The landlord has multiple personalities and wants everyone to pay him.

Auntie's question, "Have you started dating anyone?" made Ye Shu, who was washing vegetables by the sink, pause for a moment.

But before he could think it through, his mouth opened and he answered decisively:

"No."

"We need to get anxious."

His aunt had her back to him, the cleaver in her hand making a "thump-thump" sound on the cutting board like a galloping horse, as she chopped vegetables while tapping the surface slowly and deliberately in a seasoned tone:

"That kid you used to play with all the time, what was his name again... I saw him last time, he's grown up so much."

Ye Shu was a little speechless. He shook the water off the washed vegetables and casually put them in the basket next to him, saying:

"I... there's no need to rush this. My job isn't stable yet, I don't own a house or a car, so how can I expect to find a partner? Besides, you have to meet someone who's suitable in every way, someone you have feelings for, before you can start dating. It's not something to rush."

"How will you know if it's suitable if you don't go out and try it?"

The aunt immediately retorted, stopped slicing, and turned to glance at Ye Shu:

"Well, I know a few nice girls, one is a nurse at our county hospital, and the other is a primary school teacher. How about... I'll get you their contact information, and you two can give it a try? Just to make friends."

Upon hearing this, Ye Shu shook his head vigorously, his face clearly saying "No time wasters please." A blind date with a girl he knew absolutely nothing about? Just imagining the scene sent chills down his spine.

Besides... I don't really seem to be in a rush to go on blind dates with anyone...

"No, really no! Please don't! If you really introduce me to someone, I'll pretend to be a complete idiot!"

"You little bastard."

His aunt was amused by his antics, chuckled, and gave Ye Shu a light tap on the bottom with her foot.

After kicking her once, Auntie realized she might have cursed herself too, so she kicked the same spot again.

"Get out, get out of here, we don't need you."

Auntie waved to Ye Shu, and Ye Shu grinned as she slipped out of the kitchen.

As my aunt busied herself in the kitchen, the unique aroma of food from the large iron pot in the farmhouse wafted out with the billowing steam, overpowering the original smell of tobacco and old furniture in the room.

Ye Shu's father set up the folding round table in the house, and his uncle went into the inner room to help his grandmother out. The old lady had been resting for a few days and was in good spirits.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the bowls and plates that were gradually filling the table, and also the relaxed expressions on everyone's faces.

Wine glasses were placed in front of Ye Shu's father and uncle. The uncle picked up the wine bottle to pour some for Ye Shu as well.

"Xiao Shu, want something? Want to have a drink with your uncle and dad?"

"I think I'll pass; I haven't been feeling well these past couple of days."

Ye Shu quickly waved his hand, explaining that it wasn't that he couldn't drink, but he hadn't been able to handle it these past two days.

"If the kid doesn't want to drink, then he doesn't have to. But if you really let him develop that little bit of a drinking habit, what will you do if he becomes a little alcoholic outside?"

The aunt, sitting next to Ye Shu, picked up the conversation and casually placed a rather thick piece of pork rib in Ye Shu's bowl with her chopsticks:

"Young man, eat more meat. You've lost weight being all alone out there. But... take what your aunt just told you to heart. Hurry up and let your grandma hold her great-grandson."

"Mmm, okay."

Ye Shu lowered his head and gnawed on the ribs, responding somewhat perfunctorily.

The conversation flowed freely at the dinner table, from Grandma's recovery to news from the county, and then to Ye Shu's cousin's situation at school.

However, amidst this familiar hustle and bustle, Ye Shu's thoughts, like a restless fish, would occasionally drift quietly into the distance.

What are they eating now?

Once the thought took hold, it lingered. He listened to his father and uncle's casual conversation, his gaze fixed on the bowl, but his mind was already drifting to his home in that corner of the city.

While his aunt got up to serve soup and his father and uncle clinked glasses, he quietly took out his phone under the table, found the pinned chat window, and quickly typed four words:

【Have you got a meal yet】

After sending the message, he quickly placed the phone screen face down on his lap, pretending to be focused on picking at the rice in his bowl, but his ears were perked up, alert for any possible vibrations.

He himself didn't understand why he had to act like a thief when he had a clear conscience and was completely honest.

Maybe... perhaps... probably... I'm not so innocent, not so open and honest...

Not long after, the phone on my lap vibrated slightly.

I picked up my phone and saw that the reply was very simple, almost too simple.

【have eaten.】

Ye Shu waited for a while and found that the phone was not responding.

There was no nickname "Little Shu's brother," no rhetorical question like "What are you eating?", no cute emojis, and not a single photo of what he was eating.

Just two words, plus a proper period.

His finger hovered over the screen, hesitating whether to ask again, "What did you eat?" or "Is everything alright at home?" to get more information.

"Who are they?"

His aunt's voice rang almost against his ear.

!!!

Ye Shu was startled and instinctively flipped her phone face down on her lap. When she looked up, she saw her aunt staring at her.

"No, no one, Auntie, why are you acting like that inquisitive interview team?"

Aunt sat up straight and asked:

"What are you afraid of if there's no one around?"

"Just ask my landlord about the situation over there."

Ye Shu quickly put his phone into his pocket and lowered his head to eat.

My aunt held her chopsticks, tilted her head slightly, and wore a mysterious, enigmatic smile more captivating than the Mona Lisa's. Her womanly sixth sense was now buzzing like a spider's sense.

"The landlord? The landlord even sent a message to ask if I'd eaten?"

She had watched Ye Shu grow up since he was a child, and judging from his guilty reaction, there was definitely something wrong here, and it was a big problem!

"No... um, we... we're roommates."

Ye Shu's mind raced, racking her brains for a plausible explanation:

"She...she's usually in charge of grocery shopping, and I'm in charge of cooking, so...I just asked casually."

His voice grew softer and softer as he spoke, and he himself felt that his explanation was weak and even made things worse.

"oh."

The aunt gave a meaningful "oh," her eyes sweeping over Ye Shuqiang's feigned composure before she said nothing more.

He exchanged a glance with his uncle, who was drinking next to him. His uncle, holding his wine glass, glanced at Ye Shu, who was eating with his head down, and nodded.

My aunt picked up a piece of green bean with her chopsticks, ate it slowly, and joined in the conversation at the table.

It seems...

I don't need to rush to introduce any girls to my nephew anymore. Judging from his guilty look just now... he probably already has someone in his heart, and there's no room for anyone else.