Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
On the way back to Lake Lu, Li Xiwuâs distracted look was too obvious. She had realized it herself, but Pei Jingzhou had never asked her a word.
The car arrived at Lake Lu. She followed Pei Jingzhou up the elevator. She opened the door and entered the house. There were no lights, which proved that the auntie was not here today.
Li Xiwu took out her phone from her bag. âIâll call Auntie over to cook.â Pei Jingzhou said, âIâll do it.â He placed the phone on the cabinet in the entryway and turned to her. âWhat do you want to eat tonight?â
Li Xiwu looked at him and asked, âArenât you tired?â n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Pei Jingzhou replied, âIâm not tired.â
Li Xiwu fell silent. Pei Jingzhou naturally placed his hand on the back of Li Xiwuâs waist. âGo in.â
Li Xiwu nodded and returned to the bedroom with her bag. Pei Jingzhou followed her in and took off his jacket before going out. He did not mention anything else.
Li Xiwu actually hoped that Pei Jingzhou would ask her. The more he didnât ask anything now, the more guilty and uneasy she felt. She kept wanting to say something, but she couldnât find the right place to start the conversation.
Thinking about it carefully, even if she found an entry point to the conversation, what should she say?
Say that she went to see Gu Lanshi today? Say that she knew that it was very likely that she had a daughter with someone else in her early years? Say that she might have betrayed his feelings?
Which sentence could be said?
She couldnât say a word.
She was depressed and in pain. She felt stifled and uncomfortable alone. She told herself that she would be fine when tomorrow was over. But if Youyou was really her daughter, how was she going to face Pei Jingzhou in the future?
Her mind was in a whirl. The sink in front of her was full of water. She only realized belatedly that it was overflowing and dripping onto the floor. She turned off the water and looked in the mirror in front of her.
Suddenly, she looked very unfamiliar like this.
She came out of the bedroom.
There was no sign of Pei Jingzhou in the living room. Knowing that he was in the kitchen, Li Xiwu slowed down a little and walked towards the kitchen.
The ingredients were placed in the fridge by the auntie during the day. Pei Jingzhou matched them slightly. It seemed to be two dishes and a soup.
The soup was simmering in the pot, and a hot dish was cooking in the pan. Pei Jingzhou stood in front of the sink cleaning the vegetables he had just chosen. He was wearing a white shirt and an apron, and his cuffs were rolled up on his arms. He was focused and serious as he washed the vegetables.
Such a high and mighty person was willing to cook for her because he loved her. That was why he was willing.
Li Xiwu stood quietly at the side for a long time until Pei Jingzhou discovered her existence. He put the washed vegetables on the shelf to dribble. âAre you hungry?â he asked her.
Li Xiwu pursed her lips. âNo.â
Pei Jingzhou looked up at her. âYouâre usually as far away from me as possible when I cook. Why are you still here today?â
His reminder reminded Li Xiwu of how far away Li Xiwu was every time Pei Jingzhou cooked personally. She did not like to cook at home, especially in front of Pei Jingzhou. She was afraid that he would ask her to accompany him, so she avoided him every time.
She smiled. âIâm bored anyway.â
Pei Jingzhou took the garlic and placed it on the chopping board. He asked casually, âYou encountered a problem on the first day you went back to work after the show?â
Li Xiwu said softly, âThere are a lot of things that are piling up on my hands. Some of them are quite troublesome.â
Pei Jingzhou turned around and stir-fried the hot dishes in the pot. He picked up the pan and plated them. He brought the hot dishes over and took a pair of chopsticks. âTry them and see how they taste.â
Li Xiwu said, âHmm?â
Pei Jingzhou said, âWhen the taste buds taste the best delicacy, the body will relax physically and mentally. Donât think about troublesome things for the time being.â
Li Xiwu raised an eyebrow. âBest delicacy?
Pei Jingzhou said, âIâve always been confident in my culinary skills.â
Li Xiwu reached out and took the chopsticks. âThen I want to try it.â
This hot dish was braised pork ribs in sauce. There was really no problem with the taste. It would not be a problem to put it in a restaurant. This was Li Xiwuâs affirmation of Pei Jingzhouâs culinary skills.
âUsually, at least one person in a family knows how to cook.â Li Xiwu put down her chopsticks. âThere are two people in our family.â
Pei Jingzhou asked, âWhich two? Li Xiwu said, âHmm?â
Pei Jingzhou said, âIsnât it just me?
Li Xiwu pursed her lips and smiled. She thought about the braised pork ribs just now. âFourth Brother, your culinary skills can be passed down in the future.â
âI think so too.â Pei Jingzhou washed his hands and came over. He picked up the pair of chopsticks that Li Xiwu had used just now and picked up a piece of pork rib to try. âNot bad. Do you allow me to praise myself?â
Li Xiwu said, âYou donât have to praise yourself. Iâll praise you. Fourth Brother, your culinary skills are especially outstanding. Eat it once and itâll leave a rich aftertaste. â
Pei Jingzhou smiled. âThen letâs adopt a child in the future. When heâs ten years old, Iâll start teaching him how to cook.â
âIsnât ten too early?â Li Xiwu asked without thinking.
Pei Jingzhou said seriously, âIf you adopt a daughter, thereâs no need to teach her. The first test for a son-in-law in the future is culinary skills. Iâll check it myself.â
Li Xiwu felt that this was fine.
The atmosphere was just right.
When the dishes were served, Pei Jingzhou opened a bottle of red wine. Although Pei Jingzhou controlled her alcohol tolerance, Li Xiwu still drank more than usual. Her alcohol tolerance was not good to begin with, and Pei Jingzhou drank more than her, but he was extremely sober.
Unlike Li Xiwu, who was already slightly tipsy after eating and drinking. Pei Jingzhou combed her long hair and moved it back. He hooked his long arm around her waist and carried her to the sofa. âLie down for a while. Iâll go clean up.â
Li Xiwu did not let go of Pei Jingzhouâs neck and called his name softly. âPei Jingzhou.â
Pei Jingzhou nodded and lowered his head to kiss her forehead. The sofa was very soft. Li Xiwuâs weak and boneless body was trapped in it, while Pei Jingzhou pressed against her. She looked up and met his gaze. Pei Jingzhouâs eyes were gentle, and there seemed to be a faint smile on his lips. He asked her, âAre you drunk?â
Li Xiwu slowly opened her hand. âIâm not drunk. Iâm sober.â
The smile on Pei Jingzhouâs lips deepened. âThen see if my eyes are open or closed.â
Li Xiwu really took a closer look. They stared at each other for a moment before she reacted. She pushed his chest neither gently nor forcefully and muttered, âGo away.â
Pei Jingzhou smiled and stood up. He rolled up his sleeves and rubbed her hair before turning to clean up the dining table.
Li Xiwu was nestled on the sofa in a daze. She did not know how long she had been in a daze. The seat beside her collapsed slightly. She did not need to look sideways to know that Pei Jingzhou was here.
She reached over, and Pei Jingzhou caught her outstretched hand and leaned closer to her. âAre you sleepy?
Li Xiwu said in a muffled voice, âA little.â
Pei Jingzhou reached out with his other hand and held her waist. âThen shall I carry you back to the bedroom to sleep?
Li Xiwu shook her head. âIâm a little sleepy, but I canât sleep.â With that, she slowly got up and leaned against Pei Jingzhou. The moment she leaned over, Pei Jingzhou raised his arm so that she could lean more comfortably.
Li Xiwu felt at ease when she smelled his scent⦠She subconsciously wrapped
her arms around his waist and murmured, âPei Jingzhou, Iâm sorryâ¦â