Chapter 31
That Saturday became an unwritten anniversary between them.
Since then, their relationship has entered a very stable and comfortable rhythm.
The 8:55 a.m. call became Lin Qi's most punctual alarm clock. Late at night, before going to bed, there would always be a call or a few messages, exchanging the exhaustion and trivialities of the day.
Together, they embarked on their "grand" eight-cuisine project. They'd savored exquisite Cantonese cuisine and sampled the savory flavors of Fujian. Their dates were no longer just weekend rituals; sometimes, they'd even become Wednesday nights, with Chen Yan picking her up from work just to share a bowl of steaming wontons.
He would remember what she said about "not eating spicy food" and that she preferred rich-flavored tea.
She would also order him a bowl of light porridge late at night when he was working overtime, and tell him not to go hungry.
They share each other's work, share each other's past, and share every ordinary and trivial "present".
They never mentioned the word "confession" again, because every detail of their lives had become the most sincere confession. Days passed by in this leisurely and warm rhythm, step by step, moving forward.
A few more weeks passed and the weather grew colder.
Together, they sampled several of the "Eight Great Cuisine Styles," from the light Cantonese cuisine to the savory Fujian cuisine to the exquisitely cut Huaiyang cuisine. Their dates also expanded from restaurants and bookstores to more places—for example, weekend trips to the supermarket to stock up on groceries for the week ahead.
It's a Wednesday, lunchtime.
The weather was a bit gloomy. Lin Qi was at his workstation, debating whether to order a cup of coffee or brew a pot of tea he had brought with him. Chen Yan's message arrived just in time.
No more temptations, no more politeness, just like family, simple and direct.
【Chen Yan: Have you had lunch? 】
[Chen Yan: Just checked the weather forecast. It's going to drop significantly in the evening, with thunderstorms.]
He always cared more about the weather than she did.
[Chen Yan: Did you bring an umbrella and a coat when you went out this morning?]
Before Lin Qi had time to reply, his message with the unquestionable solution had already been sent.
[Chen Yan: If you don't have it with you, wait for me in the office after work. Don't run around. I'll drive over to pick you up.]
Lin Qi couldn't help but laugh as she read the few messages he sent her. She replied with something a bit unreasonable, in the tone of a little girl's coquettishness.
[Lin Qi: I brought it, but I still want you to take it.]
Seeing her reply, Chen Yan laughed heartily at his phone.
All his previous rational worries as a mature man, such as "Will she not bring an umbrella?" and "Will she catch a cold?", were completely shattered at this moment by her very emotional words "I want you to catch it".
He felt as if his heart had been gently bumped by something, and it felt soft and swollen.
【Chen Yan: Yes.】
【Chen Yan: Got it.】
He didn't say anything more, but just used the simplest two words to express that he completely understood her subtext.
[Chen Yan: Picking you up has nothing to do with the weather.]
He paused, then sent the last sentence, with unquestionable and complete doting.
[Chen Yan: It's time to get off work. Wait for me in the office.]
After Lin Qi received his message, which was filled with both domineering and doting, the fatigue she had felt from work for the entire afternoon seemed to have been alleviated. She would even occasionally glance at the dialog box and couldn't help but laugh silently.
As the clock struck the end of the workday, the sky outside the window darkened, just as the weather forecast had predicted. A strong wind whipped up dark clouds, and heavy raindrops soon pounded against the glass windows. Inside the office, colleagues grumbled about how they'd get home after not bringing an umbrella.
Lin Qi, on the other hand, simply packed up his things with peace of mind.
The phone vibrated on time.
[Chen Yan: I'm in the basement of your company. B2 floor, Area A, parking space 07.]
[Chen Yan: Finish your work, then take your time coming down. It's raining heavily outside, so don't rush.]
She took the elevator to the basement, where the damp, cold air hit her face. Following the parking space he'd given her, she spotted a dark gray Volvo, its hazard lights quietly on. Like him, it was a very understated and composed car, yet it gave her a sense of security.
As soon as she approached, he pushed open the car door and got out. He didn't have an umbrella in his hand, but he quickly walked to the passenger side, opened the door for her, and used his body to block the cold wind with raindrops pouring in from the garage entrance.
She got into the car and a gust of dry, warm air instantly enveloped her.
The car was kept very clean, save for a small, delicate sandalwood sachet hanging from the rearview mirror. An unknown, soothing Cantonese song was playing at a very low volume on the stereo.
Chen Yan sat back in the driver's seat, but did not drive immediately. Instead, he took out a thermos cup from the armrest and handed it to her.
"Freshly brewed brown sugar ginger tea." He looked at her and said naturally, "Drink it while it's hot. It warms your stomach and removes dampness."
He thought of everything before her.
After she drank a few sips, he started the car and asked, "What do you want to eat today? Or, do you want to go home directly?"
Lin Qi thought for a moment and said, "Today's weather is perfect for hot pot, spicy hot pot."
She said, winking at him playfully, "We can order something slightly spicy. How about that?"
Hearing her suggestion, Chen Yan's hand, which was controlling the steering wheel, paused slightly.
He turned his head and looked at her, his face showing a complex expression of surprise, helplessness, and a complete and unconcealable smile.
"Are you sure?" He couldn't help but laugh at her eager look, which said, "I'm ready to try it." "Do you want something spicy?"
He shook his head, as if he had no way to deal with her, and his tone was full of indulgence: "You don't have to force yourself to take care of me."
He remembered. He remembered clearly that she said she didn't like spicy food.
He merged the car steadily into the main road, and then slowly and unhurriedly came up with the most perfect solution.
"There's a kind of hot pot," he said, turning his head to look at her, word by word, "called a mandarin duck hot pot."
"Half of it is red soup, which satisfies my craving for something spicy on a rainy day."
"Half of it is clear soup," he looked into her eyes, his voice extremely gentle, "specially used to take care of our classmate Lin who can't eat spicy food."
He smiled and asked in a negotiating tone, but in fact he had already made a decision:
"How is it? Are you satisfied with this plan?"
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