Chapter 26: The School Belle Cried Over a Bowl of Fish Noodles

The fish noodles were ready, served on the table, filling the room with a delicious aroma.

Everyone was amazed and praised Fang Zhou’s cooking skills.

“Bro, interested in joining my franchise? With your skills, my chain of restaurants would definitely thrive,” Sun Haotian, a chain restaurant owner, proposed eagerly.

Others teased, “Sun, aren’t you afraid Fang Zhou will take over your position as the boss? Hahaha.”

“Hahaha, not at all. The position of a boss is for the capable. If he has the skills, he can take it,” Sun laughed heartily.

The men chatted and laughed, and Fang Zhou joined in with a smile, urging, “Don’t flatter me too much, everyone. Try the fish soup first. If it doesn’t suit your taste, I can make you a clear soup instead.”

Han Xi, with her usual aloof demeanor, was the first to scoop some fish soup and taste it.

The fresh and sweet flavor instantly overwhelmed her taste buds, the fish’s freshness blending with the soup, warming her hungry stomach and making her whole body feel relaxed.

“Not bad, it’s quite good,” Han Xi, usually sparing with her words, gave her praise, prompting everyone else to start eating as well.

Indeed, good cooking doesn’t lie. One whiff and you know if it tastes good.

Qiao Sisi also took a sip, smiling and praising Fang Zhou’s culinary skills. “It’s really delicious, as expected from Chef Fang.” If only I could drink this every day, she thought to herself.

In the past, when she was with Fang Zhou, she rarely got to eat his cooking. Back then, she was still a minor celebrity in the entertainment industry, struggling for her career, spending most of her time on set.

Their dates were always on a tight schedule, and she was always the one enjoying the meticulously planned dates by Fang Zhou.

That’s why she had a deep impression of his cooking skills.

Back then, she would lazily cling to Fang Zhou’s waist in the kitchen, like a koala, and he would tease her, “Do your fans know you’re this clingy?”

What did Qiao Sisi say back then? She said, “I don’t have many fans yet. I’ll think about that when I have more.”

Ironically, her fans did grow, but the man she could rely on wholeheartedly was gone, and even the meals he cooked had to be shared with others.

Qiao Sisi glanced at Fang Zhou, who was still busy in the kitchen, and didn’t come to eat. She lowered her eyes, hiding her possessiveness under the guise of eating.

How can you bear to return to the darkness and endure loneliness after seeing someone as warm as the sun?

Most people enjoyed the delicious food, except for one person who hadn’t moved.

Wearing a light yellow dress, with her beautiful black hair tied back and matched with a same-colored headband, Chu Xinran’s pure aura was even more striking.

Chu Xinran stared at the fish in her bowl, seemingly calm but with something dark creeping inside her.

Fish soup? Why fish?

Does Fang Zhou not remember that she’s allergic to fish? Or does he want to punish her this way, to test her sincerity?

Chu Xinran had been allergic to fish since childhood, avoiding fish and fish products whenever she ate out or at home.

The only time she ate fish was after she started dating Fang Zhou. To make her happy, Fang Zhou had cooked a feast in his rented apartment, with a beautifully prepared roasted fish at the center.

It was a dish he had put a lot of effort into, with intricate scoring and long marination before careful roasting.

Not wanting to disappoint Fang Zhou, Chu Xinran thought a small bite wouldn’t hurt.

But that bite sent her straight to the hospital.

The doctor scolded the young Fang Zhou, “You didn’t know your girlfriend is allergic to fish? Allergies aren’t about the quantity; even a small amount can have severe consequences!”

Fang Zhou felt immense guilt, apologizing with red eyes and staying by her side in the hospital for three days until she was discharged.

At that time, Chu Xinran thought, “I am the happiest person in the world.”

However, the more happiness she felt then, the more pain she felt now.

Fang Zhou had truly forgotten—forgotten her fish allergy and forgotten how she had broken out in hives and struggled to breathe in the hospital.

Everyone moves forward in life, forgetting past scenes is normal, but Chu Xinran couldn’t accept Fang Zhou forgetting something that was a matter of life and death for her.

Her inner darkness grew, like a beast slowly revealing its fangs, ready to devour herself and those around her.

Everyone was laughing and chatting, but she was falling into endless darkness.

The pure white jasmine flower was abandoned in the night, with nothing left to illuminate its world.

“Xinran, why aren’t you eating?”

Tang Wan gently nudged Chu Xinran’s arm, puzzled.

She had called Chu Xinran several times, but she seemed to be daydreaming. Tang Wan was worried the fish soup would get cold and not taste as good.

At that moment, Chu Xinran’s rationality returned. The confusion in her eyes faded, leaving a clear gaze.

“Of course, I’ll eat. How could I miss such a delicious meal?”

Chu Xinran smiled, picking up her chopsticks to grab the fish.

She thought, Fang Zhou, if this is your test for me, then I will gladly accept it.

Just as the white fish was about to enter Chu Xinran’s mouth, a hand reached out and grabbed her slender wrist.

“Wait.”

It was Fang Zhou who stopped her.

Everyone turned their gaze towards them, curious about what was happening.

Chu Xinran stared at Fang Zhou, seemingly wanting to ask something but unable to.

“What’s wrong, Fang Zhou?” Tang Wan asked, puzzled about why he wouldn’t let Chu Xinran eat breakfast.

“Did you forget you’re allergic to fish?” Fang Zhou took Chu Xinran’s chopsticks, placing the fish back in the bowl, and pointed to the kitchen.

“I made lean meat noodles for you. Go eat that instead.”

“This bowl is mine. I forgot to tell you.”

His tone and demeanor were natural, showing no other signs.

Chu Xinran stood up dazedly, walking a few steps and indeed seeing a steaming bowl of lean meat noodles.

The others were curious about how Fang Zhou knew, and he smiled, “Xinran told me during dinner the day before yesterday.”

In reality, it was just an excuse Fang Zhou made up to avoid questions about their past.

In an unnoticed corner, the girl in the light yellow dress blinked, a tear falling.

So, you didn’t forget.