“Su Ling, dinner’s ready~”
“Mm! I’m coming right now!”
After finishing the last bit of her work, the black-haired girl lifted her hands off the keyboard and stretched.
Her fitted loungewear perfectly outlined her slender figure—slim, though with a slight hint of regret in her posture.
“Su Ling, go wash your hands first. I’ll bring out the food.”
Wearing a pink rabbit apron, Ruan Zhixian had her hair tied up in a bun. Carrying a tray, she spoke to the black-haired girl who had just stepped out of the bedroom.
“Okay, got it~”
“Ta-da! Ruan Zhixian’s special—an easy and nutritious Three Dishes and One Soup!”
After Su Ling washed her hands and sat down at the dining table, Zhixian brought out the last dish. Hands on her hips, she proudly presented her masterpiece to the black-haired girl sitting opposite her.
The most eye-catching was the pot of Tofu Yellow Croaker Soup in the center. The aroma was irresistible, with tender yellow croaker fish barely visible in the milky white broth.
Soft white tofu cubes and several segments of green onion gently trembled in the freshly placed soup.
On the side, the cola chicken wings were arranged on a blue-and-white porcelain plate.
The thick, glossy brown sauce coated every inch of the wings, and the skin was slightly golden, clearly roasted to perfection.
Then there was a plate of tomato scrambled eggs, the red and yellow colors blending beautifully.
The tomatoes were soft and juicy, mixing seamlessly with the golden scrambled eggs, sprinkled with a few green scallions on top.
Finally, a simple plate of Stir-Fried Cabbage—vibrantly green and cooked just right, with a few white minced garlic pieces hidden inside.
“Wow! Zhixian, you really are a cooking genius!”
After eagerly tasting a few bites, Su Ling exclaimed sincerely.
Though these dishes were ordinary home-cooked meals, they included meat, vegetables, fish, eggs, and nutritious tofu, all combined with Ruan Zhixian’s excellent skills—it truly was a nourishing feast.
“Hehe, you can praise me even more if you want~”
Zhixian was very satisfied with Su Ling’s reaction. The best part of being a cook, of course, was seeing someone appreciate the dishes you’d prepared with care.
It was a lesson Zhixian had only recently come to understand.
“These dishes should all be to your liking, right? I feel like your taste is pretty similar to mine, so I just made what I like.”
Zhixian scratched her head—though, unfortunately, it wasn’t her usual fluffy golden hair but the stiff bun she hadn’t yet taken down.
Come to think of it, was she being inconsiderate? Shouldn’t she have asked Su Ling’s preferences beforehand? …But, but she wanted to give Su Ling a surprise…
Judging by Su Ling’s reaction, she must have gotten it right?
The girl felt a little uncertain.
“Mm! I like all of it! Zhixian, you should eat too!”
Hearing Su Ling’s affirmation, Zhixian finally relaxed. After placing a chicken wing that Su Ling had just picked onto her own mouth, she broke into a happy smile.
“Good! As long as you like it! I’ll make it for you again when I get the chance!”
Hehe, Zhixian said she’d make it for me again…
Su Ling, who was also munching on a chicken wing opposite her, felt her head swimming.
The full happiness in her chest surged along with the soft chicken in her mouth and the girl’s smile before her—our Miss Su simply couldn’t resist.
But…
Actually…
There wasn’t really any particular dish she liked or any specific taste she preferred…
It was just because Zhixian liked it, so she wanted to try…
Just because Zhixian liked it, so she tried to like it too…
That way, maybe she could get a little closer, just a little closer, to Zhixian’s heart…
See, how successful my plan is—she’s smiling so happily right now…
Su Ling sipped the fish soup from her bowl in small, delicate sips, the warmth in her stomach flowing through her entire body.
***
“Su Ling, have you finished all your work today?”
Full and content, Ruan Zhixian sprawled on the sofa. She had taken down her bun, letting her dazzling golden hair spread out like a shining waterfall.
“Yes, actually, I arranged the work for the next few days yesterday, so I’m just handling the daily must-dos at home now.”
Su Ling, also resting on the sofa nearby, answered calmly.
“Then let’s play games this afternoon! Let’s play a co-op game together! How about it?”
Zhixian, who by now looked like a puddle of liquid on the sofa, suddenly sprang up with a “whoosh,” instantly forming back into a complete golden-haired beauty.
Her bright green eyes sparkled with eager anticipation as she looked at Su Ling.
“Mm… mm… okay…”
Su Ling quickly felt shy under the gaze like a gentle fawn and blushed as she agreed to the girl’s request.
“Yay!”
“Su Ling, come quickly! I’ll give you a game controller!”
Saying this, our rough-around-the-edges Miss Ruan seemed completely unaware that she was already holding Su Ling’s controller. She just grabbed Su Ling’s small hand and headed for the bedroom.
Su Ling’s face turned even redder. Steam seemed to faintly rise from her head as she whispered softly:
Ahhh! Zhixian is holding my hand! Her hand is so soft and smooth! Holding it feels so nice…
“How about it, Su Ling? Want to play this game, It Takes Two?”
Leading the girl all the way to the bedroom, Zhixian let go of Su Ling’s small hand and took a game disc from the bookshelf. She turned around, holding it up in front of her.
The black-haired girl was still dazedly staring at her slender, delicate hand, as if savoring the feeling.
“Hm? Su Ling? Did you hear what I said?”
“Ah? Ah? Oh, yes, of course! Let’s play whatever game Zhixian picks!”
Only then did Su Ling come back to her senses, responding flusteredly while secretly deciding that she wouldn’t wash her hands in the bathroom when she used water magic tonight.
(Unfortunately, this decision was ruined that same evening when Chef Ruan insisted the girls wash their hands before dinner. Poor but unpitied Miss Su had no choice but to use the original casting materials.)
“Okay, then let’s play this one together!”
Hehe, I don’t care who plays It Takes Two with little Su Ling—she finished her work early just to play games with me!
For me…
Zhixian inserted the game disc, her fair cheeks flushing at the thought.
Wait, wait, why am I thinking such weird things again! I just want to play games with Su Ling, that’s all! It’s not like I’m trying to compete with some unknown person!
Even if Su Ling is doing it just to keep me company…
Thinking this, Zhixian glanced sideways at the black-haired girl fiddling with the controller. Su Ling seemed to sense her gaze, lifting her head slightly. The girl’s lips curved into a simple, gentle smile.
Su Ling playing with the controller is just so cute…
Zhixian quickly turned back to the screen, her face burning even more.
No, no, Zhixian! Don’t get distracted by Su Ling’s beauty again!
But Su Ling really is very pretty…
Zhixian, a bit of a beauty enthusiast, quietly argued with herself inside.
Ah, no, no! The topic’s drifting again!
Anyway! Even if Su Ling finished her work early, maybe she just wanted to rest and it’s not like she specifically wanted to play games with me! After all, this was my idea in the first place!
Don’t be so naive, Zhixian!
“Su Ling, did you finish your work early because you wanted to play with me?”
Zhixian asked softly, her back still turned to the black-haired girl.
“Yes. I finished early just to spend time with you, Zhixian.”
Su Ling’s answer was immediate and natural.