With the helicopter speeding her along, Yan Bingxue finally made it back to Su Chen's apartment complex before ten o'clock.
Standing downstairs, Yan Bingxue, who had rushed all the way here, suddenly slowed her steps.
She looked up. Su Chen's home was on the third floor, and the living room lights were still on. The warm yellow glow stood out among the pitch-black windows around it, seeming to radiate warmth in the dead of night—especially inviting.
The corners of her lips lifted unconsciously, and she walked inside with light steps.
Using the key Su Chen had given her, Yan Bingxue opened the door and immediately saw him tidying up the living room.
Quite a few toys had been moved over. The once clean and tidy little living room was now filled with the children's toys.
Su Chen had nearly finished cleaning up. Only a few scattered items remained, and he was about to pick them up and put them into the storage box.
Hearing the door open, he turned and stood up, immediately spotting Yan Bingxue standing there.
The wind had picked up tonight, leaving Yan Bingxue's long hair slightly disheveled. A few loose strands clung to her usually exquisite, fair face, giving her a messy sort of beauty.
She looked a little tired, probably from rushing back through the night.
Su Chen thought of the time they had agreed on. It was exactly ten o'clock now. He figured Yan Bingxue must have rushed back for it.
His heart suddenly warmed.
It was like being stung by a tiny bee—not painful, but rather sweet.
Su Chen stood up, walked over to the door, and gently hugged Yan Bingxue.
It was a fleeting, dragonfly-skimming-the-water sort of embrace. Su Chen quickly stepped back.
"You're back? The wind's picked up outside. Are you cold?"
Yan Bingxue remained in the same position, her cheeks flushed as she shook her head.
"I'm not cold."
She was very warm. The wind outside had been strong, but in that instant just now, her whole body had warmed up~
She had not expected Su Chen to hug her.
Though it had only been a simple hug, for the two of them, it was truly a historic moment!
Did this count as progress for her?
Wonderful~
"Grumble, grumble~"
The atmosphere in the entryway had been perfect, but in the quiet night, an untimely sound suddenly rang out.
Yan Bingxue froze. Her face instantly turned bright red, and she covered her stomach in a fluster.
"Uh... I..." Usually so eloquent, she had no idea what to say now.
Oh no, how embarrassing... Why did her stomach have to get hungry now!
Her stomach was being far too uncooperative~
Su Chen let out a chuckle. Knowing Yan Bingxue was embarrassed, he did not dare laugh too openly.
Still, honestly, Yan Bingxue looked absolutely adorable right now~
No one would probably have imagined that President Yan, the icy beauty, could have her stomach growling with hunger and become so awkwardly at a loss, right?
Su Chen felt like he had really hit the jackpot tonight~
"You worked this late without eating dinner. If you do this again, I'm going to get mad. You're treating the mother of my children's stomach far too poorly~"
"Go wait on the sofa. I'll make you some noodles~"
"Tomato and egg noodles or shredded pork noodles—which would you like?"
Yan Bingxue was both embarrassed and delighted. Pressing her pink lips together, she said, "Either is fine."
Su Chen cooked noodles in the kitchen, wearing a sky-blue apron. He lowered his head and seriously sliced the pork into shreds, looking thoroughly at home in the kitchen.
Only his handsome features seemed slightly out of place.
Such a handsome man cooking in the kitchen made it seem almost like a scene from an idol drama.
Leaning against the doorway with admiration and affection in her eyes, Yan Bingxue took out her phone, wanting to capture the moment.
Gu Yuxin: "Bing Xue~ What are you doing? Want to come out for drinks?"
Seeing the WeChat message, Yan Bingxue immediately took a picture of the handsome househusband and sent it over. In the picture, Su Chen had his back to the doorway as he cooked attentively. Only half of his arm was visible, the shape of his muscles faintly outlined beneath his shirt.
Yan Bingxue: "No time. Not going."
Gu Yuxin: "?"
"Bing Xue~ Am I even your best friend? Now that you're married, I can't even ask you out for a meal?"
Yan Bingxue: "There's food at home. I'll order you takeout."
When Gu Yuxin saw that message, the corner of her mouth twitched.
There's food at home!!!
She was flaunting her love life, ahhh!
And, "I'll order you takeout"!
Apparently, ordering her takeout was already Yan Bingxue's greatest mercy and affection...!
Gu Yuxin: "I'll treat you to crayfish, hot pot, or a seafood feast—pick whatever you want! I'll bring you the best wine. I'll steal some from my dad's wine cabinet!"
Yan Bingxue: "No. Tonight, I only want shredded pork noodles."
Gu Yuxin: "...Bing Xue, surely you're not going to value a man over your friend to this extent!"
Seeing that, Yan Bingxue's ears grew a little hot. She sent back a cute tongue-out emoji.
That gave Gu Yuxin a jolt.
Gu Yuxin: "Love is terrifying! My beautiful Bing Xue is actually sending this kind of emoji!"
"Fine, I won't disturb your little married life. By the way, things are going well with you and Su Chen, huh? He's even cooking for you on his own? Bing Xue, tell me, how far have you two gotten? Have you pinned him down yet?"
This time, Yan Bingxue's entire face heated up. She hurriedly put an end to the subject.
Yan Bingxue: "I'm not talking anymore. I'm going to eat noodles. Stop eating late-night snacks, or be careful you'll gain weight!"
Gu Yuxin: "That's too much, babe. You can't curse your own best friend like that!"
After reading that, Yan Bingxue put away her phone and focused on Su Chen, busy in the kitchen.
He was already cooking the noodles. Steam rising from the boiling water cast a hazy mist over the kitchen, while the warm yellow light from the range hood shone above Su Chen, outlining him with a cozy golden edge.
He was unhurried and composed. When to add the noodles, when to put in the shredded pork, when to adjust the heat—it was as if he had every step memorized.
Perhaps the kitchen was getting a little hot, so Su Chen rolled his shirt sleeves up to his forearms, exposing part of his arm. From where Yan Bingxue stood, she could see the distinct veins and tendons beneath his skin, faintly brimming with strength as he moved.
So handsome men looked this handsome even while cooking.
"It's ready. Wash the bowls and let's eat!" Su Chen called out. Yan Bingxue immediately entered the kitchen, took out the noodle bowls and Chopsticks, and rinsed them clean.
The steaming noodles were placed on the table. Before even taking a bite, Yan Bingxue felt warmth spread through her, rising from her heart to her fair cheeks.
Her empty stomach clamored impatiently, wanting her to immediately taste the fragrant, appetizing bowl of shredded pork noodles before her.
Yet Yan Bingxue did not pick up her Chopsticks right away. A surge of emotion welled up inside her.
Whenever she used to work this late and return home, the cook would already be asleep. She could not be bothered to wait for a bowl of noodles, so she would simply go to bed hungry.
Or in situations like today, if her meeting ended too late, she might as well stay in Yangcheng for the night.
She had never imagined that when she came home late at night, the lights would be on for her, someone would be waiting for her, and there would even be a steaming bowl of noodles.
Everything was simply too warm.
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