Chapter 267 Rewards
Sunlight peeked through the gaps in the curtains into the apartment, casting dappled shadows on the bed.
Cheng Zhou was awakened by a faint sound.
He instinctively reached out to the side and found it empty.
He suddenly opened his eyes and sat up.
He was alone in the bedroom, and the memories of last night instantly flooded back.
Lu You was drunk, so he carried her back and took care of her until she slept on the sofa.
I took a shower and intended to stay with her in the living room, but somehow I fell asleep on the sofa too.
later……
Cheng Zhou rubbed his temples.
It seems that he woke up in the middle of the night and, worried that Lu You might be uncomfortable sleeping on the sofa, gently carried her, still half asleep, back to the master bedroom, while he went to the guest room.
Cheng Zhou threw off the covers and got out of bed, stepping barefoot onto the cool floor, and gently opened the bedroom door.
A faint, enticing aroma of food wafted over.
He followed the aroma toward the kitchen, but stopped at the kitchen doorway.
The scene before him made him feel somewhat dazed.
Lu You was wearing his white shirt.
The shirt was oversized, the hem just covering the top of her thighs, revealing a pair of straight and slender legs, which were bathed in soft sunlight.
Lu You stood with her back to him in front of the stove, holding a spatula and intently frying eggs.
The pan sizzled pleasantly, and the toast next to it popped up with a ding.
Lu You skillfully took out a golden and crispy toast. Two cups of steaming milk and washed fruit were already set on the table.
Everything was in good order and filled with a warm, homey atmosphere.
Cheng Zhou leaned against the door frame, quietly watching this scene. A corner of his heart seemed to be gently filled by something.
He hadn't smelled the aroma of breakfast when he woke up in a long time.
No one ever wore his shirt or prepared all of this for him in his kitchen.
Lu You seemed to sense the gaze behind her, turned around, and saw him standing at the door, a bright smile appearing on her face.
"Awake?"
Her voice was a little hoarse, "Go wash up quickly, breakfast will be ready soon."
She waved the spatula, her manner so natural as if they had been living like this for a long time.
Cheng Zhou didn't move, his gaze fixed on her.
The white shirt that belonged to him looked incredibly intimate and alluring on her.
The wide neckline slipped down slightly, revealing her delicate collarbone.
Below the hem...
Cheng Zhou's Adam's apple bobbed.
I forced myself to look away.
"Why... are you up so early? Doesn't your head hurt?"
Lu You scooped the fried eggs onto a plate and said nonchalantly, "It's alright, my alcohol tolerance isn't actually that bad. I was just happy yesterday."
She placed the plate on the dining table, walked up to Cheng Zhou, looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with a hint of smugness.
"How was it? Weren't you pleasantly surprised?"
Lu You moved closer to him, her clothes carrying the familiar scent of laundry detergent from her shirt.
"I'm not just someone who drinks and causes trouble."
She wrinkled her nose. "Want to try my cooking?"
Cheng Zhou looked at Lu You's face, which was so close to his own, and saw the expectation and a hint of nervousness flickering in her eyes.
He suddenly reached out and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
His chin rested on the top of her head as he took a deep breath, his nostrils filled with her scent and the smell of his shirt, a combination that made him feel incredibly at ease.
"Um."
Cheng Zhou responded softly, his voice muffled, "I'm very surprised."
Lu You was taken aback by his sudden hug, then smiled and reached out to hug his lean waist back, pressing her cheek against his warm chest and listening to his slightly rapid heartbeat.
"That's good."
She felt a sweet warmth in her heart.
Cheng Zhou held her for a while before loosening his grip slightly, but his hands remained around her waist.
He looked down at her, his eyes deep and filled with emotions that Lu You couldn't quite decipher.
There was a hint of dependence on his face that she had never seen before.
"Thank you, Youyou."
His tone was more serious and gentle than ever before.
Lu You felt as if a feather had gently tickled her heart.
She rarely heard him call her name like that.
She was usually addressed by her full name, Lu You, so the sudden change in address caught her off guard.
Lu You's face flushed slightly, and she deliberately put on a stern face and pushed him away.
"Stop being so cheesy!"
"Go wash up quickly!"
"Eggs don't taste good when they're cold!"
Cheng Zhou looked at her slightly red ear tips, chuckled softly, stopped teasing her, and obediently let go of her hand.
"Okay, I'll do as you say."
He turned and walked toward the bathroom, his steps lighter than ever before.
Lu You watched his retreating figure, touched her slightly flushed face, took a deep breath, turned around and continued preparing breakfast, her heart pounding.
Cheng Zhou quickly finished washing up, changed his clothes, and came out.
He was wearing a simple gray T-shirt today.
He looked much younger and more approachable than when he was dressed in a suit and tie, and his hair was still a little damp.
A few stray hairs fell across her forehead, softening her sharp features and adding a rare touch of docility.
Lu You placed the last portion of fried bacon on the table.
"Dinner's ready!"
She called out.
Cheng Zhou walked to the dining table and sat down, looking at the exquisite breakfast laid out in front of him. The fried eggs were fried to perfection, with crispy edges and runny yolks.
Perfectly toasted bread, clean strawberries and blueberries, and two cups of warm milk.
It's very simple, yet it's full of care.
Cheng Zhou picked up his chopsticks, took a bite of the fried egg, and picked it up with his chopsticks.
The egg whites are caramelized and have a wonderful texture.
"Is it tasty?"
Lu You sat opposite him, her hands supporting her chin, staring at him intently with obvious expectation, like a child waiting for praise.
Cheng Zhou looked up at her and met her bright, sparkling eyes.
My heart melted.
He nodded emphatically.
"It's delicious."
