My Left Eye Can See Through Everything - Chapter 61 - Dinner Invitation

“You’re my boss, and I’m your driver. Naturally, I’ll drive you home!”

Ji Lanyan’s response caught Zhou Yang completely off guard.

For a moment, he wanted to pull her into his arms and steal a kiss, but he didn’t dare.

“That’s great! We’ll set off early tomorrow morning.”

Ji Lanyan simply hummed in agreement. She slung her usual bag over her shoulder and even picked up the car keys.

“Lanyan, are you heading out?”

Ji Lanyan shot Zhou Yang a sidelong glance and said, “If you’re going home, shouldn’t you buy some gifts?”

“And look at your hair-it’s gotten long. You should get a haircut too.”

“Here’s the plan: first, we’ll hit the supermarket and mall to shop for gifts. Then, we’ll stop by the barbershop for your haircut. Don’t you have a dinner engagement tonight?”

“I’ll go with you!”

Zhou Yang felt a bit overwhelmed. Sure, buying gifts to take home was a given, and getting a haircut sounded reasonable too.

But what was this about a dinner engagement?

He did recall mentioning offhandedly that he’d treat Jiang Xueru to dinner, but it wasn’t something he’d seriously planned. And even if he did go through with it, why would Ji Lanyan tag along?

Before he could make sense of it all, Ji Lanyan was already changing her shoes.

Zhou Yang’s family used to consist of four members: his father, mother, and a younger sister.

A few years ago, his father passed away in an accident. His younger sister was now in her first year of college, though currently home on summer vacation.

This was the extent of what Ji Lanyan knew about Zhou Yang’s family. As for relatives, there were a few-his maternal uncle, maternal aunt, paternal uncle, and paternal aunt.

However, due to certain past events, some of these relationships had grown distant.

The main issue was borrowing money a few years back. Ji Lanyan didn’t know the specifics, as Zhou Yang hadn’t gone into detail, and she didn’t feel it was her place to pry. But she figured she’d learn more eventually.

Currently, the family members Zhou Yang had the closest ties with were his paternal aunt and maternal uncle. As for his paternal uncle and maternal aunt, they had little contact, usually only exchanging greetings during the Lunar New Year.

This time, Zhou Yang’s visit home could be seen as a triumphant return. Naturally, Ji Lanyan wanted to ensure he made a good impression.

Spending money wasn’t an issue, but maintaining face was crucial. So, whether it was the paternal uncle or the maternal aunt, everyone received expensive gifts.

For instance, each household got two cartons of premium Zhonghua cigarettes, along with fine liquor, various health supplements, and other high-end items.

To Zhou Yang, the cost of these gifts was negligible. But presenting them to others sent a clear message.

Initially, Zhou Yang felt it was unnecessary. However, Ji Lanyan had become increasingly assertive, often acting less like a driver and more like a hostess.

After buying the gifts, they moved on to clothing. Ji Lanyan picked out outfits for Zhou Yang’s mother and younger sister, and even a few for Zhou Yang himself, complete with shoes and other accessories.

“Clothes make the man,” as the saying goes, and it couldn’t be more true. Zhou Yang, standing over 180cm tall with his perfectly proportioned build, was born to be a clothes horse. No matter what he wore, he always looked sharp and appealing.

Not one to forget a kind gesture, Zhou Yang bought Ji Lanyan a set of clothes as well. After a brief moment of hesitation, Lanyan accepted without objection.

Once the shopping spree was over, they headed to the bank, where Zhou Yang withdrew 200,000 yuan. The last stop on their agenda was the hair salon.

At twenty-five years old, Zhou Yang was the same age as Ji Lanyan. Together, they made a picture-perfect couple-handsome and elegant, a match made in heaven.

After getting his hair trimmed, Zhou Yang called Jiang Xueru to confirm their dinner plans for the evening. Then, he made a call home.

“Mom, my brother’s coming back tomorrow, and he might bring a sister-in-law along!”

Zhou Yao, Zhou Yang’s younger sister, hung up the phone and bounded over to her mother, excitedly sharing the news.

“Really? Your brother has a girlfriend now?”

Da Juping, Zhou Yang’s mother, lit up at the mention of her son returning home with a girlfriend.

Her surname, uncommon in most places, was fairly prevalent in their hometown.

“Yep, that’s what he said. He mentioned he’d be home in time for lunch tomorrow.”

Zhou Yao was embellishing the truth. Zhou Yang hadn’t said anything about bringing a girlfriend; he’d only mentioned a female friend.

“Yaoyao, did your brother say where his girlfriend is from? If she’s from the city, do you think she’ll look down on us?”

Da Juping glanced around their modest home, feeling a pang of insecurity. It wasn’t an unfounded worry.

Zhou Yang had dated before, and even had matches arranged by neighbors. But every single one of them had turned him down after visiting their home.

Their house was a two-story building-functional but unremarkable. It had been built years ago by Zhou Yang’s father as a wedding gift for his son, back when Zhou Yang was just twenty. The exterior had been painted, but there was no real interior decoration to speak of.

When tragedy struck the family, any plans for further improvements were abandoned.

As a result, their financial situation was among the poorest in the village-not the absolute worst, but close to it.

Zhou Yang had started working, but his salary was meager. Zhou Yao was still in her first year of university. Poverty had placed countless limitations on their lives.

“Mom, don’t worry about it!”

“My brother’s so handsome-almost as good-looking as me. We’re confident in that. His future wife will be head over heels for him!”

Zhou Yao’s words were a mix of playful arrogance and genuine pride.

She wasn’t wrong, though. Despite their struggles, the Zhou family had been blessed with good looks.

Zhou Yang’s father wasn’t as tall as his son, though in his youth he had been a remarkably handsome man.

Da Juping, Zhou Yang’s mother, had been the belle of the village in her younger days, admired by everyone in the area.

With parents like these, it was no surprise that their children had inherited their good looks.

Meanwhile, Zhou Yang had no idea his sister was boasting about him again. He had already arrived at the restaurant for his dinner appointment.

Zhou Yang’s outfit was casual, but Ji Lanyan had dressed to impress. She wore the very clothes Zhou Yang had bought for her earlier that afternoon.

Lanyan, her arm looped through Zhou Yang’s, greeted Jiang Xueru with a radiant smile.

Zhou Yang, however, was feeling anything but comfortable. When had Lanyan become so forward?

It wasn’t just the arm-linking; she was brushing certain parts of herself against his arm as they walked.

Of course, this could be chalked up to the natural movement of walking-nothing inappropriate.

On any other day, Zhou Yang would have been overjoyed by Lanyan’s affection. But tonight, he felt downright uneasy.

The discomfort stemmed from his predicament: being caught between two women.

The phrase “sitting on pins and needles” perfectly captured Zhou Yang’s current state.