Lan Hui grew more and more anxious the more she thought about it. Her hand slipped, and she almost dropped her water cup to the floor.
Her little face was burning red, her heart thumping wildly.
She remembered that Peng Kai hadn’t said any romantic sweet nothings earlier, just mentioned that he was too happy to fall asleep.
But for a complete novice like her, it was as if her whole body had been electrified—she even stuttered when she spoke:
“Even if… you’re happy, you still need to sleep. Tomorrow… you still have things to do at the shop, if you don’t sleep… how will you have any energy?”
Peng Kai’s gaze stayed on the girl the whole time.
Seeing her shyly caring for him, looking so cute, an unconsciously gentle look appeared between his brows:
“I know what I’m doing, don’t worry about me. Hurry and get some sleep. I’ll wake you up in another two hours.”
Lan Hui nodded. “Then I’ll head in.” Holding her water cup, she quickly walked into the room. She didn’t dare stay up like Peng Kai did—her job required strength.
If she didn’t sleep well, it would definitely affect her work.
Once she lay back on the bed, Lan Hui really couldn’t hold out any longer and soon drifted into a deep sleep.
Maybe it was because she went to bed so late, but Lan Hui slept especially deeply that night. When she woke up, it was already eight in the morning.
She cried out in surprise and hurried to get up and get dressed.
Damn it, even the alarm didn’t wake her up today.
Peng Kai too—he said last night he’d wake her, but he hadn’t.
Getting up at this hour, she was definitely going to be late for work.
Just then, Peng Kai’s voice came from outside the door: “Yue Fu, are you up?”
Lan Hui replied as she got dressed, “I’m up, I didn’t even notice the alarm going off today, I’m definitely going to be late.”
Peng Kai stood at the door, comforting her: “Don’t rush, I’ll drive you to work in a bit. We’ll definitely make it in time.”
It usually took Lan Hui about fifteen minutes to walk to the shop. If they drove, it would only take about five minutes.
Thinking about it that way, they’d definitely make it. Lan Hui wasn’t so nervous anymore.
She opened the door and saw Peng Kai standing there. The air was filled with the aroma of food.
“Brother Kai, good morning.” Lan Hui waved at Peng Kai.
“Good morning.” Peng Kai smiled at her. “Once you’re done washing up, come to the living room for dumplings. They’re almost ready.”
Lan Hui hadn’t expected her new boyfriend to be so thoughtful. “Okay.” With that, she dashed straight to the bathroom to wash up.
On the sink, her toothbrush already had toothpaste squeezed on it, her cup was filled with water, and there was even hot water and a towel ready in the basin…
Lan Hui was completely astonished—he’d prepared everything so thoroughly!
No wonder people say being in love is sweeter than eating three pounds of honey. She felt like she finally understood.
“Brother Kai, thank you!” Lan Hui’s cheerful voice floated from the bathroom to the kitchen, making Peng Kai’s lips curve into a smile.
“You’re my girlfriend. Taking care of you is what I should do.”
Lan Hui felt blissful inside. If her mouth wasn’t full of toothpaste foam, she probably wouldn’t be able to help humming a little tune.
Five minutes later, Lan Hui finished washing up and went out, face fresh and clean.
She saw two steaming bowls of dumplings on the coffee table, and Peng Kai was sitting on the sofa waiting for her to eat together.
“I’ve let them cool for three minutes. They shouldn’t be too hot now.” Peng Kai looked at her gently.
Lan Hui beamed as she walked over and sat across from him. “Brother Kai, don’t wait for me, go ahead and eat.” She picked up a spoon and stirred her bowl of dumplings to cool them faster.
Peng Kai nodded, picked up his small spoon, scooped up a dumpling, blew on it, and put it in his mouth.
The two didn’t say much, but the atmosphere as they ate was warm and harmonious.
Fifteen minutes later, they finished eating. Peng Kai took the bowls to the kitchen, changed clothes, and got ready to drive his girlfriend to work.
The apartment complex was only two traffic lights away from Lan Hui’s workplace. Even during rush hour, the traffic wasn’t bad, so Peng Kai got her there in five minutes.
As Lan Hui was about to open the door and get out, Peng Kai said, “I’ll pick you up after work this afternoon.”
Lan Hui quickly refused, “No, no, I can go back by myself. It’s quick, I’m not that delicate.”
Peng Kai disagreed: “It’s not about being delicate. You’re my girlfriend. As long as I have time, I’ll always pick you up and drop you off.”
Lan Hui didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“Brother Kai, you’re really something. When I first met you, you were all cold and distant. Lots of classmates said you’d be the type to commit domestic violence.”
“Who would’ve thought you’d be so considerate in a relationship?”
Peng Kai awkwardly cleared his throat twice. “I… didn’t sleep last night. I was looking up relationship guides on my phone.”
Now that he was starting a new relationship, he naturally wanted to take it seriously.
Back when he was with Gu Shinan for seven or eight years, they never lived together. Gu Shinan was always busy with her studies and lived at school.
He realized that besides texting and transferring money to her on his phone, he’d rarely had any real contact with her.
Last night, he confessed, and the girl agreed so readily. She trusted him so much—he would never let her down.
Even more, he wouldn’t let his supportive mother-in-law down.
He would do everything he could to make Yue Fu happy.
Even if he didn’t have money now, he’d prove himself with his actions.
Lan Hui burst out laughing when she heard that. She never expected Peng Kai to actually look up relationship guides.
She’d thought he was so good at this because he’d been with his ex for seven or eight years.
Turns out, he was a newbie too.
