"We should let the chef make a new one."
Tang Li listened, the corners of her lips curved slightly: "Actually, I made some earlier, and there’s still quite a bit left!"
"..." Mr. Song.
"I’ll go get it from the kitchen." Tang Li pushed back her chair and just stood up when the chef, who had been standing by the door, finally spoke up: "The spaghetti Miss Tang made was quite good. I got a bit greedy earlier, and embarrassingly, I’ve already eaten most of it."
With that, the chef tactfully looked at Mr. Song.
—As expected.
Mr. Song did not blame him and simply instructed, "Then make another one."
The chef understood and turned into the kitchen.
Tang Li sat back at the table, resting her chin on her hands, turning her gaze to Mr. Song: "Aren’t you going to eat?"
A faint smile appeared on Song Baiyan’s lips, his right hand still holding the fork: "This big plate of pasta, are you planning on having it as dinner?"
"Could be," Tang Li reached out and pushed the plate a little closer to Song Baiyan: "Since it tastes good, you should eat more."
Saying that, she slightly pursed her lips.
Song Baiyan noticed Tang Li’s small gesture and gently grasped her small hand, the warmth of his palm spreading to the back of her hand, as his warm voice followed: "Knowing that there’s too much seasoning, you still want me to finish this plate of pasta?"
"...No." Tang Li defended herself.
As the words fell, she tried to withdraw her hand.
But Song Baiyan didn’t release his grip.
"Do you really want me to finish this plate of pasta?"
There was a hint of teasing in his words, and Tang Li’s eyes flickered slightly before she said: "If you don’t want to eat, no one can force you."
Song Baiyan just gave a small laugh.
Then, he released Tang Li’s hand and picked up his fork again.
By the time the chef brought out another portion of spaghetti, Song Baiyan had already eaten two-thirds of the pasta, drank more than half of his water, and Tang Li, looking at the greasy pasta, noted that Song Baiyan didn’t complain but chose to eat it slowly. Remembering that he didn’t tell her about that past incident, she decided not to hold it against him.
When the new plate was placed in front of her, Tang Li began to eat as well.
Song Baiyan replaced his napkin: "Not having cake?"
"Candles need to be blown at night for the atmosphere. For now, I’ll fill my stomach first."
Hearing her speak so logically, the smile never faded from Song Baiyan’s lips. Before long, his cellphone rang, and he answered it right at the dining table.
—It was a call from the Tan Palace.
Tang Li continued eating her pasta.
After dinner, Song Baiyan had some work to attend to.
Tang Li didn’t disturb him and wasn’t in a hurry to celebrate her birthday. She ran off to the home theater to watch a movie.
She chose "Roman Holiday" starring Audrey.
Holding a remote control in one hand and a fruit platter in the other, she sat on the floor.
Halfway through the movie, Song Baiyan came in.
Tang Li was still focused on the screen.
Song Baiyan sat down on the sofa.
Watching her eat fruit while watching the movie, he didn’t make a sound to interrupt.
After a while, Tang Li finally noticed someone beside her.
She turned her head and saw it was Song Baiyan. Song Baiyan was leaning back on the sofa, his left hand with a wristwatch resting on his forehead, his gaze on her was gentle yet intent, reflecting the flickering silver light from the screen, making her heart race with embarrassment.
Tang Li returned her attention to the movie, now slightly distracted.
Turning her head again, she found that Song Baiyan was still watching her.
His gaze seemed more like appreciation.
Tang Li didn’t know what was worth appreciating, so she turned away, then reached out her hand to slide into Song Baiyan’s left pant leg.