Chapter 9 Hot Tea She's really easy to take care of.
"I'm back!" Mu Tingyu stopped her bicycle and called into the house.
The sound lingered in the room for a moment before fading away, and no one responded.
Huh, isn't Xing Ze home?
Mu Tingyu played with the puppy for a while, then went upstairs.
She was about to go straight into the room when she noticed out of the corner of her eye that the coffee table in the center of the second floor looked a little different than usual.
—There's one more person.
Xing Ze lay flat on the wooden floor, one leg propped up, his hand resting on the coffee table, where there was still some tea left in the teacup.
Huh, are you asleep?
Mu Tingyu tiptoed closer and saw that his eyes were closed and his chest was rising and falling gently.
She really fell asleep.
Is he sleeping so soundly? Such a loud noise didn't wake him up.
Mu Tingyu smiled unconsciously and tiptoed over to squat down next to him.
This must be where he usually rests. The tea set looks like it's something he uses often, and there's a projector next to it, facing a white wall. I guess he can project movies or something like that.
However, she lived on the second floor, so he never came down.
Mu Tingyu rested her chin on her hand, observing his sleeping face.
Even when he was fast asleep, he still had a serious expression and looked very unapproachable.
As she stretched out her hand, she muttered softly, "Did you dream of something bad? Why are you frowning?"
But before her fingers could even touch him, Xing Ze suddenly opened his eyes.
His eyes were still misty as he grabbed Mu Tingyu's wrist, his voice low and hoarse: "Hmm?"
Mu Tingyu was startled and subconsciously pushed Xing Ze's forearm with her other hand.
This time, a bit of force was used, producing a crisp "snap" sound.
Xing Ze's eyes cleared up a bit, and he raised his eyebrows slightly.
Mu Tingyu awkwardly withdrew her hand and explained in a low voice, "You suddenly grabbed my hand, which startled me."
Xing Ze released her wrist and sat up, keeping his eyes closed and saying nothing.
He didn't seem angry, but he exuded an aura that kept strangers at bay.
Mu Tingyu squatted in place, puzzled, and observed for a long time before coming to a conclusion.
—He seems to have a bad temper when he wakes up.
Hmm.
Mu Tingyu was caught off guard and found the contrast endearing.
Xing Ze looked up after a moment, his voice still a little hoarse: "Back so early?"
Mu Tingyu laughed, "It's getting late, it's almost four o'clock."
"Didn't Xiaoping invite you to stay for dinner?"
“I kept it. Her family is so welcoming.” Mu Tingyu shook her head, squatted down, and wrapped her arms around her legs like a sapling. “Her mother even gave me a bag of bok choy. I put it in the kitchen. I can eat it tonight.”
Xing Ze glanced at her: "You didn't agree?"
"Huh?" Mu Tingyu took a moment to realize what he was asking. "I'm going home for dinner, didn't I tell you?"
She glanced at Xing Ze: "You have such a bad memory?"
Whether it was a word she said that pleased Xing Ze or not, his furrowed brows relaxed, he hummed in agreement, picked up the cup on the coffee table, and drank the remaining tea in one gulp.
"Hey, it's cold, why are you still drinking it!" Mu Tingyu couldn't stop her.
He doesn't seem fully awake yet.
"Do you still want some?" she asked. "Shall I make you a pot of hot water?"
Xing Ze picked up the teapot and poured tea into the cup: "No need."
Mu Tingyu was stunned for a moment, then quickly stopped him: "Put it down!"
She snatched the teacup from his hand, which he was about to bring to his lips, and pointed at him, saying, "Drinking cold tea will give you a stomachache!"
Xing Ze's hand paused in mid-air, he made a grasping motion for a moment and then let it go. He stared at Mu Tingyu as she immediately began to busily wash the tea leaves and boil water, and after a while, he chuckled softly.
Mu Tingyu looked up sharply: "You smiled?"
Xing Ze: "No."
Mu Tingyu glanced at him suspiciously, then lowered her head again.
Xing Ze leaned against the wall behind him, crossed his arms, and watched Mu Tingyu busy herself.
After a while, he spoke up: "Quite skilled."
Mu Tingyu didn't even look up: "I used to work part-time at a teahouse, so of course I'm good at making tea."
Xing Ze frowned: "Who are you making tea for?"
"What about the customers who come to the store? Otherwise?"
Today, Mu Tingyu wore shorts that almost reached her knees, revealing her snow-white skin. Her knees were resting on the wooden floor, and with each movement, the edges were slightly red. She remained oblivious, focused on wiping the tea set.
Xing Ze suddenly leaned over and took the teapot from her hand: "I'll do it, you sit down."
Mu Tingyu missed her chance and looked at Xing Ze with a puzzled expression. She reached behind her, grabbed a straw mat, and sat down. "What? You think my soaking technique is bad?"
Xing Ze ignored her.
He put tea leaves in the teapot, picked up the boiled water from the side and poured it in, and a wave of heat and the aroma of tea wafted over.
"It smells so good," Mu Tingyu exclaimed, crossing her legs.
Xing Ze poured out the first brew of tea while holding the lid against it, and then glanced at it distractedly as he added water.
Mu Tingyu rested her chin on her knees, tilted her head slightly, and her bright eyes met his gaze.
Xing Ze slowly lowered his eyes, put down the kettle, and quietly took a handkerchief to wipe the water that had splashed around the teapot.
Mu Tingyu took a sip of the brewed hot tea, praised it with a hundred words, and then began to recount what she had seen and heard at Xiao Ping's house that day.
