently covers her head. Jiang Mingyue turns around slowly and bumps into someone. Honestly, bumping her forehead against someone’s chin really hurts, but that broad and comfortable chest isn’t something everyone has.

Only then does Jiang Mingyue look up to see who it is.

"Yan Jinzhi? What a coincidence! What are you doing here?"

"I happened to see you while passing by. What are you doing here? Why didn’t you bring an umbrella?"

How could she remember to bring an umbrella! Besides, it seems there isn’t one at home either.

"Yan Jinzhi, if you have things to do, go ahead. Don’t worry about me."

Yan Jinzhi frowned: This girl is being polite with him.

"Have you eaten yet? If not, join me, I’m about to go." He pointed to the Orchid Restaurant.

Jiang Mingyue secretly rejoiced: I can tag along with the umbrella.

"Then wait for me a moment." Jiang Mingyue intended to return to the bicycle stand near the entrance to get her bike; she didn’t want to retrieve it in the rain earlier, but the situation is different now.

Yan Jinzhi instead handed her the umbrella and took the keys from her hand: "You wait here for me."

Although the parking area has a canopy, it’s a bit worn, and it’ll definitely get drenched going to and fro. Yet that tall man seems to be afraid she might get wet and prefers to go fetch it for her.

Jiang Mingyue suddenly feels this man is really nice, whoever marries him in the future would certainly be very comfortable.

When the bike is brought next to her, Jiang Mingyue sees the height difference and decisively swaps positions, "You should hold the umbrella."

Yan Jinzhi thinks: I can do both, but seeing the girl already grips the handlebars, he steps back, yet that brief touch still stirs his thoughts.

Thinking: Really soft!

Turning a corner and crossing the street leads to the Orchid Restaurant.

After locking up the bike, they walk together, and under the eaves, Yan Jinzhi collects the umbrella gracefully yet gently and hangs it beside other umbrellas along the wall.

It’s only then Jiang Mingyue notices that his other shoulder is entirely wet, the white shirt clinging to his skin, vaguely revealing his broad and strong shoulders.

Unsure of what she was thinking, Jiang Mingyue quickly withdraws her gaze: She can’t look anymore, if she continues, she fears she won’t be able to restrain herself, at this moment this man genuinely exudes allure, easily leading one to imagine things.

Entering together, they see today is finally regular business hours, possibly due to the rain, there aren’t many people, only three or four of the dozen tables are occupied.

"Sit down, what do you want to eat, I’ll buy it?" Helping her push the chair out, Jiang Mingyue instinctively replies: "Anything, I’m not picky," then she realizes something feels off, but she can’t figure it out right away.

Oh right, it’s his actions, too gentlemanly, like the mask coach in the western restaurant from her past life.

But it’s not strange in her previous life, here it’s quite strange!

Before she ponders further, that gentleman has already brought over two bowls of rice, Jiang Mingyue also helps by getting chopsticks for him.

"Do you want a meat bun?"

"Let’s talk after finishing the rice first." A bowl of rice in this era is truly embarrassingly meager. While the gentleman is not paying attention, Jiang Mingyue sneaks some into his bowl and presses it down subtly, thinking he probably won’t notice. Unbeknownst to her, Yan Jinzhi suddenly turns around as if sensing something and happens to see it.

Yan Jinzhi’s mouth curls up in a smile: Truly just like the past life.

Soon the dishes are all served, braised pork, braised fish, stir-fried magnolia petals, and a cucumber egg soup.

Jiang Mingyue blinks: The dishes are exactly the same as when they shared a table for the first time! Just how much does this person like these dishes!

"Eat up! If you want anything else just let me know, but today you’re not allowed to sneak money to me. I’ve eaten quite a lot at your place."

Jiang Mingyue thinks, you keep delivering things to Miss Jiang, don’t think I don’t know.

But she wouldn’t argue over this.

