Cao Yuan didn’t originally want to be so proactive, after all, being too forceful wasn’t good either, but the Old Lady seemed to truly want them to become a family. Especially considering Gong Mingxia, who was excellent in all areas except her academic qualifications, and particularly excelling in respecting elders, which was a rare virtue. Thus, with nothing much to do at home and once the Old Lady confirmed that he had been resting in the military for half a year, she sent him out to help Gong Mingxia sell boxed lunches.
Gong Mingxia felt embarrassed to let him help, so she kept urging him to leave. Cao Yuan indeed had never done such work before; their line of work seldom brought them so close to the ground, but he knew if he didn’t understand something, he would have to learn. Ignoring her urging, he packed where packing was needed and dished out rice where it was required; except for not knowing how to hawk his wares, he adapted within an hour and worked competently and confidently.
With Cao Yuan’s help, Gong Mingxia’s work became visibly easier, and she could even free up some time to clean the dishes.
The neighbors on the next stall, seeing Cao Yuan, all thought he was Gong Mingxia’s husband and teased him.
"Xiao Xia has been busy by herself for over a year, and we haven’t seen you. You must be a very busy man!"
"I will come to help often from now on. It was due to work before, but I will come over to help her before the new year. Thanks to everyone for taking care of her, thank you all."
It was a surprise to Gong Mingxia that a man of few words like him would say such things. When he turned his head back, she quickly turned away, but her ears turned red. Perhaps it was because she dared not meet his gaze, or maybe his eyes were too intense?
After all, he came from a special forces background, always giving off the impression that he looked at people with a piercing gaze, an inexplicable pressure that made her always act cautiously in front of him.
Cao Yuan wasn’t the type to liven up an atmosphere either, so when they were together, she would be busy with something and he would ask if she needed help. If she said no, he would find something else to do. If a customer came by, he would take charge of packing the boxed meals, or if they ate there, he would wipe tables and hand out plates. In short, he was sharp-eyed and quite the worker.
This awkward relationship lasted about three days until Gong Mingxia gradually got used to it. Even when he joined her to buy groceries and cook in the morning, she would teach him in detail how to prepare each dish, how to season, how to chop vegetables, and how to knead the dough.
Sometimes, there were inevitable physical contacts. If she touched him, she would quickly withdraw her hand, and if he touched her, he would shyly move aside.
For two complete strangers to interact in such a way every day was indeed challenging, but Cao Yuan had marriage in mind from the start. Therefore, as a man, he was very gentlemanly and practical. He didn’t rush her to make a decision but instead integrated himself into her life in every little way.
Especially since Xiao Xiao often asked him to pick her up, just to show off to her classmates that she wasn’t fatherless. Although she hadn’t introduced him as her dad, the appearance of a tall, handsome, and secure man made a statement louder than words could.
Sometimes Cao Yuan would even bring along his cute little sister to pick up his brother Cao Yang from school. Their family interactions were so obvious that even the neighbors couldn’t stand it, directly asking when they were going to handle the formalities. They couldn’t wait any longer, leaving Gong Mingxia embroiled in yet another bout of embarrassment.