Side story: Dinner first, a bath first, or me first?

At 7 p. m. on Friday, Luo Li pushed open the door of her rented room, and a delicious aroma of food wafted out.

He paused for a moment—usually at this time, Castorice was either in the lab or had just returned and was reading. Cooking?

She's been busy writing her thesis lately and hasn't cooked in a long time.

You're back?

Castorice peeked out from the kitchen area, her long, silver-purple hair loosely tied back, with a few stray strands falling beside her cheeks.

She was wearing the blue apron they had bought on sale at the supermarket last year, and holding a spatula in her hand.

"Um."

Luo Li put down her briefcase and took off her suit jacket. "Why are you up so early today? Finished the experiment?"

"The data processing is complete; we'll handle the rest tomorrow."

Castorice turned back and continued stirring the vegetables in the pan, saying, "I want to cook for you."

Luo Li felt a warmth in her heart.

He walked behind her, gently wrapped his arms around her waist, and rested his chin on her shoulder. "What are you making for dinner?"

"Stir-fried pork with green peppers, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and seaweed soup."

Castorice turned her head and kissed him on the cheek.

"These are all your favorite foods."

"Thanks."

Luo Li hugged her for a while longer before letting go to change her clothes.

When he came out in his pajamas, the dishes were already laid out on the small table.

Two dishes and a soup—simple yet tempting.

The rice was served, steaming hot.

The two sat facing each other, as usual.

"How was work today?" Castorice placed a piece of shredded meat into his bowl.

"The usual."

Luo Li shoveled a mouthful of rice into her mouth.

"Writing code, fixing bugs, attending meetings. But the project is almost finished, next week should be a bit easier."

That's good.

Castorice nodded. "I've finished the first draft of my thesis. My supervisor said it's okay, but I need to add some more data."

"Congratulations." Luo Li raised her water glass.

Cheers to our family's academic star!

Castorice smiled, raised her glass and clinked it against his. "Cheers to you, hardworking office worker!"

The two ate and chatted, just like countless other ordinary nights.

After finishing their meal, Luo Li offered to clean up the dishes. "I'll wash them today."

"Shall I go take a shower first?" Castorice asked.

"Good."

Castorice took a change of clothes into the bathroom. The sound of water could be heard as Luo Li washed dishes in the kitchen area.

The sound of water stopped.

After a while, the bathroom door opened.

Castorice came out wearing a light purple silk nightgown—a gift from Luo Li for her birthday last year, which perfectly complemented her hair color and eyes.

The nightgown wasn't long, just past mid-thigh, and the neckline was just right, revealing her delicate collarbone.

Her hair was still wet, and water droplets dripped from the ends, spreading into dark water stains on the neckline of her nightgown.

Luo Li was wiping the last bowl when she looked up and saw her, and stopped in her tracks.

Castorice walked up to him, looked up at him, and asked, "Have you finished washing the dishes?"

"I'm done washing." Luo Li's throat was a little dry.

"Then..." Castorice's fingers gently tugged at the hem of his clothes, her purple eyes shining brightly under the light, "What's next?"

Luo Li felt her heart begin to race. "What... do you want to do?"

Castorice tilted her head, as if deep in thought. Then she uttered the words that instantly petrified Luo Li: "Eat first, take a shower first, or eat me first?"

Luo Li nearly dropped the bowl in her hand.

"Where... where did you learn that phrase...?" he stammered.

"Online," Castorice confessed honestly.

"I saw someone on the forum yesterday saying this is a classic question."

She paused, then added, "I think it's quite interesting, and I'd like to give it a try."

Looking at her serious expression, Luo Li suddenly realized—she wasn't flirting with him; she was conducting an "experiment."

I wanted to see his reaction, I wanted to experience the "classic scene".

This is the Castorice.

Always be curious, always be learning, even in things like this.

"Well..." Luo Li took a deep breath, put down the bowl and dishcloth, "How do you want me to answer?"

"Do it your way."

Castorice said, but her ears turned slightly red.

"But we've already eaten and showered, so..."

So there's only one option left.

Luo Li smiled.

He stepped forward and pulled her into his arms. "Then let's choose the third one."

He lowered his head to kiss her, his hand resting on her waist.

The silk nightgown felt smooth to the touch, and her skin was warm.

Castorice wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss.

Her lips were soft and tasted like mint toothpaste.

