Chapter 39

Update Time: March 26, 2013

"Linh Lin, why did you agree to that guy's request!" Lin Lin asked, puzzled.

Hong Yaqin didn't stop, took out the vegetables, and prepared to cook for Zhang Yang.

Lin Lin snatched the knife from Hong Yaqin and pleaded, "Sister Hong."

Hong Yaqin helplessly put down the vegetables and said, "Linh Lin, don't you think he's a suitable person?"

Lin Lin suddenly thought of something and said in surprise, "You mean to let him pretend to be your boyfriend? What a joke! So many people are pursuing you, why did you choose him? We don't even know what he does."

"Isn't that better? You said those people are all pursuing me. If I handle it badly, it could turn into a real relationship. You know my parents' thoughts; if that happens, I'm really done. Anyway, I don't know him, and we won't have much to do with each other. He finds a place to eat, and I find someone to deal with my parents. It's a win-win situation," Hong Yaqin said.

Lin Lin said, "Oh my God, Sister Hong, I'm really impressed. If you really want a boyfriend, just say the word, and all the men in the city will line up to come to you. Why make it so hard for yourself?"

Hong Yaqin smiled and said, "Alright, Miss He, do you think everyone is as charming as you? Go out, I'll cook for that guy."

He Linlin shook her head speechlessly and walked out.

Zhang Yang noticed a shadow passing over his head and looked up to see He Linlin staring at him with a fierce expression.

"Is there something wrong?" Zhang Yang asked.

He Linlin sat down opposite Zhang Yang and asked suspiciously, "Hey, what's your name?"

"Zhang Yang!"

"Zhang Yang, tell me who sent you and what your real purpose is. Are you trying to get close to Sister Hong? I'll tell you, with me here, you're dreaming."

Zhang Yang laughed and said, "I think you've got it wrong. It's your Sister Hong who is asking me. If she doesn't like this deal, she can end it anytime. I don't care; I'll just find another restaurant. Where else can she find such a suitable boyfriend?"

He Linlin was about to explode with anger. This man was too bad. Just a moment ago, he was begging her, and now he was sitting there calmly.

"Alright, Miss He, don't overthink it. To you, I'm just a passerby, and to me, you're just another passerby. We have nothing to talk about. You don't need to worry about my intentions. Honestly, although Sister Hong is pretty, I, Zhang Yang, don't really care."

Zhang Yang was actually speaking from the heart. After what happened with Wang Yue, Zhang Yang no longer believed in love or women. If it weren't for the convenience of eating, he wouldn't have agreed to Hong Yaqin's request.

He Linlin was so angry she couldn't speak.

"Fine, remember what you said today. If you have any ulterior motives, I won't let you off. You're from out of town, so let me warn you, the waters in the capital are deep. You have to be careful," He Linlin said fiercely and then left.

Zhang Yang finished his last puff of the cigarette and muttered to himself, "So you're someone with a background too. Interesting, very interesting. I was just thinking about how to connect with these people, and now someone is offering me a pillow. So Hong Yaqin's background isn't simple either! This is getting more interesting."

Thinking about this, a dangerous glint flashed in Zhang Yang's eyes. He realized that this was a mutual exploitation, and maybe his decision this time was correct.

Chefs come in all levels. If he really is a royal chef, I'll be in luck!

The glint in his eyes quickly disappeared, and he returned to his usual calm state.

No one knew what Zhang Yang was planning. He decided to maintain his character, as suddenly becoming enthusiastic could easily raise Hong Yaqin's suspicions. In this world, there are no fools; those who treat others as fools are the real fools.

"Here's what you asked for!" Hong Yaqin brought Zhang Yang's food over.

Zhang Yang took it without hesitation and started eating.

"Don't you even say thank you?" Hong Yaqin, with her usual good manners, was now angry.

"Thank you for what? This is a deal, no one owes anyone. This is what I deserve," Zhang Yang said, not even looking up. He was really hungry after a long day of work.

Hong Yaqin began to doubt her decision to have this guy pretend to be her boyfriend.

After finishing his meal, Zhang Yang wiped his mouth, stood up, and was about to leave.

Hong Yaqin called out, "Zhang Yang, where are you going?"

"Finished eating, of course, I'm going home. Is there something else?" Zhang Yang said.

"Are you going to leave me your phone number? I need to contact you if something comes up. You said this is a deal, so you can't just walk away after eating," Hong Yaqin said, suppressing her anger.

Zhang Yang said, "Oh," and took out his phone. "What's your number? I'll call you."

Hong Yaqin gave her number, and Zhang Yang made a quick call. "Alright, you have my number. Is that all?"

Hong Yaqin shook her head. When Zhang Yang was far enough away, she turned to He Linlin and said, "Linh Lin, do you think I've been cooking too long and am not as pretty as before?"

He Linlin said, "How can that be! Sister Hong is still the most beautiful chef in the capital!"

"Is that so? Then what's wrong with this guy? He won't even talk to me!" Hong Yaqin said.

Women are so strange. If Zhang Yang had tried to get close to her, she would have suspected his motives. But now that he ignored her, she felt very uncomfortable and doubted her charm.

"That guy? He's a freak. I suspect he's gay. Otherwise, why would he ignore me, a beautiful woman? My charm is known to kill men," He Linlin said disdainfully.

Hong Yaqin shook her head and said, "Enough with the self-love. How long are you going to stay here? You got into university but don't want to go. What are you doing here all day?"

He Linlin said helplessly, "Sister Hong, you know I applied to Jin University, but the acceptance letter was from Jing University. It must have been my family. They want me to go to school? Dream on. Unless it's Jin University, I won't go."

"I don't understand. What's wrong with Jing University? Why do you want to go to Jin City?" Hong Yaqin asked.

He Linlin smiled mysteriously and said, "You don't get it. If I go to Jing University, I'll never leave the capital. Everything will be decided by my family. That's not the life I want."

"So you want to go to Jin University for a free and easy life," Hong Yaqin said.

He Linlin laughed, "Exactly. If I go far, they won't agree. Jin City is close enough that they can reach me, but they can't control me as strictly as they do now. It's a win-win. I believe they'll give in soon. As long as they don't arrange it, I won't go to school. Sister Hong, do you really think I have no talent for cooking?"

Hong Yaqin thought about the dish He Linlin cooked this morning and her face turned pale.

"Linh Lin, others pay for cooking, but you, cooking is a matter of life and death! Anyone who can eat your cooking must love you to the extreme," Hong Yaqin said.

He Linlin pouted and said, "Sister Hong, is it really that bad?"

Hong Yaqin smiled bitterly and said, "Your cooking is even worse than what I said. Lin Lin, don't waste my ingredients."

Walking to the entrance of the neighborhood, Zhang Yang saw the empty gate and smiled. Sure enough, those new people had left. I knew they wouldn't have the patience. After today's incident, their enthusiasm should be gone, and they won't bother me anymore.

Idealism is beautiful, but reality is cruel. The next day, as Zhang Yang was about to drive out of the neighborhood, Yang Yi suddenly appeared with a little girl.

Zhang Yang slammed on the brakes, narrowly avoiding a collision.

Zhang Yang angrily opened the car door and shouted, "Do you want to die? If you want to die, go somewhere else. Don't try to hit my car."

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