Ning Qing poured two cups of hot water, then took a jar from the fridge and spooned a generous scoop of Autumn Pear Paste into each cup.
She began stirring.
Chen Shu quietly came up behind her and stared at her back.
"Clink, clink, clink..."
The little metal spoon struck the side of the cup with a clear, bright sound that drifted through the autumn afternoon.
Ning Qing sensed him approaching. She could even picture him tiptoeing over with a shifty look on his face. Sighing inwardly, she set down the spoon and turned around before he could press himself against her. She looked cold, but her question was really one of resignation:
"What do you want now?"
"I want to cuddle."
"..."
His honest answer gave Ning Qing a headache. She had no choice but to change the subject. "Why did you come over again?"
"I'm so bored."
"If you're that bored, work on your graduation project."
"I'd rather stay bored."
"..." Ning Qing was silent for a few seconds before asking, "Weren't you watching your Short Videos?"
"I don't want to anymore. There are too many people online who argue about everything. Every day it's either an argument or another gender war. One side finishes swinging, and the other starts. And there are so many ads. It's driving me crazy."
"Have you been so idle you've made yourself sick?"
"You're the one who's been idle enough to get sick..."
"..."
"There you go, not talking again. Gone mute again."
"You talk so much that, over the next few hundred years, you might annoy me to death." Ning Qing handed him one of the cups of hot water mixed with Autumn Pear Paste.
"Oh, so I annoy you now! You're already sick of me—what'll happen later? Heartless woman!" Chen