Thinking about it like that, Lan Hui didn’t feel so nervous around Peng Kai anymore.
Peng Kai’s pure, clueless side was just her type.
“Brother Kai, time’s almost up. Let’s chat on the phone when we’re free. I’m off to work now.” Seeing there were no cars behind, Lan Hui quickly got out, waved at him, and ran straight into the shop.
Peng Kai chuckled, turned on the left signal, started the car, and merged into traffic, heading straight to the auto repair shop.
Lan Hui clocked in at the shop, greeting everyone with a beaming smile.
Her coworkers noticed how cheerful she was today and couldn’t help teasing her: “Yue Fu, did you find money on the street or something? Why are you so happy?”
“Look at her glowing! I bet she’s in love.”
“Her eyes are all squinty from smiling. Maybe she got another client to renew their contract—her performance is going up again this month!”
“Yue Fu, you’re getting more and more amazing! How many deals have you closed this month? When payday comes, you’ll probably make over ten thousand.”
Just then, the shop manager came over to start the morning meeting, smiling as he said, “Yue Fu’s performance has been great these past few months. This month, her results are the highest among all our technicians. Let’s give her a round of applause.”
Thunderous applause broke out. Lan Hui smiled brightly. “Thank you, everyone! Let’s all work hard together and keep getting better.”
The manager said, “Yue Fu, come up and share your experience in getting renewals, so everyone can learn from you. Let’s try to make our shop one of the top three branches in S City!”
Lan Hui confidently stepped forward, cleared her throat, and said, “Actually, I don’t have much experience. The results I have today are thanks to learning from all the seniors here—observing, listening, absorbing as much as I can.”
“I think the most basic thing to get clients to renew is sincerity, followed by technique and the overall experience. Only when clients are truly satisfied will they want to come back…”
She shared two examples from her own clients. She would regularly send parenting tips to Baoma, and if a Baoma had a blocked milk duct, she would visit personally to help.
“In short, treat people sincerely and do your work with genuine care, and the results will never be bad. Thank you, that’s all I wanted to say.”
Another round of thunderous applause rang out.
Lan Hui smiled and walked back to her seat.
Speaking of blocked milk ducts, she couldn’t help but think of last night’s Baoma.
After what happened last night, that Baoba would definitely not let the Baoma come to her for Postpartum Recovery again—she’d lost this client.
She just hoped that Baoba could keep last night’s incident hidden so the Baoma could have a proper Month of Confinement.
It wasn’t that Lan Hui was trying to be a saint, but giving birth was so hard for women—being a mother wasn’t easy.
That was also why she hadn’t wanted to make a scene last night. If a woman didn’t recover properly during her Month of Confinement, she’d suffer a lifetime of pain.
***
At five in the afternoon, Lan Hui had just finished work when Peng Kai’s car was already waiting at the door.
She smiled and jogged over, not wanting to make him wait even a moment longer.
Getting into the car, Lan Hui buckled her seatbelt and said, “Brother Kai, you got here so early.”
“Not really, I’ve only been here about five minutes.” Peng Kai smiled.
“Brother Kai, what do you want to eat tonight? Let me show you what I can do!” Lan Hui’s eyes sparkled as she looked at him.
He’d taken such good care of her in the morning, and she wanted to do something nice for him too.
Even though they were together now, and it was Peng Kai who’d pursued her, being together was just the first step. There was still a long way to go before Peng Kai could truly open his heart.
She liked him.
Right now, at best, he was just attracted to her.
Who knew how long it would take to complete her task.
“I’m fine with anything, just something simple. Otherwise, I’ll be late for class.” Peng Kai kept his eyes on the road, driving carefully.
Lan Hui thought for a moment. “How about stir-fried chives with egg and shredded pork with wood ear mushrooms?” Both were quick stir-fry dishes and could be done in a few minutes.
“That’s perfect.” Peng Kai’s gaze softened.
“When we get there, drop me at the entrance to the complex so I can buy groceries. You go park the car, we’ll split up to save time.”
“Okay.” There were still dishes at home to wash—he’d go back and do them first.
Lan Hui was fast—she bought the groceries and got home to start cooking in ten minutes.
The kitchen was already spotless, thanks to Peng Kai. As soon as she got back, she started washing the vegetables.
Peng Kai said, “Let me wash the vegetables. You cut the meat. It’ll be faster if we work together.”
Seeing her boyfriend so diligent, Lan Hui’s eyes curved with her smile. “Alright.”
Peng Kai was infected by her smile, and his own eyes lit up with joy.
After dinner, the two set out for class at the school.
As they walked, Peng Kai asked in a low voice, “Can I hold your hand?”
Lan Hui knew the fox had finally shown his tail.
She’d known Peng Kai couldn’t stay well-behaved for long. Back when they were cooking together in the kitchen, the way he looked at her was practically melting…
She’d sensed then that he had something else on his mind.
Lan Hui glared at him with her beautiful eyes. “No.” No sooner had she spoken than she tripped, her body suddenly unsteady, falling straight toward Peng Kai.
Peng Kai reacted quickly, catching her and pulling her into his arms, laughing. “You say no, but your body’s being honest. I really—”
Lan Hui’s face was burning red, and she hit him in embarrassment, hurrying out of his arms.
“I… I just wasn’t watching my step, it’s not what you think!” She’d been flustered by his question, her brain practically turning to mush—otherwise, how could she trip on flat ground?
So embarrassing.
Peng Kai laughed. “I know it’s not what I think. I was just joking. Since your vision isn’t great walking at night, I’ll walk you home.”
With that, Peng Kai naturally took Lan Hui’s hand.