Returning to Parents' Seventeen
Chapter 60 "Are you two... falling in love?

Chapter 60: Chapter 60 "Are you two... falling in love?

After Shen Yubai and Shen Sinian showed up, the previously quiet restaurant became lively.

You Shuzhen didn’t expect the two to come in such heavy rain. Seeing the water droplets on their clothes, she hurriedly found towels for them to wipe off, anxiously exclaiming, "Dry yourselves off first, you mustn’t catch a cold."

Shen Yubai said softly, "Aunt You, don’t worry about us, we’re healthy and won’t catch a cold."

You Shuzhen: "Just in case."

"Mom," Xu Chuning couldn’t stand it and had to speak up, "you do your thing, I’ll take care of them."

You Shuzhen was stunned for a moment, "Alright, I’ll go cook then. You look after them for me."

Xu Chuning: "...Alright."

They weren’t sick anyway, so there wasn’t really anything for her to look after at the moment.

You Shuzhen went to cook and prepare the dishes while Xu Chuning stood beside the two, watching them dry off the rain before she diverted her gaze.

Shen Sinian grinned and pulled out a chair to sit in front of her, "Ningning, what were you doing this morning?"

Xu Chuning: "Doing homework."

Speaking of which, she asked Shen Sinian, "Have you finished your homework?"

Shen Sinian: "..."

Noticing his rigid expression, Xu Chuning helplessly said, "Now that you’re going to school, you have to do your homework."

After the last monthly exam, Xu Chuning believed that Shen Sinian’s academic performance wasn’t bad. Even if he slept during class, she wasn’t worried about him lagging behind in his studies. However, he was a bit lazy and didn’t like doing homework.

Hearing Xu Chuning say this, Shen Sinian turned his head to look at Shen Yubai and unexpectedly said, "Why don’t you ask him."

Xu Chuning: "..."

She paused, exchanging a look with Shen Yubai.

After a few seconds, Xu Chuning calmly looked away and picked up a cup of water from the table to sip, her tone neutral, "He’s not my son."

Now, it was Shen Yubai who was speechless.

Shen Sinian was also stunned by Xu Chuning’s response for a moment, before he could only mutter under his breath, "He’s your future husband."

"..."

The title of husband was too remote a concept for Xu Chuning and for Shen Yubai... it also felt somewhat foreign.

So, the two inexplicably glanced at each other, then tacitly moved their gazes away.

Xu Chuning pretended not to hear, she tidied up the textbooks on the table and looked at the two, "Did you come here by taxi just now?"

Shen Sinian quickly interjected, "No, the driver dropped us off."

Xu Chuning was surprised and asked, "You guys came from Shen Family?"

"I didn’t, he did," Shen Sinian directly spilled the beans on Shen Yubai.

Shen Yubai looked at Xu Chuning’s calm profile and quietly said, "My mom needed me for something, so I went back for a bit."

Xu Chuning nodded, indicating she understood.

Shen Yubai waited, but she did not ask any follow-up questions. He frowned slightly, lifting his eyelids to look at her, "Is that it?"

Confused, Xu Chuning looked up, "What?"

She didn’t catch the implication in Shen Yubai’s words.

Shen Yubai was choked up by her attitude and didn’t feel like speaking, "It’s nothing."

Xu Chuning: "..."

She looked at his suddenly colder demeanor, utterly puzzled. What was going on? His mood swings were harder to predict than those of someone going through menopause.

After chatting idly for a while, Xu Chuning let the two of them make themselves comfortable and got up to help Aunt You.

Aunt You was full of concern about them coming to the restaurant in such heavy rain to eat, and she quietly asked Xu Chuning if Shen Yubai and the others had an argument at home, otherwise why would they be eating out.

Xu Chuning remained silent, "Mom, you’re overthinking it."

You Shuzhen: "No quarrel?"

Xu Chuning thought for a moment, "No, they might just be bored at home."

You Shuzhen ah-ed: "So they went out to eat because they were bored at home in such heavy rain?"

