Huo Sinian did not hold out much hope for Su Xiaotian going to buy groceries at this hour.
However, the food at Yiming Pavilion was undeniably delicious.
Even though he had eaten quite a bit by himself earlier, it didn't stop him from wanting another meal!
Chi Ge watched Huo Sinian, curious as to why the young man hadn't left yet.
After a while, seeing Huo Sinian sitting there as unmoving as a mountain, accompanying him for tea, he finally understood.
Having been a picky eater since childhood, his gluttonous habit seemed to have persisted!
When Su Xiaotian returned, she was carrying a basket filled with fish and shrimp.
Comrade Huo Sinian, whose nose was the most sensitive, was flustered.
He looked suspiciously at the sky outside, doubting if he had misjudged the time.
However, the sun was setting in the west, casting golden rays upon the earth.
"Little girl, where did you buy these?" Huo Sinian shot forward like an arrow, standing beside Su Xiaotian and asking solicitously.
If there were such fresh fish and shrimp in the evening, should he consider going out to buy groceries at night?
"I just went out for a casual stroll and happened to see them. An old grandma was carrying a basket and said she needed money. I gave her an extra dollar and bought them all."
Su Xiaotian finished speaking in one breath, still wondering why this big spender hadn't left yet. What was he staying at her house for?
Was he waiting for dinner?
Huo Sinian: ...
This was luck!
Huo Sinian, who had been sighing, changed his mind and felt that his luck was also good.
He would get to eat this meal tonight.
Su Xiaotian ran into the kitchen. When Su Nainai heard Su Xiaotian wanted to cook herself, she quickly tried to dissuade her.
"My dear child, you are still young. Leave this to Grandma and your mother. If you scald your hands, Grandma and your mother will be heartbroken."
Su Xiaotian thought about it. She did have quite a few recipes, but when it came to making delicious food, she couldn't compare to Su Nainai.
As a result, under her granddaughter's guidance, Su Nainai quickly mastered two new dishes.
Liang Xiu continued to learn diligently by her side.
She still had no talent for cooking, but the dishes she made were generally no different in taste from Su Nainai's.
In Su Xiaotian's words, her mother was a student who copied homework exceptionally well, almost to perfection.
When the dishes were served, looking at the table full of delicacies, the foodie Huo Sinian was already drooling.
Chi Ge glanced at Huo Sinian with disdain. This kid was truly embarrassing.
It was one thing to stay for a meal, but could he at least pay attention to his image?
"You look like you haven't eaten in ages. It's embarrassing!" Chi Ge said unceremoniously.
"Uncle Chi, as you know, I've been gluttonous since I was young!"
Su Xiaotian: ...
The Su family: ...
It was the first time they had seen someone state their gluttony so matter-of-factly!
Could being gluttonous also be a virtue?
Grandpa Su broke the awkward atmosphere: "Everyone's here, let's eat!"
Upon hearing Grandpa Su's words, Huo Sinian immediately sharpened his knives towards the pigs and sheep, oh no, towards the fish and shrimp...
However, at that moment, there was a knock on the door.
Huo Sinian looked curiously at the door that had been silent until now.
It was already dark, and there were still guests?
The visitor was not a guest, but Su Xiaomei.
Su Xiaomei wore her hair in a centipede braid, her long, dark, and lustrous braid resting on her chest. She wore a white shirt, a blue skirt, and a beige trench coat.
The style of this trench coat was drawn by Su Xiaotian, and she hadn't expected the finished product to look so beautiful on Su Xiaomei.
She was carrying a small jar in her hand, which seemed a bit out of place with her urban chic appearance.
"Sister Xiaomei, you're here?" Su Xiaojiu had already greeted her with a smile.
Su Xiaomei had a gentle smile on her face.
"Uncle-grandpa, Aunt-grandma, and Aunt, my mother made new chili sauce and asked me to bring some over for you. She said Uncle-grandpa likes this kind of thing."
"Xiaomei, have you eaten? Come and sit down to eat!" Liang Xiu got up to greet Su Xiaomei.
Su Xiaomei quickly declined, "I've eaten, Aunt. Don't worry about me, hurry up and eat!"
Huo Sinian's gaze fell on Su Xiaomei, his face full of curiosity.
Su Xiaomei was talking to Liang Xiu when she suddenly felt someone staring at her. She looked back, only to see a stranger.
She hadn't expected there to be a stranger at the Su family's house.
