The Pride You Gave Me

The two were chatting idly when Bei Wei walked over with small steps, personally delivering velvet cakes.

"Brother Zhang, Brother Xiang, come have some."

Zhang Yang looked up and saw Bei Wei give him a secret wink.

Xiang Youde hurriedly stood up and offered endless thanks, spouting all sorts of flowery praise that practically elevated this so-called mysterious boyfriend to the heavens.

Zhang Yang felt a bit awkward listening to it.

If you don't know how to compliment someone, don't force it; he wasn't exactly thin-skinned, but Xiang Youde's inexplicable flattery still made him feel a bit cringey.

The afternoon tea was generous enough for everyone to get a share, and although the colleagues had never met Bei Wei's mysterious boyfriend, they were all full of praise.

"Bei Wei's boyfriend is so thoughtful, so great!"

"If I had a boyfriend like that, I think I'd wake up laughing in my dreams!"

"Bei Wei, thank your boyfriend for us. If there's a chance, bring him out for a look."

The surrounding chorus of praise left Bei Wei immersed in an ocean of happiness; she pursed her lips in a soft smile and quietly lowered her head to send a message to Zhang Yang.

"Hi, mysterious boyfriend, what are your thoughts?"

"I feel like I've created a perfect romantic rival for myself." Zhang Yang chuckled. Yes, competing with myself—this feeling really is fucking strange.

At 5:30 PM, Zhang Yang clocked out right on time, and before long, he was waiting for Bei Wei, who followed him out shortly after.

"Brother Zhang." She hooked her arm into Zhang Yang's with great intimacy, her small steps becoming quite spirited.

It was clear she had recovered just about fully.

That evening, outside the door of Bei Wei's residence, Zhang Yang saw Gu Jiani once again.

"Um... please, come in." Inside the door, Gu Jiani invited them in with a somewhat unnatural expression.

"Brother Zhang." Bei Wei broke the awkwardness, pulling Zhang Yang's hand as they walked inside.

Gu Jiani came from a wealthy family, after all, and had been raised in the palm of her parents' hands since she was a child, so she naturally possessed a sense of pride; even the occasional display of coquettishness was reserved only for her best friend, Bei Wei.

Thus, inside the apartment, she could only offer a dry invitation for Zhang Yang to sit, not being particularly skilled at small talk or social pleasantries.

"You... you sit first, I'll go cook."

A short while later, Zhang Yang saw Gu Jiani enter the kitchen, looking around with a somewhat blank expression.

Bei Wei had just taken some washed green grapes from the fridge and took the opportunity to stuff one into Zhang Yang's mouth.

"Does your roommate actually know how to cook?" Zhang Yang asked with a hint of suspicion.

"I... suppose so." Bei Wei gave a suddenly awkward smile, as if to say that one knows one's own affairs best.

As the two were talking, a sudden shriek erupted from the kitchen.

Zhang Yang stood up and went into the kitchen to take a look; the oil in the pan was popping and crackling, clearly the result of adding oil before the water had evaporated.

"What are you planning to make?" Zhang Yang asked as he turned off the stove.

"Tomato... tomato scrambled eggs!" Gu Jiani stammered.

The side dishes were prepped quite well, but when it came to the actual cooking, she was completely lost.

"Get out." Zhang Yang looked toward the kitchen entrance, preparing to shoo her away.

"Ah?" Gu Jiani was stunned.

"I said get out and let me do it. Are you planning on letting the three of us go hungry tonight?" Zhang Yang waved his hand, practically pushing Gu Jiani halfway out of the kitchen.

Cooking was, for Zhang Yang, a piece of cake.

After all, Zhang Zhaohai was a chef, and he could be considered to have inherited his father's mantle; he wouldn't claim his culinary skills were exquisite, but everyday home-cooked meals were truly second nature to him.

Outside the kitchen, Gu Jiani watched blankly as Zhang Yang moved with fluid, practiced ease, a strong sense of impact washing over her mind.

He drove a Bentley and spent money like water, yet he could also whip up a fine meal in the kitchen.

In her mind, she suddenly recalled many years ago, when her father, who was busy with business, was often away from home and tied up with social engagements, yet every time he returned, he would specifically set aside time to personally prepare a sumptuous meal.

"Dad?" She seemed to recall something, staring at Zhang Yang and murmuring to herself.

Bei Wei stood to the side, eyes wide, looking at Gu Jiani in disbelief; she didn't know what kind of fit she was throwing. Why would she suddenly call her boyfriend "Dad"?

How could this be?

Evening fell, and the night grew deep.

The apartment was brightly lit, and dish after dish of fragrant, home-cooked food was brought to the table.

Tomato scrambled eggs, braised prawns in oil, dry-fried cauliflower, pork rib and winter melon soup, stir-fried water bamboo...

Gu Jiani was a takeout expert, and of course, a frequent visitor to various high-end restaurants, but she couldn't remember the last time she had eaten such warm, comforting home-cooked food.

"Let's dig in." Zhang Yang washed his hands and sat down.

"Brother Zhang, I love you to death." Bei Wei went up and hugged Zhang Yang, planting a kiss on his cheek without a hint of hesitation.

The pride and surprises Zhang Yang brought her were truly everywhere.

On some level, every girl loves to save face, in all its various forms.

At dinner, Gu Jiani held her chopsticks, taking a bite here and a bite there, feeling that every dish was delicious beyond compare.

She nearly swallowed her own tongue.

Home-cooked meals with that touch of warmth were truly kind to the stomach.

Only after finishing the meal did she realize what had happened.

"Um... I'll go wash the dishes."

A moment later, Gu Jiani could be seen bustling about the kitchen, clumsy and awkward. As for the main purpose of today's visit, Gu Jiani didn't mention it, and naturally, Zhang Yang didn't either.

After dinner, Zhang Yang showed no signs of leaving. Gu Jiani seemed to grasp his intention—he was planning to stay the night!

Hesitating, she retreated to her room, consciously closed the door, and chose to acquiesce.

"Brother Zhang, come to my room."

Bei Wei grabbed Zhang Yang's hand and pulled him into her room.

The door clicked shut, instantly separating the inside from the outside world.

"How is the soundproofing in this room?" Zhang Yang hadn't taken a good look at the room during his last visit, so he finally had the leisure to examine his surroundings.

"Brother Zhang, no funny business." Bei Wei hugged Zhang Yang and chided him softly, then offered a long, passionate kiss. "Can we go out next time?"

With his hands resting on her soft waist, feeling the boundless tenderness and affection from the little sweetheart, Zhang Yang nodded and leaned down to kiss her.

"Alright, no funny business."

As the night deepened, Bei Wei went to shower early, returning to the room quietly not long after.

"Jiani must have showered already; I don't hear any movement next door. You should head over to shower quietly in a bit."

Zhang Yang checked the time; it was past ten o'clock, so he nodded.

After a while longer, with no sound coming from outside, Bei Wei changed into her pajamas and, smelling fragrant, slipped under the covers to wait for him.

Eager to get into bed with Bei Wei, Zhang Yang didn't want to wait any longer, so he simply got up, left the room, and prepared to shower.