Definitely Next Time

"Don't be shy, please sit down and rest for a while."

Chun invited him, then walked straight to the sofa and sat down, patting the seat next to her in front of Wuling.

"Hmm, thank you for your help."

Wuling walked over and sat down next to him, but of course, there was still some distance between them; they weren't very close, about the size of a potato (you know what I mean, haha).

But the atmosphere afterwards was unexpectedly somewhat silent.

After finally managing to get the person to come to her place, Chun found herself feeling rather lost and helpless when they were actually alone together.

The only sound coming from the kitchen was the soft hum of a kettle boiling water, and warm yellow light shone on the gap between the two people on the sofa.

Chun's fingers unconsciously caressed the fabric of the sofa, her gaze occasionally darting to Wuling beside her before quickly averting her eyes.

I had so much to say, but when I tried to speak, it all got stuck in my throat.

She couldn't very well say directly, "I really like you, and I hope you can pay more attention to me." She just couldn't bring herself to say that.

Besides, Chun didn't know if she liked Wuling or not. After all, she had never been in a relationship before and didn't know what liking someone meant. She just felt that Wuling was special, that she felt comfortable with him, and that she wanted to spend more time with him.

As for the fact that they had only met twice, Chun hadn't thought about it, because she didn't think it was important.

Some people can spend over a decade together and still not know what the other person likes to eat, while others can understand everything about the other person after only a few months or even a few days.

Wuling also felt that the atmosphere was a bit awkward if they sat there like this. Her gaze casually swept over the furnishings in the living room and she saw a few comic books on the coffee table and a small plate of unfinished candy.

"Do you and Encore usually live here?" Wuling casually started a conversation.

"Huh? Yes, that's right." The interruption made Chun's mind a little confused, and her reaction was a beat slow.

Chun: "Most of the time, I'm the one cooking or reading, Encore is in charge of causing trouble."

Wuling: "Is that so? I didn't realize Encore was so mischievous."

Wuling found it hard to believe, but after all, Ah and Encore had only known each other for a few hours, so they were definitely far less familiar than Chun in front of her.

Chun: "She was just putting on an act, doing it all for you. That's what I thought too when she first came to stay with me."

"And then, what happened?"

Wuling was curious about what happened next.

Chun: "When her parents left her with me, she was very well-behaved, at least she was like that a couple of days ago."

"Then she killed my camellia. When I found out, almost all the leaves had been pulled out, leaving only the stem."

When Chun said this, her tone was tinged with resentment, clearly indicating that she still held a grudge about it.

"That was my favorite camellia, and she just played with it and killed it. After that, I gave her a good spanking to show her who's the boss in this family."

Wuling couldn't help but laugh out loud after hearing this, her shoulders shaking slightly.

"I never expected Encore to have such a mischievous side. You'd never guess from her appearance that she could do something like this."

Chun thought of the bare camellia and still felt a little depressed, letting out a soft sigh.

"I've been taking care of that plant for almost a year. It was just about to bud, and then it was gone."

Behind the kitchen door, Encore was eavesdropping, peeking through the door panel. Upon hearing this, her face instantly fell.

Good grief, she's bringing up old grievances again. It's been so long, why does Sister Chun still remember this?

I'm so annoyed! I want to go out, but it's not a good time to go out right now.

Encore remembers this very clearly. It was the first and only time Chun hit her, and it made Encore's bottom turn red.

But precisely because of this, although Encore wasn't much more obedient, she did become much smarter.

"Speaking of which, what do you usually do in your free time?"

Chun took the opportunity of casual conversation to try to steer the topic towards Wuling.

After thinking for a moment, Wuling replied, "When I have free time, I mostly sleep, occasionally go out for a stroll, or watch videos or play games."

"It feels quite simple, but I really like its style."

"I see." Chun responded softly, her fingertips unconsciously twirling a strand of her hair that had fallen down.

She wanted to ask more questions, to know his preferences, to know his daily joys and sorrows, but she was afraid of asking too many questions and appearing too deliberate.

The kettle in the kitchen was making a bubbling sound as it boiled, and the steam gradually grew louder.

Inside, Encore was flustered and hurriedly pressed the switch, thinking to herself that it was about time to leave. If she let the two of them continue chatting, there might be another awkward silence.

"Splash--"

The kitchen door opened, Encore came out carrying two glasses filled with warm water.

She diluted the boiled water with cold water; otherwise, freshly boiled water would be undrinkable.

"Chicken soup, oh no, wrong channel, wrong channel, water's coming."

She strode to the coffee table, placed two cups of hot water in front of Chun and Wuling respectively, and her eyes darted back and forth between the two, observing the situation of their brief moment alone.

Judging from their expressions, it seemed they hadn't made any significant progress in their conversation, Encore sighed inwardly.

There's probably no chance tonight; we'll just have to wait and see what happens.

Her eyes lit up, and she decided to take the initiative to bring up a topic to help Chun save face.

"Brother Wuling, is there something you have planned for tomorrow? You seem to be in a rush."

"Yes, I need to get up early for work." Wuling put down her water glass and leaned back on the sofa.

"To prepare for opening the shop, you need to arrive early, around 7 a. m., and start work at 8:30 a. m. until 9 p. m., with a two-hour break at noon."

Upon hearing that it was past six o'clock, Chun subconsciously frowned. "Doesn't that mean I'll get very little sleep? Won't I be very tired?"

The words slipped out without her even realizing it, her tone revealing undisguised concern.

Wuling paused for a moment, then smiled and said, "I get used to it. I can take a short nap during the day when I'm free. Besides, I only have to work a full day on Sundays. The rest of the time it's usually from 4:30 pm to 9 pm."

As Chun looked at him, that strange feeling welled up in her heart again.

Even though we've only met twice, I can't help but worry about whether he's tired or not.

She still couldn't tell whether this feeling was affection or just concern for a friend.

Encore watched from the sidelines, her heart pounding with excitement, and decided to add fuel to the fire immediately.

"Well... if you're free after get off work, you can come over to our house to play."

Upon hearing this, Chun's body stiffened slightly, and she abruptly turned her head to look at Encore.

This little guy really dares to say it so bluntly.

Upon hearing this, Wuling looked at Encore, then glanced at Chun, whose expression seemed slightly unnatural, and smiled gently.

"If the timing is right, I'll come."

I neither refused nor agreed.