After returning from the tea house, Su Xiyan seemed a bit absent-minded.
Even while washing her hands, her mind seemed elsewhere.
Her clear, dark eyes appeared to be focused on her delicate jade-like hands, but the gaze was somewhat elusive.
Chen Shuo, washing his hands as well, could still hear the sound of running water after a while.
He thought, "No wonder she's the wealthy sister from a prominent family; she takes so long to wash her hands. Doesn't she realize water bills can be expensive?"
Turning around, Chen Shuo noticed that Su Xiyan's demeanor was off.
He had never seen her so preoccupied before! Could something unpleasant have happened? Judging by Su Xiyan's tone when she told him to "live well," it seemed she had perceived something and started worrying about his safety.
Chen Shuo didn't need her concern! He was the Ghost King, the most powerful one in Su City!
However, Su Xiyan was unaware of this fact.
Chen Shuo's heart warmed; it turned out Su Xiyan had a vulnerable side.
Her vulnerability? It was him.
Chen Shuo turned the gas stove flame to its minimum, then walked over to the faucet, helping Su Xiyan adjust the valve to warm water.
"It's autumn now, and the weather is getting cooler."
"Girls should pay attention to staying warm; otherwise, they might get stomachaches."
Su Xiyan snapped back to reality, her eyes puzzled. "Why would I get a stomachache?"
Chen Shuo replied, "You shouldn't catch a chill during your period; it can cause stomach pain."
Su Xiyan: "..."
Her charming face blushed slightly.
Although they had been living together for quite some time, Su Xiyan had always been very discreet about such private matters.
During her recent visit from relatives, she took great care to ensure Chen Shuo wouldn't notice any traces. Even her personal garbage disposal was handled cleanly and efficiently.
And yet, Chen Shuo found out?
He truly was an observant young man!
Feeling the water transition from cold to warm, Su Xiyan's heart warmed even more.
Unable to resist, she asked, "How did you know?"
Without hesitation, Chen Shuo replied, "Don't forget, I'm a vampire..."
Before he could finish, Su Xiyan fiercely punched him!
So, that's it!
Gritting her teeth, Su Xiyan realized she had overlooked Chen Shuo's vampire nature.
Chen Shuo, defenseless against Su Xiyan's tiny fists, protested, "Stop, stop, stop! You've soaked me. Are you planning to wash my clothes later?"
Su Xiyan ceased her assault, glaring at Chen Shuo.
Yet, Chen Shuo wasn't upset. After all, Su Xiyan's absent-mindedness was just her way of worrying about him.
"You've been washing for so long, and look, there are still bits of green onion in your nail crevices!"
Su Xiyan looked down, indeed finding a small piece of green onion leaf stuck there, probably from when she was cutting it earlier.
Without waiting for Su Xiyan to react, Chen Shuo approached, grabbing her hand gently. Before washing her hands, he adjusted the water temperature himself.
The warm water flowed, gentle as a soft breeze.
Before, Chen Shuo and Su Xiyan had briefly held hands, but that was merely a makeshift gesture in a moment of desperation.
Outside the window, the autumn breeze gently brushed by, everything appearing tranquil and serene.
Su Xiyan watched Chen Shuo as he helped her wash her hands. His fingers were distinct and satisfying, fulfilling every girl's fantasy about a guy's hands. Su Xiyan had never seen Chen Shuo up close like this before, only now realizing that he was actually quite handsome, not just the cute puppy image he usually portrayed.
His strong nose bridge, well-defined jawline, and masculine charm were evident.
Through his handsome appearance, Su Xiyan seemed to glimpse Chen Shuo's profound inner world, vast like mountains and seas.
For a moment, her thoughts were somewhat hazy.
As Chen Shuo helped Su Xiyan wash her hands, there were no extraneous thoughts in his eyes.
Clear, like the autumn sky at this moment.
After washing, he took a soft, clean towel and gently dried Su Xiyan's hands.
Su Xiyan's nails were neatly trimmed, unlike other trendy girls or socialites who got manicures. A natural pale pink adorned them, exuding a sense of untouched beauty.
"When I was in kindergarten, the teacher always said, 'Before eating, little friends must wash their hands!'" Chen Shuo finished and pushed Su Xiyan towards the living room. "Little friend Su Xiyan, hurry and sit down, wait for dinner."
Little friend Su Xiyan??
This was the first time someone had called her that. Su Xiyan sat at the table, feeling a bit hungry.
She hadn't had an appetite because of her worries before! When Chen Shuo mentioned dinner, Su Xiyan even asked him to cook what he wanted to eat, not bothering with her own meal.
I wonder what delicious dishes Chen Shuo has prepared?
A few minutes later, Chen Shuo came out with steaming spinach and pig liver soup.
"I read online that girls need to eat some pig liver or lean meat during those days to replenish blood."
"If you don't eat properly, how will you have the strength to protect me?"
Then came a few more dishes.
Su Xiyan looked at them and saw they were all her favorites.
But she had clearly said she had no appetite and asked Chen Shuo to only make what he wanted to eat!
As she ate the steaming meal, Su Xiyan felt warm inside.
While eating, Chen Shuo said, "You should eat more in the future. If you don't eat enough, how will you have the strength to protect me?"
"I'm so weak, I need big sister's protection."
Watching Chen Shuo shamelessly act cute, Su Xiyan glared at him, "Chen Shuo, can't you be normal?"
Though she said that, Su Xiyan's mood was much better than before!
Yes, Chen Shuo had a point.
With vampires lurking in front and the cunning Tang Zhiyuan behind,
Su Xiyan really needed to eat more to have the strength to protect the person she wanted to protect.
Chen Shuo's cooking was really delicious!!
After dinner, Chen Shuo patted his round belly, "I'm stuffed~~"
"How about we go for a walk?" Su Xiyan refused, "Not going."
Chen Shuo: "If I remember correctly, you just had a bowl of rice, drank a bowl of soup, and had quite a few other dishes, right?"
"Eating so much at night without exercising, you might gain weight, you know!!"
Su Xiyan: "..."
Three seconds later, Su Xiyan had already changed into flat shoes and was waiting for Chen Shuo at the door.
Body image anxiety is an eternal topic for girls.
The cool night breeze already carries the scent of deep autumn.
Not far from the Haiyi Apartments, there is a park.
Inside, there are various amusement facilities, and in the evening, there are various stalls selling small trinkets.
Having lived in the Haiyi Apartments for so long, Su Xiyan didn't even know there was such a place nearby where she could take a stroll!
Chen Shuo stopped in front of a mobile stall.
On the stall, there were all kinds of headbands. The headbands were adorned with small beads that shimmered in the night.
Su Xiyan scornfully uttered two words: "Childish!!"