Song Xi was very curious and had been observing him closely. When he opened the package, she saw that it was a heat patch.

He was really considerate, knowing that women would need such things.

She watched as his long legs approached her step by step.

Song Xi didn’t say anything, just stared at him. In fact, she wasn’t sure what to say in such a situation to avoid making things awkward.

The man seemed to have no such concerns. He bent down, looking into her eyes, “Do you want me to help you, or can you do it yourself?”

Song Xi responded quickly, taking the heat patch from his hand, “I can do it myself.”

As expected.

Shang Fuyan straightened up and took a few steps back, turning his back to her.

Song Xi didn’t fuss, lifting her shirt and peeling off the backing of the heat patch, securing it firmly on her abdomen.

Once she was done, she softly said to his back, “I’m done, it’s all set.”

Shang Fuyan turned around, their gazes meeting in the air.

To ease the awkwardness, Song Xi spoke up, “Do you want to sit down for a while, or are you planning to leave?”

As soon as she asked, Song Xi regretted it, feeling like she was rushing him out and being ungrateful.

“I’ll stay for a bit until you feel better, then I’ll leave.”

The man looked around. Apart from the two chairs in the dining area, there was no other place to sit.

The sofa was a two-seater, no more than 1.2 meters long. If they both sat on it, it wouldn’t be too cramped, but it would be too close for comfort.

Shang Fuyan was considering Song Xi’s feelings, afraid she might feel uncomfortable.

Just as he was thinking this, her voice reached his ears, “Professor Shang, come and sit.”

As she spoke, Song Xi moved to one side of the sofa.

At this point, Shang Fuyan couldn’t refuse and sat down on the other side.

However, his long legs still seemed to have nowhere to go.

Song Xi stared at him, suddenly meeting his gaze through the reflection of his glasses.

His eyes seemed even deeper, and her heart skipped a beat, as if a restless rabbit had taken up residence.

“Teacher Song, what do you usually eat when you’re alone?”

His sudden question relieved the awkward atmosphere, bringing Song Xi back to her senses.

“Breakfast is usually a quick meal, lunch is at the school cafeteria, and dinner is sometimes at a nearby restaurant or takeout.”

Hearing the last part, the man frowned, “You often order takeout?”

“Not often. I know takeout isn’t healthy or hygienic, so I sometimes cook my own meals.”

Shang Fuyan nodded slightly but didn’t comment.

“Do you know how to cook?” Song Xi asked him.

“I can make simple home-cooked dishes. If there’s something you want to eat, I can learn from a recipe.”

His words carried a deeper meaning.

Of course, Song Xi could hear it. At this stage, they were just testing the waters.

“Professor Shang, were you naturally good at cooking, or did you learn it later?”

“I don’t have a natural talent for it. When I was studying abroad, I didn’t adapt well to the local food, so I started cooking for myself.”

“Can you make dumplings or buns?” Song Xi asked, her face full of curiosity.

From her expression, it was clear she was feeling better, and the man’s mood improved as well.

“Yes, I can.” Shang Fuyan replied.

“Professor Shang, you are really amazing!”

Her flattery was well-received. Who doesn’t like to be praised?

Besides, Song Xi was not just anyone.

In the past, she was his student. In the future, perhaps she could be called something else.

At that moment, Song Xi’s phone rang, the ringtone fitting her personality—sweet, gentle, and stubborn.

Her mother’s voice came through the speaker, “Xiaoxi, are you back at the apartment?”

“Um, I’m upstairs.”

“Didn’t you say you had a date with the archaeology professor tonight? Did it end so quickly?”

Song Xi glanced at the man, then answered seriously, “We had dinner and played some badminton, then came back.”

“You little troublemaker! Was it your idea to play badminton? Couples usually go to the movies or take walks, but you… You really can’t be taught…”

Hearing her mother’s continuous nagging, Song Xi decided to take control of the conversation, “Mom, I’m sleepy. Let’s talk tomorrow.”

The other end of the line didn’t suspect anything, “Alright. You little lazy pig!”

Song Xi held the phone and turned to look at the man, seeing a hint of amusement in his eyes, quickly suppressed.

“Get some rest, Teacher Song. I’ll be going.”

“I’ll see you out.”

Shang Fuyan stood up from the sofa, looking down at the girl who seemed to have fully recovered, and couldn’t resist teasing her, “Aren’t you sleepy? You don’t need to see me out.”

At that moment, Song Xi felt a flock of crows cawing in her head.

This man was clearly making fun of her for lying to her mother, and it was true.

Let him laugh; eventually, they would know each other inside and out, understanding each other’s temperaments to truly live together.

Despite Shang Fuyan’s insistence that she didn’t need to see him out, Song Xi walked him to the door, waving goodbye, “Drive safely, and text me when you get home.”

“Okay.”

Only after he entered the elevator did Song Xi close and lock the door.

The security in the residential area was good, but as a woman, Song Xi didn’t want to take any risks.

At this point, apart from a slight discomfort in her abdomen, she was fine.

She returned to the living room and poured herself a cup of hot water. Just as she was halfway through drinking it, there was a knock on the door.

Song Xi was taken aback. Who could be visiting at this hour? Could it be the property management?

As she was thinking this, a call came in from an unknown number.

Song Xi hesitated for a few seconds before answering. Before she could speak, a man’s voice came through.

“Open the door, it’s me.”

The simple four words instantly told her who it was.

She answered while quickly walking over to the door, opening it.

There he stood, holding a large bag that looked like it contained books.

Shang Fuyan explained gently, “I bought you a few books while I was at the bookstore. You can read them when you have time.”

Song Xi was pleased. She loved reading, devouring books of all kinds.

“Thank you, give them to me,” Song Xi reached out.

Shang Fuyan didn’t hand the heavy bag to her, “It’s a bit heavy, I’ll carry it over.”

Song Xi moved slightly to the side, letting him in.

As he passed by her, Song Xi could smell the faint scent of his cologne, which captivated her.

She inwardly scolded herself for being so infatuated, having inappropriate thoughts about him.

At that thought, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes shimmered as if they could spill over with water.