The Pride You Gave Me

The two were chatting when Bei Wei came over in small steps, personally bringing them velvet cake.

"Brother Zhang, Brother Xiang, have some."

Zhang Yang looked up and saw Bei Wei wink at him discreetly.

Xiang Youde hurried to his feet and thanked her profusely, showering her with all kinds of compliments and praising this so-called mysterious boyfriend to the heavens.

Zhang Yang felt a little awkward listening to it.

If you didn't know how to praise someone, you shouldn't force it. He wasn't particularly shy, but Xiang Youde's inexplicable flattery still made him cringe a little.

There was more than enough afternoon tea for everyone to have a share. Although none of their colleagues had ever met Bei Wei's mysterious boyfriend, they all had plenty of praise for him.

"Bei Wei's boyfriend is so thoughtful and wonderful!"

"If I had a boyfriend like that, I'd probably wake up smiling from my dreams!"

"Bei Wei, thank your boyfriend for us. If you get the chance, bring him in so we can meet him!"

The praise all around them sent Bei Wei floating on a sea of happiness. She smiled softly, pressed her lips together, then lowered her head and sent Zhang Yang a message.

"Hey, mysterious boyfriend. What are your thoughts?"

"I feel like I've created the perfect love rival for myself." Zhang Yang laughed helplessly. Yes, I'm competing with myself. This feeling is seriously weird.

At five thirty in the evening, Zhang Yang clocked out right on time. It wasn't long before Bei Wei finished work and joined him.

"Brother Zhang." She affectionately looped her arm through his, her steps growing livelier.

She seemed to have more or less recovered.

That evening, outside Bei Wei's place, Zhang Yang saw Gu Jiani again.

"Um... come in, please." Inside the doorway, Gu Jiani invited him in with an awkward expression.

"Brother Zhang." Bei Wei broke the awkward silence and led Zhang Yang inside by the hand.

Gu Jiani came from a well-off family and had been doted on by her family all her life, so she naturally had a certain pride about her. Even the occasional glimpse of her coquettish side only ever came out around her best friend, Bei Wei.

So in the apartment, all she could manage was a stiff invitation for Zhang Yang to sit down. She wasn't good at making small talk or exchanging pleasantries.

"Y-You sit down first. I'll go cook."

A short while later, Zhang Yang saw Gu Jiani enter the kitchen and look around in confusion.

Bei Wei had just taken some washed green grapes from the fridge. She popped one into Zhang Yang's mouth as she passed by.

"Can your roommate really cook?" Zhang Yang asked skeptically.

"She probably... can, right?" Bei Wei gave an awkward little smile, as though she knew all too well what her friend was like.

As they were talking, a sudden scream came from the kitchen.

Zhang Yang stood up and went to take a look. Oil was crackling in the pan—it was obvious she had added it before the water had fully boiled off.

"What are you trying to make?" Zhang Yang asked, turning off the heat.

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

The side dishes had all been prepared quite well, but when it came to actually cooking, she was completely at a loss.

"Go outside." Zhang Yang glanced toward the kitchen entrance, ready to send her away.

"Huh?" Gu Jiani froze.

"I said, go outside and let me cook. Do you want all three of us to go hungry tonight?" Zhang Yang waved her away and practically pushed her out of the kitchen.

Cooking was an absolute piece of cake for him.

After all, Zhang Zhaohai was a chef, so Zhang Yang had learned from his father. He couldn't claim to be a master, but everyday home cooking came naturally to him.

Outside the kitchen, Gu Jiani stared blankly at Zhang Yang as he cooked with effortless grace. A powerful shock washed over her.

He drove a Bentley and spent money like it was nothing, yet he could also whip up a delicious meal in the kitchen.

All at once, she recalled something from many years ago. Back then, her father, who ran a business, was rarely home and spent a lot of time entertaining clients. But every time he returned, he would always set aside time to personally prepare a sumptuous meal.

"Dad?" she murmured, staring at Zhang Yang as though something had come back to her.

Beside her, Bei Wei widened her eyes in disbelief as she looked at Gu Jiani. What had gotten into her? Why had she suddenly called her boyfriend "Dad"?

How could that be?

Evening fell, and night deepened.

The apartment was brightly lit as one delicious home-cooked dish after another was brought to the table.

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

Gu Jiani was a takeout regular, and she often ate at all kinds of fancy restaurants too. But when she thought about it carefully, it had been a long time since she'd had such comforting, home-cooked food.

"Dig in." Zhang Yang washed his hands and sat down.

"Brother Zhang, I love you so much!" Bei Wei stepped forward, hugged him, and planted a kiss on his cheek without the slightest hesitation.

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

In a way, every woman cared about appearances, each in her own way.

At dinner, Gu Jiani picked up her chopsticks and tried a little of this, then a little of that. Every dish tasted better than anything she could imagine.

She nearly swallowed her tongue.

Comforting home-cooked food really was kind to the stomach.

Only after they had finished eating did it finally dawn on her.

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

A moment later, Gu Jiani was clumsily bustling around in the kitchen. As for the real reason she had come today, Gu Jiani didn't mention it, and Zhang Yang didn't bring it up either.

After dinner, Zhang Yang showed no sign of leaving. Gu Jiani seemed to understand what he was thinking—he planned to stay the night!

After hesitating for a while, she went back to her room and shut the door, tacitly giving her consent.

"Brother Zhang, come to my room."

Bei Wei took Zhang Yang by the hand and led him into her room.

As soon as the door closed, the room was completely cut off from the outside.

"How's the soundproofing in here?" Zhang Yang hadn't taken a proper look around the last time he visited, and now he finally had a chance to inspect it.

"Brother Zhang, you can't get carried away." Bei Wei hugged him and chided him softly, then gave him a long, passionate kiss. "Could we go out next time?"

With his hands resting on her soft waist, Zhang Yang felt the boundless tenderness and affection of his sweet girl. He nodded and lowered his head to kiss her.

"Okay. I won't get carried away."

As night deepened, Bei Wei went to shower ahead of time. Not long after, she quietly returned to the room.

"Jiani should've showered earlier. It's quiet next door, too, so when you go to shower later, try to be quiet."

Zhang Yang checked the time. It was already past ten, so he nodded.

Some time later, there still wasn't a sound outside. Beside him, Bei Wei had changed into her pajamas and slipped into bed, smelling sweet as she waited for him.

Zhang Yang was eager to get into bed with Bei Wei and didn't want to wait any longer. He simply got up, left the room, and went to take a shower.