"Wouldn't this be too much trouble for you?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhaomu's eyes immediately lit up, as if she couldn't wait to rush over to the apartment across the hall.
Duan Chan'er:
She was just being polite, since she wasn't very familiar with Chen Zhenzhen or Xiang Qing.
Besides, you've already prepared the instant noodles. Normally, people would choose not to use them, since we've already eaten them, right?
Duan Chan'er sensed that Zhang Zhaomu must have been craving her cooking for days.
Well... in this weather, it's kind of pathetic for three people to eat instant noodles here.
Duan Chan'er, then said, "Just stir-fry a couple of side dishes to go with the rice, it's no trouble at all."
"However, we might have to move two stools over; we only have two at home."
Zhang Zhaomu waved his hand. "Then it would be more convenient to bring the dishes over; I have plenty of stools at home."
The landlord had left a bunch of plastic stools in the corner, which Zhang Zhaomu had always complained were taking up space and looking unsightly, but now they've come in handy.
"That's fine." Duan Chan'er nodded. "There might not be enough rice, but you happen to have instant noodles, so it's okay."
"Then I'll go back and prepare, and I'll call you over to serve the dishes later."
Zhang Zhaomu gave an OK sign.
After seeing Duan Chan'er off, Zhang Zhaomu turned around and gave the two people at the table a happy smile, "Family, dinner's ready!"
Chen Zhenzhen didn't want to play along with his tired joke, and rolled her eyes. "Seriously, didn't you even ask for our opinions? Just because you're shameless doesn't mean we're okay with it."
Xiang Qing nodded vigorously in agreement.
She and Duan Chan'er hadn't exchanged a single word, so this sudden turn of events was indeed quite awkward.
"Isn't it possible?" Zhang Zhaomu held up a finger. "I got the vegetables from Duan Chan'er for free, it has nothing to do with you guys, so in reality you're just freeloading off me. If you're going to feel bad, you should feel bad for me."
Chen Zhenzhen: "?"
Xiang Qing tilted her head and thought for a moment, then nudged Chen Zhenzhen and whispered, " Zhenzhen, what Zhang Zhaomu said seems to make sense."
"Where does it make sense?" Chen Zhenzhen stared at her in disbelief.
"We really didn't say anything. If it weren't for Zhang Zhaomu, Duan Chan'er wouldn't have been willing to cook," Xiang Qing said. Then, she earnestly said to Zhang Zhaomu, "I'm sorry, I misunderstood you earlier. But I'm not embarrassed to take advantage of you. I'll bring you something delicious next time."
Chen Zhenzhen covered her face, almost groaning, " Xiang Qing, you're hopeless."
"With your personality, you'll be easily fooled by Zhang Zaowan, even losing your underwear!"
Xiang Qing froze for a moment, then instinctively grabbed her waistband. Her fair cheeks flushed crimson, and she stammered, "No... no... I... how could I possibly have taken off my underwear..."
"Stop!" Chen Zhenzhen exclaimed in frustration, covering her mouth. "No need to say anymore, I give up, I was wrong, okay?"
"What did you do wrong?" Zhang Zhaomu, who had been watching the show from the sidelines, couldn't help but stir things up.
"My mistake was never getting to know you, you bastard!" Chen Zhenzhen glared at Zhang Zhaomu.
"Oh—" Zhang Zhaomu drawled, rubbing his chin, "I understand what you mean."
"This feeling of regret is also recorded in the Return of the Condor Heroes. What's that saying again? 'Upon seeing Yang...'"
A single glance can ruin Zhaomu!
Chen Zhenzhen: "Go and die."
"Okay, I'll visit your grave in eighty years to fulfill your wish... never mind, eighty-two years then, I want to live to be a hundred."
"Aaaaaaahhhhhh!" Chen Zhenzhen pounced on him, grabbed Zhang Zhaomu's arm and bit him.
"Hey, what are you doing! It hurts! Let go! I'm sorry, okay?!"
" Xiang Qing, you should try to persuade her!"
Zhang Zhaomu bared his teeth, but dared not struggle.
If Chen Zhenzhen is provoked to this point and not allowed to vent, the consequences could be even more serious.
Xiang Qing remained unmoved, and even felt a little envious.
I wonder what it would feel like to bite Zhang Zhaomu's arm... I'm tempted to try it, but would that be too presumptuous?
However, Zhang Zhaomu and Chen Zhenzhen are friends, and so am I. Theoretically, if Chen Zhenzhen can do something, I can do it too, right?
Xiang Qing thought for a moment, then stood up and walked over. She carefully grabbed Zhang Zhaomu's other arm and bit it.
Zhang Zhaomu: "?"
I asked you to mediate the fight, what do you mean by joining in?
No, did I do something to you?
Chen Zhenzhen: "?"
Is she some kind of demon in Jiangxi? Why did she suddenly bite Zhang Zhaomu?
Isn't this situation a bit strange?
Chen Zhenzhen's anger was even replaced by astonishment as she tried hard to understand Xiang Qing's thought process.
"Perhaps she also felt that Zhang Zaowan went too far, so she wanted to help me get revenge?"
"But what kind of thought process allows someone to imagine two girls each biting an arm?!"
"Besides, isn't this a bit too intimate? Are you and Zhang Zhaomu really that close?"
Thinking of this, she suddenly felt a little uncomfortable, and took the initiative to relent, tugging at Xiang Qing: "That's enough, I think Zhang Zhaomu has already learned his lesson."
