Chapter 37
Lin Qi's question, which was a bit of a probing question, made Chen Yan's smile deepen unconsciously.
He took the empty water cup she handed him, and his fingertips accidentally touched her fingertips which were still warm.
"Yeah." He nodded, his eyes full of complete and undisguised gentleness.
He looked into her eyes and answered very seriously, word by word:
"This is the most peaceful sleep I've had in the past decade."
After saying this, he didn't dwell on the topic any further, but naturally brought the conversation back to the present reality. He raised his chin and gestured in the direction of the bedroom door.
"Alright," his tone returned to that gentle, commanding tone, "Don't stay in bed, Lin."
"Hurry up and wash up. Your breakfast will get cold if you don't eat it now."
He didn't say anything more, just picked up the cup of water, turned around and walked out of the bedroom, and helped her close the door ajar, leaving her complete private time and space to tidy herself up after getting up.
The entire room was filled with the unique salty aroma and warmth of preserved egg and lean meat porridge. Chen Yan opened the cupboard, took out two identical, clean white porcelain bowls, two sets of spoons and chopsticks, and placed them on the dining table.
This was the first time that two sets of tableware appeared on his dining table early in the morning.
He filled two bowls of porridge, took out the box of braised beef in soy sauce that they had made together from the refrigerator, cut a few slices, and used them as a side dish for the porridge. After doing all this, he sat down at the dining table and waited quietly.
Not long after, the bedroom door opened again. Lin Qi walked out. She had changed back into the same clothes she'd worn the day before, her hair neatly combed, and her face had the fresh, clean look of someone who'd just woken up. Seeing Chen Yan sitting at the dining table, she seemed a little unaccustomed. She paused for a moment, then approached with a slightly shy smile.
Chen Yan looked at her with a very gentle smile on his face, and raised his chin towards the position opposite her.
"Come and sit down."
After she sat down, he pushed the bowl of steaming porridge in front of her a little closer to her.
"Try it and see if it suits your taste," he said. "I haven't cooked it in a long time, so my skills may be a little rusty."
He picked up the spoon, looked at her, and naturally asked a very homely question about "today":
"Are you going to the company today? Or is it the weekend so you can rest at home?"
Lin Qi shook his head: "I'm not going to the company anymore. I need to have a good rest."
Hearing her answer, Chen Yan paused for a moment, holding the spoon. Then, a very obvious, heartfelt smile appeared on his face. He nodded, his eyes showing complete agreement and a subtle sense of relief.
"Well, it's time to take a good rest," he said. "You've been so busy with that project lately that you've almost lost weight."
He put a piece of braised beef in soy sauce into her bowl and continued in a matter-of-fact tone, as if he was planning the day for the two of them:
"Then don't think about anything today."
"After breakfast, I'll go back with you to get some clothes and daily necessities, okay?"
"Then, in the afternoon we'll watch a movie or listen to some music at home. If you still feel sleepy, just do nothing and take a nap."
He picked up his spoon, took a sip of porridge, and finally, in a gentle tone that sounded like he had negotiated but had actually made up his mind, he asked:
"How is it? Is Mr. Lin satisfied with today's arrangement?"
After hearing his thoughtful decision, Lin Qi smiled and said, "Your arrangements are very thoughtful. Since you asked me to entrust myself to you, then I will leave all the arrangements to you."
Her words, expressed with complete trust and a hint of cunning, made him laugh out loud.
He put down the spoon in his hand and looked at her, the smile in his eyes gentle and determined.
"Okay." He responded, his voice full of joy. "It seems that Student Lin has fully understood Teacher Shen's teaching spirit."
He picked up the spoon and added a little more meat floss to her bowl, as if he was completing a very solemn handover ceremony.
"Then I will officially accept this 'commission,'" he said slowly, looking into her eyes, in a tone that was half joking and half serious.
"Don't worry. I will make sure everything is arranged for you."
He raised his chin towards her, signaling her to eat quickly.
"Hurry up and eat. Once we're done, we'll set off to carry out our first mission of the day."
After breakfast, Chen Yan quickly put the dishes into the dishwasher without giving Lin Qi any chance to help. He dried his hands and took his car keys and coat from the hanger in the entrance hall.
"Okay, Lin," he smiled at Lin Qi, who had already put on his shoes and was waiting for him at the door, "let's go."
The way to her house was pointed out by Lin Qi.
It was a weekend morning, and the traffic was light. The sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow on her through the car window. She leaned against the passenger seat, her face tilted, watching the familiar street scenes zooming by with interest. She looked incredibly relaxed.
Chen Yan didn't say anything, but occasionally when waiting for the red light, he would turn his head and look at her quietly.
He found it strange. He had probably walked this road countless times before, and never noticed any difference in the scenery. But today, simply because she was by his side, even the lines of the city seemed to soften.
Linqi's community is an old-style community with a very human touch. Downstairs, an elderly person is basking in the sun with his grandson, and the air is filled with the aroma of food coming from somewhere.
She opened the door and was greeted by a very warm breath mixed with sunshine and a faint fragrance.
Chen Yan followed her and walked in.
This was the first time he had stepped into her private space. Just as he had expected, the feeling this place and her person gave him was exactly the same.
The room wasn't large, but she had made it incredibly cozy. The enormous bookshelves were crammed with a wide variety of books, even more than his own. The balcony was planted with several potted plants, all flourishing. A soft blanket lay casually draped over the sofa, and next to it lay an unfinished, open book.
This place was not like his home, with its calm, well-organized feeling of order. It was more like a warm, soft nest filled with traces of life.
"Please sit anywhere." Lin Qi pointed at the sofa, then turned and walked into the bedroom and began to pack his things. "I'll be there soon."
Chen Yan didn't sit down, but just stood in the middle of the living room, quietly looking at this little world that belonged entirely to her.
His gaze finally landed on a photo frame next to her bookshelf. It was a photo of her and her parents, and in the photo, she smiled carefree.
When Lin Qi came out of the bedroom carrying a small suitcase, she saw his back looking at the photo.
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