Pei Jiwang stood silently in the courtyard for a while, then turned around and left quietly.
At this moment, the little girl probably didn't want anyone to see her like this, so he didn't disturb her.
Even at dinner time, the cafeteria was still noisy.
Zi Xi's eyes were slightly red and swollen.
Although she applied cold water, the marks are still visible upon close inspection.
She silently followed behind Pei Jiwang, got her food, and sat down, keeping her head down the whole time.
Unlike usual, when he would have a vivid inner monologue about the food, he mechanically poked at the cornbread and cabbage in his lunchbox with his chopsticks, looking somewhat gloomy.
Pei Jiwang glanced at her but said nothing.
He quickly finished his portion, then got up and went to the food window again.
When he returned, he was carrying an extra enamel bowl containing braised ribbonfish, which was an extra supply from the mess hall that day and had to be purchased separately due to its limited quantity.
Pei Jiwang gently placed the bowl of steaming ribbonfish in front of Zixi.
His movements were natural, and his face showed no particular expression, as if he were just doing it casually.
"There aren't many bones in the ribbonfish, eat it."
He said something concisely, then picked up his lunchbox and continued eating the rest of his food.
Zi Xi was stunned. She looked up at the bowl of tempting ribbonfish with its enticing color and fragrant aroma in front of her, and then looked at Pei Jiwang across from her, whose expression remained unchanged.
Did he call me specifically for this purpose?
Why? Is it because you saw I was in a bad mood?
[Ribbonfish, my mom often cooks it for me at home in Shanghai...]
A warm feeling mixed with surprise, along with the panic of having one's thoughts exposed, quietly welled up in her heart.
Looking at Pei Jiwang's cold and hard profile, Zi Xi realized for the first time that this seemingly unromantic man also had such a delicate side.
She was silent for a moment, then picked up her chopsticks, took a small piece of ribbonfish, carefully removed the bones, and put it in her mouth.
The fish is tender and savory, with a familiar seafood flavor, but with a touch of uniqueness.
Zi Xi didn't say thank you politely; she just silently ate the piece of ribbonfish and the rice in the bowl, bite by bite.
Although the speed is still not fast, it is no longer as difficult to eat as before.
Although Pei Jiwang did not look at her, he took in her subtle movements and changes in expression out of the corner of his eye.
Give the girl some time.
After dinner, the two walked home to their family compound one after the other.
The setting sun cast long shadows of them.
A sea breeze blows, carrying the coolness of the night.
Zi Xi looked at the tall and upright figure walking ahead, recalling the unexpected bowl of ribbonfish and her silent protection of Su Wanting.
An extremely complex emotion surged within her.
The man was taciturn, and she could never seem to figure out what he was thinking.
But Lao Pei would always appear when she was at her most vulnerable, comforting her in his own way.
He may have even sensed her sadness after receiving the letter from home, but he didn't ask anything; he simply expressed his concern through his actions.
He doesn't seem so bad after all.
At least on this island where I know no one, he's the only person I have any connection with.
This realization caused Zi Xi's guarded heart to loosen slightly.
Although Pei Jiwang, who was walking ahead, had his back to her, he clearly caught her subtle thoughts.
His pace slowed almost imperceptibly.
The invisible wall between the two seemed to have been breached at that moment, creating a tiny crack.
A faint light and a touch of unfamiliar warmth quietly seeped in.
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