The kiss deepened, and Luo Li's hands slid down to the back of her legs, lifting her up.

"Ah!"

Castorice gasped softly and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

"The bedroom or here?"

Luo Li asked, her voice already a little hoarse, as she spoke near her lips.

"Bedroom..." Castorice buried her face in the crook of his shoulder, her voice muffled.

Luo Li carried her to the bedside.

The bed is small, but it's enough.

He gently placed her on the bed, then propped himself up on top of her, watching her flushed face in the lamplight.

"Castorice," he called softly.

"Um?"

She looked up at him, her purple eyes glistening with tears.

"You today..."

Luo Li's fingers traced her cheek.

"Extremely proactive."

"Isn't it good?" she asked softly.

"Good."

Luo Li smiled, "It's excellent."

He lowered his head to kiss her, his hand slipping under the hem of her nightgown.

The silk fabric glided across her palm; her skin felt warm and smooth.

Things were going smoothly—until Luo Li discovered a problem when she was about to move on to the next step.

"Um..." He froze.

"What's wrong?" Castorice opened her eyes and looked at him in confusion.

"Condoms..." Luo Li smiled bitterly.

It seems we've run out.

I bought it last week, but I was too busy this week and forgot to restock.

Castorice blinked. "I remember... there were more."

She reached into the bedside table drawer and rummaged through it.

A few seconds later, she took out a small box—not the regular kind, but... ultra-thin, threaded, and textured.

Luo Li stared at the box, stunned. "When... when did you buy this?"

"Last week." Castorice's face turned slightly red.

"I saw this online, it says this... offers a better experience -- I want to try it."

Luo Li's brain froze for three seconds.

His girlfriend not only asks "classic questions," but also buys "special props."

"You..." He didn't know what to say for a moment.

"Don't you want to use it?" Castorice asked softly, "It's okay if you don't, I'm taking medicine, it should be fine..."

"It's not that I don't want to," Luo Li quickly said.

"I'm just... a little surprised."

He took the box and examined it carefully. "This... might be even more exciting, are you sure?"

"OK." Castorice nodded, her expression serious.

Practice makes perfect.

Luo Li was both amused and exasperated. "Can you please not be so... academic about this kind of thing?"

"Then how should I say it?" Castorice tilted her head.

"I'll say it..." Luo Li thought for a moment.

"I want to try something new with you."

"I want to try something new with you," Castorice repeated, then asked, "Is that right?"

"Yes." Luo Li smiled.

"That's right."

He opened the packaging and took one out.

I examined it closely under the light—it was indeed different from the one I usually use.

"Then..." He looked at Castorice.

Are you ready?

"Mmm." Castorice nodded, but her hand unconsciously gripped the bed sheet.

Luo Li noticed her subtle movements.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Don't be nervous, tell me if you feel unwell."

"Good."

As it turns out, the new thing is indeed... a little different.

Not long after they started, Castorice grabbed Luo Li's arm tightly. "Wait, wait a minute..."

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" Luo Li stopped immediately.

"No..." Castorice gasped.

"It's too... too exciting..."

Her face was flushed, her eyes were watery, and her voice was trembling.

"Then switch back to the regular one?"

Luo Li asked.

"No..." Castorice shook her head, biting her lower lip.

"Continue... I need to adjust..."

She said it was just adaptation, but in the following period, Luo Li could clearly feel that her reaction was much stronger than usual.

Her body tensed and relaxed, her breathing rapid, and her fingers left shallow scratches on his back.

Afterwards, the two lay in bed embracing, both panting.

"How about it?"

Luo Li asked in her ear.

"..." Castorice buried her face in his chest, and after a long while said in a muffled voice, "... That's too much."

"Uncomfortable?"

"It's not that I feel uncomfortable..." She looked up, her purple eyes still misty, "It's... too comfortable. It's a little scary."

Luo Li smiled and hugged her tighter, "Will you use it again next time?"

Castorice thought about it seriously for a while, then nodded. "Use it. But... once a week at most. I'm afraid I can't handle it if it's too frequent."

"Okay." Luo Li kissed the top of her head.

"I'll listen to you."

The two lay quietly for a while, Castorice suddenly spoke, "Luo Li."

"Um?"

I'm hungry.

Luo Li glanced at the time—nine o'clock in the evening. They had eaten at seven o'clock and had just used up their energy, so they were indeed hungry.

