Chapter 556: Jiang Yixia: Then Chase Me All Over Again!

“Aren’t I pursuing you right now?” Lu Fan chuckled. “What kind of guy doesn’t give gifts when he’s wooing a girl?”

Jiang Yixia was so annoyed she laughed. Placing her book on the counter, she didn’t say anything more.

At six o’clock that evening, Lu Fan appeared at the entrance of the flower shop right on time.

Jiang Yixia took off her apron, picked up her bag, and glanced at him. “Did you walk here again today?”

“I walked,” Lu Fan said with a smile.

The two left the flower shop and walked side by side toward her home.

On the weekend, Lu Fan arrived punctually downstairs at Jiang Yixia’s apartment building.

Jiang Yixia had changed into a white dress. Her hair was down, and she wore light makeup. When she came downstairs, she saw Lu Fan standing next to a car. He was wearing a thin dark blue jacket and holding a set of car keys.

“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t drive?” Jiang Yixia asked.

“The old town is a bit far, and it would take too long to walk,” Lu Fan grinned. “I can’t exactly walk my legs off while trying to win a girl over, can I?”

Jiang Yixia glared at him, pulled open the passenger door, and got in.

The car headed toward the old town. Traffic was light, and Lu Fan drove at a leisurely pace. Jiang Yixia leaned against the window, watching the street scenes roll by.

“Do you remember the first time we ate together? You ordered a Sichuan pickled fish,” Lu Fan said suddenly.

“I remember,” Jiang Yixia nodded. “It was so spicy that I started crying after just one bite.”

“You claimed you choked on it,” Lu Fan laughed.

“I did choke on it.” Jiang Yixia glared at him.

Lu Fan just smiled, saying nothing more.

Upon arriving in the old town, the car stopped in front of the rice noodle roll shop. It was the same shop with the same faded sign, and a long line stretched out the door.

“There are so many people,” Jiang Yixia remarked.

“Wait here. I’ll go line up.” Lu Fan got out of the car and walked to the back of the queue.

Jiang Yixia sat in the car, watching him stand in line. The bright sunlight bathed him, and his hair was slightly tousled by the wind. Suddenly, she remembered how, eighteen years ago, he had done the exact same thing—standing in line in the sunlight to buy her food.

She smiled, got out of the car, and walked over to his side. “I’ll wait in line with you,” she said.

Lu Fan looked at her and smiled. “Alright.”

The two stood side by side in the line in comfortable silence. As the queue slowly inched forward, the bright sunlight warmed them both.

After nearly half an hour, it was finally their turn. Lu Fan ordered two portions of rice noodle rolls—one with egg and one without. He remembered that Jiang Yixia didn’t eat them with egg.

Carrying their food, they sat down at a small table by the side of the road. Jiang Yixia took a bite, her eyes crinkling in delight.

“Is it good?” Lu Fan asked.

“It is.” Jiang Yixia nodded.

Lu Fan also took a bite and smiled. “It really is.”

After finishing their food, the two of them strolled slowly down the old street. The street was lined with old houses, some of which had been converted into small shops selling handicrafts and snacks.

Jiang Yixia stopped in front of a stall selling candied hawthorn sticks, her eyes lingering on the skewers of bright red fruit.

“Want one?” Lu Fan asked.

“It’s too sweet,” Jiang Yixia shook her head.

“If you want it, buy it.” Lu Fan bought a skewer and handed it to her.

Taking it, Jiang Yixia bit off a piece. Her eyes scrunched up at the tartness, and then she smiled. Seeing her smile, Lu Fan broke into a grin as well.

By the time they walked the entire length of the old street, the sky was already turning dark.

Lu Fan drove Jiang Yixia back, parking downstairs at her building. Jiang Yixia got out, stood by the car, and looked at him.

“Thank you for today,” she said.

“For what?” Lu Fan chuckled. “Isn’t this how courting a girl works? Eating, shopping, and taking her home.”

Jiang Yixia laughed, a very soft, light sound. “Are you coming again tomorrow?” she asked.

“I am,” Lu Fan nodded.

Jiang Yixia turned and walked into the building.

Sitting in his car, Lu Fan watched her back disappear into the stairwell and smiled. He started the engine and drove toward his manor. As he remembered how Jiang Yixia’s eyes had scrunched up from the sourness of the candied hawthorn, he couldn’t stop the corners of his lips from turning upward.