"I can cook for myself. I like to cook when I have time. I just moved into this house not long ago and haven't found a suitable nanny, so I'm doing everything myself for now," Yang Sijie said, rolling up his sleeves and heading towards the kitchen.
Gu Susu didn't go back to her room to rest. She followed him into the kitchen and watched as he opened the refrigerator, revealing a massive, three-door appliance packed with all sorts of food.
She hadn't felt hungry before, but seeing all the food made her stomach rumble.
"I want a fried egg sandwich with a hot dog, and lots of ketchup."
Yang Sijie paused slightly as he took out fresh vegetables from the refrigerator. Back in the orphanage, hot dogs with eggs were their favorite. Having them felt like a festival.
"You just recovered from a fever and can't eat this. I'll make something light for you," Yang Sijie said, not agreeing to her request. "Go lie down and rest. I'll bring it to your room when it's ready."
Gu Susu felt fine and didn't want to stay in bed. She sat down at the small table in the kitchen instead. "I don't want to be alone in the room. Can I just wait here while you cook?"
Yang Sijie sighed helplessly. Seeing that she didn't want to rest in her room, he didn't insist.
He quickly put on his apron and began washing vegetables and rinsing rice.
Gu Susu sat by the side, bored. She wanted to help him, but he wouldn't let her.
She propped her head up with one hand, watching him busily working in the kitchen, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
In the years after he left the orphanage, she had imagined countless times what it would be like to meet again as adults.
The scene before her was something she had never expected. It made her temporarily forget the reality that they were no longer the same people they once were.
Yang Sijie cut the vegetables with a steady rhythm. His slender fingers moved among the kitchen staples as if playing a piano, captivating her gaze.
She had heard from Su Kangxi that he was still single, and she found it hard to believe that such a charming man like Yang Sijie wouldn't have girls interested in him.
"Brother Sijie, why aren't you married yet? What about girlfriends? You must have had quite a few, right?"
Yang Sijie placed a cup of warm milk tea with ginger in front of her. "I've never dated a girlfriend. Drink this warm ginger milk tea first."
Gu Susu held the steaming cup of milk tea, finding it hard to believe. But then she thought of a possibility. She took a sip of the milk tea and cautiously probed, "Then... are you sure you like women?"
Yang Sijie, his back to her, was cooking the vegetable porridge. Hearing her question, he felt both amused and exasperated. He replied with certainty, "I'm sure my orientation is not skewed."
"Oh." Gu Susu drank her milk tea, feeling awkward and unsure of what else to say.
She lowered her head, still unable to comprehend why a normal and excellent man would be over thirty without being married or having a girlfriend.
She couldn't figure it out, it truly puzzled her.
When the kitchen was particularly quiet, Yang Sijie suddenly turned to look at her and asked, "You haven't had a good life these past few years, have you? Kangxi said you've suffered a lot. This is all my fault. I wasn't capable enough to take you away from the orphanage sooner."
His words stirred a pang of sadness in her heart. For a while, she would stand at the orphanage gate every day, hoping he would suddenly appear and take her to see the outside world.
But she just smiled faintly and said, "It's not as exaggerated as Kangxi says. Everyone has their difficulties, and it's all in the past. I'm doing well. I've been married and have a child. I've experienced everything I needed to, and nothing can defeat me now."
The more she acted this way, the more Yang Sijie's heart ached, a pain mixed with much regret and remorse.
Yang Sijie also smiled and said, "Yes, the past is the past. Now that I'm here, you don't have to worry about anything anymore."
"Mmm, I know, Brother Sijie, you'll always be like family to me," Gu Susu said, avoiding his meaningful gaze.
"Susu, we... we can become a real family..."
"It's boiling! The porridge is boiling, quickly turn off the heat!" Gu Susu saw the pot on the stove was about to boil over and quickly interrupted him.
She was afraid of what he was about to say. She felt she was no longer worthy of him, and she no longer had the strength to love anyone.
Because they had missed their chance, they could never go back to how they were as children. They couldn't go back.
Yang Sijie quickly turned off the heat, not continuing his words. He could sense Gu Susu's avoidance.
Soon, the vegetable porridge and boiled eggs were ready and placed before Gu Susu.
Yang Sijie wasn't hungry. Watching her eat a little, he said, "After you finish eating, go back to sleep. I have some things to do in the study."
Seeing that he was busy, Gu Susu didn't want to disturb him further. "Brother Sijie, I'm fine now, and I should be going. I won't bother you anymore."
Yang Sijie glanced at the clothes she was wearing. "Wait a moment longer. I'll have someone from the clothing store send over a few outfits. You can choose one to change into before you leave."
Gu Susu then realized she was wearing loose men's pajamas and immediately asked nervously, "What about my own clothes? Who changed me?"
"Your clothes were all soaked. I changed you with my eyes closed," Yang Sijie said, his expression unchanging, his gaze steady.
His composure made Gu Susu believe he wasn't lying, that she could trust him.
"There's no need to send new clothes. My previous clothes are dry and can still be worn."
"It's alright. Pick a set you like later. Even if the wet clothes can be worn, their style is a bit distorted," Yang Sijie said. Without waiting for her to refuse again, he went upstairs to the study.
Gu Susu sat alone in the kitchen, drinking the light porridge, her mind in a turmoil.
She hadn't expected to reunite with Yang Sijie like this. Could they still be like family and friends? Should she continue to avoid him?
After she had eaten what Yang Sijie had personally cooked, two sales assistants from a luxury fashion store arrived at the villa not long after.
They brought over a dozen outfits for Gu Susu to choose from. Gu Susu, dazzled by the array of clothes, chose only the simplest set, one that would allow her to change from head to toe.
After the sales assistants left, Yang Sijie still hadn't come out of the study. She hesitated whether to go to the study to say goodbye before leaving.
However, after hesitating for a while, she didn't go upstairs to the study. Seeing paper and a pen on the coffee table, and not wanting to disturb Yang Sijie too much, she left a note and departed.
After walking out of the villa alone, she realized that it was located in a scenic area with lakes and mountains. There were no taxis in sight on the road, so she had to walk along the path.
After walking for about ten minutes, a black car stopped beside her. Someone from the car called out to her, "Miss Gu, wait. Mr. Yang asked me to give you a ride back."
Gu Susu stopped and looked at the black car. A tall and robust man got out of the car and politely opened the car door for her.
She looked at the man in the suit and tie. He had dark brown hair with natural curls, deep-set hazel eyes, and features that blended Eastern and Western characteristics, giving him a handsome face.
"Thank you. Who are you?" Gu Susu asked curiously, not getting into the car immediately.