Chapter 207

The corn and bone soup, which had been boiling and bursting with large, bursting bubbles, slowly disappeared, leaving only rising steam. It was as if the clamor of drums, wanting the whole world to know, had transformed into a quiet exchange of feelings and mutual reliance. From passionate fervor to a gentle, enduring flow. He could use the rest of his life to heal her pain. —————————————— Hua Xin, having escaped from the kitchen, didn't immediately deal with the sauerkraut, but returned to the guest room and tightly closed the door. Her waist-length hair, without the elastic band, easily obscured her face. But the pounding of her heart betrayed her inner turmoil. Although both of them tacitly avoided mentioning the incident at noon after returning to Xia Yan's house, and their conversation seemed no different than before... but you know, as a man... uh, Hua Xin, looking down, could see the bulge in her chest that even her sweater couldn't conceal. Faced with the harsh reality, all her stubbornness seemed so fragile. The girl hesitated for a moment, then stretched out her hands, placing them loosely in front of her chest... The electric shock-like sensation made her instantly release her hands, a blush involuntarily rising to her cheeks. This proved that this was true power, not a dream or Hextech. Hua Xin raised her hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, a rare hint of confusion and struggle appearing in her eyes. How should she put it? Why was she so dependent on Xia Yan? The girl couldn't quite understand it. She had clearly already made her decision, placing Hua Xin and Gu Xin Hua in two different positions. Perhaps it was because she had once been a boy, a strong person who had walked alone through those difficult times, that she developed such a dependence on Xia Yan? She didn't know what she should do next. Not only did she not know, but no one knew what the future held. Although she didn't want to admit it, she vaguely remembered that Xia Yan's hands and embrace were very warm, and... Hua Xin looked up, a rare tenderness in her eyes as she gazed at the neatly folded red scarf on the bed. The scarf wasn't made of rare animal fur; it was just a simple, inexpensive woolen item, so cheap it wasn't even worth fifty yuan. But the girl could remember it for a lifetime. She slowly walked forward, sat on the edge of the bed, and spread the scarf out, trying to put it around her neck like Xia Yan had done during the day. But clearly, she had no experience, and in a few quick movements, she awkwardly wrapped the scarf around herself, looking like she was hanging herself. "So ugly..." The girl chuckled at her own stupidity, then tried again and again according to her vague memory. After failing two or three more times, she stared blankly down at herself with the red scarf wrapped around her neck. Xia Yan's words seemed to echo in her ears once more. That phrase, "I'm here." Now, she was a child with a scarf too, no longer needing to envy the strangers she saw on the street. Ah... Hua Xin leaned back, somewhat relieved, supporting herself on the soft bed with her hands, closing her eyes and quietly listening to the occasional noises Xia Yan made in the kitchen as she prepared food. What should she say? Was it the melancholy that came from finally obtaining what she once envied most, transcending time and space? Or the joy and happiness of fulfilling a wish? It seemed neither. The girl wondered if she was being a little greedy. Whether it was "Hua Xin," her brother, or "Gu Xin Hua," her boyfriend, she wanted to spend a little more time with Xia Yan ... She didn't want to see Xia Yan's deep-seated disgust after her identity was exposed, nor did she want him to discover her long-standing lies. It was precisely because of this that Hua Xin cherished and craved Xia Yan's love and care so much. If this ticking time bomb exploded, she would have nothing left again. But at least... the girl hoped to never let Xia Yan know about this, to keep all the beautiful memories in her mind. Until she fulfilled all her promises. Now was enough. Hua Xin gently grasped the scarf in her hand, pursing her slightly reddened lips. Her eyes, though reflecting a deep red, were also filled with an unknown, peculiar emotion. "Spare ribs! Dumplings! Pig's trotters! And the most delicious braised beef!" Hua Xin suddenly recited the dishes she could eat that evening as if listing menus. The confusion and hesitation in her eyes were instantly replaced by anticipation and longing for the food, and a strange strength welled up in her small body. What was the use of thinking more? A whole bunch of delicious food was waiting for her! Today was the most important day of the new year. Washing sauerkraut, right? Then let's wash it! The girl took off her scarf, then folded it again and carefully placed it on the bedside table, happily humming a tune as she walked out of the room. Let the future be what it is. Right now, it's about having a good New Year. A warm New Year with Xia Yan in this cold winter. 157. Finding a coin in a dumpling? You'll have good luck all year round. 9:20 PM. Hua Xin's little face inevitably got a little flour on it, but it didn't affect her concentration as she carefully kneaded the dumplings she was filling. After all, she had only ever eaten frozen dumplings before, and had never had the opportunity or time to make them herself. Therefore, she wasn't very skilled, and the dumplings she made were somewhat oddly shaped. For example, there was that perfectly smooth... round dumpling in the girl's hand? Hua Xin twitched her lips speechlessly, staring at the stuffed object in her hand that resembled a dumpling, feeling a sense of helplessness. She couldn't cook well, and she couldn't even make dumplings well... Could it be that she really couldn't do anything right? At home, her culinary skills were comparable to a five-star hotel chef, so how did she become so helpless in front of Xia Yan? But it seemed... Thirteen Spices Fried Rice and fried noodles probably wouldn't make it onto the New Year's Eve dinner table. Dropping the thing in her hand wasn't an option, and holding it wasn't an option either. In short, she felt incredibly embarrassed. The girl wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into and draw circles on the spot. "I'll teach you, pinch the pleats with your thumb like this..." "Come on~ learn with me." Xia Yan put down the dough in his hand, then smiled and affectionately took Hua Xin's hand, guiding her fingers little by little to pinch pleats on the "dumplings." "?" Hua Xin watched Xia Yan guide her in making dumplings, but the constant rubbing felt more like he was taking advantage of her... The girl cursed him inwardly, giving Xia Yan a disapproving glare. Although she saw through him, she didn't say anything. Okay. She really needed this skill. The girl felt that making dumplings herself should be cheaper than buying frozen dumplings, and she could even get some extra flour when she got home. That way, not only could she make dumplings, but maybe she wouldn't have to spend money on noodles anymore? "How is it? Doesn't it look much better?" "It's alright..." "I can make them myself, I just put too much filling in." Hua Xin snorted, then pulled away from Xia Yan's hand and picked up another dough wrapper, not believing it. "This time it's much better!"