Chapter 156

An office worker. Whether intentionally or unintentionally, even a fleeting glimpse of Xia Yan's figure seemed to tempt her to look at him a little longer... But in an instant, she abruptly lowered her head, focusing intently on devouring the steamed buns in her bowl. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, perhaps because she wasn't very good at handling spicy food. Why am I looking at him?! Didn't I already feel nauseous looking at him at school?! A sudden panic gripped her heart. She forced herself to look away and ate another steamed bun. Perhaps because she swallowed it quickly this time, coupled with having eaten several buns in succession, Hua Xin let out a sob and painfully pounded her chest, tears welling in her eyes. Her face showed an expression of unbearable suffering, a helpless suffocation, and her small hands covered her slender, fair neck. (I'm choking to death?!!!) (Help me, help me?!!!) (I'm not due to die yet, I can't go and unify the 2D to become emperor!!) (Uh, the steamed buns smell so good, this kind of death isn't so bad after all?) Xia Yan instantly sensed something was wrong, quickly got up, picked up his Oriental Vegetable Leaf, twisted it open, and handed it to the girl's lips, his urgent tone full of worry: "Xin Hua! Drink some water quickly to help her digest." "Don't rush, drink slowly." Xia Yan gently patted the girl's thin back, her soft hair slipping through his fingers, leaving her scent on his fingertips. But the girl had no time to worry about whether she was being too intimate with Xia Yan, as if she had grasped a lifeline, she held onto the Oriental Vegetable Leaf she had always longed for but never decided to buy, and gulped down a large mouthful. The bitter taste of the tea water pushed the food stuck in her throat down into her stomach, instantly relieving the congestion. "Cough cough cough..." The girl coughed violently, tears streaming down her face. Her beautiful eyes were slightly red from the pain, and her watery eyes easily aroused someone's protective instincts. (She survived?...) (This stuff is so bitter.) Hua Xin thought subconsciously. "Are you feeling better?" The girl, who had survived the ordeal, suddenly came to her senses when she heard Xia Yan's concerned voice. She saw that Xia Yan had somehow appeared beside her and was crouching down very close to her. His hand was on her back. Looking at the face so close to hers, Hua Xin held her breath..."Get away from me!!!" The girl, like a battered Hachimi, hissed and bristled, threatening in a low, embarrassed voice. Because the breakfast shop was crowded, how could she possibly speak loudly to Xia Yan? She would probably be mistaken for a lunatic. And almost choking on a xiaolongbao was embarrassing enough... Although she was socially awkward, maintaining the "Gu Xin Hua" aloof and beautiful girl persona had deeply penetrated Hua Xin's heart. In other words, she was "in character." "Yes, ma'am." "It's good that you're alright." Xia Yan also breathed a sigh of relief. Seeing that Hua Xin still seemed very resistant to him, a fleeting sadness and apology crossed his eyes. He unusually refrained from his usual antics. However, his tone remained gentle. It was as if no matter how Hua Xin treated him, he would always treat Hua Xin gently. "Eat slowly, here, have half a xiaolongbao and some Tofu Pudding." "Didn't you eat last night?" Xia Yan returned to his seat and pushed the Tofu Pudding that was already in front of Hua Xin forward slightly. He had learned from some details before. It seemed the girl's financial situation wasn't very good. Adding to that what he had learned during their previous date about Hua Xin's family... just like his own. Was that why she was afraid to reveal her "true self"? Xia Yan felt a slight pang in his heart. The fear and craving of hunger cannot be faked; hunger is hunger, and fullness is satisfaction. But he knew nothing, and he could do nothing. He didn't know what the girl had gone through, her current living conditions, or even her... opinion of him. He had no right to help her, nor could he use that to hurt her dignity. "Oh." "I just choked a little, it's okay..." "Of course I ate last night, I just ate a little too fast..." Hua Xin pulled out a tissue to wipe away her tears, then nodded awkwardly. Her tone was still somewhat defiant. However, she didn't continue her sarcastic attacks on Xia Yan like she did online. She picked up a spoon. The girl gently scooped up a spoonful of Tofu Pudding. The fresh, spicy flavor masked the bitter taste of tea in her mouth, but it couldn't hide Hua Xin's rapidly beating heart. Was Xia Yan very close to her just now? Did Xia Yan touch her back? Did Xia Yan hold her hand just now? Wait... The girl, who was drinking her Tofu Pudding, suddenly paused. Water. Her gaze shifted to the Oriental Vegetable Leaf beside Xia Yan. Could this be the water Xia Yan had drunk earlier? Just now... "Gulp." She swallowed the Tofu Pudding in her mouth, her mind replaying the scene from earlier. She seemed to have seen Xia Yan drinking Tofu Pudding. But there was only one bowl on the table. So the question is, whose water were Xia Yan and Hua Xin drinking? The answer is... "Indirect kiss????!!!?" Hua Xin's fair face suddenly flushed pink, her eyes swirling with confusion. Her small hands clenched tightly, and the girl lowered her head, unsure of what to say. "What's wrong?" "Is there anything else that's bothering you?" Xia Yan asked with concern, but he didn't dare to make any overstepping moves. He was as cautious as a middle or high school boy experiencing his first crush. Bold and proactive... Xia Yan smiled bitterly to himself. His composure crumbled the moment they met. "It's nothing..." "This Tofu Pudding is delicious." After a long while, the girl shook her head and said softly. She was still looking down, making it difficult for Xia Yan to see her expression. They had only shared a bowl of rice and a bottle of water. Yes, what did it matter? Hua Xin wouldn't mind Xia Yan. Just like... he didn't mind her oddity when he treated her to her first boxed lunch. And she wouldn't mind him eating his leftovers. 123. Is it okay? "Ahem, I said..." "Hmm?" Hua Xin picked up a tissue to wipe her mouth, coughed lightly, and looked at Xia Yan, who was still looking at her with gentle eyes, with a strange expression. Although there was no despicable, vulgar, or shameless gaze, it still made her feel a little uncomfortable. After all, in all those years, who had truly looked at her properly? "You're not eating anything?" Xia Yan's chopsticks seemed untouched; there were no traces of grease or vinegar from the buns. Of all the food on the table, he seemed to have only drunk a little of her leftover Tofu Pudding; he hadn't touched the other dishes, whether it was the steamed buns or the pickled vegetables. The phrase "beauty is food for the eyes" seems to have actually been successfully achieved by Xia Yan?... No, is it true that he can get full just by looking at people?