Han Xi responded, got up and walked to the dining room, looking at the simple noodles still steaming on the table, she looked up at him: "Are you treating me, or am I treating you?"
"I’m treating you." Lu Jinghan pulled out a chair for her: "You should eat a bowl of longevity noodles on your birthday."
Han Xi’s hand holding the chopsticks suddenly trembled; today is her birthday, she had forgotten, how does this man know?
It must be said, Han Xi was touched.
In the past, whenever it was her birthday, Han Xi’s mother would cook her a bowl of longevity noodles, just like the one Lu Jinghan made, with tomatoes, greens, and a fried egg...
Since her mother passed away, Han Xi never celebrated birthdays anymore because no one made her longevity noodles. Li Manman and Chu Ci used to say they would celebrate her birthday for her, but Han Xi felt that a birthday without longevity noodles wasn’t a birthday, so for many years her birthday was never celebrated. She also wouldn’t deliberately remember the date, and over time it became something she didn’t care about.
Han Xi’s lowered eyelashes concealed the sadness in her eyes, though tears still uncontrollably flowed.
Lu Jinghan sat in the chair next to her, reached for the tissues on the table, and gently wiped away her tears, his heart softening profoundly.
"Why cry? It’s a birthday; it should be happy."
"I miss my mom, she used to make me a bowl of longevity noodles on my birthday..." Han Xi’s voice trembled stuck in her throat, her nose aching with sorrow.
"I’m sorry for bringing up sad memories."
Han Xi raised her head, smiling gently through her tears: "Thank you, Mr. Lu."
Lu Jinghan lifted his hand to wipe the tears from Han Xi’s eyes, his gaze too deep, too affectionate, almost drowning Han Xi in the tender look he gave her.
"Hurry up and eat, it will become soggy soon."
Han Xi picked up the chopsticks, took some noodles from the bowl, blew them cool, and put them in her mouth. His skill was surprisingly good; he made a simple bowl of noodles taste like a five-star hotel dish.
"How is it? Does it taste okay?" Seeing her relishing the food, Lu Jinghan smiled.
"It’s really good, who knew Mr. Lu was such a good cook."
Just as they were talking, the door at the entrance was pushed open from outside, and Old Sir Lu suddenly walked in. Seeing the scene in the dining room, the old man couldn’t close his mouth from laughing.
"Doctor Han is here too."
Upon hearing the voice, both Han Xi and Lu Jinghan looked in the direction of the sound: "Old man, why are you here?"
Lu Jinghan frowned, his voice evidently annoyed.
Old Sir Lu stood with his hands behind his back, casting a meaningful look at the two people in the dining room: "Did I come at an inopportune time, interrupting your world for two?"
Han Xi’s cheeks flushed immediately, hurriedly explaining: "Grandpa Lu, you misunderstood, it’s not what you think, there’s nothing between Mr. Lu and me."
Old Sir Lu sat down at the dining table: "It’s the first time I’ve seen this kid bring a woman home, and you say there’s nothing."
Even the shoe cupboard had women’s slippers; how could it be the first time he’s brought a woman home, Han Xi thought quietly.
"The noodles were made by this kid, right?" Old Master Lu looked at the noodles on the table, commenting sourly: "He’s never cooked for me, this kid is really heartless."
"Old man, what are you here for?"
Lu Jinghan looked at his grandfather with a headache, he didn’t come earlier or later but chose this moment, truly exasperating.