After being scolded, Long Jinghan didn't think much of it; her eyes brimming with emotion, she followed along in her little leather shoes with a "tap tap tap."
Ji Ya had thought Liew Menglu and Qiao Lei would also come, so she had prepared five dishes with generous portions. She didn't expect that only Long Jinghan would come.
"Qiao Lei will eat here tonight, we'll just let her have what's left," Shen Yuan said as he took the rice Ji Ya handed him.
"Don't worry, Mr. Shen, I'll just make a few fresh dishes tonight."
The villa was equipped with central air conditioning, making the kitchen cool and comfortable to cook in during summer.
Ji Ya also enjoyed the process of cooking, especially in a kitchen that was so clean, spacious, and had a complete set of cooking tools.
When she used to rent a place, the sight of a cramped and tiny kitchen left her with no desire to cook.
"Shen Yuan, let's not make the junior eat leftovers."
Long Jinghan thought Shen Yuan wanted to "teach" Qiao Lei a lesson, so she intentionally mentioned eating leftovers.
Because Qiao Lei was a bit mischievous and sometimes acted out, Shen Yuan would occasionally put her in her place.
"It was just a joke, you all took it seriously. Of course, she'll eat the same as us."
Shen Yuan flicked Long Jinghan's forehead: "She's invading our world for two, and you're still speaking up for her. Why don't you think about yourself for once?"
Long Jinghan, embarrassed, hung her head and whispered softly, "The junior missed you too. And, and you like it... when it's lively."
Shen Yuan's lips twisted into a wry smile as he started eating. He understood how Long Jinghan's people-pleasing personality had developed, sometimes he couldn't stand it.
Even in XP, she was the type to please others, like a "victim, excited by pain," except for one role-playing that might be to her liking.
After a few bites, Shen Yuan couldn't help but ask, "Have you always been , ever since you were young?"
Long Jinghan's chopsticks paused, and a trace of complexity flashed in her lovely eyes as she nodded silently, "It seems so."
"Ah, I don't know what to say. Eat more, you need to build yourself up."
Shen Yuan served Long Jinghan more beef: "Here, build yourself up. You're already smaller than Qiao Lei and Liew Menglu, you should eat more."
Long Jinghan's face turned red as she ate the meat with lowered eyes. However, her stomach could only fit so much, even if she wanted to eat more.
Shen Yuan glanced at Ji Ya: "Let's have the chef cook tonight."
Ji Ya was taken aback, speaking guiltily, "Is my cooking not good?"
"Don't overthink it, I just worry that cooking is too tiring for you."
Shen Yuan continued to serve Long Jinghan: "Come on, eat more, so you'll have energy to work later."
After lunch, Ji Ya cleaned up the kitchen, while Shen Yuan and Long Jinghan went to the living room to help with digestion.
This was Long Jinghan's habit; she said not to sit immediately after eating as it helped avoid getting a belly.
Shen Yuan was concerned; he had managed to maintain Peang Yuyan's physique for the past year, but he still joined the tall Long Jinghan for a walk.
Long Jinghan held Shen Yuan's hand and called out softly.
Long Jinghan looked at Shen Yuan quietly, "I'm going back to my hometown tomorrow and won't return until school starts."
"Is there something wrong at home?" Shen Yuan asked.
Long Jinghan shook her head: "No, just going to visit."
"Alright, do you need me to arrange a car to take you?"
It was only four or five days until the start of school, and Shen Yuan figured Long Jinghan probably missed home, having not returned all summer.
Long Jinghan shook her head again: "No need, I'll buy a ticket and go by myself."
Long Jinghan softly called out again, "Shen Yuan..."
"Hm? What's wrong now?"
With a lift of her delicate face, a watery glint in her eyes seemed to make them shimmer, "Let's go to your bedroom."
Shen Yuan chuckled: "In a hurry?"
Long Jinghan's cheeks flushed with red: "Because, well, Leilei will be here soon."
Shen Yuan glanced at her dressed in a JK uniform. Under the square neckline, the rise and fall were modest, but the paleness was striking.
On her slender neck was a face that seemed pitiful, eyes filled with expectation and a fluttering heart.
Shen Yuan found no reason to refuse: "Then let's go."
Just before heading upstairs, Long Jinghan picked up her purse and walked up to the second floor, hand in hand with Shen Yuan.
But when Shen Yuan closed the bedroom door, she suddenly grew nervous. Maybe because she'd gotten used to "being three," it had become a dependency, and now faced with Shen Yuan alone, she felt anxious.
Seeing her expression, Shen Yuan teased with a smile: "What, getting cold feet now?"
"Maybe we should wait for the junior to come."
Long Jinghan regretted it indeed; now she remembered how she was not a match for Shen Yuan one-on-one.
"Forget it, you're already in the room, there's no reason to wait anymore."
With a "click," Shen Yuan locked the door, and Long Jinghan tensed up instantly.
"Come, let me see what's in your bag. You didn't forget to bring your bag even in a situation like that, it must have something important."
Long Jinghan, clutching her bag defensively, pleaded, "Let's look at it tonight."
"We might not be in the mood tonight, open it yourself."
Shen Yuan led Long Jinghan to the bed, motioning toward the bag with his mouth.
Pouting her moist lips, Long Jinghan covered the bag, afraid to open it. She had brought it on a whim and regretted it as soon as they entered the room.
"What's really inside? You're making me even more curious."
Shen Yuan didn't wait for her response, snatched the bag, and reached inside.