Nan Chen really wanted to leave at once.
How can I, Master Nan Chen, be subjected to such humiliation!
However, Nan Chen was actually still able to tolerate these. Looks like he had previously underestimated a human being’s ability to tolerate things.
He returned to the dinner table gracefully, exuding an air of nobility.
Dinner officially started.
There were many ingredients in the hotpot, including tofu, pork belly and many other food items. Afterall, the fun of eating hotpot was that any food could be dumped inside.
Staring at the oily and spicy looking soup, Nan Chen did not know how to start.
In the first place, he seldom ate hotpot. During the occasional times that he ate it, it was always at high-end restaurants where he would order a clear broth, served in an individual pot.
It was his first time eating hotpot in this style, where everyone dipped their chopsticks into the same pot.
He raised his chopsticks but hesitated.
“Are you eating or not? If you are not eating, please don’t sit here. We are happy to have more space.” Ning Ran looked at him in disgust.
“Dad, eat! It’s so yummy!” Erbao said, as she picked up a piece of pork belly meat and put it inside her mouth, with an exaggerated expression of satisfaction.
Nan Chen figured that if it was something Erbao could eat, it couldn’t be too spicy. With that in mind, he chose a piece of tofu and ate it.
It actually tasted good. It did not taste like the hotpot which he had before.
However, after he swallowed, it felt as if a volcano had erupted in his mouth. He could barely handle the sudden overflowing spicy aftertaste.
To prevent being looked down upon by Ning Ran, Nan Chen ate a big mouthful of rice, hoping that it would help to neutralize the spice.
“Dad, try this! This is the best.” Erbao was referring to the pork belly meat.
In order not to disappoint Erbao, who had enthusiastically recommended her favorite food, Nan Chen forced a big piece of pork belly meat down his throat.
It was too spicy and oily! He stuffed himself with some vegetables to flush the taste away.
As Nan Chen continued eating, he realized that the food did not taste as spicy anymore.
Even Nan Chen started to admire himself for his ability to adapt. Within such a short span of time, he was already able to tolerate such a high level of spiciness.
After finishing one bowl of rice, Nan Chen stopped eating. He had a queasy feeling in his stomach.
“I’m done. Please continue enjoying your meal.” Nan Chen said politely.
However, he didn’t leave the table immediately. According to proper dining etiquettes, the guest should not be the first person to leave the table.
But Ning Ran was not familiar with such concepts. “Why are you still here? Step aside.”
This woman knows nothing about etiquettes. If she marries into the Nan family, it would be a disaster! Nan Chen thought to himself.
He had no choice but to leave the table. He sat down on a couch.
Just then, he felt a burning sensation in his stomach. He was starting to feel pain.
Without attracting attention, Nan Chen gulped down a huge glass of water. But it didn’t help.
The pain got unbearable after a while. Nan Chen had no choice but to go to the toilet. He walked quickly, taking long strides.
“Oh no. Dad has diarrhea. Maybe he really cannot take spicy food.” Erbao said.
“Didn’t you say he love spicy food? He seemed to be enjoying himself just now.” Ning Ran frowned.
Nan Chen emerged from the toilet, still upholding his poker face.
But the scene in the toilet just now was different. His stomach hurt so badly that his forehead was beaded with sweat.
“I will make a move first. I have something on.” Nan Chen announced.
“So fast? Please stay a while more!” Cheng Xiangyun continued to extend her warm hospitality.
“Sorry, I can’t. I really need to go now.” Nan Chen headed right towards the door.
Just then, he made a one hundred and eighty degree turn and took long strides towards the toilet again, trying to look nonchalant.
Even though he appeared calm, everyone was aware that this young master had an upset stomach.
When Nan Chen came out of the toilet, he did not mention anything about leaving again. If he needed the toilet before he stepped out, again, that would be way too embarrassing.
He just sat down quietly on the couch, still with his poker face.
“Dad is trying to imitate uncle again.” Erbao pinpointed Nan Chen’s expression.
“Why did you force yourself to eat if you can’t take spicy food? Are you happy that you are having diarrhea now?” Ning Ran said.
“It’s not just spicy, it’s oily too.” Nan Chen retorted.
Never had he imagined that the formidable Young Master Nan Chen of Flower City would be defeated by a hotpot. It was depressing.
“Hotpots are meant to be spicy and oily. What’s the point of having a hotpot that is bland?” Ning Ran frowned.
Nan Chen did not wish to continue the conversation.
“Young Master Nan Xing, do you want to see a doctor?” Cheng Xiangyun was worried.
“I don’t think he needs that. It’s just diarrhea, no big deal. I think we have some medicine in the house. I’ll go get them.” Ning Ran walked away to find the pills.
Not after long, she returned with empty hands. “We finished the medicine. Looks like we need to make a trip to the pharmacy.”
“I’ll go get it.” Cheng Xiangyun offered.
“No need. I can settle it myself.” Nan Chen stood up again.
But at once, he felt that something was not right. He rushed to the toilet again.
After he came out of the toilet, he decided that he needed to go to the hospital. That woman’s words could not be trusted.
There was an important meeting the next day. Nan Chen could not afford to skip it. He needed to get to the doctor without further delay.
“I really need to leave. I feel much better now.” Nan Chen said.
“You are so troublesome. No one forced you to come here or eat hotpot. Fine, I will go with you to the pharmacy. I guarantee that you will recover after taking the anti-diarrheal pills.” Ning Ran was losing her patience.
“I think I’m fine. Thank you for your offer.” Nan Chen rejected politely.
“Stop acting fine. Let’s go now. I’ll go with you. You’ll feel better immediately after taking the medicine.” Ning Ran nudged Nan Chen out of the door.
Nan Chen had no choice but to oblige.
“Wait for me in the car. I’m going to the pharmacy in front to get you the medicine. Leave after taking them, so that you won’t have diarrhea anymore.” When they were outside, Ning Ran spoke to Nan Chen like she was speaking to a kid.
Nan Chen hated the way she was talking to him, but he had no other choice.
Shortly after, Ning Ran was back with medicine and a bottle of water.
“Take them; you’ll be fine in no time.” Ning Ran put two white pills on Nan Chen’s palm.
Nan Chen hesitated. He eyed Ning Ran suspiciously.
“Go on, eat it. Are you afraid that I would poison you? Would that benefit me in anyway? Just swallow the pills!” Ning Ran was getting impatient.
Nan Chen didn’t think that Ning Ran would poison him. It was just that she wasn’t even medically trained; how was she so sure that these pills would work?
“Hurry up! Stop staring at me!” Ning Ran yelled.
With no other choice, Nan Chen quickly swallowed the pills and drank some water.
“Ok, you will be better soon. Don’t worry.” Ning Ran said confidently.
Nan Chen didn’t respond. He still didn’t believe her.
Ning Ran felt that something wasn’t right. Nan Xing wasn’t being his usual chatty self. Why is he so quiet today? Did the diarrhea make him stupid?
Ning Ran got into the car and sat next to Nan Chen. “I’ll just sit here for a while. If I go back now, I’ll have to wash the dishes. I’ll go after Aunt finishes washing them.”
Nan Chen looked at Ning Ran in shock. What kind of logic is this?!
“You are already feeling better, right?” Ning Ran asked.
Maybe it was just a psychological effect, but Nan Chen was indeed feeling better.
He nodded.
“When my son had diarrhea, I cured him too.” Ning Ran was very pleased with herself.
Something didn’t sound right to Nan Chen. What do you mean you cured your son when he had diarrhea? Are you taking advantage of me?
