Chapter 37 It Used to Be Pretense.

The sky was clear, the sun was blazing.

Jiang Wansheng had finished making the fluid bear by noon. She turned and went to a wonton shop, ordered a crab roe wonton, and sat in a corner by the window, waiting.

The wooden window frame framed the distant green mountains and blue lake, giving the overall view a serene landscape painting feel.

With her fair fingers supporting her chin, Jiang Wansheng turned her head to gaze into the distance. Her forehead was full, her nose was straight, her lip curve was beautiful, and her profile exuded exquisite beauty.

However, she hadn’t enjoyed this quiet and peaceful atmosphere for long before it was interrupted by the sound of her phone vibrating.

She turned her phone over on the table—

“A new message from M.”

Her heart skipped a beat.

Wasn’t he supposed to have returned to the company last night? How come he was back so soon?

She opened the message:

【Where are you?】

She frowned, not wanting to reply. She hadn’t fully processed what happened last night and didn’t know how to face him.

Just as she was about to lock the screen, another message popped up:

【Have a meal together?】

【I worked late last night and haven’t eaten anything until now.】

Seemingly anticipating that she might not reply, he added another sentence.

Jiang Wansheng felt a hint of pity from his messages. After hesitating for a moment, she tapped on the screen to type a response.

【But I’m already eating.】

Qin Mo quickly replied:

【Then I’ll come over and eat with you.】

Her eyes widened.

【No!】

【Then you come over.】

Qin Mo quickly sent the address.

Jiang Wansheng bit her lip, typing with a bit more force.

【Got it, wait for me for ten minutes.】

Sensing the girl’s displeasure even through the phone, Qin Mo lazily smiled and sent a voice message.

“Waiting for you.”

Jiang Wansheng pressed the phone to her ear, clicked to open it, and the man’s deep and gentle voice unexpectedly resonated in her ears, accompanied by a subtle electric current, as if deliberately seducing her.

Her ears felt hot, she quickly put the phone down, locked the screen, and vented her frustration by tapping the phone on the table.

Unserious!

In the end, she reluctantly packed up the crab roe wonton she had on hand and went to the address Qin Mo had sent.

Qin Mo’s residence is a two-story small building nestled among the mountains and waters, decorated in a style reminiscent of American pastoral.

Carrying her belongings, she pushed open the small gate and stopped in front of the walnut-colored door, hesitating to ring the bell when the door opened from the inside.

Three or four chefs dressed in uniforms filed out, nodding slightly at her before hurriedly leaving.

She stood awkwardly to the side to make way for them, but before she could turn around, a cold, slightly hoarse voice came from behind her, “Why aren’t you coming in?”

She pursed her lips and reluctantly turned to look at the man standing at the door, muttering under her breath, “I didn’t want to come in the first place.”

Qin Mo raised an eyebrow lightly and said calmly, “We kissed last night, why are you acting like you don’t know me today?”

Jiang Wansheng didn’t expect him to bring it up so casually, feeling her cheeks flush with anger. “You still bring that up, you were, you were being shameless last night!”

The girl had always been well-behaved and gentle, but now she seemed to be jumping around like a rabbit, lacking any intimidation and instead softening people’s hearts.

He took the things from her hands, and with his other hand, he directly pulled the girl’s hand hanging by her side and led her into the house.

Jiang Wansheng tried to pull her hand back, but to no avail, instead, the man held onto her even tighter.

She followed him, and all she could see was his tall and straight back. The broad back muscles accentuated the curve of the black shirt, and the black and gold belt outlined his strong and slender waist.

The hand he held was dry and warm, enveloping her completely. How could he make such intimate gestures between them seem so natural and confident?

She was truly puzzled.

Qin Mo led her to the dining room, placed the wonton she had packed on the table, and turned to see her frowning. He rubbed the fingers resting on her hand and asked, “What are you thinking about?”

Helplessly, she raised the hand they were holding, giving him a look that said, “Don’t do that to me all the time, I’m not used to it.”

Qin Mo’s deep and mysterious black eyes stared at her, and under her gaze, he slowly said, “It takes 21 days to form a good habit, I’ll help you get used to it.”

Jiang Wansheng hesitated, struggled to speak, and finally said, “You’ve changed.”

“You weren’t so… shameless before.”

A light chuckle escaped Qin Mo’s throat, and he said in a low, deep voice, “I used to pretend.”

He led Jiang Wansheng to the dining table and sat down, “Let’s eat first, you can scold me after we finish.”

Defiantly, Jiang Wansheng said, “I’m not eating this, I want to eat my wonton.”

Qin Mo frowned, opened the bag beside him, and looked at the dishes specially made by the resort chef, coaxing, “I made it according to your taste, why don’t you try this first?”

Jiang Wansheng reluctantly shifted her gaze to the dishes that were rich in color, aroma, and taste, but still felt awkward, “You eat it yourself, I promised to come and eat with you, can’t I even eat what I like?”

She was still upset about Qin Mo forcing her to come over.

Qin Mo wasn’t angry either, he raised his index finger to touch his forehead in compromise, “Then let me put it in your plate, okay?”

Jiang Wansheng nodded.

Qin Mo got up and went to the kitchen, Jiang Wansheng looked up at him, the dignified man was now bowing his head, focusing on placing the crab roe wonton onto a porcelain plate for her.

After a moment, Qin Mo came out with the plate and placed it in front of Jiang Wansheng, “Can we have a meal together now?”

Jiang Wansheng remained silent, just picked up her chopsticks and started eating the wonton.

Qin Mo looked at her as she ate, her cheeks bulging, her cold eyes softening, and a subtle sense of satisfaction entwining around his heart.