When Tong Xiaohuai finally managed to pull her hand away from his large palm, time seemed to stretch on for an entire century.
Yanbo secretly hoped that this hand-holding could last a lifetime.
Unbeknownst to him, his feelings for her had evolved from an initial longing to get to know her to an increasingly certain and resolute commitment to her.
"It's almost time, and you must be hungry. Let's eat first, and then we can read later."
Yan Bo, as the master, was the first to break the silence.
Although he wished this wonderfully harmonious atmosphere could last longer, he was worried that she would go hungry.
Tong Xiaohuai secretly breathed a sigh of relief and obediently followed him out of the study. In the dining room, Aunt Xin had already set out the food and served the soup.
"Mr. Yan, if there's anything you're not satisfied with, please write it down. I'll gradually improve it in the future. Please enjoy your meal. I'll come back in two hours to clean up the dishes."
Yanbo only learned from chatting with Aunt Xin in the afternoon that Aunt Xin was from out of town and lived in the dormitory of the housekeeping company, which was located in the alley behind this building.
Yanbo wasn't a demanding boss, and he didn't agree with Aunt Xin's suggestion that she come back in two hours to clean up the dishes.
"Aunt Xin, you've had a long day too. Go back and get some rest. I'll put the dishes in the sink later, and you can wash them together when you come over tomorrow."
Aunt Xin was naturally pleased to receive such a tolerant reply from her employer, and she specifically asked Yanbo what fruits he liked to eat, saying that she would buy them when she came over tomorrow.
While Yanbo and Aunt Xin were exchanging pleasantries, Tong Xiaohuai, who was sitting at the table, had already started drinking her soup.
"Mmm...it's so delicious!" After eating so many of Uncle Guan's indescribable dishes, Tong Xiaohuai was incredibly happy to finally have a normal soup.
Aunt Xin is a very perceptive person. Seeing how attentive Yan Bo was to Tong Xiaohuai, she naturally understood that Tong Xiaohuai held a special significance for her employer.
"Miss Tong, tell me what kind of soup you like to drink, and what other food you like to eat. I'll cook it for you next time you come over."
Yanbo was very pleased with her words.
"Yes, Xiao Huai, just tell me what you want to eat next time, and I'll have Aunt Xin prepare it in advance."
Yan Bo's words were practically treating Tong Xiaohuai like the hostess.
Tong Xiaohuai felt it was better to accept the offer respectfully, "Thank you, Aunt Xin, then I won't stand on ceremony."
After Aunt Xin left, Tong Xiaohuai said to Yan Bo, "You're so lucky to have such a good nanny like Aunt Xin."
Yanbo placed a fresh oyster in her bowl. "They're all the same. You can come and eat anytime you like. I'll give you Aunt Xin's phone number in a bit. Just ask her to make whatever you want to eat."
As Yanbo spoke, he had already made up his mind to give Aunt Xin a 20% raise on her salary.
Since it was home-cooked food, although it didn't look fancy, the taste was fresher and lighter, which suited their tastes perfectly. As a result, they both ate a little more than usual.
However, at Yanbo's instruction, Aunt Xin prepared a table full of dishes, and even with their large appetites, the two of them couldn't finish it all.
However, the two of them tried each dish once.
"I really envy Aunt Xin for being able to cook..."
Tong Xiaohuai herself doesn't even know how to cook instant noodles; she only knows how to soak them in boiling water.
Yan Bo, however, had a different opinion: "Everyone has their strengths. Aunt Xin is indeed a great cook, but what you are good at and can do, Aunt Xin can't, right?"
Tong Xiaohuai sighed, "In the eyes of the world, a woman must have a good skill to be considered a good woman."
These conclusions were not her own experiences, of course; they were drawn from listening to the conversations of the men in Tongjia Village.
"That's not necessarily true!" Yan Bo doesn't discriminate against women; he thinks women are the same as men.
The idea that women should stay at home to support their husbands and raise their children never crossed his mind.
Tong Xiaohuai was somewhat surprised, after all, many rich young men are extremely chauvinistic at heart.
"I thought every man wanted his wife to be a good cook."
Yanbo doesn't deny this. "Of course, it's best if you can cook! But I think a wife is a wife, not a chef. Why does she have to be a great cook? My mom and my sister can't even fry an egg properly, but I don't think they're not good women."
Tong Xiaohuai had heard Yan Bo mention his family a few times, and from his words, it was clear that his family was a very loving and large one.
"I really envy you, having older brothers and sisters to accompany you as you grow up."
Yan Bo knew that Tong Xiaohuai was an only child in the family because of her mother's health.
Seeing her looking melancholy and forlorn, he said, "When is it convenient for me to take you to meet my older brother? He'll definitely like you."
Tong Xiaohuai was stunned for a moment, and couldn't figure out whether Yan Bo was pretending to be confused when he knew the truth, or whether it was a slip of the tongue.
She and he were just friends; meeting her older brother shouldn't have happened at this stage of their relationship.
"Hehe, Yanbo, you're joking. I'm not related to your older brother at all, so why would he like me?"
Yan Bo put down his chopsticks, looked at her seriously, and said, "Xiao Huai, from the very beginning, I've been dating you with the intention of developing a deeper relationship with you. You could say that from the start, I was prepared to introduce you to my older brother and sister, and to all my family members. As long as you nod your head, our relationship can take another step forward at any time."
Tong Xiaohuai was so startled by his serious confession that she choked for a moment, coughing for a while before recovering. She looked up at him with her eyes misty.
"Yanbo, you said we should get to know each other better, didn't you?"
In Tong Xiaohuai's view, she would rather get to know him step by step and become familiar with him gradually. She was afraid that she would not be able to control a relationship that was too intimate.
Yan Bo has always been a gentleman, especially towards Tong Xiaohuai.
Seeing her so flustered, he hurriedly said...
"Yes, I have said that, and I still have. What I mean is, our relationship can always be closer if you want."
Tong Xiaohuai's face slowly turned red. "No... I think it's fine as it is now..."
If they get any closer, she'll probably be completely dominated by him.
Yan Bo understood that he couldn't push her too hard. Seeing that she had her head down and seemed afraid to even look at him, he wisely changed the subject.
"Let's eat. Try all these dishes carefully and see which ones you like. Ask Aunt Xin to make them next time."
Yan Bo himself certainly thought Aunt Xin's cooking was good, but the key was that Tong Xiaohuai also had to think it was good.
After today, he finally understood that no matter how good the food is, eating out can never have the same intimate atmosphere as being at home.
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