Chen Er quickened her pace accordingly, chasing after Jiang Cong.
Jiang Cong seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. Even without turning back, he could precisely sense Chen Er's approach.
Then he would walk even faster, deliberately teasing the nearly furious girl.
The setting sun cast their shadows long on the ground. The two shadows clung closely together, like the most intimate of companions.
In the kitchen.
Chen Er propped her chin up, gazing at the man's back as he cooked with an infatuated look on her face. Jiang Cong had casually rolled up the sleeves of his white shirt to his elbows, revealing a short, well - built forearm. His hands moved methodically.
"People say that a man is most handsome when he's working, but actually, a man is most handsome when he's cooking," Chen Er exclaimed in a moderate voice.
The corner of Jiang Cong's mouth curved up slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. Evidently, he was pleased by Chen Er's spontaneous compliment.
"Chen Er," Jiang Cong called out without turning back while cutting the shredded potatoes.
Hearing his call, Chen Er rushed over, thinking something had happened to Jiang Cong. "What's wrong?"
"Break the eggs, stir them well, then heat the oil and pour the eggs in," Jiang Cong rattled off a series of instructions.
Chen Er: "..." What are you talking about? I don't understand.
Noticing that Chen Er hadn't moved for a long time, Jiang Cong turned around in confusion. "I just asked you to fry an egg. Why are you so slow?"
Chen Er regained her senses and slapped her head in frustration, secretly thinking that she had been distracted by the man's good looks.
"Nothing, nothing. I was just thinking about something, so I got distracted," Chen Er tried to cover up her real reason.
Anyway, she would never admit that she had been so engrossed in looking at Jiang Cong that she had indulged in her infatuation.
Jiang Cong didn't think too much about it. He just told Chen Er to speed up.
When Jiang Cong was hospitalized before, Chen Er had been forced to cook for a few days. But since Jiang Cong was fully recovered and discharged from the hospital, Chen Er had completely forgotten about her budding cooking skills.
Although her movements were a bit rusty at first, she gradually got the hang of it.
The two of them were each busy with their own tasks. Even without speaking, a single glance was enough for them to help each other tacitly.
It was as if they were an old married couple.
As night fell, the clock in the living room ticked heavily.
And the last dish was finally served on the dining table.
"Let's eat," Jiang Cong took off the pink Hello Kitty apron, picked up his chopsticks, and said to Chen Er.
Chen Er smelled the delicious aroma of the food. Her stomach, which hadn't been very hungry before, began to growl.
"You eat too. The fungus you cooked is really delicious," Chen Er's cheeks were stuffed with food, looking like a cute little hamster.
Jiang Cong lifted his lips into a gentle smile. A flash of doting passed through his eyes. "Slow down. No one's going to fight you for it... You..."
Before he could finish his sentence, Chen Er's face changed. Her pupils dilated, and she pounded her chest painfully.
Jiang Cong quickly rushed to the kitchen to pour a glass of warm water for Chen Er.
Chen Er gulped down the water in one breath, barely catching her breath. There were still traces of water on the corner of her mouth from drinking too quickly.
Jiang Cong gave Chen Er a meaningful look and handed her a tissue.
Chen Er quickly mumbled a hasty thank - you.
"How old are you, and still so careless," Jiang Cong picked up a chopstick of food and said calmly.
Chen Er pouted in dissatisfaction and whispered, "I'm still a young and blooming eighteen - year - old. You're the old man."
Jiang Cong heard every word clearly. A dangerous smile curled up on his handsome face. "Huh? I'm old? Chen Er, say that again."
Chen Er instantly cowered. She scratched her head awkwardly and buried herself in her food, not daring to meet Jiang Cong's intense gaze.
The meal was quite harmonious.
Except...
Chen Er had eaten too much and suffered from indigestion.
"Burp. There are always villains trying to harm me!" Chen Er burped and slumped on the sofa, motionless.
After washing the dishes, Jiang Cong found some digestive tablets from somewhere and handed them to the whining Chen Er.
"Take some of these. Pay attention in the future. Don't eat so greedily. It's bad for your stomach," Jiang Cong said in a kind and patient tone, just like a kind - hearted father caring for his daughter.
Chen Er realized the strange atmosphere and blurted out, "You're just like my dad."
Jiang Cong's handsome face darkened imperceptibly. He gave Chen Er a cold glance, shooting a chill in her direction.
Chen Er knew she had said something wrong. She shrank her neck and tried to redeem herself. "I didn't mean it that way. I meant that I'm really touched by your concern."
Jiang Cong's expression softened a bit. He snorted impatiently and gave Chen Er a look that seemed to say "You're smart enough."
The two fell into silence.
"How's your study going recently?" Jiang Cong suddenly asked, breaking the quiet atmosphere.
Chen Er was caught off guard and let out a surprised "Ah?" "What? Study?"
Jiang Cong raised his eyebrows. "What? Don't you study at all?"
Jiang Cong had thought that Chen Er was just playful, but she wouldn't neglect her studies. But now it seemed that he had thought too optimistically.
Chen Er forced a smile, coughed twice, and replied vaguely, "It's... It's okay... You know... These things... Can't be rushed... We have to take it slow. Hahaha..."
Jiang Cong saw through Chen Er's little thoughts at a glance but didn't expose her. He just reminded her, "I remember you'll be taking the college entrance examination in a few months. You should work harder."
Chen Er nodded repeatedly, looking extremely sincere. "I guarantee I'll follow the leader's instructions. Please rest assured, leader."
Chen Er's clowning around eased the atmosphere, and the two chatted on and off.
When the clock struck 9, Jiang Cong stood up, looked down at Chen Er, who barely reached his chin, and said, "Go to bed early. I'm leaving."
Chen Er wanted to say something else, but didn't know where to start. She just murmured a "Goodbye."
The door closed, and the warm atmosphere was replaced by coldness again.
Chen Er ran to the window. Afraid of being discovered by Jiang Cong, she hid behind the curtain and watched Jiang Cong's figure under the street lamp getting farther and farther away.
As if sensing something, Jiang Cong suddenly turned back and met Chen Er's gaze behind the curtain.
At that moment, Chen Er felt that everything in the world paled in comparison to Jiang Cong.
From that moment on, there was only room for Jiang Cong in her eyes.
A part of Chen Er's heart caved in involuntarily, and it was out of control.
The light in Jiang Cong's dark eyes also brought light to Chen Er's once - dark world.
Chen Er suddenly felt a bit inferior. For the first time, she felt so insignificant in front of Jiang Cong.
Such an outstanding man, how could he stand side by side with her?
Ashamed of herself, Chen Er took a step back, left the spot, and walked towards the bedroom.
Jiang Cong watched Chen Er's figure disappear. He stood there for a while and then left as well.