Shen Yue sat on the sofa watching television, her eyes constantly glancing towards the kitchen. She couldn't sit still, so she quietly walked to the kitchen doorway and peeked inside.
The man was tall and straight, wearing only a black sweater. His shoulders were broad, his waist lean, and even the back of his head looked incredibly handsome. He wore an apron with a strawberry floral print, completely out of character for him, and was skillfully chopping vegetables. Shen Yue stretched her neck to get a better look, noticing how fast and steady his knife was as he sliced potatoes into thin pieces.
As Wei Jingzhou turned to grab a bowl, he saw the small head peeking from the doorway and called the girl over. The girl obediently walked up to him. Wei Jingzhou leaned down and kissed her lips a few times. "What? You don't trust me? Want to supervise personally?"
Shen Yue said, "I really didn't expect you to know how to cook."
The man rubbed his tall nose against her face, causing the girl to shift backward. His deep voice, laced with amusement, said, "There's so much you don't know. Let me tell you, you're incredibly lucky to have me; it's your good fortune accumulated over lifetimes."
The girl looked at him obediently, her exquisite features curving into a smile, a faint dimple appearing. "You're amazing."
Wei Jingzhou's chest vibrated. He imprinted a kiss on her face, leaving a wet mark, then shooed the girl away. The main reason was that if the girl kept flitting around him, he wouldn't be able to concentrate on cooking at all.
Shen Yue felt reassured and sat back on the sofa to watch television. About half an hour later, Shen Yue couldn't sit still again, her nose filled with an enticing aroma. The table was laden with dishes, their appearance incredibly appetizing. She hadn't expected Wei Jingzhou not only to cook but to be so good at it.
Wei Jingzhou poked his head out of the kitchen. "Yueyue, come wash your hands."
Shen Yue, wearing her fluffy slippers, trotted over. After washing her hands, the man had just served two bowls of rice. Shen Yue's eyes lit up as she looked at the dishes on the table. Wei Jingzhou leaned in to kiss her, with a hint of coaxing. "Can you kiss me first?"
Without waiting for her agreement, he eagerly lowered his head and stretched his neck to kiss her. This time, his kiss was gentle yet firm. His rough hand rested on her slender back, moving up and down through her sweater.
Before they could kiss for long, a clear ringing sound echoed. Shen Yue pushed against the man's chest, creating a little space. Her fair face flushed, and she panted softly, "I, I need to take a call..."
The man was displeased. He applied a little more pressure with the hand on her back, pulling her into his embrace. He lowered his head and bit her lower lip, murmuring, "Finish this first, then talk."
The phone's ringtone continued, insistent and piercing, like a death knell. Shen Yue, afraid it might be something important, forcefully pushed the man away. She softened her voice and coaxed him gently, "Later, can we kiss again later?"
The man's handsome face still bore a blush, but his eyes suddenly darkened. Shen Yue, lowering her head, was trying to pry his hands off and didn't notice the shift in his gaze. She walked to the sofa, picked up her phone, and answered.
"Wan'er, is something the matter?"
The flesh of the girl's lips was still swollen. The flush on her pure, beautiful face had faded. She lowered her eyes, listening to the voice on the phone. *He knew it had to be that person again!* She always managed to capture Shen Yue's attention. Even in school, she had constantly pestered Shen Yue, leaving them with little time together. Now, even on a day off, she was calling. Wei Jingzhou had voiced his displeasure to Shen Yue many times, but Shen Yue was unbothered, saying her friend had just gone through a breakup and needed comfort and companionship. If he pressed the issue, Shen Yue would even get impatient. He had never felt such annoyance towards anyone.
The man's expression turned ashen, like frost creeping across his face. The darkness in his eyes churned, twisted by jealousy, before finally settling into a murky gloom. The girl on the phone, however, noticed none of this. Her entire focus was on the conversation. When speaking to the person on the phone, the girl's mood was always better than usual, her soft lips curved, her sweet dimples nestled in her cheeks.
"I haven't had a chance to eat yet. Have you eaten?"
Holding her phone, Shen Yue glanced at the man's expressionless face, which seemed to indicate he was in a bad mood, his brow furrowed. "Ah... is that so? Alright, I'll come over now. Don't move around. First, apply some ice to the area, and I'll check how serious it is when I get there."
Shen Yue hung up the phone, her expression a little anxious. She hurried to the bedroom to get her coat, speaking to the man as she put it on. "Wan'er scalded her leg. She said the kettle suddenly exploded, and it seems quite serious. You go ahead and eat first."
Wei Jingzhou watched the girl, who was tying her scarf, with icy eyes. He asked in a low, husky voice, "Can't you eat first before going?"
Shen Yue, having tied her scarf, gave him an apologetic look. "I should go check on her first. Wan'er's voice sounded a bit off."
Wei Jingzhou adjusted her scarf for her, lowering his head slightly. His sharp features were tinged with a faint sadness. "But this is the first time I've cooked for you. And why would she come to you if she's injured? Doesn't she have other family or friends? Let them help her. Why does she have to call you?"
Shen Yue thought the man was just throwing a childish tantrum. She stood on tiptoe and patted his head. "She's calling me because she trusts me. You can save some food for me later."
Wei Jingzhou was rendered speechless. He lowered his eyes, concealing the emotions within, his thin lips pressed into a tight line. Shen Yue didn't have time to comfort him further. She put on her shoes and left. The sound of the door closing seemed to amplify in the man's ears, as did the sight of the girl's unhesitating departure.
Wei Jingzhou stared blankly at the still-steaming dishes on the table and murmured to himself, his voice low and almost manic. "She's more important to me, isn't she?"
His voice was hoarse and strained. Wei Jingzhou clenched his fists, a few bloodshot veins appearing in his eyes. He was like a trapped beast, his rage suddenly flaring. The fragrant dishes on the table seemed to mock him. He even felt like smashing all the meticulously prepared food, but in the end, he forcefully restrained himself. However, his expression became even more terrifying and grim.
Zhuang Wan'er's burn wasn't very serious. Fortunately, the pants she was wearing were thick, and she had rinsed the area with cold water promptly, but many blisters still formed. Shen Yue helped her downstairs to get a taxi and then went to the hospital to register. By the time all this was done, it was already dark. Snow had started to fall. Zhuang Wan'er handed Shen Yue a cup of hot water. "It's snowing quite heavily. Why don't you stay here for the night?"