"Dinner! "Qin Ma knocked on Qin Guanglin's door, and he emerged after a brief delay.
"It's been so long, and you still haven't come out to eat," Qin Ma muttered as she set the clean dishes on the table.
He Fang came out with the last dish and casually said, "Go wash your hands first."
Qin Guanglin glanced at his mother, then at the scene before him. For some reason, it all felt very harmonious.
"Why are you standing there like that? "Qin Ma asked, her tone a little sharp as she watched him dawdle. "Go wash your hands and help serve the food."
Turning around, he noticed that He Fang had already placed a bowl by the pot. Qin Ma patted him on the back before heading to the kitchen. "I'll handle it. You sit down first."
"It's fine. You go ahead and eat first," He Fang said, placing a bowl on the main seat for him.
"I have a small appetite; I'll eat." Qin Ma trailed off when she noticed the bowl was only half full, swallowing the rest of her sentence.
Qin Guanglin couldn't help but glance at the small portion. His mother's appetite was usually steady—she ate just enough each meal, sometimes even less.
He Fang served another generous bowl of rice, but as she turned to see Qin Ma's reaction, she hesitated for a moment before setting it down on the table and smiling. "I'm used to cooking at home. You eat first. If it's not enough, I'll just pretend it's fine."
"That's more than enough," Qin Ma replied, glancing around the table, satisfied with everything. "Now, sit down."
After washing his hands, Qin Guanglin sat down at the table. A strange feeling settled over him. Why had He Fang integrated so effortlessly into the household in such a short time? Not only did she handle him well, but she also got along so smoothly with his mother.
"This girl's cooking is really good," Qin Ma said, taking a bite of the stir-fried dish. "Xiaolinzi, eat more."
Qin Guanglin's mind raced. Was this really happening? He felt a quiet sense of crisis creeping up. Was this what it felt like to be outdone by his own girlfriend? Although it was good that she was great, it felt a bit overwhelming to be overshadowed everywhere. He'd have to figure out how to get the upper hand at some point.
He Fang smiled as she watched Qin Guanglin eat, her eyes not leaving him. Qin Ma glanced between the two of them, lost in thought.
Is this the reward for a foolish son? She couldn't help but wonder, though she couldn't deny that this girl was exceptional in every way. It was clear her son was smitten.
Well, let's wait and see. Maybe this silly boy has truly won her over with sincerity. After all, he brought her home and confessed in front of me earlier... Hmm.
"Girlfriends should eat more, just like they're at home," Qin Ma said warmly.
He Fang nodded, taking a small bite of food.
Qin Guanglin, feeling a bit depressed, continued to eat, finishing a large bowl of rice. Just as he swallowed the last bite, he was about to get up to serve more, but then a small hand reached out from the side.
He looked over, wondering what she was trying to do.
"Let go." Did Fang raise her chopsticks as if making a casual gesture, smoothly taking the bowl from him and turning to serve the rice herself?
Qin Guanglin, with a puzzled look, said nothing, while his mother patted him again.
"Let her handle it," Qin Ma muttered under her breath, giving him a pointed glare.
Qin Guanglin felt a little wronged. Wasn't it his job to serve the rice? Why was it being taken from him?
He Fang placed the rice in front of Qin Guanglin, then took her own bowl and began eating. Her mood clearly brightened.
He glanced down at the rice in front of him, then back at her. It wasn't that he didn't want to serve—it just felt like she was doing everything.
Still, the food was delicious, and he took two bites, finding it really flavorful.
As usual, there were leftovers, so Qin Ma stored the extra food in the fridge. When she turned around, she saw that He Fang had already gone into the kitchen with her empty bowl.
"Don't worry, I'll do it," Qin Ma said, hurrying to clean up and add the dishes to the kitchen. "You wash your hands and relax in the living room."
Qin Guanglin nodded, setting the bowl aside. "I'll bring you the water later."
He didn't respond but instead walked slowly around the living room, stopping in front of the monstera plant next to the TV. She watered it and then grabbed a soft, yellow cloth to wipe down the leaves.
"The dishwashing liquid's out. Xiao Linzi, don't forget to buy a new bottle at Lao Pan's store."
Qin Guanglin, who was already heading out the door, responded with a nod. "Got it."
At Lao Pan's convenience store, he was picking up the detergent when Old Pan, ever the gossipmonger, couldn't resist commenting.
"I didn't know Xiao Qin had a girlfriend! Took her home today, huh? "
"Who told you that? "Qin Guanglin asked, turning back in surprise.
"Hehe." Old Pan grinned. "Everyone saw you bring a girl over, then your mom went out to buy vegetables—pretty obvious, isn't it? "
Qin Ma's surname was Xu, and the neighbors had already made their own assumptions based on what they saw. Thanks to their keen powers of gossip and imagination, it didn't take long for the story to spread.
"Uncle Pan, maybe you should become a detective," Qin Guanglin remarked, thinking about the old man's sharp instincts. He placed the detergent and a few lollipops on the counter.
"How much? "He asked.
"Thirteen dollars and five cents." Old Pan chuckled when he saw the lollipops. "So, it's for your kid. She was here the other day, and I couldn't figure out who she was looking for. Now I know."
"A few days ago? "Qin Guanglin was caught off guard. "This is actually the first time I've brought her here."
"Cut it out. You young people always hide everything," Old Pan teased. "Now, give me six dollars and five cents."
"Alright, my mom's waiting for the detergent," Qin Guanglin said, handing over the money. "See you later."
Neighbors had a way of knowing everything. Anyone who made a move in the neighborhood soon became the subject of speculation and gossip.
When he returned home with the detergent, Qin Ma, who had heard the door open, came out of the kitchen and immediately stopped complaining when she saw the snacks.
"You're getting the hang of this," she remarked approvingly.
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If you see something wrong please don't forget to mention it gonna scan it again in the raw alright have a nice day😁🥰