Sun Heng fully leveraged the advantage of being injured. She portrayed five parts of pain with the intensity of seven, and with her frail, delicate expression, it seemed completely genuine.
Shen Moran believed her, hurriedly walking over to take Sun Heng’s right hand and looking down at it. “Does it hurt badly? Should we go to the hospital to have it checked?”
“I do not think that is necessary.” Sun Heng tilted her head and said to the person inches away from her, “It just feels like a dull ache deep in the bones. It is probably because I used some force to open the door just now.” She then revealed a worried expression. “I cannot even open the door now. What should I do?”
“If you cannot open the door, then just leave it unlocked.” Shen Moran replied, following her logic. “From now on, just leave the guest bedroom door ajar; you can use your foot to push it.”
“What about the other doors?” Sun Heng asked.
“Except for the main entrance, we will leave all the doors unlocked,” Shen Moran answered.
Sun Heng gave a soft “oh” and smiled at her.
Sun Heng’s eyes were dark and bright. They were not yet clear from just waking up, making them look less aggressive, which allowed Shen Moran to relax slightly. She said, “I will help you wash up.”
When the electric toothbrush was inserted into her mouth, the vibration made her entire oral cavity go numb. Sun Heng hummed twice, biting down on the toothbrush, but Shen Moran stared at her and commanded, “Open your mouth.”
Sun Heng felt awkward, but resigned to her fate, she opened her mouth and let Shen Moran brush her teeth.
Unlike yesterday, Sun Heng was exceptionally well-behaved today. She opened her mouth when told and rinsed when instructed. Her temperament was so good that it almost made Shen Moran believe that the person causing trouble yesterday was someone else.
After brushing her teeth, Shen Moran began to wipe her face. Once finished, she glanced at the various bottles and jars on the counter and picked out the toner and lotion to apply to Sun Heng’s face.
As she rubbed the products in, Shen Moran pondered how wonderful Sun Heng’s skin was—a true testament to high-end skincare.
The lotion absorbed instantly upon touching her face. Her palm felt only the warm, soft touch of Sun Heng’s cheek, which was as delicate and smooth as a baby’s skin.
Her skin is truly beautiful.
Shen Moran mused internally. Her movements slowed, her palms gently massaging Sun Heng’s cheeks, cheekbones, and the corners of her eyes. She even used her fingertips to lightly touch the small mole on Sun Heng’s face.
She became somewhat mesmerized while cradling and rubbing Sun Heng’s face. Only after circling her face several times did she let go and say with a flat expression, “Done.”
Sun Heng reached up and touched her face. Why did she feel like she had just been taken advantage of?
It must be her imagination.
Shen Moran had hated her so much before, finding even a glance at her annoying. Why would she start touching her face the moment she woke up?
It had to be an illusion.
Sun Heng scratched her cheek with her fingertips, hesitated for a long time, and finally said to Shen Moran, “Um… could you do me a favor?”
Shen Moran turned to look at her.
Sun Heng gave an awkward smile, revealing a row of beautiful white teeth. “I need to use the restroom.”
Shen Moran was speechless.
Shen Moran practically fled the scene. She slammed the bathroom door shut behind her. She stared at her hands, which were trembling slightly. She still remembered the sensation of her hand slipping inside Sun Heng’s dress—the electric, tingling feeling of skin against skin.
She realized her fingertips were shaking.
It was terrifying.
To think she would actually end up undressing a woman.
Shen Moran’s face was so red it felt like it might smoke. She could not tell if the feeling in her heart was one of disgust or something else, but she felt entirely uncomfortable, her mind filled with the image of herself leaning close to Sun Heng and lifting her dress.
She clenched her fist tightly.
Shen Moran shook her head vigorously, telling herself not to think about it anymore; continuing down that path would only lead to trouble.
At that moment, Shen Moran felt immensely grateful that she had sent Su Nian away in the morning. Otherwise, it would have been her sister helping with the undressing instead. Shen Moran felt that it was fine for her to suffer a little bit of trouble, but she absolutely could not let her sister develop such an intimate relationship with Sun Heng.
By the time Sun Heng emerged from the restroom, Shen Moran had already started preparing lunch.
Although Sun Heng’s hands were not very agile, she could do some things on her own. She had only wanted to tease Shen Moran, but she had ended up upsetting her again.
She really has thin skin, Sun Heng thought.
“Are you cooking?” Sun Heng asked with a cheeky smile as she approached.
Shen Moran glanced back from the stove, gave an indifferent “mm,” and continued staring at the pot. She poured a pile of green vegetables into it; Sun Heng looked closer and saw it was broccoli.
Next to it were a few pieces of pan-fried steak.
“We are having steak and salad for lunch.” Shen Moran turned the broccoli with her chopsticks, hands on her hips, and said, “Or tell me what you want to eat, and I will try to make it for you.”
“No need to go to such trouble.” Sun Heng kicked out a chair at the dining table and sat down. “I will eat whatever you make.”
Soon, Shen Moran brought lunch to the table.
The broccoli was a vibrant green, and the steak was pan-fried beautifully. A drizzle of black pepper sauce adorned the plate, and there was a large bowl of vegetable salad between them. It actually looked quite decent. Shen Moran had even thoughtfully cut the steak into small pieces for Sun Heng to eat easily.
She is so considerate!
