Chapter 31 Mango Pudding
[My God, is this a confession? This is a confession! Even though my parents have separated, it doesn't stop them from remarrying!]
【←I understand what you're saying, but it's a bit too abstract】
[The script is too obvious; it's clearly a coordinated publicity stunt.]
[Ah, right, it's all scripted. Chao Mu has become popular lately, and now there are so many haters and paid trolls. Don't they even use their brains? Can Ling Zhao's acting skills even be convincing?]
[I was constantly reaching for tissues to wipe my tears, but the sentence before that made me laugh.]
Unlike the lively discussions in the live broadcast room, the small room was so quiet that the only sound was the dripping of water from the faucet.
The warmth of their palms touching silently spread upwards.
Mu Jiu withdrew her surprised gaze and lowered her head to conceal her expression.
She wasn't sure how the audience would perceive their current situation. Perhaps they would be shocked by Ling Zhao's confession, or perhaps they would think that the next step for them was to express their feelings and share their innermost thoughts.
However, the current situation has completely exceeded her initial expectations.
After spending this time together, Mu Jiu felt he had gained a deeper understanding of his business partner.
Although most people might assume Ling Zhao is a tough nut to crack due to her appearance, she has always been the one who obediently complies with any request she makes.
That's why, in her plan, there was never any possibility that Ling Zhao would not cooperate with her.
So the reversal that just happened was because he... misjudged her intentions?
From the subtle clues, Mu Jiu managed to come up with a relatively reasonable hypothesis.
Even if this assumption holds true, she and Ling Zhao are currently in a situation of information asymmetry, and she cannot deduce Ling Zhao's true thoughts.
If she speaks again, she might give the other person the wrong impression.
It's a rather tricky situation.
Just as the silence began, a series of clattering sounds came from the doorway, breaking the delicate atmosphere in the living room.
Good afternoon, everyone!
Guo Zifu, carrying a large plastic box, peeked in from the entryway with a beaming smile: "I secretly brought some snacks from the company, but my manager always forbids me from eating them, so I had to bring my little stash to share with everyone!"
Because the plastic box was very tall, she struggled to lift it up, and thus failed to notice the undercurrent between the two of them, huffing and puffing as she carried the box over.
Upon hearing the sound, Ling Zhao subconsciously loosened his grip, and Mu Jiu also breathed a sigh of relief, naturally adjusting his expression as he walked towards the two of them.
Mu Jiu: "Do you need any help?"
"Oh...oh, it's okay, I'll just put it in the living room. Everyone can help themselves to whatever they want to eat. There's jerky, dried fruit, spicy strips, and potato chips!"
Guo Zifu clapped her hands: "Oh right, it's just the two of you in the living room..."
Before she could finish speaking, she felt her clothes being tugged.
Meng Shuning, who appeared a few steps behind Guo Zifu, stepped out from behind her. Her gaze swept between the two of them, and she smiled politely, saying, "Zifu and I will go upstairs to tidy up first. We just finished work and haven't taken a nap yet."
After hearing her words, Guo Zifu asked in surprise, "Shushu, do you want to take a nap? But you didn't seem very sleepy in the car just now..."
"Can you be quiet for a moment? I'm so sleepy and have a bit of a headache."
Meng Shuning gently interrupted her, then pulled Guo Zifu up the stairs without any room for argument. Before going upstairs, she thoughtfully left a message: "We'll rest upstairs and come down to help with dinner."
"Hey hey hey... what's wrong?"
And so, as Guo Zifu's puzzled voice faded into the distance, the two figures that had just appeared also disappeared at the end of the stairs, and the living room returned to its usual tranquility.
After a few interruptions, the atmosphere relaxed considerably.
It's not the right time to continue arguing.
Moreover, when there are other people in the cabin, it is easier for them to persuade each other if a dispute occurs, and it is less likely for the other person to show a confrontational attitude.
Mu Jiu hesitated for a moment, then, going along with the atmosphere, prepared to leave the kitchen: "Then I'll go upstairs to rest too..."
"Wait a moment."
Mu Jiu paused, turned around in confusion, and heard the refrigerator door open with a slight "sizzling" sound.
"Take this up with you; it was originally prepared for you."
His slender fingers gently wrapped around the rim of the glass, placing it naturally into her hand.
A delicate glass... contains mango pudding?
Mu Jiu paused for a moment, then couldn't help but turn to look at Ling Zhao, who was busy at the sink.
Just by looking at its appearance, you can feel that the pudding has a delicate and smooth texture. Moreover, its "plating" is also quite particular.
The fresh mango flesh looks especially refreshing and sweet against the backdrop of the milky-colored pudding. A few bright green mint leaves are also sprinkled on top.
Although it looked like a finished product from a dessert shop, Mu Jiu was certain that it was specially made for her.
The unexpected feeding caused her expression to become conflicted.
Mu Jiu looked up at Ling Zhao, then looked down at the pudding in his hand. He looked at him again, then at the pudding again.
