Let's Give It a Try

Hurry up and help me. Yue Xiaodan's little face flushed slightly as she tugged a canister of liquefied gas inside the room and urged Li Yang on.

Get up. This is a piece of cake. Li Yang lightly exerted both hands, picked up the gas canister, carried it outside, and connected the hose.

Is it like this every day? Li Yang asked curiously.

Of course. You're not around—what if someone uses it? The main thing is preventing accidents. There are so many tenants in the courtyard. You're so skinny; this must be hard on you. Li Yang began helping with the work. Then you can come help me, Yue Xiaodan said coquettishly. Hehe, I wouldn't dare come every day. Li Yang gave her a complicated smile.

While Yue Xiaodan talked, her hands never stopped. She quickly changed out of her high heels, tied an apron around her slim waist, and began cutting vegetables on the simple chopping board in the room.

The rice had already been cooked in the rice cooker before she left that morning, and it was being kept warm automatically.

Li Yang stood there, watching Yue Xiaodan skillfully crack eggs into a bowl, and a warmth rose in his heart. He thought that it would be wonderful if he could find such a virtuous wife to live with in the future.

What is it? Is there something on my face? Seeing Li Yang stare blankly, Yue Xiaodan could not help asking nervously. She did not want him to see her looking unattractive in any way.

Not at all. You're so beautiful that I got lost looking at you. With nothing else to do, Li Yang started joking around.

Oh, stop it. I'm not some little girl who's easy to fool. That trick won't work on me. As she spoke, Yue Xiaodan adorably pouted, making Li Yang secretly delighted.

Fine, you saw through me. I just wanted to compliment you. Li Yang looked at her with a mischievous grin.

I know exactly what I'm worth. I know you don't like girls like me, right?

Don't say that. You're not ugly. Why wouldn't I like someone like you? Not wanting Yue Xiaodan to feel disappointed, Li Yang began sweet-talking her.

Hehe, your eyes can't fool me. The first time you looked at me, I could guess what you were thinking.

To tell you the truth, Li Yang, the first time I saw you, I thought you were Xu Rui. I was pretty happy then. At the very least, your looks and height were both things I liked.

You've seen it too. My height is a serious drawback. Someone too tall makes me look too plain, while someone too short feels embarrassing to take out. You just happen to make up for all my unreasonable requirements.

Yue Xiaodan naturally began sharing what was in her heart with Li Yang. With only the two of them there to listen, she was willing to tell him everything.

Let me help you. Li Yang could not bear to let her work alone, so he stepped forward and helped Xiao Dan cook.

The two worked together in perfect sync, and soon they had stir-fried two dishes. Yue Xiaodan used her own teacup to brew Li Yang a cup of tea.

You like tea too? Li Yang asked as he looked at the tea in front of him.

Sometimes. Plain water has no taste, and I don't really like it. Xiao Dan casually replied while putting some food into Li Yang's bowl.

Don't mind the simple meal. We migrant workers are lucky enough just to have a place to stay, so don't laugh at me. Yue Xiaodan sat gracefully across from Li Yang, casually placing her silk-stockinged legs together. Li Yang looked over, and the vaguely visible sight was quite pleasing.

Oh, stop it. We're all the same. Did you think I was some rich young master? Don't make fun of me.

Come see my place someday, and you'll know how ridiculous that sounds. When Li Yang mentioned his family's circumstances, he could not help feeling irritated. It was what he least wanted to talk about, especially in front of a girl.

Xiao Dan was smart enough to notice and quickly changed the subject.

Next time you come, tell me in advance what dishes you like. I'll show you what I can really do.

Xiao Dan took a bite of rice and smiled at Li Yang.

Better not. Xu Rui is pretty petty. I don't want him to see us and think I'm trying to steal you from him.

Li Yang voiced his concern.

Really? Tell me what he's like specifically. I can do my homework ahead of time. Xiao Dan leaned closer to Li Yang with great interest.

He's pretty simple. He's never had a girlfriend before, though he did chase other girls. You don't need me to tell you how that turned out.

As for him, we grew up together. He's not bad at heart, just too stingy. We're all used to it. But you two have only just met, so you'll have to experience him for yourself to know the result.

After all, I can't make the decision for you, right?

Mm, I'll listen to you. I'll take things one step at a time.

But if he settles down with you, he'll definitely count as a good man. Li Yang added while continuing to eat.

Then tell me—what's so good about him? Xiao Dan stood up with interest, sat beside Li Yang, picked up the tea, and handed it to him.

