“I’m going to kiss you”
The warm yellow glow from the kitchen ceiling light spilled over our heads. When Zhou Shou turned around with the pot in his hands, I was busy stirring the clump of noodles into an even bigger mess with my chopsticks.
He poured the tomato soup along the edge of the bowl into the noodles.
My eyes lingered on Zhou Shou’s rolled-up sleeves. The veins along his tanned forearms flexed under the light—and suddenly I understood why TV dramas always love showing men cooking with their sleeves rolled up.
That random thought startled me a little.
Zhou Shou had also made a pot of soup. The moment he lifted the lid, a cloud of steam rose between us. I lowered my head, counting the soft tofu cubes floating in the pot—then a spoon appeared in front of me.
“Try the taste,” Zhou Shou said, already holding the spoon of soup up to my lips.
I felt cornered against the stove.
Hopeless.
Completely hopeless.
But still, I obediently leaned forward and took a sip.
“Perfect. Not too salty, not too bland.”
I had to admit it—Zhou Shou could cook. So it’s true, if you want to win someone over, start with their stomach.
He almost got me there—thankfully, I’m not the kind of person who falls for food.
That meal was painfully awkward.
Every time I tried to get up to ladle myself some soup, Zhou Shou was already one step ahead, taking the big spoon and gently scooping it into my empty bowl.
I couldn’t help glaring at him, but he just acted like nothing happened, sliding the bowl of soup toward me again.
At that moment, I felt like the noodles in my stomach were about to swell and overflow.
“I’m full,” I said fiercely.
Zhou Shou immediately grabbed a napkin and handed it over. Just as his fingers were about to touch the corner of my mouth, he turned his hand away, letting the napkin flutter lightly into mine.
The man said, “You didn’t think I was going to wipe your mouth for you, did you? Do it yourself.”
What’s that supposed to mean?
Was he playing some kind of game with me?
Well, I’m not falling for that.
I casually wiped my mouth and picked up my empty bowl. “I feel bad eating your food for free. I’ll do the dishes.”
“No need. Just leave them. I’ll wash later. You’ll be eating my cooking every day anyway.”
Ha! As if there’ll be a next time.
I completely ignored what Zhou Shou said and turned on the faucet to wash the dishes.
The water heater at his place must’ve been set higher than mine—the moment hot water splashed onto my wrist, I flinched in pain. Footsteps immediately sounded behind me.
Zhou Shou grabbed my wrist, inspecting it closely. I tried to pull away, but his two fingers locked around me tightly. His tone turned slightly stern. “Don’t move.”
What the heck, does he think I’m one of his employees?
After making sure there were no blisters, he directly kicked me out of the kitchen. I could only curl up on the couch, my eyes unconsciously darting toward his busy figure.
Everything felt strangely new.
When Zhou Shou finished washing up and sat beside me with the remote, the sudden dip of the couch made me slide slightly toward him. Our thighs brushed for an instant—I shot up like I’d been shocked.
He chuckled, picked up a pillow from behind him, and plopped it between us. “There. Separation.”
Then he left me there, completely dumbfounded.
When I heard him showering, I turned up the TV volume expressionlessly.
Everything was just too absurd.
By the time Zhou Shou came out of the bathroom, the male and female leads on TV were kissing in the rain.
He walked over, his shadow covering me completely. I tried to lean back, but the back of my head hit the wall.
Suddenly, he braced his arms on both sides of me, his knees pressing into the couch by my thighs. His voice was warm with the steam of his shower. “Ji Chi, I’m going to kiss you.”
What!?
My mind screamed alarms. I grabbed his shirt, trying to push him away—but he leaned in harder, pressing me deeper into the couch.
And then he really kissed me.
Even though he warned me, I was still caught off guard.
The kiss carried a cool hint of mint mouthwash. The way his thumb pressed under my jaw was firm but not forceful, syncing perfectly with the romantic background music from the TV.
…
I almost actually fell for it.
For someone who’s been single forever, this was way too much stimulation.
When we finally pulled apart, a thin string of saliva broke in the air. His thumb brushed across my damp lips, his eyes full of triumph. Before I could say anything, he said, “Go take a shower.”
!?
Kissing me and then telling me to shower? That doesn’t sound right at all.
Zhou Shou seemed to read every expression on my face. He leaned in again and kissed my forehead. “Don’t overthink. We’re not at that step yet. After you shower, sleep in the bedroom. I’ll drive you to school tomorrow.”
The sound of the master bedroom door closing echoed.
I sat there staring blankly at the TV screen, the softness of his lips still lingering at the edge of mine. When my tongue brushed my palate, I could still taste that faint mint flavor.
The thought startled me. I pulled out my phone and texted my friend: If a dog bites you, how many vaccine shots do you need?
My friend replied almost instantly: Let me see the wound.
I didn’t bother replying.