What would you like to eat? I'll make it.

He sat up.

"No need to do it." Castorice took his hand.

"Let's order takeout. I want barbecue."

"Barbecue?" Luo Li raised an eyebrow.

Didn't you say that barbecue is unhealthy?

"It's okay to do it once in a while."

Castorice sat up, her nightgown strap slipping to one side, but she didn't care.

"And... I want to eat spicy food."

Seeing her unusually willful behavior, Luo Li's heart softened. "Okay, let's order barbecue. Spicy, please?"

"Hmm!" Castorice's eyes lit up.

Luo Li picked up his phone to order takeout. Castorice leaned on his shoulder and watched him operate the device.

"I want lamb skewers, chicken wings, grilled eggplant, and..." she pointed to the screen.

"This is toasted bread slices with honey."

"So much? Can we finish it all?"

"I can finish it," Castorice said earnestly.

I'm very hungry right now.

After ordering takeout, Luo Li put down his phone and pulled her back into his arms.

"Why is today so..." he carefully chose his words.

"Enthusiasm?"

"Isn't it good?" Castorice asked.

"Great, excellent." Luo Li smiled.

"It's a bit of a surprise. Aren't you busy with your thesis lately?"

"It's precisely because I'm busy that I want to relax."

Castorice leaned on his shoulder.

"And... it's been a long time since we've spent quality time together."

She spoke softly, but Luo Li understood the meaning behind her words.

They've both been very busy lately, so they haven't seen each other much or communicated much.

Although we live together, sometimes we act more like roommates than lovers.

"I'm sorry." Luo Li kissed her forehead.

"I've been too busy and neglected you."

"It's not your fault." Castorice shook her head.

I'm busy too, but... I just miss you.

When she said "I miss you," her voice was soft and slightly coquettish.

Luo Li's heart melted.

"I'll try my best not to work overtime from now on," he promised, "And I'll make time for you on weekends too."

"Don't force yourself," Castorice said.

"Work is important. I just... sometimes want to do this."

She paused, then added, "And I'm already satisfied for today."

Luo Li smiled, "That's good."

The food delivery arrived quickly.

Luo Li went downstairs to get it, and when she returned, Castorice had already tidied up the table.

The two sat down at a small table and opened the packaging box. The aroma of barbecue instantly filled the entire room.

"Let's eat." Castorice picked up a skewer of lamb, took a bite, and squinted her eyes in satisfaction. "Delicious."

Luo Li couldn't help but laugh when she saw her childlike expression.

This is the Castorice.

Beneath her calm exterior lies a simple heart.

They might worry about experimental data, but they'll also be happy over a skewer of barbecue.

"Eat slowly, don't choke." He handed her a glass of water.

"Mmm." Castorice took the water and drank a sip.

"Luo Li."

"What's wrong now?"

"Next week..." She bit her lower lip, "My advisor is going to a conference out of town, so the lab will be closed for three days."

Luo Li's eyes lit up. "So?"

"So..." Castorice's face flushed slightly.

I'm free for three days. Can you... take a day off?

Luo Li thought for a moment.

The project is almost finished, so taking three days off shouldn't be a problem. Even if there are problems, he should still take the leave.

"Yes." He nodded.

"I'll also take three days off to spend time with you."

"Real?"

Castorice's eyes shone even brighter.

"Really." Luo Li grasped her hand.

"For the next three days, we won't go anywhere. We'll just stay home—cook, watch movies, sleep, and..."

He paused, then laughed, "'Eat you.'"

Castorice's face instantly turned bright red. "You, you've gone astray!"

"I learned it from you," Luo Li said matter-of-factly.

The two looked at each other and smiled.

The night outside the window deepened, and the city lights began to twinkle.

The aroma of barbecue filled the rented room, and the laughter of a couple could be heard softly.

This is their life. Simple, ordinary, but full of love.

"Luo Li," Castorice spoke again.

"Um?"

"Next time..." she whispered, "It's my turn to ask you."

"What do you want to ask?"

"Eat first, shower first, or..." She leaned close to his ear and whispered, "Let me eat you."

Luo Li's face also turned red.

His girlfriend has an incredibly strong learning ability.

But he likes it.

I like it very much.

"Okay," he agreed with a smile.

"I'm always ready."