Unable to Fall in Love Syndrome - Chapter 23.1

Chapter 23.1 – Sunny Side Up Fairy Tale 02 – Part 1

“Yeah, Jian Shizhang,” Qiao Shan said, touching her chin. “Do you think someone like Jian Shizhang would accept an unwed mother with a child?”

Zuo Yi paused for a moment before replying, “He probably wouldn’t mind.”

Qiao Shan analyzed, “I heard from Xiao Jia that Wenwen’s mom has a promising future—she’s an accomplished woman. Besides, Jian Shizhang is at that age where he’s neither too high nor too low on the ladder; maybe they’d be a good match.” She snapped her fingers, deciding right then and there. “This weekend—yeah, this weekend—I’ll find an excuse to invite Guo Fei out, say it’s to discuss contract details. We’ll set the location at Ying Shi Xuan. You help me get Jian Shizhang there, and let the two of them bump into each other.”

Zuo Yi asked, “You want me to play the wingman? What’s my cut?”

Qiao Shan punched him lightly in the chest and raised an eyebrow. “You were just calling yourself Zuo the Generous—how’d you turn stingy so fast? Live up to that generous name!”

Zuo Yi said, “You renamed me, and now I have to thank you for it?”

Qiao Shan shamelessly replied, “No need to thank me—just buy me dinner.”

Ying Shi Xuan’s new branch had just opened, and the chefs needed evaluation. The second boss wasn’t satisfied with several signature dishes, and his harsh criticism had demoralized the cooks so much that in less than a month of opening, over ten chefs had already quit.

Ying Shengnan didn’t dare let his second brother taste-test anymore, so he invited Zuo Yi and Qiao Shan instead.

After they finished sampling a round, both thought it was pretty good. Qiao Shan, having heard about that second boss’s exploits, whispered to Ying Shengnan, “Old Ying, is your second brother’s tongue sharper than Zuo Yi’s?”

Ying Shengnan propped his chin and sighed, “Zuo Yi’s sharp tongue isn’t even a third as sharp as his.”

Qiao Shan said, “So it must be tough being the big brother, with two younger brothers who are such handfuls.”

Ying Shengnan slumped onto Qiao Shan’s shoulder, pretending to cry. “Little matchmaker, you’re the best—you actually care about me…” Before he could finish, Zuo Yi grabbed him by the back collar and yanked him off Qiao Shan’s shoulder.

Zuo Yi gave Ying Shengnan a cold stare and said flatly, “If Second Brother hears you say that, what do you think he’ll do?”

Ying Shengnan shivered, looking at Zuo Yi in shock. “You’re gonna tattle? I didn’t think you were that kind of brother!”

Zuo Yi glanced at the hand still on Qiao Shan’s shoulder, and Ying Shengnan immediately got the hint, withdrawing it at once.

By the time they finished tasting, it was already one in the morning, and Qiao Shan’s stomach was bloated. Zuo Yi went to the parking garage to get the car. Ten minutes later, a sleek motorcycle roared out from the underground lot and screeched to a halt in front of Qiao Shan.

She eyed the cool bike, and Zuo Yi handed her a helmet. “Big Brother took the car and left us the motorcycle. Let’s go.”

Qiao Shan looked at him speechlessly. “Is Ying Shengnan reaching for the stars or what?”

She took the helmet, put it on, and climbed onto the back seat, grabbing Zuo Yi’s shirt. He caught her wrists and placed her hands around his waist, saying seriously, “I ride a bit fast on the motorcycle—hold on tight.”

She remembered the last time with Ying Shengnan’s wind-like speed and instinctively pressed against Zuo Yi’s back, hugging his waist tightly, determined not to let go unless they crashed.

Zuo Yi glanced down at the hands wrapped around his waist, chuckled, started the engine, and roared onto the road.

Ying Shengnan usually rode his motorcycle in fifth gear, and after modifications, the racing bike went even faster. Zuo Yi didn’t want to go too fast, so he stuck to first gear, cruising leisurely down the road. The speed was so slow that Qiao Shan barely felt any wind. She pulled her hands back and poked his side. “Zuo the Stingy, do you even know how to ride a motorcycle?”

Zuo Yi said, “I do, but I’m not great at it, so I can only go slow.”

Qiao Shan directed him, “Shift up a gear—go to fourth, and it’ll speed right up.”

Zuo Yi stayed dead serious. “Sorry, if it’s too fast, I can’t guarantee your safety.”

Qiao Shan couldn’t take it anymore. “Pull over.”

There were no taxis around here, so Zuo Yi followed her order and stopped by the side.

After getting off, Qiao Shan put one hand on her hip. “You, get off.”

He obediently dismounted and stepped aside, unsure what she was up to.

Without a word, Qiao Shan straddled the bike, gripped the handlebars, and kicked the engine to life. She lifted her chin and motioned to Zuo Yi. “Get on!”

“…” Zuo Yi was a bit stunned. “Can you guarantee my safety?”

“Heh, just get on when I tell you—quit the chatter!”

Zuo Yi obediently climbed on and tugged at her clothes. Qiao Shan impatiently grabbed his wrists and placed them around her waist, saying in a bossy tone, “Hold on tight! I ride fast! If you fall off, it’s not my problem!”

At that, Zuo Yi immediately hugged her waist tightly, holding on for dear life, as if he’d never let go.

Since he was tall, when he bent down, his chin rested right on top of her head. Qiao Shan felt the weight of someone’s head pressing down and shifted uncomfortably. “Move your head.”

“Oh, sorry—this is as far as I can bend. Just deal with it.”

