The moment Lu Zhengming stepped through the door, he froze, eyes warily fixed on Su Wanqing. “What do you want?”
He gripped the strap of his canvas bag, looking like a small animal ready to snap at any moment.
Su Wanqing ignored his defensiveness and turned to scoop a steaming bowl of crab custard from the stove.
She held the bowl by the rim with her fingertips and smiled as she offered it to him. “Eat first. We’ll talk after. If it cools down, it won’t be fresh.”
The golden egg enveloped the succulent crab meat, and the aroma wafted straight to his nose.
Lu Zhengming swallowed hard, his gaze bouncing between the bowl and Su Wanqing.
In the end, temptation won. He took the bowl and began devouring it.
“Eat slowly, no one’s taking it from you,” Su Wanqing said, sitting opposite him, elbow on the table, chin resting in her palm, her almond-shaped eyes curved as she leisurely watched him clear the bowl, even licking the edges.
After he put down the empty bowl, Su Wanqing finally spoke. “I’m going to ask you a few questions about your brother. Be honest, and tonight you can sleep on the couch.”
With the last mouthful of custard in his mouth, Lu Zhengming shook his head mutely. “N-no! I can’t just tell you about my brother!”
He wiped his mouth and stiffened immediately. “My brother said not to gossip with outsiders! You want to pry? No way!”
Su Wanqing raised an eyebrow, tapping the table lightly with her fingertips. “Outsider? I’m your brother’s wife—what kind of outsider is that? Besides, the ‘couch sleeping right’ is still in my hands.”
She stood, pretending to head for the door. “Since you won’t talk, you’ll just have to go back to your dorm and sleep on the hard bed.”
“Don’t!” Lu Zhengming jumped up, face flushed red. “I said I’ll talk! But I don’t know much about my brother!”
He scratched his hair, finally squeezing out a few words. “My brother was transferred to the island three years ago. Other than training, he’s usually handling military affairs and rarely rests. He doesn’t smoke or drink, doesn’t chat with people, and just likes to stay in his office reading.”
Su Wanqing asked further, eyes glinting. “Does he have any favorite dishes? Or anything he particularly dislikes?”
Lu Zhengming’s eyes flickered evasively, voice softer. “N-nothing! Whatever the cafeteria makes, he eats it, never picky… just eats a little…”
That was almost like saying nothing.
Seeing him obviously hiding something, Su Wanqing realized pressing further wouldn’t help. “Fine, the couch is yours tonight. Keep it quiet so you don’t wake your brother.”
Relieved, Lu Zhengming pulled out a crumpled blanket and pillow from his canvas bag, went to the couch, and settled down quietly.
Su Wanqing cleared the dishes and went into the kitchen. The faucet ran, but her mind wandered.
What Lu Zhengming said seemed useless, yet it confirmed something.
Lu Yan did indeed have anorexia.
The failed late-night snack wasn’t due to cooking skills—it was because she had been too eager to “show off.”
The strong, rich flavors clashed with what he was accustomed to: light, plain food.
Understanding this, Su Wanqing turned off the faucet, her eyes lighting up again.
Direct confrontation wouldn’t work; she needed a gentle, subtle approach.
Her goal was clear.
She wasn’t trying to make Lu Yan instantly fall in love with her cooking, but to get him used to the idea that “there’s hot food at home.”
Start simple, start mild…
Before dawn the next day, Su Wanqing was already up and busy.
The faint aroma of cooking reached Lu Yan just as he pushed the door open.
He wore a crisp military uniform, epaulets perfectly pressed, clearly heading for morning drill.
Seeing the figure busy in the kitchen, he paused.
Su Wanqing wore a light cloth top, her hair loosely tied at the back, revealing the pale curve of her neck.
Hearing the sound, she came out carrying a bowl of steamed egg custard and hot porridge, smiling. “Awake? Breakfast’s ready. Have a little before training.”
She set the dishes down naturally, as if she’d done it a thousand times. “It’s all light, should suit your taste.”
Lu Yan’s gaze fell on the steaming custard.
The egg white was smooth, lightly scented, with no heavy seasoning.
He lowered his eyes to the dishes, then met Su Wanqing’s expectant look, his fingertips twitching subtly.
Su Wanqing held her breath, waiting for his reaction.
Lu Yan silently walked to the table, sitting with precise elegance, back straight as a spear, expression calm.
He didn’t immediately pick up his chopsticks.
Su Wanqing pulled out a chair opposite him, eyes hopeful, voice soft. “Go ahead, try it.”
Lu Yan lowered his eyes and took up the chopsticks.
His hands were bony, knuckles defined, fingers long, and even his chopstick grip was disciplined.
He gently broke the surface of the custard; the yolk flowed slowly, faintly fragrant—not strong, but enough to entice.
He picked up a small piece of egg white and tasted it; smooth, melting on the tongue.
No eggy smell, just the pure flavor of the egg.
His stomach reacted without any discomfort.
Before he realized it, the bowl was empty.
Lu Yan paused for two seconds, put down his chopsticks, pulled out a small notebook from his pocket, and quickly wrote “Thank you,” sliding it across to Su Wanqing.
Su Wanqing’s eyes sparkled like stars. “No need to thank me. If you like it, I’ll make it for you every day.”
Looking into the light in her eyes, a faint ripple seemed to cross Lu Yan’s dark gaze.
He restrained a shake of the head.
He felt that refusing would snuff out that lively expectation instantly.
He picked up his military cap from the chair back, put it on, and headed to the door.
At the doorway, his steps paused.
He turned slightly, the line of his neck smooth, eyes deep, and nodded faintly to Su Wanqing.
A silent farewell.
Su Wanqing watched his proud, noble face, her heart fluttering, and quickly waved. “Be careful on your way!”
Watching his upright back disappear down the hallway, she clapped her hands lightly, lifting her brows.
Plan, successful!
Just as she turned, Lu Zhengming on the couch rubbed his eyes and sat up, sniffing the air. “Sister-in-law, what smells so good? Where’s my breakfast?”
Su Wanqing’s voice was cool. “You’re up? Pack up and go to class. No breakfast for you.”
His eyes widened in disbelief, pointing at himself. “Why not? I answered you honestly yesterday!”
“Honest?” Su Wanqing crossed her arms, eyes narrowing. “I asked what your brother likes—you said you didn’t know. Asked what he dislikes—you said you didn’t know. That’s your idea of honesty?”
Lu Zhengming was speechless, fuming inside.
Su Wanqing had no time to deal with him, turning to grab her ID badge. “Fine, pack up and go. I have work to get to.”
Stomping his foot in protest, he muttered, slowly rolling up his blanket and stuffing his pillow into his bag.
The two of them walked out, just in time to run into the female educated youth next door.
Lu Zhengming’s displeasure vanished instantly. He straightened up and obediently greeted, “Good morning, Teacher Lin!”
Su Wanqing froze, seeing how obedient and familiar he looked.
Lin Man merely glanced at her, eyes on Lu Zhengming, and said softly, “I’m heading to the school. Want to come along?”
“Sure!” Lu Zhengming immediately agreed, grabbing his bag to follow.
Su Wanqing turned to him. “Is she your teacher?”
“Of course!” Lu Zhengming looked back, chin raised. “Teacher Lin is the school clinic doctor here on the island. She’s amazing!”
Actually, Teacher Lin was also the attending doctor for his brother’s anorexia—something few people knew…
Realizing this, Lu Zhengming hurriedly covered his mouth and quickly left with Lin Man, looking guilty.
His guilty expression only deepened Su Wanqing’s curiosity.