GTB Chapter 122

Chapter 124: Has He Abandoned His Manliness?

No sooner had Fan Yuwan spoken than the waiter respectfully rushed over again.

No matter how busy the restaurant was, he always made sure to come to this table first, because these people, whether it was their clothing, temperament, or appearance, were all extraordinary and clearly not ordinary people.

“Has the lady not ordered noodles yet?”

After asking, the waiter noticed that Fan Yuwan was unfamiliar, so he introduced the various types of noodles the restaurant offered.

After listening, Fan Yuwan directly said, “Just like them then!”

Upon hearing this, the waiter paused, then explained, “Miss, they all ordered different types.”

As he spoke, he pointed to the two people beside Fan Yuwan, “This young master ordered Yangchun Three-Vegetable Noodles, and this young master ordered our restaurant’s signature noodles.”

As soon as Fan Yuwan heard this, she naturally wanted to order the same thing as Shí Yan, “Since they are the signature noodles, they must be special. I’ll have a bowl of the signature noodles then!”

Her words sounded flawless, and no one present could sense her feelings for Shí Yan.

But Shí Yan reached out and moved the stool he was sitting on, moving closer to Jiang Jiuchu. Then, he opened the folding fan in his hand and fanned himself to cool down.

Everyone only felt that he wanted to help Jiang Jiuchu fan herself, and they didn’t understand the rejection in his heart.

Although Fan Yuwan wasn’t staring directly at Shí Yan, her mind was focused on his every move.

She had just felt a sense of loss when she was distracted by the clear, cool scent brought by the folding fan, and her heart was immediately captivated.

The airflow caused by the folding fan’s movement seemed to allow Shí Yan to smell a hint of perfumed powder, and he immediately stopped what he was doing, putting the folding fan on the table.

Jiang Jiuchu, who was enjoying Shí Yan’s cool breeze, was feeling comfortable when she suddenly noticed that he had stopped fanning.

The weather in June was very hot, and the noodle restaurant was crowded, making it even hotter.

“Let me use it.” Jiang Jiuchu reached out and picked up the folding fan in front of Shí Yan, fanning herself.

This time, Shí Yan no longer smelled Fan Yuwan’s perfumed powder, but only Jiang Jiuchu’s scent.

Although it was the same light fragrance, it gave Shí Yan a different sensation.

“Here are your noodles, everyone.” The waiter and the restaurant owner came up together carrying trays.

Everyone had been riding horses for half a day and were already hungry. They all picked up their chopsticks and ate heartily. Some were gobbling it down, some were taking their time, and some were naturally elegant, but none of them ate in small bites like Fan Yuwan.

Because it was the first time she was sitting next to Shí Yan eating noodles, Fan Yuwan ate even more slowly than usual.

However, by the time everyone else had finished eating, she still had more than half a bowl of noodles left.

Seeing this, everyone didn’t know whether they should wait for her, because eating noodles at the same table and leaving her alone didn’t seem right.

“Let’s go!” Shí Yan turned his head and said to Jiang Jiuchu before standing up and walking outside.

Jiang Jiuchu looked at Fan Yuwan, who seemed a little stunned, and felt that leaving first seemed a little disrespectful, but it was really hot in the house. “Miss Fan, take your time eating. We’ll go ahead.”

Fan Yuwan put down the chopsticks in her hand. “I’m done eating too.” After she finished speaking, she planned to pay the bill.

Seeing this, Shí Xiu, who had stepped out of his seat, said, “Miss Fan, the bill has already been paid.”

“Thank you, Fifth Prince, for the treat.” Fan Yuwan wasn’t polite. After all, a bowl of noodles probably only cost a few copper coins.

After she finished speaking, she quickly stepped out the door and followed the others and Shí Yan, walking towards the alley entrance.

In the alley, Ji Shutíng pulled Jiang Jiuchu aside and whispered, “Hey, Jiuchu, don’t you think this Fan Yuwan is a little strange?”

Jiang Jiuchu nodded. “She is quite strange. Why would she come to this small noodle restaurant alone? After all, this noodle restaurant is in an alley, and you wouldn’t see it if you weren’t paying attention.”

Ji Shutíng shook her head. “No, that’s not what I’m talking about. Of course, that’s a little strange too.”

After she finished speaking, she leaned closer to Jiang Jiuchu’s ear again. “Don’t you think she likes your Seventh Prince?”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jiuchu looked back and happened to meet Ji Shutíng’s gaze. After they smiled at each other, they looked away.

Jiang Jiuchu felt that she couldn’t just assume that she liked Shí Yan just because she chose the same noodles as him, right? “What makes you say that?”

Ji Shutíng shook her head. “I can’t say for sure, it’s just a feeling, and the way she inadvertently looks at the Seventh Prince.”

“You’re separated from her by the Seventh Prince, so you didn’t notice. Although she looks at everyone, the way she looks at the Seventh Prince is different. It’s like there’s a sense of caution.”

“Caution shouldn’t be considered affection, right?”

Jiang Jiuchu really hadn’t noticed that Fan Yuwan had any actions that showed she liked Shí Yan.

“Believe me, my intuition is very accurate. Back then, you and…” Ji Shutíng paused, quickly stopping her words and reminding her:

“Anyway, be careful. After all, if that’s the case, then the coincidence of her entering this noodle restaurant is questionable.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jiuchu’s eyes became serious. Ji Shutíng’s perception was indeed extraordinary in this regard. If Ji Shutíng was right, then this Miss Fan’s coincidence was indeed suspicious.

If she created this coincidence for Shí Yan’s sake, then it would mean that her feelings of affection had already turned into action, and then she would be a suspect in the poisoning incident.

Shí Yan looked at the two people beside him who were keeping their distance and whispering to each other. He could probably guess what Ji Shutíng was saying to Jiang Jiuchu.

At the alley entrance, Jiang Jiuchu had just climbed onto the horse and hadn’t even sat down properly when she felt someone behind her.

Startled, she immediately turned around, but before she could open her mouth, she saw Shí Yan directly wrap his arms around her waist and say:

“The wound on my back shoulder is a little sore. I guess I used too much force when pulling the reins. You take me!”

Jiang Jiuchu was startled by his sudden action. Her face turned red, and she quickly reached out to pull off the big hand around her waist. “Let go, there are so many people here!”

As she spoke, she looked at the others, and everyone was staring at them dumbfounded. Her strength in pulling Shí Yan’s hand increased.

“Let go, you go sit on Eighth Brother’s horse.” The weather was already hot, and Jiang Jiuchu was immediately covered in sweat after being messed with by Shí Yan.

She wasn’t used to it. It was the first time Shí Yan had been so close to her for no reason, especially outside and in front of so many people.

“Sit on Eighth Brother’s horse? You want me to sit behind Eighth Brother with my arms around his waist? Is that appropriate? This prince doesn’t have a penchant for men.”

Because of Shí Yan’s words, Jiang Jiuchu couldn’t help but imagine the scene of two men riding a horse together. It did seem a little inappropriate.

“Then… why don’t you ride slower.”

She said tentatively, otherwise she would be embarrassed if Shí Yan hugged her all the way through the streets.

Jiang Jiuchu felt embarrassed, but the focus of the others wasn’t on this. Everyone looked at the two of them, each with different thoughts.

Shí Yuanchen and Chu Yifeng were directly dumbfounded. They had seen men hug women while riding horses, but it was the first time they had seen a man hugging a woman’s waist and letting the woman lead the horse.

Not to mention that this person was Shí Yan. They had never seen Shí Yan get close to any girl, but they didn’t expect that when they finally saw it, it would be like this. Has he abandoned his manliness?