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"Take this out," He Fang said, placing the plated smashed cucumber on the side.
"This one too."
The garlic scapes stir-fried with black fungus in the pot were also done.
"Here, take the dishes out."
The fragrance of the vegetarian shredded dish filled the whole kitchen.
With each dish that came out of the pot, Qin Guanglin seized the moment to wash three sets of bowls and chopsticks, setting them on the table. He also brought out the rice and then returned to the kitchen to wait for He Fang to finish the last dish.
He Fang placed the pickled fish into a large bowl and sprinkled a few Sichuan peppercorns. Just as Qin Guanglin was about to take it away, she stopped him and poured a little hot oil from the pan over it.
"Sizzle!"
The aroma intensified.
Only then did Qin Guanglin carry it to the living room table. Seeing that He Fang hadn't come out yet, he grabbed a bowl to serve rice to several people.
Qin's Mom looked at the dishes on the table and laughed, showing her teeth. "Where is He Fang? Why hasn't she come out yet?"
"I'll go check." Qin Guanglin quickly served three bowls of rice, placed them on the table, and turned back to the kitchen. He Fang was washing the pots and bowls she had just used.
"I'll wash these later. Come eat."
"Almost done," He Fang replied, rinsing the bowl in her hand and placing it neatly. She washed her hands and then took off her apron, following Qin Guanglin out.
"He Fang, you've worked hard. Come sit down, Lin has already served your rice."
"It's nothing, not hard at all." He Fang said with a smile as she sat down. "I haven't cooked in a while; I'm a little rusty. Please try it and see if it suits your taste."
"It smells delicious." Qin's Mom picked up her bowl with her chopsticks. "Much better than mine. Where did you learn this skill?"
"I used to cook for myself quite often," He Fang said, picking up her chopsticks to eat.
"Lin's in for a treat from now on..."
"Mmm! Delicious, delicious!" Qin Guanglin shouted, interrupting Qin Mom's words, "He Fang is amazing."
"If you like it, Auntie, I'll cook again next time." He Fang seemed quite satisfied with her performance, and her smile deepened.
"I can't trouble you all the time." Qin Mom gently kicked Qin Guanglin under the table. "He Fang made a big table of dishes for your birthday, and you didn't even say thank you."
"You don't have to be so polite, Auntie," He Fang glanced at Qin Guanglin, paused for a moment, and then said softly, "Guanglin is very good to me; this is nothing."
"Ahem... okay." Qin Guanglin coughed slightly, swallowed, and urged, "Come on, eat before the food gets cold."
"Eat, He Fang, eat more, just consider this your own home," Qin's Mom advised, no longer saying much.
The meal was not particularly lavish, merely everyday dishes. While eating, Qin Guanglin suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu.
This fleeting feeling disappeared quickly. Qin Guanglin looked up at He Fang, who was eating slowly with small bites; she always ate this way: unhurried, chewing carefully, swallowing before taking another bite, unlike him, who ate continuously.
The consequence of quickly eating was that while they had only eaten halfway, Qin Guanglin had already finished his first bowl of rice. Just as he was about to get up, He Fang reached over, and after a brief hesitation, he handed her the empty bowl.
Watching He Fang stand up to help him get more rice, Qin Guanglin decided to listen to Teacher He more in the future.
After all, during their time together, He Fang displayed her merits and fondness for him everywhere, and besides enjoying teasing him, she had no other faults. By comparison, Qin Guanglin could hardly find any notable qualities in himself.
How could such a wonderful person take a liking to him? Could it really be because of his appearance?
After the meal, Qin's Mom wanted to clean up the dishes but was stopped by He Fang. Qin Guanglin helped to bring the dirty plates and bowls into the kitchen, filling the sink quickly. He rolled up his sleeves and started washing, but He Fang shooed him away after just two.
"This is my time to shine, don't make a mess," He Fang quietly warned him, "There will be dishes for you to wash later."
"..."
Qin Guanglin was speechless for a moment, stealing a glance at Qin's Mom in the living room before turning back to whisper, "I like you."
"Hmm?" He Fang turned to look at him.
"I like you a whole lot," Qin Guanglin added softly.
"Me too." He Fang paused in washing the bowl, flicked her hair, and gently kissed him on the cheek.