Li Yang took a sip of water, then looked seriously at Xiao Dan beside him.

Look, after you get married, he'll hand over all his money for you to manage. He won't go out drinking, whoring, gambling, or fooling around. He'll go to and from work on time every day. If you have a child, he can help take care of it too. Isn't that the ideal kind of man women want?

Really? Why do I feel like you're fooling me? After hearing this, Yue Xiaodan laughed so hard she trembled, unable to resist leaning against Li Yang's shoulder.

Why would I lie to you? It's not like I'm asking you to be my wife, Li Yang said something startling.

I wouldn't mind if you wanted me to. Anyway, you're much better than Xu Rui. Xiao Dan raised her head and bravely looked at Li Yang.

Since they were so close, the faint fragrance from Yue Xiaodan's body drifted into his nose.

It made Li Yang feel momentarily dazed.

Forget it. I don't want to bear the accusation of stealing my brother's woman. Li Yang turned his head and picked up his teacup for a drink.

Yue Xiaodan was a little thirsty too, so she casually picked up the tea Li Yang had drunk from and gulped down more than half of it.

You men are all the same—suffering for pride. What yours or mine? Can you still care about pride for the sake of your own happiness? In this regard, you're not even as good as us women.

Xiao Dan spoke with conviction, leaving Li Yang unable to refute her. Once someone only thought of themselves, why would they still care about anyone else's feelings?

I've seen plenty of close girlfriends fight over the same boyfriend. You should learn from them too, Xiao Dan could not help persuading Li Yang.

Forget it. We're from the same village. If I stole you, how awkward would it be when we kept running into each other afterward? Better to forget it early.

It's up to you. The choice is yours. I definitely don't dislike you. If you're willing, we can give it a try. Maybe you'll fall in love with me. Xiao Dan burst out laughing, and what she said made Li Yang feel as though she was joking.

Do you dislike me, Li Yang? After eating half a bowl of rice, Xiao Dan stopped using her chopsticks. She leaned back on the sofa, kicked off her slippers, and stretched out her feet until they nearly touched Li Yang's leg.

Please, I haven't even finished eating yet. How am I supposed to keep eating with you like this? Li Yang nodded toward Xiao Dan's silk-stockinged feet.

Just eat. It doesn't affect you, does it? Besides, my feet don't stink. I change my socks every day. If you don't believe me, smell them. With a mischievous smile, Xiao Dan stretched out one foot and waved it near Li Yang's face.

Seeing her act like that, Li Yang decided not to be polite. He tickled Yue Xiaodan directly, making her yank her foot back as if shocked by electricity. Her little face flushed as she kicked Li Yang.

Who told you to tease me? Li Yang replied with a smug expression. The two of them had a great time fooling around, more like flirting than anything else.

Come on, say it. You still haven't answered my question. Xiao Dan behaved herself this time, lying there and looking at Li Yang.

Let me finish eating first. Wait a moment. As he spoke, Li Yang dumped all the remaining food from both plates into his bowl and began eating quickly.

Yue Xiaodan watched Li Yang wolf down the food with delight, unable to hide her happiness. What woman would not want her cooking to be appreciated?

Li Yang finished quickly, picked up the pink teacup, and drank the remaining water in one gulp.

After wiping his mouth, he leaned back and began speaking solemnly.

Let's make this clear first. Whether it sounds nice or not, don't get angry or blame me. I'm giving my opinion from my own perspective. Li Yang looked utterly righteous.

Fine, I'm not as petty as you think. Hurry up. Xiao Dan impatiently kicked Li Yang again to urge him on.

When I first saw you, I honestly felt you weren't my type. I like girls with a little more meat on them.

Of course, it's not that you're bad. Different people have different tastes. You're quite pretty, but you're just too skinny all over. Everything else is fine, but some places aren't exactly very prominent.

As Xiao Dan listened, she glanced down at her own figure and casually replied, You can just say I have no boobs and no butt. Why beat around the bush?

You said it, not me. Don't blame me. Li Yang cautiously tried to shift the responsibility.

Hehe, look at that silly face. I'm not angry. What you said is true anyway. You men just want the real thing. I don't get it—can those places fill your stomach or give you money to spend? Why are they so important?

Though Yue Xiaodan said she was not angry, her expression betrayed her. Her face immediately looked unhappy. What woman could really be so generous, letting someone point out her flaws while still smiling at him?

All right, listen to me finish first. Li Yang hurriedly comforted Xiao Dan.