"Mmm... oh." Xiang Qing reluctantly let go, her eyes still fixed on the faint teeth marks she had made, and unconsciously stuck out her pink little tongue to lick her lips.
Zhang Zhaomu immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Putting aside the fact that Chen Zhenzhen bit down really hard, Xiang Qing actually found it quite comfortable. She could feel Chen Zhenzhen's soft and warm lips, and although there was a teeth-like sensation, it didn't hurt.
Of course, Chen Zhenzhen was watching him intently, so he didn't dare show any unusual expression. He simply coughed lightly and said, "Have you had enough? I'm going to wash up; my arms are covered in your spit!"
"You're starting to complain now?" Chen Zhenzhen snapped again.
"No, no, I don't mind, okay? I'll go to the toilet and lick it clean myself right now." Zhang Zhaomu dashed into the bathroom.
" Zhang Zaowan, you—" Chen Zhenzhen exclaimed anxiously, "You're not allowed to lick it! How disgusting!"
At the very least, you're not allowed to lick the Xiang Qing bit!
Unfortunately, the door slammed shut, and then clicked shut – that pervert had actually locked it from the inside!
He wouldn't actually lick it, would he?
This feels like something Zhang Zaowan!
Chen Zhenzhen's face turned completely red, partly from embarrassment, and partly... genuinely flushed with anger!
" Zhang Zaowan, you come out here right now!"
"Open the door! You're not really licking me, are you?!"
Zhang Zhaomu ignored him; only a fool would go out in this situation.
He didn't emerge from the bathroom until Duan Chan'er knocked on the door again, ignoring Chen Zhenzhen's murderous glare, and calmly opened the door.
Soon, the two brought over four plates of delicious-looking dishes, and Duan Chan'er thoughtfully provided chopsticks for everyone.
She said with a smile, "I didn't prepare anything fancy, please don't mind."
"No, this is too much! Thank you, Duan Chan'er!" Chen Zhenzhen resisted the urge to cause trouble for Zhang Zhaomu and maintained her politeness.
Xiang Qing also lowered her head and nervously whispered in response, "Thank... thank you..."
Zhang Zhaomu immediately laughed, " Xiang Qing, why have you become Little Mute again?"
"No... no!" Xiang Qing's gaze darted around.
"Please don't be shy, everyone. Eat first, or the food will get cold." Duan Chan'er distributed the chopsticks.
Chen Zhenzhen then subtly pursed her lips.
The way you're talking makes it sound like this is your home, when it's clearly Zhang Zaowan's house.
I know this place much better than you do! I was here the day after Zhang Zaowan rented it!
"The instant noodles are almost cold." Zhang Zhaomu pulled up a stool for Duan Chan'er. "They smell so good! I feel like I could eat a whole cow right now!"
"You'd better tone it down a bit," Duan Chan'er said with a smile. "Otherwise, if you eat all four dishes by yourself, what will we eat?"
"There's plenty of instant noodles." Zhang Zhaomu picked up a piece of meat first, then looked around at the three of them. "What are you eating for? Stop staring blankly."
" Zhang Zaowan, you're such a terrible joker!" Chen Zhenzhen complained, but still picked up her chopsticks and took a floret of cauliflower from the bowl closest to her.
"Wow! Delicious! Crispy!"
Although she felt a little awkward, she had to admit that Duan Chan'er's cooking skills were indeed excellent.
" Xiang Qing, you should try some too," Duan Chan'er urged.
"Okay..." Xiang Qing carefully picked up a piece, and after eating it, her eyes brightened slightly. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something to praise her, but in the end, she didn't say anything.
Meanwhile, the only meat dish in front of Zhang Zhaomu had already disappeared by more than half.
"Do you have to go to such lengths?" Chen Zhenzhen scolded, "Didn't they already remind you to tone it down?"
"I'm already collecting them." Zhang Zhaomu continued eating, speaking in a muffled voice, "Besides, the dining table is like a battlefield. If you're not getting enough to eat, look for the problem within yourself. There's an old saying: 'If you're not enthusiastic about eating, there's something wrong with your head.'"
Chen Zhenzhen slapped her chopsticks. "You're the one with a problem in your head!"
"Don't be angry, don't be angry," Duan Chan'er quickly smoothed things over. "I'll just cook another dish after we finish eating; my fridge is still full."
Chen Zhenzhen could only sullenly pick up her chopsticks again.
I'm so annoyed! Zhang Zaowan has been provoking me all day long.
If it weren't for the fact that there were strangers around, I would have definitely attacked him to death!
Forget it, I won't bite it. This guy will just lick his saliva.
Chen Zhenzhen ate without much interest, Xiang Qing didn't eat much because she was nervous, and Duan Chan'er had a small appetite, so most of the food ended up in Zhang Zhaomu's stomach.
After finishing his meal, he stood up contentedly, skillfully cleared away the dishes, and said, "I'll go wash the dishes. Chen Zhen, you take care of the instant noodle container."
Chen Zhenzhen bit her lip.
Why does this guy act like it's perfectly normal?
She glanced at Duan Chan'er.
They discovered that this person also took Zhang Zhaomu washing the dishes for granted, and had even gotten up to take out his keys, ready to open the door for him!
What's wrong with you two acting like an old married couple?!
Did I miss some important plot points? Otherwise, why am I starting to lose track of the story?