"When I arrived at Sister Xiaoping's house this morning, she was spreading fertilizer in the field, so I helped her. She's growing corn there. When it's ripe, I can ask her for a corn cob to nibble on. By the way, do you know how to make corn and pork rib soup? Let me tell you, I'm really good at this soup. I want to drink yours next time and see if it tastes better than mine."
Xing Ze hummed in agreement: "What did you have for lunch?"
Mu Tingyu thought for a moment: "Braised eggplant, shredded potatoes, and raw marinated crab, but I really don't dare to eat this, it looks kind of scary. And that slightly translucent noodle, Sister Xiaoping said it's called mung bean noodles, and it also has that dried ribbonfish in it, which is what you put in the rice cake before!"
Is it delicious?
"It's definitely not as good as your cooking!" Mu Tingyu said with a smile, her words sweet.
Xing Ze picked up his teacup, took a sip, and asked, "What about this afternoon?"
"This afternoon I helped Sister Xiaoping feed the chickens, ducks, and geese! She has so many animals, and they're all so fat. She said she'll raise them to sell in town. Oh, and she also has a cow! I saw it was bored sitting alone, so I took it for a walk in the field. It almost stepped on someone's rice paddies, which scared me!" Mu Tingyu's tone was cheerful as she proudly added, "I even chopped the hay for the cow today! Hehe."
As Xing Ze listened, his brows furrowed: "You've been working all day?"
"Hmm?" Mu Tingyu scratched her cheek. "Well, not really. It's actually quite fun."
Xing Ze looked at the mud stains on her fair legs and asked in a slightly unfriendly tone, "Did you have a good lunch?"
Mu Tingyu glanced at him: "I'm full."
Xing Ze stared at her silently.
"Okay, alright," Mu Tingyu said weakly, "I'm not very full."
She preemptively struck with practiced ease: "That's because your cooking is just so delicious! I can't stomach ordinary food!"
Her tone was ingratiating, and her eyes crinkled like a piece of melted chocolate, looking sweet and inviting.
But Xing Ze was clearly not pleased by the sweetness, and asked with a frown, "What do you want to eat tonight?"
Mu Tingyu, resting her chin on her hand, asked in surprise, "Huh? I can order food?"
Her expression was exaggerated, her face practically screaming, "I actually have the right to order food!"
Xing Ze's face darkened: "Have I been too lenient with you?"
Mu Tingyu wasn't afraid of him at all, and chuckled, "I want to eat stir-fried bok choy!"
Xing Ze stared at her for a long time, then chuckled softly, "...You didn't even know how to order something nice."
They're really easy to raise.
.
After finishing her meal, Mu Tingyu patted her bulging belly contentedly and licked her lips with lingering satisfaction.
Sigh, that's how I become so picky. What am I going to do after my teaching stint ends?
She sighed in distress.
It seems she'll have to come back every now and then for a free meal. She'll definitely have to pay for the meal then; she refuses to believe Xing Ze won't treat her.
I wish I could always eat his cooking...
Mu Tingyu glanced at her small wallet and realized that her assets might not be enough to hire Xing Ze as a chef.
Besides, he didn't seem to be short of money.
She sighed again.
I can only go back and seclude myself to paint and earn more money first.
As she was thinking this, her phone vibrated.
Upon closer inspection, it was a message from Jiang Chu.
[A. Manye Art Studio: We have good news for you. The client has agreed to postpone the delivery date.]
Her eyes lit up, and she typed a reply.
[Ignoring: The customer is so nice! How long was it delayed?]
[A. Manye Art Studio: When will your volunteer teaching assignment end?]
[If they don't listen: Two months!]
[A. Manye Art Studio: Then we'll draw again when you get back.]
[Not listening: Huh?]
Mu Tingyu bit her finger and sent out a [the kitten is scared.] emoji.
[I don't listen: Is it even possible for a customer like Chu Bao to exist...? Could he be a scammer...?]
[A. Manye Art Studio: They're a die-hard fan of yours, saying they've already waited so long and don't mind waiting a few more months.]
[I'm not listening! I'm about to cry.]
Jiang Chu coldly and ruthlessly declared that her tears were worthless.
[A. Manye Art Studio: If you slip away without a word again next time, you'd better watch out for me!]
[I won't listen: Hehe.]
[A. Manye Art Studio: Hehe? I've already booked your entire schedule for the second half of the year. When you get back, you're staying in the studio and not allowed to go anywhere else!]
Mu Tingyu slammed her phone shut and slammed the screen down in one swift motion, leaving the terrifying message in the chat box.
She waited for Xing Ze to finish washing the dishes, then closed the door and went upstairs together.
Upon reaching the second-floor stairwell, Xing Ze's pace naturally slowed.
Mu Tingyu indeed asked, "What time are we leaving tomorrow?"
Xing Ze stood on the first step of the third floor, leaning against the handrail: "Whatever you want."
Mu Tingyu thought for a moment: "After breakfast? Around nine o'clock?"
"OK."
Mu Tingyu received an affirmative reply, smiled and said "Okay," and walked towards the room.
After taking a few steps, she suddenly felt a deep, undeniable gaze cast upon her from behind.
She stopped and turned around, only to see Xing Ze still standing in the same spot, staring at her without saying a word.
"Huh, what's wrong?"
Xing Ze was silent for two seconds, then said, "It's nothing."
He walked upstairs, and soon after, the sound of the door closing could be heard.
Mu Tingyu stood there, her face full of confusion.
Did she just see Xing Ze looking like he was about to say something? Why did he suddenly stop talking?
Men are strange.
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