CHAPTER 395: CHAPTER 395: SOMETHING’S WRONG WITH THE TAOZI

Originally, the few of them were not very familiar, but Xu Shaomei and Huang Yuntao are both social butterflies, so it didn’t take long for them to warm up.

Huang Yuntao can travel alone in many countries, naturally extroverted and eloquent, so Shen Siyuan was not surprised.

What surprised him was Xu Shaomei; this married lady not only was good at chatting, but also spoke to people in a way that was refreshing.

Shen Siyuan noticed that she never contradicted others’ thoughts, always expanded on what others said, giving the impression that she understood very well before she expressed her own views.

"I still keep in touch with only a few of my high school classmates, and Xu Shaomei is one of the closest ones," Taozi said.

Shen Siyuan could easily understand, given Jiang Taoshi’s naïve nature, that Xu Shaomei would easily max out her favorability in her eyes.

As for whether there was something else mixed in, Shen Siyuan didn’t know.

But after the meal, Shen Siyuan still had a good impression of this woman.

When they left the restaurant, they saw a car parked a distance away.

"My husband has come to pick me up, Taozi, so I’ll go first," Xu Shaomei said.

After speaking, she winked at Taozi, clearly having her husband pick her up to intentionally leave Taozi behind.

Taozi, still naively, said: "Aren’t you going to drop me off?"

"It’s not on the way, just take a taxi."

Xu Shaomei laughed coquettishly, picked up her bag, and left without waiting for Taozi to continue.

Huang Yuntao, very observant, didn’t wait for Shen Siyuan to speak and said directly, "Brother Shen, I have plans with a friend for the latter part of the evening so I won’t be able to accompany you."

After speaking, he pretended to make a phone call and ran towards the parking direction.

Shen Siyuan: ...

"Really, dropping me off won’t take too long," Taozi continued to complain.

Shen Siyuan couldn’t help but facepalm, wondering if she was naïve or just silly.

"Let’s go, I’ll take you home. Where do you live?" Shen Siyuan said resignedly.

"You have a car?"

"No."

"Then we’re walking back?" Taozi asked surprised.

Shen Siyuan: ...

"Actually, we can take a taxi," Taozi seemed to have thought of something.

"I know we can take a taxi, you don’t need to tell me, but let’s walk a bit first, it’s good for digestion," Shen Siyuan started walking.

"That too..."

She hurriedly walked a few quick steps to catch up with Shen Siyuan.

"I haven’t asked properly, where’s Dou Dou? I haven’t seen her for a few days now," she said, walking backward holding her purse.

Then she tripped, leaning backwards.

"Be careful."

Shen Siyuan quickly reached out to pull her back.

But he used a bit too much force, and she ended up bumping right into Shen Siyuan’s arms.

"Wow~"

Taozi exclaimed, her cheeks turning crimson, uncertain if it was from embarrassment or shock.

"Walk properly," Shen Siyuan let go of her.

Taozi has pale skin, so even under the street lights her blushing was clearly visible.

"Got boiled, huh? Look how scared you got," Shen Siyuan said somewhat jokingly.

"You haven’t answered my question yet," Taozi touched her cheeks, feeling they were somewhat hot.

"She went out to play with Duoduo and the others, you’ll see her tomorrow," Shen Siyuan said.

"Oh, thank you."

"Thank me for what?" Shen Siyuan was a bit puzzled.

"Thank you for taking care of Dou Dou," Taozi said.

"There’s no need to thank me for that," Shen Siyuan replied nonchalantly.

"Shen Siyuan."

"What is it?"

"You are really a good person."

"I didn’t drink tonight, why are you speaking nonsense," Shen Siyuan said.

"Go die."

Taozi gave Shen Siyuan a light punch on the arm.

Shen Siyuan dodged and then asked, "Did Ruan Ruan really agree just now?"

"How could I lie to you about this? If you don’t believe me, ask her yourself."

"Let me see your phone, I want to see what she said," Shen Siyuan said.

"No way."

"Why not?" Shen Siyuan was a bit surprised.

"Because... because we talked about a lot of private things, I can’t show you," Taozi said.

"Private things?" Shen Siyuan mumbled to himself.

Could there be anything more private than what’s between us?

But he didn’t continue to ask. He knew that sometimes girls’ chats could be quite uninhibited.

"I remember there’s a café nearby, come on, I’ll treat you to some coffee," Taozi suddenly stepped forward and hooked her arm around Shen Siyuan’s.

"Hey, what are you doing? Be careful of the boundaries between men and women, I have a girlfriend," Shen Siyuan said.

"I know you have a girlfriend, what’s the big deal about a hug? You’re really naive," Taozi giggled.

Men can’t stand it when girls call them naive because it equates to immaturity, childishness, words that men don’t want to hear, and Shen Siyuan was no exception.

"Whatever, I’m not losing anything," Shen Siyuan said.

"Hehe, remember the blind date? If Ruan Ruan hadn’t intervened, would you be my boyfriend now?" Taozi asked.

Hearing this, Shen Siyuan turned his head, looking at Taozi with some surprise.

Today, she wore a white shirt and a blue knee-length pleated skirt. The evening breeze fluttered the skirt, giving her an indescribable charm.

"What are you looking at?" Taozi asked with a smile.

"You seem off today," Shen Siyuan said.

"What’s off about me?"

"I can’t put my finger on it, but something’s off," Shen Siyuan said.

"That must be just your illusion, you haven’t answered my question yet," Taozi said.

"It probably wouldn’t have happened," Shen Siyuan said.

"Why not?" Taozi’s voice rose slightly, showing a hint of irritation.

"Because you definitely wouldn’t like me," Shen Siyuan said confidently.

"Nonsense, is my taste that bad? I have a very good impression of you," Taozi defended.

"Is it because I’m a big eater?"

"Haha~, yes, just for that, I wouldn’t mind it at all," Taozi laughed out loud.

"I think we make perfect dining companions."

She let go of Shen Siyuan’s arm, hopped ahead, and clasped her hands behind her back, looking especially happy.

"You really are a foodie."

Instead of getting angry, Taozi replied with a bit of pride, "I’m lucky, born into a good family. I have everything, which is great, but it also means I’ve lacked pursuits. Without finding some hobbies, wouldn’t life be boring?"

"So your chosen hobby is eating?" Shen Siyuan said, somewhat speechlessly.

"Of course, my grandma says that being able to eat is a blessing. I’m not very smart, have no artistic cells, am no good at anything, but I’m first in eating, haha..."

She talked and laughed herself into laughter.

"If that’s the case, might as well glorify the act of eating," she declared confidently.

Shen Siyuan was amused by her optimistic personality and laughed along.

"Would you look down on me?" Taozi asked tentatively.

"Of course not, I think it’s quite nice."

"Really."

"Of course it’s true, and besides, whether I respect you or not, does it really matter to you?"

"Hehe..., let’s go have that coffee."

Taozi didn’t answer the question directly, but grabbed his arm and headed towards a café on the roadside with dim yellow lighting.

"Coffee now? It’s fine for me, but won’t you be up all night?"

"Ah, stop saying such mood-dampening things, we’ll worry about it if I can’t sleep later..."

Seeing her like this, Shen Siyuan was again reminded of Dou Dou; these aunt and niece really are alike.