“Then I’ll have to eat several pieces.” Pei Xuanyan, infected by her good mood, showed a rare smile: “You’re not just going to serve me this one dish, are you?”
An Ke carried the vegetables into the kitchen, calling back: “Don’t worry, you won’t go hungry. Brother Xuanyan, make yourself comfortable.”
Pei Xuanyan carefully examined her home for the first time. A living room with three bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen. The rooms weren’t large, but everything was orderly. The house had good lighting, warm in winter and cool in summer. Watching her busy back, she wore a goose-yellow down jacket with jeans, tied an apron, rolled up her sleeves, and moved efficiently. His gaze again lingered on her for a long time. He walked over and asked: “Do you need help?”
An Ke turned back and looked him up and down, with an unbelieving expression: “As the host, I should refuse the guest’s help, but I’m also curious about what Young Master Pei is like in the kitchen. Should I agree or refuse?
What a lot of nonsense,” Pei Xuanyan smiled lightly: “Let me show you what it means to be good both in the living room and the kitchen.”
“Haha…” An Ke covered her stomach and laughed: “I didn’t expect Brother Xuanyan to have such a humorous side.”
Pei Xuanyan joked: “King You of Zhou lit beacon fires to tease the feudal lords, just for a smile from Bao Si. Today, what’s wrong with sacrificing a bit of my looks to make a beauty smile?”
The delicious dishes, fragrant and colorful, were served on the table amid their conversation.
An Ke cleared her throat, looking serious: “Try this braised pork I made, golden in color, fatty but not greasy, melting in the mouth.” She then picked up a piece and placed it in Pei Xuanyan’s bowl: “I heard Chairman Mao especially loved this dish.”
“Really?” Pei Xuanyan tasted it and nodded: “Indeed fatty but not greasy, melting in the mouth.” He then picked up a piece for An Ke: “You try it too.”
“I learned to make this dish because of my dad, who especially loved braised pork. He often told me that being able to eat is a blessing, and those who can eat braised pork will definitely live long. I knew he was just trying to comfort me. Back then, I could never get the cooking just right, but he would always say ‘fatty but not greasy, melting in the mouth, so delicious’, and we’d be happy together. Now I can finally cook it well, but he’s no longer here.” An Ke spoke casually, but anyone could hear the pain in her heart.
“An Ke,” Pei Xuanyan put down his chopsticks and sighed, “I once thought I couldn’t live without her, but I still managed to get through day after day. Now my conclusion is that no matter who’s gone, life goes on. Isn’t it true that only by living is there hope?”
An Ke seriously nodded, sniffling with her reddened nose: “Brother Xuanyan, eat quickly, it’ll get cold.”
“Do you love Jun Hao?” He didn’t know why he asked this at that moment, but he really wanted to know the answer.
An Ke didn’t want to answer. Love or not, like or dislike – she had asked herself many times in her heart, but could never get a clear answer.
Pei Xuanyan spoke again: “Avoiding it all the time isn’t a solution.”
“Meeting the wrong person in the wrong place, there’s no question of love or not love,” An Ke raised her head and smiled: “But I’m still grateful that his casual gesture allowed me to meet you in this vast world.”
“Let’s eat, the food is getting cold,” Pei Xuanyan secretly exhaled, and they became warm again, unaware of the figure turning and leaving from the slightly open door.
An Ke, don’t forget that I am the only one who can exist in your life.” He let go of her, cupped her face, and looked her in the eyes, his voice laced with anger: “Whether I love you or not, you must love me. And you can only bear my children.” If An Ke had been more attentive, she would have noticed he was slightly trembling.
“Jun Hao, you’re drunk.” Having long been familiar with his domineering nature, she didn’t want to say more on this matter.
“I’m not drunk, I’ve never been more clear-headed. Don’t try to think about other men, or I’ll make you wish you were dead, understand?” He reached out and touched her slightly swollen lips: “I don’t want any trace of anyone else here.”
“Jun Hao, don’t use alcohol to throw a tantrum. I also tell you, you can have my body but you’ll never get my heart. I’ll bear children for anyone but you.” An Ke hated threats the most. She pushed him away and took a few steps back: “Leave now and don’t appear before my eyes.” Her eyes were filled with desolation, loneliness, yet also defiance.
Jun Hao had already forgotten his original purpose for coming here. His gaze was deep, half melancholic like seawater blending loneliness, decadence, and confusion; half passionate, burning with bewitching flames that could scorch you. He slowly said: “I will make you know what regret is.”
My Pain Is Actually Your Happiness Actually, I Don’t Want to Linger with You I Really Cried for You ＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊ An Ke rushed out of the villa and walked for a long time without stopping. She tried her best not to think about the scene in the room, and more importantly, what right did she have to care? She kept telling herself that she hated Jun Hao and should be glad that he had shifted his target, which would set her free. But why did her heart still hurt so much, as if someone was cutting her heart into pieces with a knife, bloody and raw. ”Miss, are you okay?” It wasn’t until an elderly woman patted her back concernedly that she came back to her senses. ”I’m fine, I’m really fine.” She wiped her tears randomly with her sleeve: “I can’t cry.” The old woman sighed: “Look at you, crying like a tearful mess, and still saying you’re fine. Did you and your husband have a fight? It’s too cold, go home early, or he’ll worry if he can’t find you.” She didn’t listen to what else the old woman said, continuing to walk unsteadily, constantly telling herself: “An Ke, you can’t cry, when did you become so useless.” The more she said this, the more disobedient her tears became, like unstrung pearls that couldn’t be stopped. The old woman caught up with her: “I’m not usually one to meddle, but I couldn’t help noticing you’re pregnant.” ”What did you say? Who’s pregnant?” An Ke finally reacted: “No, I’m just sick.” ”Nowadays, many young people get pregnant before marriage, what’s there to be embarrassed about?” The old woman said caringly: “You can fool others, but I’m experienced. From your appearance, you should be about two months along.” ”No, it can’t be true.” She almost frantically ran without direction, just wanting to escape the chaos in her heart. She still remembered how firmly she had said she would never fall in love with him, never have a child for him. Yet the fact was she had already fallen for him, craving his occasional gentleness, perhaps even loving his domineering words: “From now on, you can only have me in your life.” And he? He was now holding another woman in his arms. “No, impossible. I must be crazy to care. An Ke, wake up, he’s just playing with you, you can’t care, you can’t.” Her tearful voice finally drowned out everything, crying completely.
An Can was very surprised that Lin Xianghua would find her at this time. Lin Xianghua still wore a smile, with a noble and elegant demeanor, and An Can sensed the unfamiliarity in her tone. This was a high-end tea restaurant with a classical charm, crowded yet quiet. They entered a private room, and Lin Xianghua took off her coat and hung it on a nearby rack, politely inviting An Can to sit. An Can did not refuse, and they each sat on opposite sides of a square table, with a waiter serving a pot of Biluochun tea.
Lin Xianghua took a light sip and said, “Miss An, how do you find the taste of this tea?”
