NOVPUBChapter 239: Chapter 239: Warm Man
Chapter 239 -239: Warm Man
The next day after work, Bai Xiao also took an hour off early to go to the market to buy ingredients.
She bought lamb blood, beef tripe, and the like, planning to make a spicy dish called ‘Mao Xue Wang’ and sweet and sour pork ribs, accompanying them with bought steamed buns. She then headed back to her dormitory early to cook.
Upon arriving at the dormitory, just as she took out her keys, she saw someone kneeling in front of the door next door.
She couldn’t help but take a closer look, and, alright, she recognized her—it was Chui Lu’s former mother-in-law. The elderly lady must have had someone advising her this time; she wasn’t crying or making a scene, just kneeling motionlessly at the door.
Bai Xiao thought that if Chui Lu were there, she would probably have a headache, but didn’t the old lady inquire before coming? Chui Lu had met her this morning while heading back to her hometown for the New Year with Xiaofen. This was the first time Chui Lu had taken Xiaofen back to her mother’s home for New Year. The child was happy, and Chui Lu also had a smile on her face, showing more expressions than the usually aloof Dr. Chui Lu she first met.
The elderly lady probably noticed Bai Xiao returning and starting to open her door, so she immediately began to sob quietly, waiting for Bai Xiao to show some concern. After all, in this weather, it was very unusual for an old woman to be kneeling in front of someone’s door, and any normal person would naturally be concerned.
If she could, she would take the chance to complain and reiterate all the bad things about Chui Lu. She had come this time to force Chui Lu to return the child; without Xiaofen, Chui Lu had also taken back the house, and her eldest son had even been jailed because of this. His wife, left homeless with their child, had no choice but to move back into their bungalow. But with their younger son about to get married, they barely had space to move, so she had allowed her eldest son’s wife to set up a bed in her room, cramming three people into one room.
The eldest son’s wife had grievances, but the younger son was also full of complaints. This new daughter-in-law hadn’t even been brought into the family yet, and she would likely have a belly full of grievances when she did.
Now the household was in a state of constant anger and complaining all day long.
The old lady, having no other option, took advice from an acquainted elder lady who suggested to just bring the granddaughter back! How could the daughter not soften her heart then?
The key still lay with the granddaughter.
So, the elderly lady had come here this time particularly to make a show for everyone to see, trying all means to take Xiaofen back.
Bai Xiao opened the door, about to close it, but the elderly lady didn’t even wait for Bai Xiao to say a word. Seeing Bai Xiao about to shut the door, the old woman quickly stood up, “Please, just a glass of water for me. My daughter-in-law won’t open the door!”
She was forcing Bai Xiao to respond.
Bai Xiao smiled, shut the door right in front of the elderly lady, and left her with these words.
“Dr. Chui isn’t home; she went back for the New Year. Even if you kneel to death, no one will come out.”
Only then did the old lady realize that she had knelt in vain all afternoon with her knees now swollen, as the person she sought wasn’t even at home.
She spat fiercely at Chui Lu’s door and stormed off, fuming with rage.
After Bai Xiao washed the vegetables, she heard a knock on the door.
Opening the door wide, An Zhiyuan entered with a large bag, “Come inside quickly, the wind at the doorway is strong.” An Zhiyuan pushed Bai Xiao inside and turned to shut the door.
He set down his things at his feet and pulled Bai Xiao into his embrace in one swift motion.
An Zhiyuan’s shoulders were broad and sturdy, and with Bai Xiao encircled in his arms, she looked even more delicate and petite.
Suddenly pressed against the man’s firm chest, Bai Xiao startled. Even through the thick fabric, she could feel his steady, powerful heartbeat. Her fingers involuntarily tightened around his clothes. A pair of long, handsome hands had already grasped hers. His resolute face nearly touched her cheek, and his scratchy stubble made her slightly flustered. Their breaths mingling, his solid legs pressing close to hers, her ears burning hot, her heart raced as she instinctively turned her head to look at him.
“Missed me?” An Zhiyuan’s face, with its strong features, looked focused and serious. His gaze upon her cheek, his lips parting slightly.
Bai Xiao came to her senses—this man hadn’t forgotten yesterday’s unfairness on the phone yet.
She had no choice but to push the man’s arms away and retreat to a safe distance, her cheeks red with embarrassment, “I did think about it!”
If she didn’t know how to respond by now, she’d be a fool. If she dared to say she hadn’t thought about it, An Zhiyuan would probably pounce on her.
Once she regained her freedom, even the air around her felt fresher, though her heart continued to thump wildly.
“Really?” An Zhiyuan asked in a teasing tone, clearly amusing himself.
Bai Xiao hadn’t expected him to say something so flirtatious, which was nothing like his usually stern and serious demeanor. Okay then, I’m really scared of my Instructor An now!
“Really! It couldn’t be truer!”
To alleviate her embarrassment, Bai Xiao turned around and headed to the kitchen, “Have a seat for a moment. Dinner will be ready soon.”
An Zhiyuan placed his things on the shelf and immediately noticed the five boxes in the living room. They were too conspicuous to ignore, especially right at the entrance. Thinking back to where Bai Xiao had been these past few days, An Zhiyuan found the boxes quite an eyesore.
He also knew Jiang Shaoqing. The two weren’t as close as Wang Han, but they were well-acquainted. If it came down to brotherhood, Jiang Shaoqing would have to call him ‘Second Brother.’
Jiang Shaoqing and he could be considered mutually appreciative yet competitively skilled rivals.
“How is Old Master Jiang?” An Zhiyuan leaned against the kitchen doorway, his gaze deep and quiet, and she didn’t have time to interpret exactly what it contained.
“He woke up! He’s doing well!”
Bai Xiao scooped up the ingredients, placed them in a large bowl, then poured the cooked sauce over them, sprinkled fried Sichuan peppercorns and chili, and finally drizzled hot oil on top, making a sizzling sound as the aroma wafted up.
Just as she was about to use a towel to protect her hands and grab the bowl of hot and spicy bloodcurd, An Zhiyuan unexpectedly moved beside her. He took the towel from her hands, lightly pushed her aside, and said, “I’ll take care of this!”
And then he simply left with the dish. Bai Xiao’s lips twitched, she grabbed the steamed buns that were sliding off the small rice porridge pot and placed them on a plate, naturally calling out, “An Zhiyuan, can you take this in?”
“Ayuan!” An Zhiyuan said casually, yet stubbornly.
Bai Xiao nodded, “Ayuan, please take it.” She handed the plate to him, their fingers inevitably touching.
He took the plate, his fingers wrapped around her wrist, and she couldn’t pull away. His thumb and index finger lightly pressed against her pulse, the heat pressing against her skin. At such a close distance, she could even see his chest rise and fall with his breaths, and she smelled a fresh tobacco scent mixed with a faint hint of soap
His gaze was cold, yet focused. Bai Xiao’s ears immediately heated up, and a wave of embarrassment made her glare at him.
An Zhiyuan simply met her gaze, unflinching and unfazed, as if blind to her irritation.
“My oil pot!” Bai Xiao exclaimed, feeling his grip loosen slightly. She quickly pulled her hand free and turned around, pretending to be busy.
Yet she felt An Zhiyuan leave from behind her.
Bai Xiao sighed, feeling increasingly shy. Even though she didn’t understand feelings well, she knew she could no longer maintain her initially neutral stance towards An Zhiyuan—her feelings were growing deeper.
And it seemed Instructor An was far more charismatic than she had imagined.
