Translator:
Atlas Studios
Editor:
Atlas Studios
The sound of the running range hood could be heard from the kitchen, the sound ringing like a lullaby, making Tuan Tuan even sleepier.
A phone started ringing from the living room when Lin Nuan was placing the unwashed tomatoes in the water. She looked up to see Fu Huai’an picking up the call, cigarette at the corner of his mouth. As he bent down to pick up a lighter from the coffee table, the outline of his broad back muscles showed through his tight shirt.
He walked to the balcony and closed the sliding door, back facing the living room as he lit up the cigarette before casually pocketing the lighter—every move was filled with the charisma of a mature man.
Lin Nuan realized that she’d been staring at Fu Huai’an’s back for a long time and she dropped her gaze with heated ears.
Her phone, lying silently under the lamp on the corner table, showed no activity.
Who would’ve thought that Fu Huai’an’s ringtone would be the same as Lin Nuan’s—Mendelssohn’s Rondo Capriccioso.
At the balcony.
Lu Jinnan’s voice spoke up on the other end of the line,
Old Fu, when are you coming over? It’s rare for Tang Zheng to come back from overseas, you’ll lose out if you don’t join us for mahjong!
Tang Zheng was Fu Huai’an’s childhood friend just like Lu Jinnan; the three grew up together like real brothers. Ever since Tang Zheng went overseas, the trio rarely got to reunite.
Today after leaving the Lin family’s house, Fu Huai’an went to the party to welcome Tang Zheng back. Halfway through, Tuan Tuan wanted to see Lin Nuan, so Fu Huai’an brought the child over.
Lu Jinnan had the speaker on and Fu Huai’an could clearly hear the sounds of the mahjong tiles.
He moved the cigarette from his lips and pressed his thumb to his temple, saying,
I’ll go over later.
Old Fu isn’t sending his child over, he’s sending himself to that lady’s bed!
Bullshit, Old Fu’s belt is buckled tight! How many little ladies have we arranged so far? Even if they used up all their strength they still couldn’t get it off.
A few friends jokingly teased Fu Huai’an. There were no women there, so the men spoke without care.
Can they be the same? That’s Lin Nuan, Old Fu’s moonlight! Old Fu’s belt towards Lin Nuan should be: ‘My front door is always open and waiting for you, we’ll understand each other after one round, you’ll love it here…'
Lu Jinnan changed the lyrics and shamelessly sang a verse, causing huge laughter on his end of the line.
After smoking one cigarette, Fu Huai’an hung up the call and entered the living room.
Seeing Tuan Tuan slowly blinking his eyes and eventually falling asleep, he removed his suit jacket and gently placed it on Tuan Tuan, his movements careful.
Raising his head, Fu Huai’an’s eyes reflected Lin Nuan’s busy back, which appeared so slender.
Fu Huai’an straightened his body and unbuttoned his sleeves, placing his watch down on the small corner table on top of the Lin family’s household register…
In the kitchen, the pot of boiling water on the stove made a noise and Lin Nuan quickly turned the flame down with a pair of chopsticks in her hand… As she turned around to add a bowl of water, she saw Fu Huai’an walking into the kitchen.
Their gazes met and Lin Nuan was shocked for a moment. After all, Fu Huai’an in his formal attire didn’t look like he belonged in the rather small kitchen.
Do you need anything?
she asked.
I came to help…
Fu Huai’an was quite tall and his legs were long—once he entered, the whole kitchen looked much smaller.
Lin Nuan even felt like it was harder to breathe.
He smoothly and naturally rolled up his sleeves, bending down to wash his hands before pulling out a few pieces of the kitchen paper towels to wipe his hands… Turning around, he managed to squeeze Lin Nuan to one side.
Lin Nuan watched as Fu Huai’an picked up the vermicelli she had placed at the side. He took out some noodles and placed them into the pot in a practiced manner, reaching out his hand and saying,
Chopsticks.