"Ahem..." Qin Guanglin cleared his throat to cover his flustered state. After hesitating a bit, he snuck a look at the living room to make sure Qin's Mom wasn't paying attention, and swiftly kissed He Fang on the cheek.
"Classmate Qin," He Fang said while still washing the dishes, a sweet smile on her face, "you've turned naughty."
"I'm just..." Qin Guanglin struggled for a moment, "…it's your fault."
He Fang blinked and leaned close to his ear to whisper, "After Teacher He finishes the wash, I'll give you a proper lesson."
"No need, I don't want that." Qin Guanglin shook his head; whatever lesson He Fang meant surely wasn't serious.
"Really no need?"
"Really, no."
"Well, then don't regret it." He Fang finished washing and started slicing the radish beside her.
"No regrets." Qin Guanglin just wanted to take things slowly. "What are you doing now?"
"Slice it and sprinkle with salt. I'll deal with it when I leave, turning it into pickled small vegetables," He Fang said, then instructed him, "go get some peppers from the fridge."
"Okay." Qin Guanglin had no idea why she was making these small pickles but obediently complied without further question.
Qin's Mom came back from the bedroom wearing a jacket. "I'm going out for a walk. You two be good."
Qin Guanglin looked outside; it was already getting a bit dim. "It's almost dark; where are you going for a walk?"
"Your Aunt Wang asked me to go with her to the night market... Also, girls being out at night alone isn't safe. Make sure to escort He Fang home later."
"I know," Qin Guanglin replied, knowing he certainly would see her home.
The sound of the door closing indicated Qin's Mom had left.
Handing the peppers to He Fang, he watched her prepare the radishes and place them in a large bowl. They both walked out of the kitchen afterward.
"Do you feel like going to the night market?" Qin Guanglin asked her, finding nothing fun at home.
He Fang went straight to his room and replied, "No, I'm tired from playing all day and need to rest."
Qin Guanglin thought for a moment and agreed. "Then I'll get you a glass of water."
"Okay, but not too hot."
He brought a cup of warm water to the room where He Fang was lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Qin Guanglin sat next to her with the cup, "Do you want to drink it now?"
"Yes," He Fang responded, sitting up and leaning over, "Raise it a little."
"....."
Qin Guanglin held the cup to He Fang's lips, and she slurped a big sip before lying back down, "That's enough, just leave it there."
"Don't want more?" He looked at the water in the cup; though it seemed like a big sip, it was really just a sip.
"No more, I'm not thirsty," He Fang turned to lie on her side, propping her head with her hand as she looked at him. "I just wanted you to feed me one sip; otherwise, I'd feel unbalanced."
"What imbalance?" Qin Guanglin put the cup on the desk and sat down again.
"Lie down, and I'll tell you."
He Fang patted the bed beside her.
Qin Guanglin warily, being aware they were alone in a room and lying on the same bed, was surely a setup for one of her tricks. "I'm not lying down. Just tell me like this."
"I won't do anything to you. Don't worry," she said lazily.
He hesitated a bit but eventually lay down at the edge. "I'm lying down. Don't move around."
He Fang touched his face with her tiny hand. "You see, I've worked so hard, shouldn't you be a bit nicer to me?"
"Of course, how should I be nicer to you?" Qin Guanglin felt the cool touch of her hand and couldn't resist holding it.
"Hmph, see, you even suspect me when I ask you to lie down to rest." He Fang pouted.
"I... I'm just afraid you'll... you know..."
"What?"
"Nothing," Qin Guanglin was unsure how to explain.
"Are you afraid I'll take advantage of you?" He Fang smiled at him, "Don't worry, I'll let you come to me willingly."
"Come for what?" Qin Guanglin slid a bit further, feeling he was on the verge of being corrupted.
"Want Teacher He to teach you?" she teased, lightly scratching his palm.
"No."
"Then tell me, how will you be good to me?"
"Uh..." Qin Guanglin stammered; he truly didn't know specifics, just that he wanted to be good to her.
"Can't say, can you?" He Fang wore the expression of someone knowing he wouldn't have an answer, "Still say you don't want me to teach you?"
"I know I just want to make you happy," he said hesitantly, holding He Fang's small hand, raising it to gently kiss her hand's back, "I'll give you whatever you want to the best of my ability."
"Then come a bit closer." He Fang tugged at Qin Guanglin.
Qin Guanglin shifted a bit toward the center.
"Kiss me."
She closed her eyes and whispered.
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