Chapter 60.1

The noodles were clearly freshly made, still steaming. The clear yellow broth, combined with the white noodles and topped with green scallions, looked appetizing. A single egg rested on the noodles, accompanied by two pieces of wilted, green bok choy.

Just the appearance was impressive.

The steam rising from the bowl blurred Xie Yanzhao’s vision.

He struggled to speak, “How did you know…”

As soon as he spoke, he remembered that his ID was with Ruan Mingfu, so she would naturally know everything.

Xie Yanzhao looked at her deeply. “Thank you.”

“Don’t mention it.”

Ruan Mingfu supported her face with both hands, smiling with her eyes crinkling.

“Eat quickly. The noodles are going to get soggy. I made these myself.”

Her hands were precious.

If it weren’t for the fact that it was the dog man’s birthday, and considering how much he had done for her, she wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of making longevity noodles.

This was her first time.

If Old Ruan knew about this, he would be jealous to death.

Xie Yanzhao felt a lump in his chest, aching with emotion. His throat felt dry, and he wanted to say something but didn’t know how. His gaze fell on the noodles, and he swallowed quickly.

They had already eaten outside when they came back.

The noodles were a small serving, just enough for two chopsticks’ worth.

The broth was leftover chicken soup from the afternoon, perfect for making noodles.

Seeing Xie Yanzhao eating, Ruan Mingfu watched him expectantly.

“How does it taste?”

“Very good.”

He ate quickly, finishing the noodles and drinking the broth.

Xie Yanzhao’s enthusiastic response made Ruan Mingfu both happy and proud.

She slightly lifted her delicate chin.

This was her first time making noodles for someone, and if the dog man dared to be disappointed, she’d make him spend the night with Wangcai!

Besides the noodles, she had another gift prepared.

After Xie Yanzhao tidied up and took a shower, he entered the room to find Ruan Mingfu in her pajamas, sitting on the bed with a book in hand.

He walked over and took the book from her hands.

“Don’t read at night. It’s bad for your eyes.”

Ruan Mingfu reached out and touched his arm.

“Why did you use cold water again?”

She frowned slightly.

“Don’t rely on your youth. When you’re old, you’ll suffer for it.”

Xie Yanzhao: “…”

If he wasn’t mistaken, this was the third time he’d heard the word “old” today.

The dog man couldn’t stand being called old, just as Ruan Mingfu couldn’t tolerate anyone calling her fat.

He squinted his eyes, looking at her dangerously.

“Am I very old?”

Ruan Mingfu shuddered.

She had a feeling that if she dared to nod, the other party would definitely make her suffer.

Ruan Mingfu became scared very quickly.

“Of course not, you’re in the prime of your youth, not old at all!”

Xie Yanzhao’s gaze grew more intense and dangerous. His Adam’s apple moved slightly as he asked, with genuine curiosity, “Oh… where am I in my prime?”

Ruan Mingfu: “…”

The dog man had learned to be cheeky and was even driving now.

She tilted her head slightly, her eyes meeting Xie Yanzhao’s, making her heart race. His gaze, dark and all-encompassing, seemed to envelop her completely.

She swallowed nervously.

Suddenly, she realized how close they were standing.

The distance was perilous.

She subtly tried to pull away, but under Xie Yanzhao’s intense stare, she didn’t dare move.

Ruan Mingfu’s hand trembled slightly as she avoided his burning and oppressive gaze. She couldn’t look directly at him. His strong possessiveness was alarming.

Her heart was beating fast.

The air in the room seemed to grow thin and sticky, making it hard for her to breathe.

She cleared her throat, breaking the tension. Quickly, she pointed to a shirt on the side, “This is for you.”

“You made it yourself?”

Though Xie Yanzhao’s face remained calm, the delight in his eyes was evident.

When Ruan Mingfu had mentioned making him a shirt, she had never acted on it. Xie Yanzhao had hoped for it but didn’t want to pressure her.

He had thought it would never happen.

