Wang Qiang had a high income, at least tens of thousands each month. To help take care of Tang Qing, he would cover the bulk of their expenses. Meanwhile, Tang Qing was in charge of chores and cooking.
Years of living independently...
have sharpened Tang Qing's culinary skills, which were originally not that impressive. He couldn't manage overly complicated dishes, but when it came to home cooking, his meals were tasty enough to earn endless praises from Wang Qiang, who frequently joked that he should switch professions and become a cook.
Wang Qiang hadn't returned yet.
But given the time, he should be back soon.
Tang Qing skillfully started washing rice and prepping vegetables to make dinner.
Wang Qiang was very punctual when it came to his working hours. He was a hard worker who rarely stayed late. He would handle his tasks swiftly during his working hours and then immerse himself fully in gaming after work.
Sometimes he had some social commitments.
About twenty minutes later,
The sound of a key unlocking the door resonated. He knew that Wang Qiang was back.
"Old Tang, I'm beat. Our boss spilled coffee all over today... Huh? Suancai Fish? What's the occasion? You're making this dish." As soon as Wang Qiang stepped in, he was about to gossip about their boss.
A familiar aroma wafted over.
Suancai Fish.
A very common dish.
But he knew that this dish held a significant meaning for Tang Qing.
Generally, he would only prepare this dish on special days. This is because it was the first dish Lin Jiaxue taught him before she died in a car accident. Wang Yan had once mentioned she loved his Suancai Fish the most.
Wang Yan was Tang Qing's classmate throughout their three years of high school.
Tang Qing, who used to be cheerful and optimistic, became quiet and introverted following a car accident that involved the most important people in his life.
This explains why he spent most of his university years playing games, using them as a distraction from his reality. It wasn't until he became a postgraduate that he gradually moved on, gave up gaming and focused on his studies.
His tutor suggested that he should pursue a doctorate, though Tang Qing declined the offer.
Seeing how Tang Qing, who was once so vibrant, had become so self-destructive,
Wang Yan, who had harbored feelings for Tang Qing for a long time and ended up in the same university but in a different major, confessed her feelings to him.
However, at that time, Tang Qing thought that Wang Yan, being pretty, from a well-off family and having a pleasant personality, deserved a much better future. He was also unable to move on from Lin Jiaxue.
Tang Qing turned her down without hesitation.
But Wang Yan didn't give up.
Under the guise of friendship,
She would frequently visit Tang Qing during their university years. They would eat together, study in the library, and do... a lot... a ton... of things. To outsiders, they seemed like a couple during those three years in university.
However,
Tang Qing had always seen Wang Yan as more of a buddy.
In their fourth year, when Tang Qing slowly realized he didn't mind Wang Yan entering his life, he considered giving it a try. However, due to a certain incident, he began distancing himself from Wang Yan again.
Tang Qing intentionally made harsh comments that left Wang Yan in tears.
After that, they hardly saw each other and barely spoke.
This somewhat awkward and even somewhat strange relationship persisted until they graduated from university.
After graduating from university,
Their communication became even less frequent.
Wang Yan, following her family's arrangement, went to the United Kingdom to study abroad.
He, on the other hand, was busy with his postgraduate studies. They occasionally chatted a bit, mostly asking each other cursory questions like 'How have you been recently?', 'Is work going well?', etc. He later heard from her best friend that Wang Yan never had a boyfriend.
Of course, Tang Qing knew that Wang Yan had not moved on.
However, he himself was never able to cross that hurdle.
"Nothing much, Wang Yan got married today." Tang Qing forced a smile.
Just last week,
Wang Yan shared a wedding invitation on her 'Moments'.
The location was the Magic City.
However, he hadn't planned to attend. Before he left this morning, he hesitated for a while, then sent her a WeChat message that read 'Happy Wedding', along with a gift money of three thousand.
Yet,
By evening,
He noticed that Wang Yan hadn't accepted the money.
Perhaps she was too busy today!
Tang Qing could only comfort himself with that thought.
"Oh, I see." Wang Qiang didn't say anything more,
Because he really didn't know what else he could say.
Wang Qiang knew Wang Yan and was aware of their story. Back in university, Wang Yan often visited Tang Qing. He also found out about Tang's family situation through Wang Yan.
But he didn't have Wang Yan's contact info.
Just a few moments later,
The meal was ready.
Three dishes in total,
Braised Eggplant, Twice-Cooked Pork, and a Suancai Fish, accompanied by a bottle of beer each.