His face clearly showed his longing for pudding, as well as his wariness at being suddenly fed it.
Just as her thoughts were briefly caught between reason and appetite, the sound of washing dishes stopped.
"If you don't want to be associated with me, then don't invite me on the show in the first place."
Perhaps because he was looking down, his voice sounded more somber than usual: "But since we're already connected, eating another cup of pudding won't change anything."
Mu Jiu blinked, watching Ling Zhao turn around expressionlessly and put the dried pots and pans into the sterilizer.
Because the sterilizer was under the bar, no one could see his expression when he squatted down; they could only see his back and the taut muscle lines under his rolled-up sleeves.
Mu Jiu: "But I have no reason to accept it."
"drop--"
The sound of the sterilizer starting up conveniently masked part of her voice.
"Then consider it an extra meal for the patient. If you didn't have any just now..."
Ling Zhao paused, then hastily changed the subject: "In short, it's been yours for a long time."
Sigh, these two are so awkward. When will they finally confess their feelings to each other? T^T
Healthy relationships are sweet, but a distorted tragic ending is also delicious, so satisfying!
Am I the only one who really wants to eat mango pudding? It looks so delicious!
At this point, we should still hope that "Morning and Evening" is really just a script, because if it is, Ling Zhao might be on this show to promote his dessert shop.
[Hahahaha, the comment above cracked me up!]
After delivering the pudding, Ling Zhao grabbed his coat from the living room and went out.
After the figure disappeared, Mu Jiu glanced at the mango pudding in her hand again.
After hesitating for a moment, she finally took the cup and went upstairs.
As Mu Jiu reviewed what had just happened and stepped onto the last step, he saw Meng Shuning and Guo Zifu squatting by the wall not far away at the corner of the stairs.
Seeing her look at them, the two of them awkwardly looked away.
Mu Jiu: ...?
She hesitated for a moment, then waved the pudding in her hand: "...Want some?"
Upon hearing the question, Meng Shuning quickly waved her hand and said, "No, no, Zi Fu and I just finished lunch and aren't hungry, right... Zi Fu?"
As soon as I turned my head, I saw Guo Zifu staring longingly at Pudding, and I unconsciously swallowed.
"..."
The atmosphere suddenly turned cold.
【Fou! Is this when you're craving something sweet?!】
I believe she was really pressured by her agent to control her sugar intake, and the baby was genuinely hungry.
Even if it's scripted by the production team, I'll accept it, but is Mango Pudding trying to appease Mu Jiu? It's clearly trying to comfort me, who's been through so much heartbreak, and is now searching for sweetness in return QAQ
[Arguing one minute and then giving you dessert the next, awesome! This should be included in acting school textbooks.]
Noticing the expectation in Guo Zifu's eyes, Mu Jiu took out a bag of plastic spoons he had just brought and scooped up a spoonful for her.
Seeing this, Guo Zifu happily took it and put it in her mouth. The moment it entered her mouth, her eyes lit up, and she mumbled indistinctly, "Hooray! Shushu, are you really not going to have a bite?"
Meng Shuning, who was once again warmly invited, glanced at Mu Jiu and shook her head firmly as before.
Guo Zifu blinked with a hint of regret, then suddenly remembered something and excitedly pulled Mu Jiu aside to ask, "By the way, Mu Mu, can you tell me where you bought this mango pudding? It's really delicious, sweet but not cloying, with a hint of milk and egg flavor, and the mango is very fresh..."
"That probably won't work."
"Hmm? Don't keep this a secret, Mumu! You have to share this delicious dessert shop with everyone."
Seeing that things were getting out of control, Meng Shuning helplessly prepared to speak up and smooth things over, when she heard Mu Jiu's voice ring out calmly: "Because this is not sold in dessert shops."
"It was Ling Zhao who did it."
The air seemed to freeze instantly, and even breathing could be clearly heard.
After a few seconds of silence, Guo Zifu blinked, unable to suppress her question: "But didn't you two break up?"
【Fou! Just say less!!!】
Why does this silly child blurt out all the truths?
Shushu's helpless expression is hilarious!
[Meng Shuning: I really can't carry them.]
Is Guo Zifu just being blunt? Or is she lacking in emotional intelligence?
[Are those people in front of me just a shipper? I have to admit, I'm impressed that they even ship exes.]
However, isn't it a bit ambiguous to cook for your ex after a breakup?
...
The live stream was suddenly interrupted, and a new wave of drama began.
Mu Jiu, the person involved, was simply surprised that Guo Zifu asked him such a question so frankly.
After all, so many things had happened in the past few months that were beyond her comprehension, that she couldn't be sure whether Guo Zifu was joking or genuinely found it unbelievable.
But... is eating pudding made by your ex really such a serious matter?
It's better than eating your ex's mouth, right?
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Author's Note: I haven't been getting enough sleep lately; I fall asleep the moment I close my eyes. I'll try to update every other day from now on. [Melting]
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