As Yang Zimo had said, only the three of them were eating lunch, as Yang's parents had not returned.
Although it was a home-cooked meal, the seafood feast was incredibly extravagant.
A bright red Australian lobster weighing over three catties was placed in the center, exuding a commanding presence.
Beside it were hairy crabs weighing half a catty each, mantis shrimp over a foot long, abalone, clams, scallops, sea cucumbers, and a variety of other delicacies.
This was Qin Chuan's first time eating seafood since his rebirth, and he was very fond of it. He enjoyed it whether it was spicy, garlicky, or steamed.
After the seafood feast, everyone declared it incredibly satisfying.
Even with the air conditioning in the villa, the three of them were sweating profusely, their faces flushed.
After lunch, Yang Conglong went to the restroom, leaving only Qin Chuan and Yang Zimo in the spacious living room.
"I didn't expect you to have a penchant for seafood!"
With only the two of them left, Qin Chuan finally had the chance to discuss personal matters with Teacher Yang.
"I have many hobbies, how many do you actually know!"
Yang Zimo sat cross-legged on the sofa, sipping soda. She glanced lightly at Qin Chuan, her expression as calm as still water.
Qin Chuan awkwardly rubbed his head. "Yes, I really don't know you well!"
"Although I guessed your family background was not ordinary when I met Brother Long, I didn't expect it to be like this!"
Hearing Qin Chuan mention her family background, Yang Zimo, who had been calm, finally showed a trace of panic in her eyes. She instinctively and anxiously explained, "Qin Chuan, I didn't mean to hide it from you..."
Regarding her family background, many people would see it as a great source of pride and honor. But for Yang Zimo, it was different. She wished she had been born into an ordinary family.
That way, there wouldn't be so much scheming, so much indifference from people, and so many people approaching her with ulterior motives...
Yang Zimo detested such an environment, which was why she preferred to run away from home and teach in a quiet, remote mountain village rather than stay at home.
"It's okay, everyone has secrets in this world. You have them, and I have them, everyone does!"
Qin Chuan waved his hand, indicating he didn't mind, as it was the truth. He had many secrets he was hiding from Yang Zimo, didn't he?
"I came to see you today just to apologize!"
Qin Chuan looked at Yang Zimo sitting beside him and said.
Yang Zimo's breathing quickened. The two small hands she held in her lap involuntarily clutched each other, the pain intense.
"You... what do you mean by that?"
Yang Zimo asked with a trembling voice.
Qin Chuan's face showed a look of shame and guilt. "I've been busy with business during this time. You asked me not to call, and I obediently didn't. That was my fault!"
"I shouldn't have been so busy with business and completely neglected you!"
"When I couldn't resist my longing and went back to find you, I discovered you had already started your summer vacation and left school."
"You... you went back to the village?"
Yang Zimo asked.
"Yes, when I went back, it was already July 10th!"
Qin Chuan recalled, "I was extremely busy during that period, so busy that I lost track of time. When I returned to the village, it was my parents who told me it was already July 10th and school had been out for ten days."
Yang Zimo bit her red lip tightly with her white teeth. Just as she was about to say something, Qin Chuan continued:
"I wanted to contact you, but I didn't have your contact information."
"I called your brother, trying to get your phone number indirectly, but he wouldn't give it to me."
"There was nothing I could do but wait until my business over there was completely stable before deciding to come to the provincial capital to find you."
"Fortunately, the heavens favored me this time. I finally saw you!"
As he said this, Qin Chuan's eyes were filled with deep affection. That scorching, naked gaze made Yang Zimo's long-calm heart beat uncontrollably, like a little deer trapped inside.
"Zimo, can you forgive me for my past mistakes?"
Qin Chuan quietly reached out his hand, moving towards Yang Zimo's small hand.
Just as their hands were about to touch, there was a sound from the restroom, startling Yang Zimo, who hastily stood up from the sofa and moved far away.
Qin Chuan quickly sat up straight, assuming the demeanor of a gentleman.
"Huh, Xiaomo, why is your face so red? Is it still the spiciness from the seafood just now?"
Yang Conglong, who had just come out of the restroom, asked in surprise.
"Yes... yes, Aunt Zhou made it a bit too spicy today!"
Yang Zimo replied quickly.
"Oh, then I'll ask Aunt Zhou to use less chili next time."
Yang Conglong didn't suspect anything. He had always believed that his celestial-like sister would never fall for a rural young man, even if Qin Chuan was outstanding.
It wasn't that he looked down on rural people, but it was a fact.
His sister was exceptionally beautiful, and there were too many suitors, all of them with extraordinary backgrounds. Unfortunately, none of them had ever captured Yang Zimo's heart; her standards were frighteningly high.
Furthermore, his parents also had very high expectations; not just anyone could become their Yang family's son-in-law.
"Qin Chuan, didn't you say you needed my help with something this afternoon? It's almost three o'clock, let's go!"
Yang Conglong said to Qin Chuan, winking at him discreetly.
"Oh... right! It's getting late, we should leave!"
Although Qin Chuan was filled with regret, he remembered it was almost three o'clock, and he hadn't even tried the account yet, nor had the funds been transferred. He had to leave quickly.
"Where are you two going?"
Yang Zimo couldn't help but ask curiously.
"Oh, that... Qin Chuan asked me to help him find some connections and get some good steel bars."
Yang Conglong was a master of deception, his excuses readily available.
"Yes, I'm bothering Brother Long again!"
Qin Chuan's ability to lie was no less inferior. He cooperatively echoed Yang Conglong, his face not flushing, his heart not skipping a beat.
"Alright, drive carefully."
Yang Zimo nodded.
Having received his sister's approval, Yang Conglong quickly walked towards the door, while Qin Chuan stood still, quietly looking at Yang Zimo.
That lecherous gaze made Yang Zimo's face, which had just calmed down, inexplicably heat up again. She couldn't help but roll her eyes and lower her voice, "What are you looking at? Hurry up and go!"
"If we delay any longer, my mother will be back!"
This time, Qin Chuan was truly startled. He quickly turned to leave, but just as he reached the door, he suddenly turned back.
"Teacher Yang, you still haven't given me an answer."
"What answer? I don't know!"
Yang Zimo wore a bewildered expression.
Qin Chuan knew she was deliberately playing coy, but he couldn't do anything about it, as the initiative was in her hands.
"It's okay if you don't answer, but you need to give me your phone number."
Qin Chuan absolutely would not allow Yang Zimo to play hide-and-seek with him again.
This time, Yang Zimo couldn't find any other excuses. After a moment of hesitation, as Yang Conglong's impatient calls came from outside, she quickly recited a string of numbers to Qin Chuan and then "clattered" upstairs.
Watching Yang Zimo's graceful retreating figure disappear into the stairwell, Qin Chuan clenched his fist and shouted inwardly, "Yeah!!!"