Chapter 27 A Rare Moment of Warmth
Why would someone live in such an ordinary residential apartment building?
Moreover, it was the apartment across from hers on the same floor?
Song Zhiwei stared blankly at the dark gray security door opposite her.
A storm raged in my heart.
Last night, she even had a heated argument with her neighbor across the hall over who got the motion-sensor light in the hallway.
At the time, I only felt that the other party was arrogant and spoke with a barbed tone.
I never imagined that person would be Sheng Tingzhou.
She even...
They even called him an ill-mannered nouveau riche neighbor.
Oh my god, has she already been fired?
The motion-sensor light above suddenly went out with a "snap," plunging the hallway into darkness.
She then came to her senses.
He quickly took out his keys, opened the door, and slipped inside.
...
The next day, Song Zhiwei went downstairs to the supermarket.
I just moved in, and the house was empty.
Even water cups have to be made from a pile of disposable paper cups.
She thought to herself that she couldn't order takeout every day; she also needed to take care of her basic living needs.
So, she picked up her shopping basket and started browsing the condiment section.
She picked out a few bottles of commonly used seasonings.
I even went out of my way to find a jar of authentic Pixian chili bean paste.
Next, she went to the fresh food section and selected a packet of hot pot base.
It comes with two boxes of tender beef, one box of tripe, and half a braised duck.
Add a handful of enoki mushrooms, a small basket of lettuce, a few ears of corn, and a box of tofu skin.
As she picked through the items, she mentally planned out the menu.
During those years abroad, Chinese food was too expensive, often costing seventy or eighty US dollars per meal, and it wasn't even authentic.
She couldn't get used to Western food; the butter and cheese in her mouth made her stomach churn.
Left with no other choice, she had to do it herself.
Before I knew it, I had developed pretty good cooking skills.
She had just moved today and decided to treat herself.
Let's have an authentic spicy hot pot for lunch.
She walked out of the supermarket carrying two large, heavy bags.
The elevator was moving at a snail's pace, so she simply climbed the stairs to the fourth floor.
When I got to my doorstep, I was carrying things in my hands and couldn't free my hands.
I had no choice but to tilt my head and use my chin to reach the access control keypad.
Her bangs were stuck to her face with sweat, and she squinted as she tried to focus on the number keys.
Finally, with a click, the door lock opened.
She breathed a sigh of relief and was about to step inside.
Suddenly, the door across the street opened as well.
Immediately afterwards, a low male voice came from behind.
With a touch of playfulness and laziness.
"Do you think you're a hamster? Buying so much food, are you planning to stock up before hibernation?"
Song Zhiwei froze, nearly dropping the bag in her hand.
She turned her head and saw Sheng Tingzhou leaning against the door frame.
He was wearing a high-quality black silk robe, with the belt loosely tied around his waist.
The neckline was slightly open, revealing a small patch of firm skin below the collarbone.
Her hair was a little messy, as if she had just gotten up.
But his eyes were clear and bright.
Song Zhiwei immediately recalled the argument from the night before last.
She complained that the hallway lights went out too quickly, and he retorted that she was too slow.
The two exchanged a few sarcastic remarks.
He suddenly snapped at her like that, and she immediately got angry.
His tone became increasingly aggressive.
"Even if I'm a cat, it's none of your business if I buy things, right? It's not like I live in your house."
Sheng Tingzhou's lips curled up slightly, a smile that was neither a smile nor a frown.
Are you going to start cooking?
"Um."
Song Zhiwei responded with a sound of agreement, not wanting to pay him any more attention.
He lowered his head and was about to walk into the house.
Unexpectedly, Sheng Tingzhou added a sentence in a leisurely manner.
"I just remembered, someone seems to owe me two meals. It's been so long, I can't quite remember who it was. Miss Song, could you help me recall?"
Song Zhiwei paused, her brows furrowing slightly.
She did indeed promise, so she can't renege on her promise.
She pursed her lips, took a deep breath, and forced herself to turn around.
He forced out a formulaic smile.
"Mr. Sheng, are you coming to my house for lunch today?"
Sheng Tingzhou clicked his tongue, raised an eyebrow, and pretended to be forced to accept it.
He chuckled softly.
"Since Miss Song has extended such a warm invitation, how could I possibly refuse?"
Song Zhiwei rolled her eyes inwardly.
She stepped into the living room and casually placed the bag on the floor.
Sheng Tingzhou followed leisurely behind, his hands in the pockets of his bathrobe, looking calm and composed.
It was as if this wasn't someone else's house, but his own living room.
"The house isn't big, so please find a place to sit."
Song Zhiwei said softly.
She took the ingredients out of the bag one by one, then turned and walked towards the kitchen.
Sheng Tingzhou followed.
He reached up and rolled up his suit sleeve, revealing his muscular forearm, and asked in a natural tone.
"Need any help?"
She wanted to say no.
But when she thought of his arrogant demeanor yesterday, she suddenly changed her mind.
He pointed to the several unopened packages of vegetables on the table.
"These all need to be washed, and then plated."
"Okay, no problem."
Surprisingly, Sheng Tingzhou did not object.
He smiled, carried the bags of vegetables to the sink, and turned on the tap.
The water cascaded down, splashing up tiny droplets.
Song Zhiwei secretly glanced at it.
The man's profile is sharp, with a slightly tucked jaw and a straight nose.
The sunlight shone on his face, outlining its clear contours.
The way he was focused on washing vegetables with his head down was completely different from the shrewd and ruthless Sheng Tingzhou he usually was in the business world.
At this moment, he even had a bit of a domestic man vibe.
It's ordinary, yet reassuring.
She pursed her lips, a subtle ripple stirring in her heart.
But it was quickly suppressed.
She lowered her head, gripped the cleaver tightly with her fingertips, and continued to cut the beef on the cutting board.
The blade struck the cutting board with a rhythmic "clattering" sound.
It was as if she was trying to cover up the momentary wavering in her heart.
Half an hour later, all the ingredients were prepared and neatly arranged on the table.
The bottom of the pot boils, and the red oil bubbles.
The aroma of spiciness mixed with the rich fragrance of butter filled the air.
It makes one's mouth water.
The two sat down facing each other.
In the middle is a bubbling hot pot, steaming hot.
Their vision blurred.
Sheng Tingzhou picked up a piece of tripe and put it into the boiling soup, counting the seconds with a practiced ease.
Song Zhiwei couldn't wait to dip a piece of beef in the hot pot, then put it in her mouth.
His eyes squinted involuntarily.
Sheng Tingzhou watched her eat with a beaming smile, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.
I couldn't help but ask.
"You love hot pot so much?"
Song Zhiwei had just swallowed a bite of meat, and the rich aroma still lingered in her mouth.
She smiled, her eyes narrowed, her voice filled with satisfaction.
"It's alright. The main thing is that I haven't eaten it for five years, so taking a bite now feels like getting a bargain."
During those five years abroad, she lived alone in a small apartment in a foreign land.
Outside the window are unfamiliar city lights, and in my ears is a language I can't understand.
Every night, she would lie in bed tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
My mind is filled with images of local snacks and the lively atmosphere of home.
Sheng Tingzhou asked casually.
"Aren't there hot pot restaurants over there too?"
Song Zhiwei nodded, picked up a piece of bean curd skin with her chopsticks, and gently blew on it.
"Yes, but it's too expensive, I don't dare to go in."
Sheng Tingzhou chuckled.
"Can a single meal bankrupt you?"
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