"Instructor Peng, aren't we buying homework? Why did you take so long? We thought you weren't coming back and would leave us here to starve!"
"Quick, quick, go cook. It's been two days, and I've only eaten one meal. I'm really starving to death!"
"If I'd known you were this ruthless, I wouldn't have come even if you beat me to death! No food, no drinks, no internet, and no doors at night. Plus, you punish us every day. I finally understand what it's like to be in jail. Instructor Peng, I won't talk back to you anymore, okay? Can you stop tormenting us like this?"
Peng Fei threw the bag of homework into Xiang Siyuan's arms and glared at them.
"Who are you blaming? Isn't it your own fault? You deserve to starve. Get lost and do your homework!"
The auntie and Zhan Jingchun followed him into the house.
The auntie said enthusiastically, "Little Peng, let me help you. It's so late, how long will it take you to do it alone?"
Peng Fei scooped half a rice cooker of rice, didn't even wash it, added water, and started steaming. Then he rolled up his sleeves and went to the refrigerator to get the vegetables.
"No need, auntie. It's so late, you should rest. It's fine. They deserve to starve. They're adults, and there are vegetables in the fridge. It's better to wait than to do it yourself. Don't feel sorry for them."
"One must endure hardship to appreciate the goodness of life. This is why their parents sent them here. If you spoil them, they'll get arrogant again in a couple of days."
The auntie found his words reasonable and didn't say much more.
He came out of the kitchen, intending to ask Zhan Jingchun to go home. But seeing her sitting on the sofa, like a teacher, distributing homework to the children one by one, he felt a pang of reluctance.
She had seemed preoccupied in the morning, but by evening, she was like a different person.
Although she wasn't all smiles, he could sense her ease and carefree spirit.
Seeing her fingers sparkling with beautiful manicures, the auntie, who wasn't foolish, knew she enjoyed being around young people. So, she didn't say anything further and quietly went home.
Peng Fei selected the dishes for the evening and prepared to wash and trim them. As he reached out, he saw the sparkling manicure on his hand and quickly withdrew it in alarm.
He wondered if the water would wash it off. What if it came off and Zhan Jingchun got angry?
He put the vegetables down again and quietly went to the living room.
In the living room, Zhan Jingchun was explaining a problem to the youngest child. After she finished, he awkwardly called out to her.
"Miss Chun, could you come to the kitchen for a moment?"
Zhan Jingchun looked at his awkward expression, curious about what he needed. She went to the kitchen, and Peng Fei spread out his ten fingers for her to see.
"Can they get wet? Will they fall off? I need to wash and cut vegetables. What if they come off?"
Zhan Jingchun covered her mouth, laughing so hard she could barely breathe.
His foolish and naive appearance was truly hilarious.
By the time she finished laughing, Peng Fei still didn't know if his nails could get wet.
Zhan Jingchun waved her hand, "No, they won't. How can you not even have this common sense? What dishes are you making? Let me help you."
How could that be?
Miss Zhan, the pampered daughter, had never lifted a finger in his hometown. He couldn't let her do it here.
"No, no, I'll do it myself. As long as they don't fall off."
With that, he put his hand under the faucet. Zhan Jingchun stopped him.
"Look at your hands, they're already injured. If you soak them in water, will they still be okay? Aren't you afraid of infection? In severe cases, you might need an amputation. If that really happens, I'll like you even less."
Peng Fei was so scared that he could only let her wash them.
Zhan Jingchun washed them meticulously, handing one to Peng Fei after washing each one. Peng Fei cut them beside her.
They coordinated perfectly, occasionally chatting. From behind, they looked like a match made in heaven, full of affection.
Xiang Siyuan was curious. Why wasn't Zhan Jingchun going home so late? What was so interesting about a mere instructor?
He secretly went to the kitchen door to peek. Seeing them like that, he sneakily returned and whispered to everyone.
"Look, Miss Zhan went to cook with that instructor. They were talking and laughing. What's going on?"
Someone immediately chimed in, "What do you mean what's going on? They must have feelings for each other."
"That Peng fellow is too ambitious. A rough guy from a backwater village dares to have ideas about Miss Zhan. Even if he's good at charming her, the Zhan family will never agree in the end, even if Miss Zhan is momentarily confused."
"Exactly, based on him, do you expect him to flirt with Miss Zhan?"
Someone held a different opinion, "Why do I think they look quite well-matched? The Zhan family isn't short of money. If she really likes him, it's not impossible to have a live-in son-in-law."
"You're quite imaginative, a live-in son-in-law..."
"So what? This kind of thing isn't unheard of. Let's make a bet if you don't believe me!"
"A bet it is!"
With their perfect coordination, the first dish was quickly stir-fried. Peng Fei placed it on the table and threw a pile of chopsticks at them, telling them to eat first.
Xiang Siyuan was the first to rush for the chopsticks. As Peng Fei withdrew his hand, he keenly noticed something sparkling on his finger.
"Wait, what happened to your hand, Instructor Peng? Let me see what's on your finger."
Peng Fei quickly retracted his hand and glared at him.
"What could be on it? Just some water. What are you looking at?"
"It's not water. Why do I see something pink and tender? Let me have a look."
"You little brat, are you getting too bold again? Is it your place to question me? Are you eating or not? If not, I'll throw it away."
"Eat, eat, eat! If you don't want me to look, fine, don't look. Why are you so fierce?"
Peng Fei returned to the kitchen. Zhan Jingchun heard the entire conversation between him and Xiang Siyuan clearly. Only then did she realize it was inappropriate.
"After we finish cooking, I'll help you remove the nail polish."
Peng Fei was taken aback, "This can be removed?"
"Of course, there's nail polish remover. I was just teasing you this afternoon. I didn't expect you to actually do it. After all, you're a man. People will laugh if they see it. Let's remove it."
But Peng Fei didn't want to.
She had said they were couple's manicures. If he removed them, he wouldn't be Zhan Jingchun's other half anymore.
"I think it's quite nice. I don't want to remove it."
Zhan Jingchun looked at him, speaking earnestly. Knowing what he meant, her heart filled with joy, but she still asked,
"Aren't you afraid they'll see it and laugh at you?"
Peng Fei, with true manliness, replied, "I'm not afraid. If anyone dares to laugh, I'll break their legs."
All the dishes were served. Seeing everyone happily eating, Zhan Jingchun finally left.
Peng Fei escorted her to her doorstep. Watching her receding figure, his heart was filled with happiness.
That night, lying in bed, he looked at his fingers by the light from the window, too excited to sleep.
Heaven had been too kind to him, not only allowing him to meet Chun Chun again but also for them to be so happy together.
Thinking about how much they had talked today and how many times they had had close contact, he really wanted to stand up and shout.
Across the street, Zhan Jingchun examined her fingers by the light from the window, also unable to sleep.
How long had it been since she was this happy?
Three months? Five months?
In any case, she felt today was exceptionally fulfilling and abundant, happier than any other day in months.