Hand in hand, Luo Xian and Su Jin entered the cozy hotpot restaurant. Their appearance together was enough to draw every pair of eyes in the room. Luo Xian, with his strikingly sculpted features, towering stature, and an aura of commanding elegance, was the kind of man who could stop conversations mid-sentence. He radiated a natural charm that screamed "eligible bachelor." Yet, beside him, Su Jin's soft beauty, warm demeanor, and quiet elegance somehow didn't fade into the background but blended seamlessly with his brilliance, forming a sight no one could ignore.
Luo Xian purposefully chose a table where his tall frame could shield Su Jin from prying eyes. Su Jin, too busy containing her excitement, failed to notice his protective gesture. Her face, however, betrayed her as the corners of her lips twitched upward, barely holding back a smile. The truth was, she absolutely loved spicy hotpot, and her eyes kept darting to the menu, scanning the dishes with a quiet enthusiasm she thought she hid well. But Luo Xian, ever observant, saw right through her.
As he watched her, a rare softness overtook his sharp features. Unable to resist, he reached out and gently pinched her cheek. "You really can't hide it, can you? You've been dying to eat this, haven't you?"
Su Jin nodded shyly, admitting, "Yes, I love it."
But then, a shadow of worry flickered in her eyes. She unconsciously glanced at Luo Xian, her brows slightly furrowing as a thought crept into her mind. This would be the first time he'd see her "undignified" side. Luo Xian was the type of man who admired perfection, wasn't he? She'd overheard it enough times—men like him appreciated refined, composed women. What would happen when her "perfect" image cracked?
Su Jin knew her love for spicy hotpot brought out her most unrestrained self: sniffling, sweating, and fanning her mouth in desperation to ward off the heat. It wasn't exactly "elegant." If Luo Xian saw her like that, would his admiration waver? Would he stop seeing her as someone worthy of his attention?
The server's voice interrupted her spiraling thoughts. "What kind of hotpot base would you like?" she asked, sneaking a glance at Luo Xian. His god-like looks clearly left an impression.
Su Jin, out of habit, looked to Luo Xian for approval. It was a small, subconscious gesture, but Luo Xian caught it immediately, his lips curving into a tender smile.
"Order whatever you like," he said gently.
"Classic Sichuan spice, the spiciest one," Su Jin replied decisively.
"And for your side dishes?"
Su Jin marked a variety of options, leaning heavily on her favorite meats. Luo Xian watched with an amused expression as her selections piled up. His little foodie.
When the server turned to Luo Xian, asking for his order, he responded without hesitation, "Bring me the exact same sides she ordered."
Su Jin froze. She'd picked dishes based purely on her own preferences, not even considering whether he'd like them. Luo Xian's eating habits were no mystery; he wasn't fond of poultry, garlic, or anything overly pungent. Yet, he'd matched her order item for item without batting an eye. It wasn't hard to guess why.
As the broth began to bubble, Luo Xian took charge, carefully adding the side dishes into the pot. The fiery red broth swirled as he stirred it, and he glanced at her with a raised brow. "You sure you can handle this level of spice?"
Su Jin grinned mischievously. "Oh, I can handle it. It's all about the flavor."
When the food was ready, Su Jin eagerly reached for a meatball, but Luo Xian beat her to it. With practiced ease, he placed it into her bowl. It was such a natural gesture, as if he'd been doing it forever. Every time Su Jin's eyes landed on a dish, Luo Xian would preemptively serve it to her. Soon, she stopped even trying to serve herself, instead waiting for him to fill her bowl. It became a silent rhythm between them, an unspoken understanding.
From across the table, Luo Xian's eyes never left her. He watched every subtle movement she made, ensuring her needs were met before she even had to ask. He delighted in her little quirks—the way her eyes lit up at each bite, the way she fanned her mouth when the spice became too much. For him, every "flaw" she worried about only made her more endearing.
As the meal went on, the inevitable happened. The intense heat of the spices triggered Su Jin's tear ducts and nose. She quickly reached for a tissue, only to find Luo Xian already holding a handkerchief, gently dabbing at her nose.
Her cheeks flushed crimson. Whether it was from the spice or the sheer embarrassment, she couldn't tell. She sneaked a glance at Luo Xian, dreading his reaction. Would he look disgusted? Annoyed? But instead, she found his eyes filled with warmth and amusement.
"Keep eating, little foodie," he said, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
His nonchalant acceptance of her "less-than-perfect" state melted her heart. She thought back to something she'd read once: when a man truly loves a woman, he embraces not just her beauty but also her flaws, her imperfections, and even her most unpolished moments.
By the end of the meal, Su Jin was thoroughly stuffed. She leaned back, patting her stomach with satisfaction. But just as she was basking in her food coma, she let out a loud, uncontrollable hiccup. Her eyes widened in horror as the sound echoed around their table.
She buried her face in her hands, wishing the ground would swallow her whole. This was it. Surely this would be the breaking point.
But instead of the awkward silence she dreaded, Luo Xian chuckled softly. The sound was warm, soothing. He moved his chair closer, wrapping an arm around her and rubbing gentle circles on her back.
"Drink some water," he said, holding a glass to her lips.
When her hiccups finally subsided, Su Jin refused to meet his eyes. Her face was still burning with embarrassment. And then, without warning, Luo Xian tilted her chin upward and pressed a featherlight kiss to her lips. The kiss was brief but electrifying, leaving her breathless.
As he pulled back, his lips brushed against her ear. "You're adorable, my little foodie," he murmured.
Su Jin's heart raced as she stared at him, her earlier worries dissolving like sugar in hot tea. He'd seen her at her most "unrefined," yet he remained unfazed, even cherishing these moments. She realized then that Luo Xian wasn't just tolerating her imperfections—he genuinely loved every part of her, messy hiccups and all.
For Luo Xian, it wasn't about perfection. It was about Su Jin—the real Su Jin. The woman who lit up over a spicy hotpot, who cried and laughed unabashedly, who wasn't afraid to be herself. And for that, he adored her even more.