Xia Wantang dared not move.
Ling Yuchen's proximity always made her blush and her heart race.
And the hand he had around her shoulders, even through her clothes, she could feel an intense warmth.
But these were not the most important things.
The most important thing was.
He said she was good, that she shouldn't bottle up any grievances, he said she was important...
These were words only Wen Xuanyuan had said to her before, but she hadn't dared to believe them then.
In fact, it took her a long time of being with Wen Xuanyuan before she slowly began to believe her.
Were two people who said the same words equally trustworthy?
Xia Wantang pursed her lips, her eyes full of struggle, but the stirring in her heart could not be ignored.
Tears welled up in her eyes. She nestled into Ling Yuchen's embrace and slowly closed her eyes.
This embrace gave her a sense of security she had never felt before.
Ling Yuchen held her quietly. Though both were silent.
He could feel Xia Wantang trembling slightly.
They had only been together for a few days, but he could clearly sense that Xia Wantang had always been guarded, her heart closed off.
It would not be easy for her to truly open up.
This state was likely related to her upbringing and the people she had encountered.
Leaning against Ling Yuchen's chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, Xia Wantang closed her eyes with a sense of peace.
She just wanted to be quiet for a while, just for a little while.
All the grievances, sadness, and unfairness she had endured today.
Were gradually smoothed out in this moment.
...
In the kitchen.
Han Xiao busied himself washing and chopping vegetables, with Ou Ma in charge of the cooking.
Qiao Xinyue sat in a corner, propping up her chin out of boredom.
She was a kitchen novice, useless at cooking, she could even burn fried rice.
Ou Ma often complained that her culinary skills had no successor and that Qiao Xinyue had clearly inherited them from her father.
The pot was now simmering sweet and sour pork ribs, the heat just right, and it would be ready after a little more reduction.
Just as Ou Ma was about to get some water, Han Xiao handed her the ladle.
"Do you know how to cook?"
Ou Ma looked at him with slight surprise before quickly averting her gaze, returning to her cooking.
"A little, but not as skilled as you, Madam," Han Xiao said humbly.
"It's good that you can cook! Unlike my Xinyue, who is a girl and knows nothing." Ou Ma shot a glance at Qiao Xinyue in the corner, her eyes full of disdain.
The innocent Qiao Xinyue pouted dismissively and pretended not to hear, taking out her phone.
Han Xiao smiled and said, "Who says girls have to learn to cook? We advocate for gender equality now, it's the same for anyone to cook."
"That's right, that's right."
Ou Ma smiled, appraising Han Xiao from head to toe with increasing satisfaction.
"Xiao Han, I remember you're about the same age as Young Master. Do you have a girlfriend?"
Han Xiao smiled, his gaze flicking to Qiao Xinyue, his eyes showing barely suppressed excitement.
"I'm twenty-six this year, I've never even been in a relationship, how could I have a girlfriend?"
Ou Ma nodded with satisfaction, deftly dishing out the food.
She was about to ask more, but Qiao Xinyue had already come over to interrupt.
"Mom, why are you asking so many questions?" As she spoke, her hand was already reaching for a chopstick to taste the dish.
Ou Ma gave her a look but said nothing, clearly accustomed to her tasting from the pot.
Han Xiao was a little disappointed, but not discouraged.
They all knew each other well, and there would be plenty of time.
In fact, the first time he went to the Ling family with his great-grandfather, he had liked Qiao Xinyue when he saw her.
Time had flown, and more than ten years had passed. Both he and Qiao Xinyue had grown up in the Ling family.
Qiao Xinyue was not unaware of Han Xiao's warmth towards her, but she truly felt nothing for him.
Perhaps it was due to being too familiar, so familiar that it had surpassed romantic feelings.
Just like Young Master, although Young Master was very handsome, looking at his too-familiar face, no matter how handsome, she wouldn't feel any heart flutter.
Looking at him, she only felt awe and fear.
And when she looked at Han Xiao, he always seemed like a brother.
The dishes were quickly prepared, and Han Xiao and Qiao Xinyue helped carry them to the table.
The lump in Xia Wantang's chest had also eased.
And she and Ling Yuchen seemed to have become closer.
After Ling Yuchen's repeated questioning, she finally told him the truth, that her stomach was feeling unwell.
Ling Yuchen wanted to take her to the hospital then, but she refused.
After repeatedly assuring him she was fine, Ling Yuchen let her go.
By this time, it was already dark. The outside was pitch black, with only the undulating sounds of insects in the darkness.
When Xia Wantang sat down at the dining table, a large bowl of porridge had already been placed in front of her. Ou Ma had served it for her.
Ou Ma smiled and said, "This is shrimp and lean meat porridge, Wantang, eat more."
"Ou Ma, I can't finish this much." Xia Wantang looked at the bowl, which was larger than her face, with a helpless expression.
"It's okay, eat as much as you can."
Xia Wantang was actually not used to having someone serve her food, but Ou Ma seemed to be accustomed to it. Her polite requests had no effect.