But after getting to know you, I think quite highly of you overall. I'd give you an overall score of eighty-five. That's pretty good, right? Li Yang looked at Xiao Dan ingratiatingly, waiting to see how she would react.

That's more like it. Xiao Dan smiled beautifully, clearly satisfied with Li Yang's assessment.

Rest for a bit. I'll wash the dishes. Xiao Dan sat up, lightly hooked her slippers with her toes, and stood.

Let's do it together. Men and women working together don't get tired. Seeing Xiao Dan's happy mood, Li Yang could not help becoming interested too.

To be honest, Li Yang was starting to like Yue Xiaodan a little.

All right, then. I'll train you in housework for your future wife. Xiao Dan happily began clearing the dishes from the table.

I don't want to do housework after I get married. In the future, I want to find someone diligent and good at running a household like you. Then I can be lazy. Li Yang said with a smile.

Oh, screw you. You don't even like me, so why look for someone like that? You should find some big decorative vase to keep at home and look at every day. Then you won't need to eat.

The two cheerfully washed dishes while teasing each other, spending a short but harmonious lunchtime together.

Time to go. Li Yang lounged on the sofa and reached out to touch the little silk-stockinged foot stretched out beside him.

You're so annoying. I'd just fallen asleep. Xiao Dan unhappily kicked Li Yang with her foot. Why do you keep touching my feet? Didn't you say you disliked them? Xiao Dan pouted and muttered.

All right, all right. I don't dislike them anymore. They smell nice, okay? Li Yang casually humored her.

Hehe, not bad. Xiao Dan smiled, though she reluctantly sat up and looked at Li Yang. Are you coming again tomorrow? I'll make Braised Noodles for you. She asked while putting on her high heels.

We'll see then. If Xu Rui asks me out for a meal, I won't be able to come. I don't want him to misunderstand us. Li Yang said worriedly.

You're overthinking it. There's still nothing between him and me. What are you embarrassed about? You're suffering for pride. What if you end up liking me? Would you really be willing to hand me over to someone else? Yue Xiaodan gave Li Yang a soul-searching question.

I haven't thought that far ahead. We'll see. Besides, don't you still belong to no one right now? Hehe. Li Yang grinned like a rascal.

You really have a smooth tongue. You must have fooled plenty of ignorant girls. Xiao Dan rolled her eyes at Li Yang and spoke coquettishly.

But I haven't fooled you, have I? Don't tarnish my innocent reputation. Li Yang shrugged exaggeratedly.

Oh, screw you. Innocent, my ass. Who knows how long ago someone else ruined you? Xiao Dan said something startling.

What about you? Li Yang leaned close to Xiao Dan's face with a shameless grin.

Are you looking for death? Blushing, Xiao Dan immediately pinched Li Yang at the waist. Who asks a girl something like that? I'm ignoring you. She then turned her head away and pretended to be angry.

All right, all right, I was wrong. Let's go already, or we'll be late. Li Yang casually picked up Yue Xiaodan's bag and prepared to leave.

Then remember to let me know in advance tomorrow, so I'll know whether I should cook for you. Xiao Dan became happy again, gently holding Li Yang's arm as she asked.

Okay, let's go. The two locked the door and went downstairs together. Walking along the dirty, messy streets of the Urban Village, Xiao Dan happily moved around beside Li Yang, constantly looking him over from head to toe.

Do you know what you look like right now? Seeing Yue Xiaodan's manner, Li Yang asked mysteriously in a low voice.

What is it? Why are you being so sneaky? Hurry up and tell me. Xiao Dan grabbed Li Yang and pressed him for an answer.

Bring your ear over, and I'll tell you. Li Yang's wicked expression made Xiao Dan curiously cooperate.

You look like a cat in heat. Li Yang slowly said it aloud, then quickly burst into laughter and ran forward.

Li Yang, you bastard! With her little face burning, Xiao Dan chased after him slowly. Wearing high heels and a tight skirt, there was no way she could run fast.

Suddenly, Li Yang stopped, quickly turned around, grabbed Xiao Dan as she caught up, and pulled her straight into his arms, hiding behind an obstruction beside them.

Let go of me. Xiao Dan leaned against Li Yang's chest with a flushed face, at a complete loss.

Shh, shh, shh. Li Yang looked down at Xiao Dan's charming face and gestured for silence, then pointed ahead.

Xiao Dan immediately understood. She obediently stopped moving and let Li Yang hold her. The two secretly hid in the corner, slowly poking their heads out to look in the direction Li Yang had indicated...