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Having acted as an intermediary between his sister and Old Pei had Tang Fan entertaining notions of being a matchmaker.
And he said as much to Sui Zhou. However, instead of answering with his customary grunt or frown, Sui Zhou lets out a gruff chuckle.
“ Tang Runqing, you are many things, but a matchmaker you are not.”
“ Sui Guangchuan!” Tang Fan called out, all aggrieved. “How could you say that? Did I just not set up my jiejie and Old Pei?”
“ They were already half-way there. You had to provide the final push.” Sui Zhou mildly rejoins, a fact that makes Tang Fan stop in his tracks. His face falls and he pouts. Sui Zhou is right. Tang Fan didn't have to do much. The groundwork had already been laid.
Noticing his downcast, Sui Zhou gently nudges him, a fond look in his eyes.
“ Are you that distressed to not be of help?”
Tang Fan sighs heavily. “I’m...not...well, I am not distressed. It’s just that it feels so nice to be a matchmaker. It’s a lot more fun and light-hearted than solving these despicable murders and feuds. Maybe I shall try matchmaking for a few others. It’s quite fun.”
“ Few others like who?” Sui Zhou frowns at him.
“ Maybe you,” Tang Fan smiles at him.
“ Me?” Sui Zhou raises an eyebrow. “I am not particularly thinking of settling down right now. Besides, I am not sure if marriage is for me.” Sui Zhou shrugs at him, before turning away and looking somewhat pensive. Tang Fan is astonished. How could Sui Zhou not be the ideal husband for any girl?
“ Such nonsense. You are so handsome, have a good job and are so kind. Maybe you talk too little but it’s an attractive quality for a man to have. You are an attractive catch. Any woman would be happy to have a husband like you!” Tang Fan admonishes him. “Do not lower yourself like this Sui Guangchuan.”
Sui Zhou seems to be struggling to say something, opening his mouth several times but no words come out. Tang Fan takes two things together and comes up with something else.
“ It’s not that- it's just that-I don't know-” Sui Zhou struggles out but Tang Fan cuts him off with a sound of excitement.
“ Is there someone in your heart? Guangchuan, tell me! If there is someone, we can fix things up. My sister is very good at this sort of stuff!”
Sui Zhou sighs in exasperation and knocks Tang Fan on the head gently. “Stop worrying about me and focus on yourself. I am sure you wouldn't even know if someone was trying to catch your eye!”
“Don't insult me!” Tang Fan huffs. “My keen powers of observation would pick it up immediately.” Tang Fan is very observant. He would notice things like these in a heartbeat. He expects Sui Zhou to nod in agreement, not grimace like he just ate Tang Fan’s attempt at congee.
“What’s with that expression?” Tang Fan chides, elbowing Sui Zhou in the side.
“You have good powers of observation when it comes to everything, except for things that concern you.” Sui Zhou bluntly states, giving Tang Fan a gentle shove, perhaps to lessen the sting of his words. However, Tang Fan does not see it like that.
“Are you saying that I am oblivious?”
Sui Zhou nods calmly and Tang Fan frowns. Wait a minute, does this mean someone has been developing a tendresse for him and it escaped his attention? Oh dear. This is so unlike him.
“Guangchan, is there someone who likes me? Have they told you?” Tang Fan asks a little worried, though he cannot pinpoint why exactly. It feels somewhat rude to leave a person hanging. Also, why would this person confess to Sui Zhou and not him, if he is the supposed target of their attentions?
Curiously enough, Sui Zhou takes a few seconds to answer and in the meanwhile, he looks like he's chewing through a block of dry wood.
“Uh…there is…um yes…I guess you could say…uh, there is someone.” Sui Zhou manages to get out. “There is a person who…um is fond of you. Hm. Yes.” Sui Zhou finishes, looking blotchy and red like an overripe peach. Of course he would be uncomfortable. Tang Fan completely understands. Sui Zhou is naturally a reticent fellow and not given to indulging in chatter of this nature.
Sui Zhou attempts to open his mouth once more, but Tang Fan stalls him with a gentle and swift shake of his head.
“Guangchan, you needn’t say anymore. I understand you find things like this to be frivolous. Here is what we shall do. After we find you a match befitting your intelligence and stature, I shall dedicate myself to finding this mystery person.”
Tang Fan knows he imposes a lot on Sui Zhou but for once, he doesn't want to have Sui Zhou tasked with spelling it out for him. Perhaps jiejie was right. It was time he took his head out of the clouds and started focusing on other worldly matters. Like building a family and the like.
“Don't you even want to know who it is?” Sui Zhou asks, looking somewhat exasperated but also strangely resigned.
Tang Fan shakes his head in response. “My own estimation of my intelligence will fall if I cannot divine who this person is. Don't you worry about it Guangchan. Now that you have informed me, I shall do my due diligence.”
When Tang Fan looks at Sui Zhou, hoping for a friendly pat on the shoulder as is Sui Zhou’s wont, or an answering grunt of agreement, as is his wont as well, he is surprised to find Sui Zhou watching him thoughtfully, lips pursed and graceful fingers resting on his lips.
“I wish you luck,” Sui Zhou quietly tells him. “Tang-jie left some rice cakes for us in the kitchen. Let’s go.”
Tang Fan happily nods, as always, food taking precedence in his heart and he gaily sets off towards the kitchen, all thoughts of his mystery admirer long gone out of the window.
Sui Zhou follows at a slightly more sedate pace, ruefully contemplating his fate. Just his luck to fall in someone with all the brilliance of a diamond and all the denseness of one as well.