Sun Heng felt moved. Where else could she find such a beautiful, intelligent woman who could also cook?
But when Sun Heng speared a piece of meat with her fork and put it into her mouth, her brain felt like it had been jolted. She quickly retracted her assessment of “can cook well.”
“Mm…”
Sun Heng could not describe the texture—it was hard, tough, and fishy, as if a freshly deceased cow were wailing in her mouth. Combined with the bitter black pepper, it delivered a direct shock to her senses.
How could a steak look so good yet taste so terrible?
She felt Shen Moran owed both her and the deceased cow an apology.
Sun Heng maintained her composure and glanced at the vibrant green broccoli. She did not know if it was her imagination, but it felt as if the broccoli had been thrown into boiling water without even being washed, retaining a raw, desperate taste.
“…Moran,” Sun Heng set down her fork and asked tactfully, “who usually does the cooking at home?”
Shen Moran drank some lemonade and replied, “No one cooks. I usually order takeout or eat nearby.” Today was the first time she had even taken the pot out.
Perhaps Sun Heng’s question was too subtle. Shen Moran did not realize she was mocking her cooking. She even cut a piece of steak and stuffed it into her mouth in front of Sun Heng. Sun Heng sat opposite her, eyes clear and sincere, watching her every move.
Silence.
The mischievous Sun Heng watched quietly. The next second, she saw Shen Moran’s expression turn green. Her brows knitted tightly as she searched for a trash can, and she spat it all out.
“Pah, pah, pah!”
Sun Heng picked up the straw nearby, took a sip of the freshly brewed lemonade, and watched the chaos with a look of amusement.
“What is this taste?” Shen Moran hurriedly rinsed her mouth, scowling. “Why is it both bitter and astringent? It is disgusting.”
Sun Heng leaned back and looked toward the kitchen. She noticed the packaging for the pot was still on the floor; it had just been unpacked. She realized Shen Moran likely had not “seasoned” the pot.
“What does it mean to season a pot?” Shen Moran did not understand and, seeing Sun Heng’s attitude, decided to ask.
“Seasoning a pot means using it to ensure the substances are burned off. Iron pots and clay pots have different methods.” Sun Heng laughed as she spoke. “This is probably your first time cooking, so it is normal not to know.”
Sun Heng said, “Why don’t we go grab something to eat nearby? You do not have to cook at home.”
Shen Moran looked at the exquisite meal before her and recalled the taste still lingering in her mouth. She resignedly stood up and said, “Wait a moment while I clean up, then we will go downstairs.”
Sun Heng did not need to change. Her black nightgown was loose, reaching from her wrists to her ankles. Aside from the lace design at the chest, it was entirely black, like a widow’s attire. She just needed a long coat and her slippers to head out.
Shen Moran was much more particular. After cleaning up the mess in the kitchen, she went to change her clothes. She hesitated while passing the bathroom but decided not to wear makeup. She simply used a hair tie to put her hair into a bun and left with Sun Heng, who had been waiting for a long time.
First, they took out the trash. Shen Moran showed her the way; going out through the small south gate led to an entire street of shops selling everything imaginable.
Shen Moran asked what she wanted to eat. Sun Heng looked left and right, saying whatever, so Shen Moran took her to a dumpling house.
The shop was booming. Since it was mealtime, the two had to wait for a while before a table opened up. They sat down quickly before the waiter could even clean the table, afraid someone else would snatch it.
Sun Heng ordered mackerel-filled dumplings, while Shen Moran chose chive-and-egg and pork-with-scallion. They added some pickled side dishes and began to eat.
Shen Moran poured some vinegar into Sun Heng’s small dish and said, “The vinegar at this shop is very special; it has a hint of sweetness. Su Nian and I both love it.”
“Really?” Sun Heng’s eyes crinkled with a smile as she hinted, “If you like it, eat more. It is not expensive.”
It was indeed not expensive. Twenty-something yuan for three plates of dumplings, with free pickled dishes and soup. It was no wonder the shop was so popular, thriving even though they only sold dumplings. Both floors were packed with customers.
The portions were large, the taste was good, and the business naturally thrived.
Sun Heng surveyed the shop and glanced at the kitchen through the counter. When the manager noticed the customers, she caught a glimpse of Sun Heng and her eyes widened in shock.
As the manager was about to come out, Sun Heng raised her index finger to her lips, signaling her to remain silent.
The manager looked at the customer sitting across from Sun Heng in confusion and gave a weak nod.
Shen Moran was checking her phone. After replying to a message, she saw Sun Heng had finished her water and asked, “Are you full?”
“Mm.” Sun Heng set down her cup and said, “How much is it? Let me treat you.”
“It is not much. Do not be so formal with me.” Shen Moran gathered her things and left the dumpling house with Sun Heng. Sun Heng took the opportunity to wave at the manager and her staff before following Shen Moran.
On the way back, Shen Moran was still replying to messages on her phone. Sun Heng tilted her head and realized she was working again.
Does she really like working that much?
She does not even want to glance at me.
Just as Sun Heng was staring resentfully at Shen Moran’s profile, Shen Moran stopped walking.
“Huh?” Sun Heng leaned forward and asked, “What is wrong?”
Shen Moran frowned and looked up at Sun Heng. “There is an urgent matter at the company. I need to go there right now.”
“Then you should hurry.” Sun Heng urged, “Do not worry about me; I can go with you.”