Yet, today, she had surprised him.

Ruan Mingfu answered naturally, “Of course.”

She had specially asked Hu Wanning to teach her for several days. She practiced many times, wasted five meters of fabric, and only recently managed to make a shirt she was somewhat satisfied with.

“Try it on.”

Ruan Mingfu held out the shirt, but he grabbed her wrist.

The contrast between her fair skin and his tanned one was striking. Ruan Mingfu’s heart skipped a beat as she involuntarily let go.

The shirt fell, but another large hand caught it.

Xie Yanzhao’s gaze remained fixed on her, still holding her hand tightly.

She moved slightly, but his grip was unyielding.

The warmth from his hand made her own temperature rise. The surrounding air felt even thinner, causing her lips to part slightly and her breathing to become rapid.

“Are you hot?”

Ruan Mingfu’s eyes were clear, reflecting a pool of spring water under the light.

She looked up, and Xie Yanzhao met her gaze.

“No… not at all.”

Xie Yanzhao smiled lightly.

Little liar…

That night, Xie Yanzhao showed how much he appreciated Ruan Mingfu’s gift through his actions.

The next morning, Xie Yanzhao, feeling refreshed, put on the shirt Ruan Mingfu made for him and gave her a deep kiss while she was still asleep.

She woke up from the kiss.

With sleepy eyes, she swatted at him.

“Get off!”

Xie Yanzhao felt a bit guilty.

But he had no intention of causing more trouble, so he turned and left.

On his way out, he happened to run into Xu Zhu, who was coming out of his room with a sweet potato in his mouth. Seeing Xie Yanzhao, he greeted him cheerfully, “Old Xie, let’s go together.”

He reached out to pat Xie Yanzhao’s shoulder, but Xie Yanzhao dodged him as if avoiding a plague.

Looking at Xu Zhu with distaste, he asked, “Did you wash your hands?”

Why was Xu Zhu always so careless, slapping his dirty hands on people? He had never realized before how unsanitary Xu Zhu was.

Xu Zhu: “…”

Was he okay today?

“Old Xie, where did you get that shirt?” Xu Zhu asked, noticing Xie Yanzhao’s new shirt. “It looks great. Tell me where to get one so I can have my wife buy one for me too.”

Xie Yanzhao straightened up, his entire demeanor exuding pride.

“What do you mean ‘buy’? My wife made it.”

“Wow—”

Xu Zhu gasped, almost dropping his sweet potato.

“Seriously? My sister-in-law made it?”

He reached out to touch the shirt but was swatted away by Xie Yanzhao.

“As a soldier, it’s inappropriate to be so casual and touchy.”

Xu Zhu rubbed his sore hand, “…”

So stingy!

Not letting him touch and scolding him so earnestly. It was just a shirt. Hadn’t his wife made them before?

How had he never noticed Xie Yanzhao could be so petty?

“Old Xie, tell me the truth, did my sister-in-law really make it?”

In Xu Zhu’s impression, Ruan Mingfu was a delicate young lady, and Xie Yanzhao did all the cooking at home. If not for her success at the exposition, she would have been criticized by the family compound’s ladies long ago.

How could such a lady make a shirt for Xie Yanzhao? She probably didn’t even know how to sew on a button.

Xu Zhu thought Xie Yanzhao was just trying to make him jealous.

It’s just a vain trick among men.

Xie Yanzhao glanced at him. “If it wasn’t made by my wife, do you think it was made by you?”

Xu Zhu: “…”

Why was he being so confrontational?

Well, he would grudgingly believe it…

And so, Xu Zhu spent the whole way understanding just how annoying Xie Yanzhao could be.

He wished he could go back ten minutes and strangle the roommate who invited him to come along. Upon reaching the office, Xu Zhu hurried inside as if chased by a fierce dog. He couldn’t stop hearing:

“My wife is really good at cooking.”

“My wife’s cooking is delicious too.”

“My wife loves me so much that she even makes soup for me…”

Help!