Chapter 31

This person is really something. 

Saying such adorable words—how could she possibly refuse? 

So, with a flushed face, Lu Jiu ended up ‘carrying’ a large, human-shaped pendant as she placed the buns into the steamer. 

The kitchen was quite spacious, and the lights were bright. 

But gradually, as only the sound of each other’s breathing filled the room, Lu Jiu began to feel as though she was in a small, enclosed space. 

She found it hard to bear the romantic atmosphere. With a bit of hesitation, she rested her hand on the large hand around her waist and softly suggested, “It’ll take about twenty minutes. How about some fruit first?” 

Having his concerns, Wei Shian kissed his girlfriend’s pink cheek before straightforwardly letting go. 

Lu Jiu quietly breathed a sigh of relief, then turned around to fetch another fork from the cabinet. 

Noticing his girlfriend’s discomfort, Wei Shian, even though he wasn’t fond of fruit, obediently took a bite of kiwi. “Did you have a good time in Shendu?” 

Even though the couple had been calling and texting each other every day during the week they were apart and he already knew how she felt, when he asked again, Lu Jiu still smiled and started to share in a soft voice. 

She talked about finding some high-quality flowers. 

She mentioned meeting some flower-growing experts. 

She also talked about how her university roommate Tong Xin might return to work. 

There were many topics, and she shared whatever came to mind. 

And Wei Shian just listened quietly, his expression gradually becoming more relaxed. 

It wasn’t until the seafood porridge gave off a rich aroma that Wei Shian got up to lift the lid and stir the pot. 

Seeing this, Lu Jiu paused her conversation and took out two bowls from the cabinet. 

One was 5 inches, the other 7 inches. 

As he served the porridge, she also fetched some side dishes from the fridge. 

The amount of porridge in the pot was just right, enough for two people. 

Remembering that her mother was also home, Wei Shian asked, “Did Auntie eat yet?” 

Lu Jiu shook her head. “She hasn’t. You can serve yourself first; I’ll cook another pot for my mom later.” 

Wei Shian didn’t say much after that. Once the porridge was served, instead of eating, he started cleaning the pot. 

He was so tall that he almost blocked the entire sink, making Lu Jiu have to tug at his clothes and lean forward to see. “I was going to help with that after we ate.” 

Today, Wei Shian was again wearing a black, fitted turtleneck sweater. They say black makes you look fairer, and though he had never noticed this before, the small hand resting on his waist now appeared as white as jade. 

The strong contrast stirred something in him, and he couldn’t resist leaning down to place a brief kiss on his girlfriend’s red lips. 

Feeling her lips being gently nibbled, Lu Jiu’s face turned bright red. She quickly stepped back and instinctively glanced at the kitchen door. Seeing no one, she gave him a light punch on the back. “You should be more careful.” 

“Sorry, couldn’t help it.” 

Was that an apology? Lu Jiu’s face grew even redder, and she was at a loss for words. 

By now, Wei Shian had finished cleaning the pot, and he turned to look at her with an innocent expression. “Where’s the rice?” 

“What do you need rice for?” 

“To make porridge for your mom.” 

Lu Jiu said, “You have quite the thick skin.” 

Wei Shian admitted, “Isn’t that necessary if I want to marry you?” 

Well, when it comes to quick comebacks, she could never win against him. 

Lu Jiu opened a cabinet door, revealing a sealed porcelain jar with a blue floral pattern. 

But as she watched him scoop the rice, she couldn’t help but mutter, “I thought you were the cold, silent, and aloof type of handsome guy.” She had been blinded by his looks. 

After scooping the rice and sealing the jar, Wei Shian turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow. “Handsome?” 

Lu Jiu changed the subject, “You can cook?” 

Wei Shian chuckled softly and turned on the tap to rinse the rice. “I’m a pretty good cook.” 

“But your canteen food is quite plentiful. Do you really need to cook for yourself?” 

“It is, but after eating it for a few years straight, I got tired of it. So on my days off, I cook for myself.” 

They really say you can’t judge a book by its cover. Wei Shian seemed so cool and aloof, but in private, he was actually so domestic. 

What to do? She seemed to like him even more now. 

= 

After dinner, it was still Wei Shian who cleaned up the dishes. 

Lu Jiu sat on a stool, waiting, occasionally glancing at the simmering pot on low heat. 

As expected, Wei Shian’s cooking skills were excellent. The aroma of seafood porridge had already filled the entire kitchen. 

“I should get going,” Wei Shian said after washing the dishes and wiping down the stove, then turning off the heat.  

It was nearly 10 p.m., and Wei Shian had to work the next day, so Lu Jiu didn’t try to keep him. 

She opened the freezer and took out two boxes of frozen dumplings and about ten buns. “These were all made by the housekeeper.” 

While packing them up, she added with a smile, “Neither my mom, my sister, nor I are good at cooking, so the housekeeper always keeps the fridge stocked with easy-to-prepare food. You should take some home; they taste really good.” 

Wei Shian was already used to being spoiled by his girlfriend, but he still said, “I don’t need this much.” 

Lu Jiu insisted, “It’s not a lot. There’s still plenty in the fridge, and the housekeeper restocks it every week.” 

This time, Wei Shian didn’t argue. He took the bag and held her hand as they walked to the door. 

At the entrance, after putting on his jacket, Wei Shian declined her offer to see him out, “It’s cold outside.” 

“Alright then. Drive safely, and text me when you get home.” 

“Okay, I will. If I don’t have to work late tomorrow, how about we go to the movies?” 

