Chapter 82 Let Me Serve That Dish

Nian Jinsui cleared his throat, adopting a tone of faux seriousness. 

"Liang’an, whether or not I like Chu Heting shouldn’t matter to you. What’s important is—do you like him?"

Ning Liang’an looked up at Nian Jinsui, his eyes filled with surprise and hesitation.

"But you—"

Before Ning Liang’an could finish, Nian Jinsui cut him off. 

"Let me give you an example. Imagine there’s a dish on the table. You want to eat it, and I want to eat it too. But this dish only wants to be eaten by you, not by me. If you take the dish, I’ll just find something else to eat. But if you don’t take it, I’ll just sit here, staring at it, knowing I can’t have it. Isn’t that worse?"

Ning Liang’an seemed to grasp the metaphor, his expression contemplative. 

"But if I take the dish, won’t Young Master Nian be upset? You’ve been so kind to me—I don’t want you to be unhappy."

Nian Jinsui felt a pang of warmth in his heart. 

As expected of the kind-hearted protagonist, Ning Liang’an was always thinking of others, even at his own expense.

"Liang’an, life is too short not to prioritize your own happiness. There’s no need to make yourself miserable for someone else’s sake. Besides, whether or not you take the dish, I still won’t get to eat it. I’ll be unhappy either way."

"Then… I’ll take it?"

"Yes." Nian Jinsui’s tone was nonchalant, but internally, he was celebrating with gongs and fireworks.

Take it, please! 

Take it already! 

I don’t even like this dish, but I have to act like I can’t live without it—it’s nauseating!

Ning Liang’an’s face relaxed as he seemingly came to a decision. 

Smiling, he said, "Young Master Nian, I’ll go serve myself the dish now."

Nian Jinsui blinked. 

Wait, already? So eager, huh? Must be starving.

Elsewhere, Chu Hejun was foraging for mushrooms with the farmhouse host.

The host picked a mushroom and explained, 

"This one is called ‘Green Cap.’ If you lightly scratch it here, it turns green. It’s delicious but mildly toxic—it must be thoroughly cooked. If eaten raw or undercooked, it can cause nausea, vomiting, or even hallucinations. Eating too much could be life-threatening."

"That serious?"

Chu Hejun examined the mushroom curiously.

"Absolutely. I’ll remind everyone about the precautions later. For now, you can explore this area. I’ll head over there to pick some wild vegetables."

"Alright."

Not long after the host left, Chu Hejun encountered Qin Chengyu, who was walking alone.

If Ning Liang’an and Nian Jinsui were just fake rivals, 

this was the real deal: two rivals in love, meeting face-to-face.

Remembering Chu Heting’s earlier comments, Chu Hejun found Qin Chengyu even more irksome. 

He smirked mockingly.

"Qin Chengyu, aren’t you usually stuck to Nian Jinsui like glue? What’s the matter? Did he finally shoo you away?"

Qin Chengyu’s eyes narrowed slightly, his voice calm. 

"Even if that’s true, it’s still better than someone who never even gets the chance to stick to him."

Chu Hejun shot back immediately. 

"You’re just a Beta—you’ll never be good enough for Jinsui."

For a brief moment, Qin Chengyu’s gaze flickered. 

It was a sore spot for him, but he showed no emotion, replying evenly, 

"As long as Uncle Lin and Uncle Nian think I’m good enough, that’s all that matters."

Chu Hejun’s face darkened. 

"Don’t tell me you’re actually planning to marry into the Nian family? The Qin family doesn’t want you, so you’re clinging to the Nians? How shameless can you get?"

Qin Chengyu, ever composed, saw no need to explain himself. 

He turned and walked away, but not before casting a fleeting glance back at Chu Hejun—

a glance laced with subtle malice, enhanced by the small, cold mole near his eye.

It was a deliberate provocation, and it worked.

Chu Hejun’s anger flared. 

He clenched his fists, glaring at Qin Chengyu’s retreating figure. 

This guy needs to be taught a lesson.

"Chu Heting!"

Hearing the familiar voice, Chu Heting stopped and turned. 

Not far away, Ning Liang’an was hurrying toward him, a small basket in hand.

"Liang’an, slow down!" 

Chu Heting called out, concerned about the uneven mountain path. 

He quickly approached Ning Liang’an. 

"Why are you in such a rush?"

Beaming, Ning Liang’an replied cheerfully, 

"I’m here to serve the dish!"

"The dish?" 

Chu Heting looked confused. 

"What dish?"

"You!" 

Ning Liang’an declared brightly.

Chu Heting: ???

Standing before Chu Heting, Ning Liang’an tilted his head slightly. 

Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting playful shadows across his clear, bright eyes, which sparkled like glass beads. 

His lips, rosy and lively, parted as he spoke.

"Chu Heting, I like you."

Ning Liang’an’s voice was clear and resonant, and for a moment, the entire world seemed to glow brighter. 

Chu Heting’s heartbeat quickened, loud and steady in his ears.

After waiting so long for Ning Liang’an’s response, Chu Heting found himself at a loss for words to express his overwhelming joy.

Lowering his gaze, Chu Heting reached into his basket and pulled out a small bouquet of colorful wildflowers, offering it to Ning Liang’an.

"I like you too, Ning Liang’an."

Surprised and delighted, Ning Liang’an accepted the flowers. 

"You picked these for me?"

"Yes, they’re for you."

Chu Heting took Ning Liang’an’s basket, combining it with his own in one hand. 

He extended his free hand to Ning Liang’an.

Ning Liang’an hesitated briefly before placing his hand in Chu Heting’s.

For the first time, he had the courage to face his true feelings. 

No matter what challenges lay ahead, he was determined to face them with Chu Heting by his side.

As the foraging session wrapped up, everyone returned to the meeting point.

The farmhouse host addressed the group. 

"I’ll wash the mushrooms and vegetables you collected. Once everything is ready, you can start cooking and barbecuing. Remember, mushrooms must be cooked thoroughly—at least 30 minutes—to be safe to eat. If anyone feels nauseous, experiences diarrhea, or has hallucinations, seek medical attention immediately."

When Nian Jinsui saw Chu Heting and Ning Liang’an arrive hand-in-hand, his system notified him that the task was complete.

Sigh. 

These two finally got together. 

Who would’ve thought a ‘villain’ like me would have to play matchmaker for the protagonists?

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