Tang Zhi Chu really hadn't bought any drinks, so he let her go. But he followed her to the door and reopened it after Jiang Lan had closed it, leaving it slightly ajar.
In the kitchen, Tang Zhi Chu started preparing the other dishes.
There were only two of them, so Tang Zhi Chu prepared five dishes: White Cut Chicken, boiled shrimp, pineapple pork ribs, stir-fried zucchini, and cold broccoli. Double Skin Milk would be dessert.
Jiang Lan took a while to get back. The sound of the door opening came from outside only after Tang Zhi Chu had finished everything but the vegetables.
Tang Zhi Chu tilted his head and glanced out. When Jiang Lan happened to pass the kitchen doorway, he asked, "You didn't get lost, did you?"
Jiang Lan grinned at Tang Zhi Chu. "No. Do you have a decanter at home?"
Tang Zhi Chu washed his hands. He remembered seeing one on the liquor cabinet.
"You bought alcohol?" At the kitchen doorway, Tang Zhi Chu looked at the several bags Jiang Lan was carrying, puzzled.
Jiang Lan moved the hand holding the bags behind her back, seemingly unwilling to let Tang Zhi Chu take them. "I didn't buy the alcohol. Why would I buy alcohol? I got it from the car. Part of the way was really dark, but luckily I ran into a cat."
Tang Zhi Chu didn't take the bags from Jiang Lan. He just went over and took the decanter down from the liquor cabinet.
"Then you should've called me. This probably hasn't been used in ages. I'll go wash it."
"It's fine. I wasn't scared. You're the chef—how could I make you run errands?"
Tang Zhi Chu was washing the wine glasses in the kitchen when Jiang Lan's voice came from outside