Lu Jiu felt a bit guilty. “I’m not sure yet. The seedlings I bought in Shendu should arrive tomorrow, and I’ll need to get them all settled.” 

He had completely forgotten about that. Wei Shian then asked, “Do you need help with that?” 

Lu Jiu replied, “We’ll see tomorrow. If the delivery arrives in the morning, I should be done by the time you’re off work. If that’s the case, we can go out in the evening.” 

Alright then, Wei Shian was a bit disappointed, but he understood. “Just let me know.” 

Having been apart for a week during the honeymoon phase of their relationship, Lu Jiu also wanted to spend time with her boyfriend. She remembered how he had waited two hours on an empty stomach, and her heart softened. She swung his hand gently and coaxed, “If the delivery doesn’t arrive in the morning, I’ll bring you lunch, okay?” 

Wei Shian flipped his hand and gently wrapped the soft little hand in his palm: “You just got home, make sure to rest well. Don’t spoil me too much.” 

After saying this, his gaze lingered on his girlfriend’s pink lips for quite a while before he reluctantly looked away. 

Lu Jiu 

= 

“Did Xiao Wei leave?” 

Returning to the kitchen to scoop half a bowl of porridge to taste her boyfriend’s cooking, Lu Jiu was surprised: “Mom? When did you wake up?” 

Fang Wenyi, who was serving herself porridge, waved her hand dismissively: “Don’t worry, I just came downstairs, didn’t see anything.” 

Lu Jiu was a little embarrassed and quickly said, “We weren’t doing anything anyway.” 

Fang Wenyi didn’t respond to this. She finished serving the porridge and went to the fridge to get some side dishes. 

Seeing this, Lu Jiu also served herself half a bowl. 

Fang Wenyi asked, “You haven’t eaten yet?” 

Lu Jiu, feeling a bit smug, replied, “I have, but this was made by Officer Wei, so I wanted to taste it.” 

“Xiao Wei made this?” Fang Wenyi was a bit surprised as she savored the delicious porridge. 

Lu Jiu then explained how her boyfriend had waited outside on an empty stomach: “At first, he didn’t want to come in, but I couldn’t wait to try it and took a spoonful right away: ‘Mmm, it’s delicious.'” 

Fang Wenyi smiled, “It’s quite good, better than your dad was when he was young.” 

“Was Dad not good at cooking when he was younger?” 

“Him? When he was young, his cooking was even worse than mine. It wasn’t until after we got married that he started to improve.” 

Lu Jiu quickly finished her porridge but didn’t leave right away. Instead, she sat next to her mother, resting her chin on her hands and asked, “You saw Officer Wei just now, what do you think?” 

Fang Wenyi replied, “I didn’t see him, just caught a glimpse of his back.” 

“Really? You didn’t see him?” 

Fang Wenyi playfully tapped her daughter’s nose, “Are you that eager to show off?” 

Lu Jiu brushed her mother’s hand aside, feeling a little embarrassed, “Not exactly, but you’ve always been curious.” 

Fang Wenyi said, “I’ve seen pictures, though.” 

“When?” 

“Don’t be silly. Remember when you went to his colleague’s wedding? You took quite a few group photos.” 

Lu Jiu was even more puzzled, “I don’t think I showed them to you?” 

“You didn’t need to. Weren’t they just sitting on your vanity? You silly girl, falling in love has turned your brain to mush.” 

“I just forgot,” Lu Jiu retorted, a bit embarrassed, then stood up to head upstairs, feeling like her mother was teasing her on purpose. 

Fang Wenyi couldn’t stop laughing, but suddenly, as if remembering something, she said, “Oh, by the way…” 

Lu Jiu, who was already opening the kitchen door, instinctively turned back, “What?” 

Fang Wenyi gave her daughter a knowing look, “Even though I didn’t see Xiao Wei’s face, I did notice that he has a pretty good figure from the back.” 

Lu Jiu’s cheeks turned bright red, and she quickly ran off. 

Fang Wenyi laughed heartily, “Hahaha.” 

= 

The flower delivery arrived even earlier than Lu Jiu expected. 

The next morning at 6:30, the experienced gardener found his way to the villa based on the address. 

So, Lu Jiu and her mother first settled the rare plants in the glasshouse and then went to the flower nursery in the suburbs. 

This busy work took up the entire morning. 

After returning home, they had lunch, took a nap, and by the time she woke up, Lu Jiu was full of energy again. 

With nothing else to do, she took the fruit that the housekeeper had prepared and went to the warm water pool to swim for half an hour. 

Officer Wei’s message arrived at 6 p.m. 

Having already dressed up, Lu Jiu grabbed her bag and cheerfully headed out. 

Seeing his particularly beautiful girlfriend, Wei Shian leaned over from inside the car and opened the passenger door. 

Though he was eager and anxious, as long as they were in the neighborhood and before gaining her parents’ approval, he wouldn’t get out of the car on his own initiative. 

Lu Jiu had no idea that her boyfriend was being mindful of her reputation. She held onto the car door, ready to get in, when she noticed the back seat was full of gift boxes, packed tightly together: “What’s all this?” 

Wei Shian replied, “I prepared them during my lunch break—gifts for when I meet your family.” 

Lu Jiu’s eyes widened, “Now?” 

Wei Shian was amused by her reaction, “Of course not. At least not until your parents want to see me.” 

“So should we drop the gifts off at your place first?” 

“No need, I’ll just keep them in the car. I have to be ready at all times.” 

Lu Jiu