Xu Chuning made a sound of agreement, casually saying, "We don’t understand the thoughts of the young master; no need to delve too deep."

You Shuzhen: "..."

She pondered seriously, looking at the two seated in the restaurant, who were looking at the textbooks Xu Chuning had just cleaned up and pushed aside, and reluctantly believed what Xu Chuning said. After all, there was no anger on their faces, and indeed they did not seem like they had just had an argument with family.

Lunch was prepared by You Shuzhen and Xu Chuning together.

Shen Yubai and Shen Sinian, the duo that freeloaded meals, very favorably ate up all the dishes fried by You Shuzhen.

Afterward, Shen Sinian still looked like he hadn’t had his fill and said, "Aunt You, your cooking skills are even better than the chefs at the Shen Family old mansion."

You Shuzhen was pleasantly surprised, "Sinian, you exaggerate too much."

"Not at all." Shen Sinian pointed to the side, "If Aunt You doesn’t believe me, ask him."

Shen Yubai raised his eyes, looking towards You Shuzhen: "Aunt You, what Shen Sinian said is true; these words are definitely not just to make you happy – your cooking really is good."

Speaking of which, Shen Yubai became curious, "Have you ever thought of opening a bigger restaurant? Not focusing on breakfast, but on lunch and dinner."

The breakfast that You Shuzhen sold, like buns and rice noodles, including dumplings and noodles, were indeed delicious, but her home cooking was very tasty as well.

Shen Yubai had grown up in the Shen Family and had tried all sorts of sumptuous feasts, exotic delicacies aplenty. He’d also eaten meals prepared by Michelin three-star restaurant chefs hired by the Shen Family. Comparatively, You Shuzhen’s cooking naturally had some gaps, but not by a significant margin.

At least, he really couldn’t find any difference in taste in the meals cooked by You Shuzhen.

It’s just that she wasn’t very skilled at plating.

Hearing Shen Yubai’s words, Shen Sinian immediately looked towards Xu Chuning.

Xu Chuning met his gaze, and suddenly remembered that Shen Sinian had mentioned to her about her future self, who opened many restaurants, engaging in the restaurant business.

But it seemed Xu Chuning had never asked Shen Sinian why she would be crazy enough to start so many restaurants.

From what we see now, Xu Chuning’s favorite career direction and the job she wants to pursue in the future, is not about being a restaurant owner.

The small eatery fell into a moment of silence, You Shuzhen listened to what Shen Yubai said and smiled faintly, "Xiao Shen, you all really have a way with words. I can’t do it."

"Why can’t you?" Shen Yubai asked, "Are you worried about the investment aspect of things, Aunt You?"

You Shuzhen was startled, pursed her lips, "Not really."

Shen Sinian asked, "Then what are you worried about, Aunt You?"

He also wanted to know what that step was that You Shuzhen was hesitant to take.

You Shuzhen looked at them, smiled bitterly, "Aunt You can’t do it."

Shen Yubai frowned, about to say something when Xu Chuning gave him a look and said softly, "Running a restaurant is too tiring, my mom is already overwhelmed by the breakfast shop, let’s talk about other things in a couple of years."

You Shuzhen nodded.

Regarding the topic of opening a restaurant, Shen Yubai and Shen Sinian did not continue.

Having freeloaded a meal, they naturally took on the task of washing the dishes.

Shen Yubai wasn’t very good at it, but Shen Sinian pompously said he would teach him. Initially, You Shuzhen was not reassured and said there was no reason to let guests wash dishes, Xu Chuning pulled her away from the kitchen, "Mom, they hardly count as guests."

You Shuzhen: "... Ningning."

"Mom." Xu Chuning sighed, "You take a break, Shen Sinian has also helped wash dishes before, just leave it to him."

You Shuzhen: "But Sinian--"

"He’s one of us, don’t be polite with him," Xu Chuning replied offhandedly.

You Shuzhen: "What?"

Her mind inadvertently took a turn, her eyes widening as she asked, "Are you two... dating?"

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