Their eyes met, their gazes crossed, and Su Xiaomei quickly lowered her eyes.
"Xiaomei, why didn't you bring any for this old man too?"
Chi Ge was displeased.
Before Su Xiaomei could speak, Su Xiaotian interjected.
"Grandpa Chi, you can't eat chili sauce!"
Alright!
Chi Ge declared that he was being completely controlled by a little girl.
Hearing this, Su Xiaomei forgot her earlier awkwardness and said to Chi Ge with a smile, "Grandpa Chi, you have to listen to Xiaotian. Your stomach can't handle spicy food. I'll tell my mother to prepare some minced meat for you to mix with noodles."
Chi Ge thought about it and decided that minced meat noodles were even tastier than chili sauce!
"Uncle Chi, do you know each other?" Huo Sinian asked curiously.
Then, he realized he had asked a foolish question.
This entire family was very familiar with Uncle Chi, so this beautiful young lady must be familiar with them too.
"Xiaomei is a student at the Agricultural University. I remember the Agricultural University is not far from your University of Economy and Trade!"
Huo Sinian smiled, "It's not far. It's only about a ten-minute walk!"
Su Xiaomei couldn't help but look up. Was this young man a student at the University of Economy and Trade?
When she looked up, she happened to meet Huo Sinian's gaze again. Immediately, Su Xiaomei's face blushed, and she lowered her head in a flustered manner.
Huo Sinian was thoughtful.
A student from the Agricultural University. He hadn't expected this family to be so full of talent.
Su Xiaotian alone was enough to shine, and now there was another one studying at the Agricultural University.
However, why would a young girl choose to go to the Agricultural University?
Wasn't the University of Economy and Trade better?
It was certainly better than dealing with yellow soil all day!
As Huo Sinian was thinking to himself, he heard Chi Ge speak again, "She is the daughter of Professor Shen from the Agricultural University."
Professor Shen?
Huo Sinian thought for a moment before remembering Shen Zizhen, the most outstanding and youngest professor of seed science at the Agricultural University.
This girl was from the Shen family?
Although he was also a university teacher, their paths were different, and Huo Sinian had only heard of Shen Zizhen's name without delving deeper, so he had no idea about the Shen family's situation.
"Miss Shen, hello. Would you like to come and sit down to eat?"
Huo Sinian stood up and, taking the host's role, invited Su Xiaomei.
When Su Xiaomei heard him address her as Miss Shen, she felt a bit awkward and didn't know how to respond.
Su Xiaotian said with a giggle, "My sister uses our mother's surname! Her surname is Su!"
Now, it was Huo Sinian's turn to feel awkward.
"Miss Su, I apologize!" Huo Sinian quickly apologized.
He couldn't have known in advance that Professor Shen's child would take her mother's surname!
Su Xiaotian looked at Huo Sinian's solicitous demeanor and suddenly felt that this older uncle might have some improper intentions.
She turned her scrutinizing gaze towards Huo Sinian.
He was over 1.8 meters tall, which was acceptable!
His appearance was handsome, which was also acceptable!
However, he must be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old.
The age was a bit too much.
How old was Sister Xiaomei?
Twenty, or twenty-one?
These two were not a good match!
Could it be that this older uncle had the intention of an old ox eating young grass?
Even the young girl Su Xiaotian could see it, let alone the others.
Everyone looked at Huo Sinian's attitude and couldn't help but cast their gazes back and forth between the two.
Chi Ge coughed softly and introduced Su Xiaomei, "Xiaomei, this rascal is Huo Sinian, a teacher at the University of Economy and Trade."
"Hello, Teacher Huo!" Although a little flustered, Su Xiaomei still greeted him generously.
However, Huo Sinian's gaze seemed a bit off, fiery and making her uncomfortable.
Su Xiaomei couldn't stand it anymore.
"Uncle-grandpa, Aunt-grandma, Grandpa Chi, you eat. I'll be going back now." After saying this, she was about to flee.
Liang Xiu quickly said, "It's getting late, it's already dark. I'll escort you back later."
Such a beautiful young girl out late at night was truly worrying.
"Yes, yes, Miss Su, it's getting late. It just so happens that I'm also full, and I can escort you back!"
What?
Chi Ge stared at Huo Sinian in disbelief.
The kid who was drooling just moments ago claimed he was full?
Su Xiaomei looked at the untouched dishes on the table. Was he full?
Huo teacher's bowl of rice was full, and it didn't look like he was full at all.