Qiao Shan wasn’t one to nitpick, and in a situation like this, she didn’t bother. Riding was about comfort, so she let him be. Besides, she had a helmet on—if he didn’t mind it digging into him, fine.

Qiao Shan gradually shifted from first to fourth gear, and the motorcycle picked up speed, racing through the midnight streets.

Zuo Yi thought to himself, If only it were slower, and the road longer…

Qiao Shan yelled, “Zuo the Stingy, sing a song to liven things up!”

“…What? The wind’s too loud—I can’t hear you.”

Qiao Shan slowed down, reducing the wind noise. “I said, sing something to get in the mood! Haven’t you noticed how people on motorcycles or scooters blast music from speakers these days? Stuff like ‘Lasso the Horse Pole,’ ‘Little Apple,’ Phoenix Legend—whatever pumps you up. Come on, belt one out for me.”

Zuo Yi lazily lowered his eyelids, staring at the top of her head, and said coolly, “Looking for a beating?”

Qiao Shan was shocked. “You’d hit a woman? You’d actually hit a woman? No wonder you’re single.” The motorcycle surged forward with a “vroom,” drowning out voices in the massive wind.

Zuo Yi hugged her waist tighter again, resting his chin back on her head.

When they reached the neighborhood, Qiao Shan noticed the weight on her head had grown heavier—the guy in the back was practically leaning his entire weight on her. She shrugged her shoulders. “Hey, Zuo the Stingy, we’re home.”

No response; the person behind her was sound asleep.

Qiao Shan got impatient and shrugged again. “Wake up! We’re home!”

The man behind coughed lightly twice, finally stirring.

“We’re here, huh?” Zuo Yi got off, his legs a bit wobbly, his voice gravelly with a hint of that unique masculine allure and laziness. Like a cat waking from an afternoon nap, lazy and haughty.

Qiao Shan looked at him irritably and said seriously, “You’ve got eye gunk in the corner of your eye.”

Zuo Yi stared at her gravely, the silence thick with awkwardness. Seeing his embarrassed reaction, Qiao Shan held back her laughter as best she could. Then Zuo Yi grabbed her wrist and used her right hand to swipe haphazardly at his eye.

He released her hand and asked solemnly, “Still there? Hmm?”

Qiao Shan vigorously wiped her hand on his clothes and made a face. “Eww… you’re so gross.”

As they entered the building, Qiao Shan walked ahead, Zuo Yi behind. He stared at the woman who was much shorter than him, eyeing the top of her head, and couldn’t resist the urge to rest his chin there again, rubbing a bit…

Yeah, pretty comfy.

*

Qiao Shan got some basic info and background from Guo Fei. Thanks to her connection with Xiao Jia, Guo Fei trusted her completely and shared everything without holding back.

Guo Fei grew up in comfortable circumstances. At 18, she got into Beining University. At 19, she balanced school with part-time work. By chance, she met a construction worker. The man was steady, handsome, with a maturity that guys her age lacked. He used his earnings to pay her for lessons in piano, reading music, and the basics of composition.

The man had a naturally captivating voice, and his erhu tunes could pluck at the softest strings of the heart. Knowing his tough situation, Guo Fei only charged him half. In return, he made her shadow puppets of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl, cooked for her, and fried her favorite sunny-side-up eggs.

As time passed, feelings developed between Guo Fei and the man. Their simple, peaceful days ended with an unexpected pregnancy. The 20-year-old girl didn’t know how to handle the child and turned to the man for help.

He thought about it for a few nights and finally advised her, “Get an abortion.”

Guo Fei had heard too many stories of deadbeat guys knocking up women and then pushing for abortions. She thought he’d be thrilled, excited—that this gentle man would hold her and say he’d work hard for her and the baby.

But instead… what she got was a cold, heartless response.

Guo Fei didn’t believe a deadbeat had the right to take away her child—this was flesh growing inside her. She refused to give up and didn’t want the kid to have such an irresponsible father, so she lied to him, saying she’d aborted it, and demanded a breakup.

The man stood outside her door all night in silence. The next morning, he made her one last sunny-side-up egg breakfast and vanished without a trace.

Because of the child, 20-year-old Guo Fei cut ties with her family. She took a three-year leave from school, and once the kid was a bit older, through her former classmate Xiao Jia, she transferred to Jinyang University to continue her studies.

Over the years, Xiao Jia had helped her a lot—not just securing study abroad opportunities but also caring for Wenwen. He even claimed Wenwen as his daughter publicly. Guo Fei never forgot this kindness and felt she could never repay it.

Guo Fei’s luck turned in France when a renowned musician selected her for a joint piano performance, earning her a substantial fee. After that, her value skyrocketed abroad, and top domestic entertainment companies extended offers, planning to sign and promote her fully.

She signed a three-year contract with a domestic company; her piano recital schedule for next year was already packed, her future boundless.

With her career finally stable, she wanted to find Wenwen a dad while work wasn’t too hectic yet. It didn’t matter if he earned much—as long as he could care for the child and not divorce within five years.

After reading Guo Fei’s info, Qiao Shan sighed at fate’s unpredictability. Wenwen was lucky to have a mom who insisted on bringing her into the world and Xiao Jia, a dad willing to care for her.

Wenwen’s maturity must stem from Guo Fei’s upbringing too. What an amazing mom…

Qiao Shan started drafting a plan, simulating Jian Shizhang and Guo Fei’s first meeting. Though she hadn’t seen Guo Fei’s photo, judging by Wenwen’s looks, she must be attractive. A woman who could command a stage surely had great presence.

A romantic encounter, talent meeting beauty—a match made in heaven.