"Calm down! Calm down!"
At the supermarket, Shen Lang splashed cold water on his face, trying to stop thinking about Li Liusi's adorable face. His restless mind began to settle down a bit.
After cooling down, Shen Lang took a deep breath and left the restroom.
Returning to the supermarket entrance, Shen Lang smiled at Li Liusi, who had been waiting for him, "Let's go buy some groceries and kitchenware."
"Okay..."
Li Liusi nodded eagerly.
The earlier incident in the car, where Shen Lang had gotten a bit too close, seemed completely forgotten.
They spent over an hour shopping, filling their cart with kitchen essentials and nutritious ingredients.
Back at Fulong Garden, they unpacked and set up all the kitchenware. Shen Lang handed her a spare key to his apartment.
"From now on, come over to cook lunch and dinner. If you can't make it, just let me know on WeChat."
"Alright."
Li Liusi held the key tightly, looking like she had just received a sacred mission.
"Okay, the kitchen is all yours. I have to go out for a bit."
Shen Lang grabbed his wallet and keys, and as he left, he added with a hopeful smile, "I can't wait to see how your cooking turns out."
After Shen Lang left, Li Liusi put on an apron, her once timid eyes now filled with determination.
About half an hour later, Shen Lang returned from the bank.
As he opened the door, the aroma of a rich broth greeted him.
Li Liusi had cleaned the dusty dining table and arranged three delicious homemade dishes on it. The cluttered apartment was now tidy, and the freshly mopped floor still had a few wet spots.
She was in the kitchen, gracefully ladling chicken soup.
In just half an hour, Shen Lang's messy bachelor pad was transformed into a cozy home, thanks to Li Liusi's efforts.
"You're back?"
Li Liusi smiled at him warmly, like a devoted wife welcoming her husband home.
"The soup is ready. We can eat now. I noticed you have beer in the fridge. Should I get one and chill it for you?"
Her caring words and her focus on him touched Shen Lang's heart.
Who wouldn't like such a gentle and caring girl?
"Maybe later."
Shen Lang pulled out ten thousand yuan from his pocket and handed it to Li Liusi. "Here, take this to cover your expenses."
"No, I don't need it."
Li Liusi quickly waved her hands, stepping back in alarm. "I have two hundred yuan sewn into my jacket. That's enough."
The only thing that annoyed Shen Lang about Li Liusi was her stubbornness.
Even when life was crushing her, she insisted on bearing it alone. Couldn't she just accept a bit of help?
"Don't get me wrong. This isn't a gift. My family doesn't own a bank."
By now, Shen Lang knew how to handle her.
"This is an advance payment of ten thousand yuan for the next two months. Your monthly salary is five thousand, so this is your pay in advance."
"Or are you planning to work for just one month and then disappear?"
Shen Lang shrugged indifferently, "Fine, if that's the case, don't come tomorrow. I'll find another housekeeper. Seems like you don't want to stay anyway."
"No, that's not it."
Hearing that he might replace her, Li Liusi hurriedly shook her head, quickly taking the money. She pleaded, "I'm willing. Please don't replace me..."
"Thought so."
Shen Lang smirked and then said seriously, "For the next two months, you're my personal maid, available whenever I need you. Got it?"
"I understand."
Li Liusi nodded shyly.
The term "personal maid" made her blush. It felt like she belonged solely to Shen Lang.
"Alright, go get the food ready."
Shen Lang tossed his keys and wallet on the table, pulled up a chair, and sat down eagerly. "I'm starving. Haven't eaten much all morning."
Li Liusi brought him a bowl of steaming rice. "There's more in the rice cooker. Just message me on WeChat when you're done eating, and I'll come over to wash the dishes."
"Wait, where are you going?"
Shen Lang called out to Li Liusi as she was about to leave. "Aren't you eating?"
"I'll eat at home."
Li Liusi pointed to the room opposite. "I still have some vegetables from yesterday. I'll just stir-fry those."
"Oh, come on!"
Shen Lang was a bit annoyed. He handed her the bowl of rice and got himself another bowl. "Sit down and eat with me!"
"It's fine. I still have food at home."
Li Liusi shook her head. "You've already helped me so much. I can't keep spending your money."
"It's just one meal! How much could that cost?"
Shen Lang was losing patience. "Sit down and eat, or leave the money and go cook your vegetables."
"Okay, don't get mad. I'll eat."
Li Liusi nervously sat across from Shen Lang, nibbling at the rice but not touching the dishes.
"Remember, I get bored alone at home. From now on, you have to stay and eat with me every meal."
Shen Lang kept putting food on her plate. "Or I'll dock your pay. Got it?"
"Okay."
Li Liusi nodded reluctantly.
"Alright, your illness just cleared up. Have some chicken soup to nourish yourself."
Shen Lang handed her a bowl of soup.
"Don't worry about the dishes later. I don't want you to catch a cold and get sick again. After we eat, just go rest. Take a couple of days off."
Li Liusi stared at the steaming soup for a moment, then put down her chopsticks.
"Shen Lang, please don't be so nice to me. I'm afraid I won't be able to repay you."
[Option 1: A bold confession: "Why do you think I'm being so nice? It's because I like you!"]
[Option 2: A tentative question: "What if I told you I like you and I'm being nice to win you over? What would you think?"]
[Option 3: A teasing question: "Why do you care so much about my feelings? Do you like me?"]