"Just the two of us can’t finish all this, right? Where’s your companion?"

Yan Jinzhi doesn’t really want to answer this question.

"Catching up on sleep."

That’s surprising.

"Then do you want to pack some for him?"

"No need, he’s not without legs."

Jiang Mingyue inexplicably feels the little Yan opposite her isn’t too happy.

Okay, better not worry about that.

Next, it’s all about eating, she really was hungry, and the chef’s skills are quite good, the braised pork is authentically delicious, fragrant and soft, with a perfect balance of fat and lean, every bite is a pleasure, the braised fish is also quite good, fresh and savory, very appetizing, and then the magnolia petals, Jiang Mingyue finds, this little Yan’s taste is quite similar to hers!

This meal leaves Jiang Mingyue very satisfied, when she puts down her chopsticks, the person across seems to have finished just at the same time and puts down his chopsticks too, exchanging smiles. Looking at the bowls and plates on the table, Jiang Mingyue is surprised to find that the dishes for four have been completely devoured between the two of them, and she feels she ate more than half of it.

Jiang Mingyue doesn’t feel embarrassed, thanks him for the treat.

Boldly invites: "Next time we meet, I’ll treat you."

Yan Jinzhi smiles sincerely: "No need for next time, how about tonight?"

"Ah?"

"I need to return to Qingshan Village a bit later."

Return?

"I brought back the approval documents for the military research base construction at Wuyun Mountain."

Jiang Mingyue is stunned, not because of him doing this, as he is evidently not ordinary, but because of the location Wuyun Mountain.

Why is Yan Jinzhi building a base at Wuyun Mountain?

She thinks about it, the book didn’t mention even a hint of Wuyun Mountain being utilized.

Could it be that the base at Wuyun Mountain where Nangong Yi is in the future was originally established in this era?

What’s the relationship between Yan Jinzhi and Nangong Yi? Although their surnames are different, could it be Yan Jinzhi is the pioneering ancestor of the Nangong Family?

"What’s wrong?"

The more she thinks, the more outlandish it becomes, until a pleasant voice over her head, unhurried yet calming.

Jiang Mingyue snaps back instantly, "No, nothing. You mean our Qingshan Village’s Wuyun Mountain?"

Yan Jinzhi nods.

"So, temporarily I still need to stay at your cousin’s place, I’ll drop by your house for meals, don’t kick me out then."

Jiang Mingyue: "..." This little Yan talks even more ridiculously than she does.

"You’re the lifesaver of my big brother. If I dare kick you out, my mom might sweep me out the door with a broom."

Yan Jinzhi thinks for a moment and laughs, "True."

Oh my goodness! Viewing this person’s smile up close is really captivating, Jiang Mingyue decisively avoids looking, this disaster-bringing mister’s face is just too unfair.

Before leaving, Jiang Mingyue asks the waitress about why Shen Tingsong isn’t around today, turns out he switched shifts, seems like he has troubles at home.

She sees there are still meat buns left but only twenty, Jiang Mingyue wants them all, only to hear the waitress say the gentleman next to her already bought them, she goes to look at this gentleman, broad shoulders, narrow waist, great figure, face also outstanding, but she doesn’t know him.

The issue is the guy willingly gives the buns to her.

"It’s alright, I can skip them, waitress, just give them to her."

"Okay. Five bucks, plus a pound and two ounces of food tickets and six ounces of meat tickets."

Jiang Mingyue decisively takes out the money to pay.

"Thank you, this brother. I’ll treat you to two." Jiang Mingyue hands him one after taking the buns, the man pauses and reaches out with long fingers: "Thank you, I’m Xie Yunhai."

Standing by the door, Yan Jinzhi sees this moment and slowly narrows his eyes.

Thinking, this gentleman is quite bold, snatching food from a young lady, isn’t he afraid it won’t be digestible?

Jiang Mingyue doesn’t realize her reciprocal action had directly caused someone’s displeasure.