“I would like to have Braised Chicken with Rice. Mianyue, could you treat me to lunch?”
“I forgot to bring my meal card. I will treat you back next time.”
Wen Conghan smoothly framed the situation so that she was the one inconveniencing Ji Mianyue. By making herself the one seeking a favor, she immediately relieved Ji Mianyue of her psychological burden.
“I will handle it! You do not need to treat me back. I can treat you to all your meals from now on!”
Ji Mianyue finally felt she had an opportunity to compensate Wen Conghan, and she certainly was not going to let it pass. Wen Conghan had been worried that Ji Mianyue would not eat properly after the morning’s events, so she readily agreed.
“Alright. I do not actually know which campus cafeterias have the best food. I will have to trouble you to show me around, Mianyue.”
Wen Conghan’s eyes were filled with subtle glints of laughter. Her gaze toward Ji Mianyue was as soft as sunlight shimmering on the surface of the sea.
Hearing that Wen Conghan had a request for her made Ji Mianyue feel as if her entire body were surging with energy. Her eyes sparkled, and the way she looked at Wen Conghan changed instantly.
What did it mean to have a favor asked of her? It meant she could begin her atonement! It meant that she, Ji Mianyue, actually had something she could do to help the brilliant and talented Wen Conghan! She had assumed Wen Conghan was so capable and outstanding that there would be nothing she could contribute.
At this thought, the smile on Ji Mianyue’s face lit up like a city at night. It was so radiant and dazzling that anyone would want to steal a second look.
“Deal! I will definitely take you to eat all the best food!”
The smile at the corners of Ji Mianyue’s mouth was incredibly sweet. Her eyes squinted with joy like those of a satisfied kitten.
The two had originally been sitting across from each other, but in her excitement to teach Wen Conghan about good food, Ji Mianyue moved to sit directly beside her. The distance between them shortened significantly, and Wen Conghan’s mood improved instantly.
Normally, Wen Conghan did not particularly enjoy eating. Her palate was rather peculiar. She typically ate “white people food,” which was healthy and filling but entirely unrelated to being delicious.
“Are you not going to pour some gravy over your white rice?” Ji Mianyue asked with bright eyes as she tried to promote her own way of eating.
Seeing how happy she was, Wen Conghan paused and said, “I do not know how to do that. I have never tried it before.”
Wen Conghan looked a bit embarrassed as she spoke, and a faint pink hue colored her cheeks.
Is there really anyone who does not know how to pour gravy over rice? Wen Conghan herself felt the excuse was a bit strange, but the expression on Ji Mianyue’s face made her want to leave the flawed excuse exactly as it was.
Ji Mianyue took the bowl from in front of Wen Conghan and began ladling spoonful after spoonful of savory sauce over the rice. Under Ji Mianyue’s hands, the plain white rice transformed in color.
While Wen Conghan watched the person sitting so close to her, her eyes were actually fixed on the lips she had kissed that morning. Those rosy, soft lips were currently humming a little tune right in front of her. Ji Mianyue was always like this; she did everything with such earnestness.
It made one really want to kiss her again.
“All done!” Ji Mianyue finished preparing the rice and placed the bowl back in front of Wen Conghan.
Hearing Ji Mianyue’s sweet voice, Wen Conghan felt her heart give a violent thud.
No, not yet. Wen Conghan, you cannot let your true intentions be exposed yet.
“Thank you,” Wen Conghan said, suppressing her thoughts. Her voice was slightly hoarse from the effort of restraining herself.
“It is very delicious!” Ji Mianyue stared at Wen Conghan as she took a bite, waiting for her praise.
Wen Conghan had already decided that no matter how it tasted, she would praise it. However, when the savory rice actually hit her tongue, she realized just how good it truly was. Before this meal, Wen Conghan’s appetite had been practically nonexistent. Now, she felt a genuine hunger.
But was it because of this bowl of flavorful rice, or was it because of the person in front of her?
“It is delicious. This is the first time I have had such a wonderful meal.”
Wen Conghan’s gaze was tender, and she ate with great poise. Ji Mianyue had seen many people with good table manners, but only Wen Conghan managed to make eating look so gentle.
Ji Mianyue felt her head spinning. She bit down on her spoon and tasted the salty trace of the gravy. Suddenly, she remembered the kiss from earlier.
“It is good that it tastes good.”
Ji Mianyue’s ears turned bright red. She quickly set down the spoon she had used to mix Wen Conghan’s rice and picked up a piece of chicken for herself.
Heavens, I must be going crazy! Why did I not switch spoons?
Ji Mianyue felt as if her face were about to catch fire. However, her face was heating up far too early. The stimulation Wen Conghan was about to provide would be much more intense than an indirect kiss.