That evening.
A little after seven.
Dinner was ready in the Family Compound.
"Come on, Xuebin, try what I made." Chen Ying carried a dish over.
"Sure." Dong Xuebin picked up his chopsticks. "Mm, mm, delicious, delicious."
Chen Ying smiled. "Really? Hehe, then try this dish too."
Dong Xuebin took another bite. "Mm, they're all good. Not bad, Chen Ying. You're such a good cook?"
"I didn't know how to cook before. I only learned after I got married," Chen Ying said.
"Right, I haven't asked what your husband does yet. How did you meet?" Dong Xuebin looked at her.
The two chatted as they ate. With everyday conversation filling the air, the awkwardness from taking off their clothes earlier gradually faded, and things no longer felt so uncomfortable.
Chen Ying smiled. "We met around the time we graduated from college. It was through an introduction, I guess. He's a PhD researcher, a few years older than me. I hadn't started acting yet, and I hadn't found a job either. My family wanted me to get married first. After all, women can't compare with men—by twenty-three or twenty-four, you're not exactly young anymore. We dated for half a year before getting married, and only then did I start filming TV dramas. As for my husband... how should I put it? He's pretty honest. A little rigid, maybe, but that's what I value about him. The Entertainment industry is pretty 'messy,' but he's always trusted me these past few years and taken great care of me. He's a really good person, and he treats me well."
"As long as he's a good person," Dong Xuebin said.
Chen Ying smiled. "That's what I think too."
"A researcher? Is he with some institute now?" Dong Xuebin asked.
"He's at the Chinese Academy of