Reborn in the 80s, Get Rich by Eating Melons

Chapter 623: Chapter 623: Then what are you struggling with?

After Si Chen paid the bill, with one hand holding Tong Yao and the other carrying the bags with clothes, the proprietress, grinning from ear to ear, walked them to the door.

Tong Yao also bought clothes for Si Chen and his parents in another store. Considering that Guo Mianmian lacked sweaters, she also bought a new one for Guo Miaomiao to wear.

Having walked around the mall, Si Chen’s hands were full of shopping bags. The sight of him sparked joy in Tong Yao. Just as she was about to tease him, she caught sight of a familiar figure that vanished into the crowd before she could blink.

She was not certain if it was her imagination.

Seeing Tong Yao standing still, Si Chen followed her gaze but found nothing. He raised his eyebrows inquisition, "What’s up?"

Tong Yao shook her head, "Nothing much. I just saw a figure that seemed familiar, but I must have been mistaken. I’m hungry, let’s go eat."

Si Chen nodded in agreement. They hadn’t walked far when a joyful voice called out from behind, "Yaoyao."

When Si Chen and Tong Yao turned around, they saw Han Enzhen run towards them excitedly, like a whirlwind.

"Sister Yaoyao, I thought I was seeing things. I never imagined it could be you. Has Dr. Si returned to the country?"

Not expecting to run into Han Enzhen, Tong Yao was delighted, "We just returned a couple of days ago."

No sooner had she finished speaking than a girl rushed to them, tugging on Han Enzhen, "Enzhen, why were you running so fast? I almost lost you."

With a smile, Han Enzhen introduced the girls, "Nanting, you are just in time. Let me introduce you Tong Yao and Si Chen. When I was in trouble abroad, they were my saviors."

Recognizing Tong Yao instantly, Chen Nanting frowned, "Is that you?"

Tong Yao also recognized Chen Nanting. She shrugged, "Miss Chen, what a coincidence, we meet again." _{𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖕𝔲𝔟.𝔠𝖔𝖒}

Seeing the interaction, Han Enzhen was startled, "Do you two know each other?"

Chen Nanting puckered her lips, "We met once, we are not familiar."

Tong Yao let out a soft laugh, nodding. Inferring the tension between them from Chen Nanting’s reaction, Han Enzhen felt it wouldn’t be appropriate to ask directly, instead letting it go with a laugh.

"Since we bumped into each other, how about we all have lunch together?"

Chen Nanting huffed and turned her head away, indicating her disapproval. Taking into account that Si Chen might feel awkward with three girls, Tong Yao shook her head, "Another time. We have things to do today."

Seeing that Chen Nanting had no desire to eat together, Han Enzhen nodded, "Yaoyao, it seems like your house is getting demolished. Last time when I visited and found that you had moved, where are you living now?"

Tong Yao joyfully gave Han Enzhen the address for her house in the suburbs, "You are welcome to visit anytime, and bring Miss Chen along."

With a grimace, Chen Nanting muttered to herself, ’Who wants to visit Tong Yao’s house? What presumptuousness.’

As Han Enzhen waved goodbye to Tong Yao, she only turned to look at Chen Nanting inquisitively once Tong Yao and Si Chen had walked far enough away.

"Nanting, why do you have such a grudge against Yaoyao? Yaoyao is quite nice. When we were abroad and got caught in a flood, if it weren’t for her, I would have died."

Having known each other since childhood, Han Enzhen and Chen Nanting lost touch when the former moved abroad. Only after she returned did they reconnect.

Since she came back, Han Enzhen had been busy preparing for her art exhibition. She felt upset at not finding Tong Yao at her home recently; oddly enough, she bumped into her at the mall, which was a major highlight of her day.

Chen Nanting wasn’t expecting to hear that Tong Yao saved Han Enzhen. She didn’t have any grievance with Tong Yao, except that she felt a bit of jealousy after seeing Tong Yao and Cheng Feng having dinner together. How could she tell Han Enzhen that she is jealous of Tong Yao’s beauty?

Pondering her response, Chen Nanting chose her words carefully, "I spotted her dining with Brother Cheng in a restaurant."

Han Enzhen assumed it to be a misunderstanding, "You must be mistaken about Yaoyao. There is no way she could be involved with your Brother Cheng. Moreover, she is already married; the one beside her earlier was her husband. He is more attractive than your Brother Cheng. Besides, Yaoyao is pregnant now."

Chen Nanting indeed noticed Si Chen before. Although she admires his looks, she was not pleased with people comparing him with Cheng Feng, "In my opinion, Brother Cheng is the most handsome."

Not wanting to argue, Han Enzhen said, "I know your Brother Cheng is the most handsome. Come, let’s go buy paint together. I want to paint a picture for Yaoyao as a gift for our next meeting."

Chen Nanting looked at Han Enzhen in disbelief, "Enzhen, have you gone mad? You have an art exhibition coming up, and you still plan to gift Tong Yao a painting? Your paintings are now worth hundreds, and they will just increase in value in a few years."

Han Enzhen, however, saw no problem with it, "She saved my life. What’s a painting compared to that?"

Failing to convince Han Enzhen, Chen Nanting grew frustrated. She began walking out of the mall, prompting Han Enzhen to follow hastily, "Nanting, why are you upset? Yaoyao saved my life; isn’t that worth more than a painting?"

Chen Nanting protested in anger, "It’s not even about that. We have known each other for years, and you have never gifted me a painting. Moreover, you know I don’t like Tong Yao."

Han Enzhen felt Chen Nanting was being unreasonable, "Your dislike for Tong Yao is because of Cheng Feng, right? Yaoyao is married now and is expecting a child in a few months. She won’t compete with you for Cheng Feng. And it’s pointless to hold a grudge over a meal; there must have been others dining with them, not just Tong Yao and Cheng Feng?"

Chen Nanting pouted, "And Tong Yao’s father."

Han Enzhen didn’t understand, "Then, what’s your fuss about?"

Chen Nanting failed to come up with a response, "Anyway, I just don’t like her. A woman should stay home and take care of her pregnancy, instead of running around outside."

"You are mistaken there. Now that men and women are treated equally, why can’t women do business?"

"I didn’t say they can’t."

Han Enzhen looked at her, "Then what do you mean?"

Chen Nanting, feeling guilty, "I just believe..."

She didn’t even know how to explain her position. She simply didn’t like Tong Yao.

Han Enzhen finally gave up, "Alright, drop it. Think about it, Cheng Feng is in business. How could he not interact with women? Your attitude will only add to his pressure and decrease his liking for you."

Chen Nanting didn’t want to hear anymore, "Enzhen, if you continue lecturing me, I won’t go out with you next time."

"Alright, alright, I won’t say anymore. Let’s go buy paint!"

Feeling helpless, Han Enzhen forfeited the argument and dropped the subject, focusing on buying her paint.