Cheng Zhou paused for a moment, then added, "It's the best breakfast I've ever had."
This was a bit of an exaggeration, but it was his true feeling at that moment.
Lu You immediately beamed, her eyes crinkling into crescents, "That's right!"
She proudly raised her chin, "Don't you even know who did it?"
Lu You picked up a slice of toast, spread jam on it, and handed it to him.
"Try this, I made it especially for you."
Cheng Zhou took it and took a bite.
The aroma of wheat from the toast blends perfectly with the sweet and sour jam. It tastes wonderful.
"You made the jam yourself?" he asked, somewhat surprised.
"uh-huh."
Lu Youdian nodded, "I made this when I had nothing else to do. It's pretty good, isn't it?"
"Great," Cheng Zhou praised sincerely.
He looked at Lu You, who was beaming with confidence, and felt that she was exceptionally different today. She had shed her usual shrewdness and competence, and gained a touch of domestic softness and cuteness.
Especially when he was wearing his oversized shirt, with no makeup, his hair casually tied back, and a few stray hairs hanging down his cheeks, he looked incredibly gentle in the morning light.
Cheng Zhou couldn't resist taking out his phone and secretly snapping a picture of Lu You.
Lu You was drinking milk with her head down when she noticed his movement and looked up.
"Hey! What are you doing?"
She instinctively tried to block it.
Cheng Zhou had already pressed the shutter button quickly.
He looked at the photo on his phone screen; the light and shadow outlined her profile, her expression focused and gentle, the background a sun-drenched kitchen, warm and beautiful.
"Keep this as a souvenir."
Cheng Zhou turned his phone screen to Lu You, a smile playing on his lips, "This is the first time someone has made breakfast for me."
Lu You looked at herself in the photo and felt a little embarrassed.
"Deleted it, it's so ugly!"
She pretended to snatch his phone, but Cheng Zhou nimbly hid it behind his back.
"I won't delete it."
He looked into her eyes, his tone slightly cheeky, "I think it looks great."
Lu You couldn't get it, so she glared at him.
"as you like!"
She lowered her head and continued eating her breakfast, but the corners of her mouth couldn't help but quietly turn up.
The two ate breakfast quietly, in a warm and harmonious atmosphere.
Sunlight streamed into the entire restaurant, and the air was filled with the aroma of food and a sweet fragrance.
Cheng Zhou ate very quickly, almost wolfing it down.
He genuinely thought it was delicious and was truly touched by the feeling of home.
Lu You felt a sense of accomplishment watching him eat so heartily.
"Eat slowly."
She couldn't help but say, "Nobody's going to take it from you."
Cheng Zhou looked up, a little jam still on the corner of his mouth.
He looked at her. His eyes shone with an astonishing light.
"Youyou," he suddenly called her name very seriously, "Can you cook for me often?"
His tone carried a hint of cautious probing and an almost imperceptible expectation, like a large dog afraid of being rejected.
Lu You's heart was instantly struck.
Looking into his usually sharp eyes, now filled with expectation, and at the cute little bit of jam on the corner of his mouth, she suddenly felt like teasing him.
Lu You put down her chopsticks, leaned forward slightly, and gently wiped the jam from the corner of his mouth with her finger.
Her movements were slow, her fingertips carrying a slightly cool touch as they brushed against his skin.
Cheng Zhou's body tensed instantly, his breath hitched, and his gaze was fixed on her.
Lu You naturally brought her jam-covered fingertips to her lips, licked them off gently with the tip of her tongue, and looked at his eyes, which suddenly became deep and dark. She tilted her head and revealed a sly and slightly provocative smile.
"That depends on your performance, Brother Cheng Zhou."
She deliberately dragged out the last syllable, her voice soft and seductive, carrying a clear hint of provocation.
Cheng Zhou's eyes instantly turned as dark as ink.
His hand on the table tightened slightly, the veins on the back of his hand bulging, and he almost gritted his teeth, "Lu You, did you do this on purpose?"
Lu You was secretly delighted to see his restrained and patient demeanor, but she pretended to be innocent on the surface.
"What do you mean, intentionally? I was just answering your question."
She blinked.
"If you want to eat breakfast regularly, it depends on your performance."
She stood up and began clearing the dishes, her movements leisurely, humming the song she had sung off-key in the car yesterday.
Cheng Zhou watched her busy figure at the kitchen sink. Seeing the beautiful curves of her body and listening to her off-key yet cheerful singing, he felt a surge of heat rush to his lower abdomen.
He took a deep breath, stood up abruptly, strode towards the kitchen, and hugged Lu You, who was washing dishes, from behind.
His arms wrapped tightly around her waist, pulling her into his embrace, and his chin rested on the crook of her neck.
His warm breath sprayed onto the back of her sensitive ear.
What kind of performance are you looking for?
Cheng Zhou's voice was low and hoarse, carrying a burning heat and a hint of danger.
Lu You was caught off guard by his hug, and almost dropped the plate in her hand.
His burning body temperature seeped through her thin shirt, causing her heart to race uncontrollably.
"What...what are you doing?"
Lu You tried to break free in a panic.
"I'm washing the dishes!"
Cheng Zhou didn't let go; instead, he tightened his arms, holding her even closer, his lips brushing lightly against her earlobe.
“The breakfast was delicious,” he said softly. “I really liked it, so…”
Cheng Zhou's lips were almost touching Lu You's ear, his breath hot, "Giving me a reward isn't too much to ask, is it?"
Lu You felt a tingling sensation spread from her ears to her whole body, and her legs felt weak.
What reward do you want?
Her voice trembled slightly involuntarily.
Cheng Zhou chuckled softly, his chest heaving, stirring her heartstrings.
He gently turned her body so that she was facing him.
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