Chapter 880: Chapter 705: Missed Chance The scene was incredibly awkward at one point.
Huai Shi stood there, dumbfounded, unable to react. He couldn’t understand why Shenjin Qing, a proper Chef Demon, would come to a Tanbo Inner Circle izakaya.
Moreover, it seemed like he had painstakingly inquired for quite some time...
Shenjin Qing was no longer concerned with anything else, moving step by step in front of the bar, completely unaware of anyone else’s presence, his eyes fixated solely on the stunned woman.
"Miss A Tao, it really is you, really is you..." He grasped the lady boss’s hand, nearly crying from excitement: "I finally, finally found you."
A Tao’s hand stiffened for a moment, subconsciously pulled away, and dryly said, "Shen-kun, please calm down, it’s still business hours now."
"Sorry, sorry."
Shenjin Qing finally noticed his loss of composure and quickly stepped back, raising his sleeve to wipe his reddened eyes, revealing a serious and sincere expression.
Again, he stepped back, bowed, and kneeled on the ground, deeply lowering his head.
"I know showing up suddenly will trouble you, but I beg you to accept my apology." He bowed his head, earnestly pleading: "Please forgive my sudden disappearance last time, and please... please give me another chance."
"This is my lifelong request, Miss A Tao!"
He raised his head, gazing into her eyes, loudly saying, "Let us start anew, A Tao, this time I absolutely won’t let you leave my side!"
Gathering courage, he spoke the words he should’ve said long ago: "For a very, very long time, I’ve admired you, please, please marry me!"
Huai Shi felt like he could barely hold his cup anymore.
This mouthful was just way too big, leaving him a little dumbfounded: What is this guy thinking? Suddenly shows up, without any setup, just out of the blue, proposes?
You’ve been single for so many years for a reason, buddy!
Even childhood friends don’t have stories like this! How could you want to marry someone you’ve not seen for years right after showing up?
If you just ate one less puffer fish, surely you wouldn’t be this reckless?
The first to react wasn’t the lady boss, but the furious fisherman Takahashi beside her.
"You scoundrel, what nonsense are you spouting!"
This burly man couldn’t contain his anger, reaching over to violently drag Shenjin Qing up from the ground, glaring into his face, so furious his hair bristled, growling: "I’ve already heard about it, you’re the stalker asking around about Lady Kinai, daring to confront her!"
Before Shenjin could answer, Takahashi swung a fist, aiming to kill this harasser right here.
Huai Shi quickly reacted, reaching out to grab Takahashi’s arm.
But faster than him was the lady boss.
Uncertain whether to call her Lady Kinai or Miss A Tao, she blocked Shenjin from the impending fight.
"Please don’t do this, it’s my private matter, let me handle it."
"I, I... I’m not..."
Takahashi froze, his face darkening and slowly solidifying, aware of the sincerity in her expression, understanding, resulting in a defeated expression.
He let go.
Returning to his seat, drinking sulkily, looking like a defeated fighting dog.
"Miss A Tao, I knew it... I knew it!" Shenjin gazed at her joyfully: "You have me in your heart, don’t you?"
"I’m very sorry, Shen-kun."
In front of Shenjin, the lady boss repeatedly tried to speak, but ultimately lowered her eyes, politely rejecting: "Thank you for going through so much trouble to find me, it’s wonderful to reunite with an old friend.
But unfortunately, I won’t agree to your request, please go back."
"Why, why? Don’t you understand my feelings for you? It’s because of the child, isn’t it? I don’t mind, it’s fine! I’ll treat her as my own daughter! We can raise her together..."
"You aren’t fit to raise his child!"
This line was filled in by Huai Shi himself — he couldn’t take it anymore, this behavior wasn’t even ridiculous, it was like planting rice in his mouth...
Slapping his forehead, he was on the verge of bursting.
A Tao said nothing, just silently looked at him, slightly shook her head.
Shenjin’s face gradually turned pale.
"Even if the child doesn’t change her name it doesn’t matter, really, I, I..." He pleaded humbly, almost crying: "Don’t you understand my sincerity?"
Unable to hold his tears or sobs any longer.
"I just want to spend my life with Miss A Tao!"
"I’m sorry, Shen-kun, I cannot agree with you."
A Tao bent down, no longer giving any gentle refusals: "But I am already married, have a new family, have new relatives... so please don’t come looking for me anymore."
Speaking, she turned to glance behind her at Takahashi, who was drinking.
Takahashi held a glass, still not comprehending, looking over blankly, failing to grasp her meaning.
In the brief silence, A Tao’s gaze gradually pleaded.
Huai Shi sighed heavily, viciously kicking this idiot’s leg under the table, finally jolting him to his senses, glaring wide-eyed at Shenjin.
"Scoundrel, didn’t you hear her meaning!"