Oh no! I've only been a freshman and I've already been targeted by a mean upperclassman.

The Porsche traced a smooth arc on the empty streets late at night, finally coming to a steady stop in the underground parking lot of Yan Xi's luxury apartment building.

The surroundings were completely silent, except for the faint cooling sound of the engine after it was turned off.

Li Chen unbuckled his seatbelt but did not get out of the car immediately.

He turned his head and looked at Yan Xi, who was holding a basket of roses in the passenger seat, with a smile in her eyes.

"We're home, Your Majesty."

Yan Xi opened her eyes, the starlight in them still lingering.

"Um."

She pushed open the car door, and cold air rushed into the car.

Li Chen walked around the front of the car and took the basket of slightly wilted roses from her arms.

"I'll get it."

He naturally took her hand with his other hand.

Inside the elevator, the mirrored wall clearly reflected the two figures.

Li Chen was tall and straight, and Yan Xi nestled beside him, holding a bouquet of not-so-fresh flowers in her arms, yet the scene had an indescribable harmony.

"bite--"

The elevator doors opened.

Yan Xi entered the password, and the apartment door opened.

A familiar, cool fragrance wafted towards me.

"Welcome home." Yan Xi stepped aside to let Li Chen go in first, her tone carrying a hint of lightness that she herself didn't realize.

Li Chen walked into the entryway and placed the flower basket on the cabinet.

He looked around.

The apartment was just as it had been when he last visited: exquisite, spacious, and with a desolate air of being uninhabited.

He could imagine Yan Xi returning here alone in the days without him.

"I'm hungry." Yan Xi took off her down jacket, revealing a delicate cashmere sweater underneath.

She walked to the bar counter in the open kitchen, pulled out a high stool, sat down, crossed her legs, and raised her chin slightly.

"Fierce God, will you fulfill your promise now?"

Under the warm light, those peach blossom eyes looked like hooks dipped in honey.

Li Chen smiled as he looked at her languid yet provocative demeanor.

He anticipated all her tricks, but he would still willingly fall into them every time.

"Hold on."

Li Chen took off his coat, revealing a white shirt underneath.

He walked to the refrigerator and opened the door.

Inside, just like when he last came, there were only a few bottles of mineral water and expired milk.

"It seems Her Majesty the Queen is detached from worldly affairs," Li Chen teased.

Yan Xi shrugged noncommittally.

Li Chen closed the refrigerator, turned around and picked up the shopping bag he had taken from the car.

"Fortunately, I was prepared."

He took the ingredients out of the bag one by one and placed them on the kitchen counter.

Fresh beef brisket, tomatoes, potatoes, and some mushrooms and leafy greens.

Yan Xi looked at the ingredients covered in water droplets with some surprise.

When did you buy it?

"This afternoon, before watching the movie," Li Chen said, skillfully tying on his apron.

He picked up a kitchen knife.

In that instant, his demeanor changed.

He is no longer the fierce god who dominated the basketball court, nor the boyfriend who gently kissed her on New Year's Eve.

He was like a focused craftsman, his eyes only on the ingredients in front of him.

"Knock knock knock knock—"

The blade made a series of rhythmic, crisp sounds as it touched the cutting board.

Potatoes and carrots were quickly transformed into uniformly sized rolling cuts in his hands.

Yan Xi rested her chin on her hand and watched quietly.

She watched as he deftly prepared the beef brisket, blanching it to remove any unpleasant odor.

Watching him blanch the tomatoes in hot water, easily peel off the skin, and chop them into small pieces.

Watching him heat the oil in the wok, add the spices to sauté until fragrant, and then add various ingredients one by one to stir-fry.

The entire process was smooth and fluid, without a single unnecessary movement.

A rich aroma quickly filled the kitchen.

Yan Xi never imagined that a man's back view in the kitchen could be so charming.

Those broad shoulders, that narrow waist, and those hands with distinct knuckles, cooking delicious food.

All of this gave her an unprecedented sense of peace.

She bought this apartment a long time ago, but it had only ever been a place to sleep.

Only now, with the rising smoke and the aroma of cooking, does it feel a little like "home".

Li Chen transferred the stir-fried ingredients to a clay pot, added hot water, covered the pot, and simmered it over low heat.

He turned around and saw Yan Xi staring intently at him.

"It'll take another half hour." Li Chen wiped his hands.

"What would you like to drink?"

"Water is fine."

Li Chen poured her a glass of warm water and handed it to her.

He didn't leave, but leaned against the bar, facing her.

"Is it pretty?" Li Chen asked.

"What?"

"How I cook."

Yan Xi picked up her water glass, took a sip, and concealed the smile on her lips.

"generally."

"Just 'normal'?" Li Chen leaned closer.

"Otherwise what?" Yan Xi put down her cup, looked up at him, and said, "Does Li Shen expect me to praise you as 'elegant in public and capable in the kitchen'?"

"It's not impossible."

"Dream on."

The two stared at each other without saying a word.

In the air, besides the aroma of food, an ambiguous feeling was quietly brewing.

Half an hour later.

A steaming pot of tomato and beef brisket, a stir-fried vegetable dish, and a bowl of mushroom soup were served on the table.

Li Chen served Yan Xi a bowl of rice and then placed a large piece of stewed beef brisket into her bowl.

"Try it."

Yan Xi picked up a piece of beef brisket and put it in her mouth.

The meat is tender and melts in your mouth, with the sweet and sour broth fully infused into it, making it rich and appetizing.

"How is it?" Li Chen looked at her expectantly.

Yan Xi didn't say anything, but picked up another piece and silently began to eat.

As Li Chen watched her eat in small bites, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up.

There's nothing more fulfilling than having your loved one enjoy the food you've cooked.

The meal ended in a quiet and warm atmosphere.

Yan Xi ate a whole bowl of rice and even drank a lot of soup.

"I'll wash the dishes," Li Chen said, taking the initiative to clear away the tableware.

"No need," Yan Xi said, standing up. "Just leave it there."

She walked up to him and looked up at him.

"Li Chen".

"Um?"

"I'm stuffed."

"So what?" Li Chen didn't understand what she meant.

Yan Xi suddenly stood on tiptoe and wrapped her arms around his neck.

She leaned close to his ear and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear.

"Now, it's time to eat you."

Chapter 911 Goodnight

Li Chen's body stiffened for a moment.

He could clearly feel the warm breath on his ear and the undisguised desire in those words.

The string of reason in my brain tightened instantly.

He anticipated everything that might happen tonight.

From the moment he agreed to cook for her at home when he met her at the restaurant, he knew this was more than just a late-night snack.

This was another test from Yan Xi, and also a declaration.

She was telling him in this way that their relationship was about to enter a new phase.

"Xi Xi." Li Chen's voice was a little hoarse.

He tried to calm himself and analyze the situation.

Option 1: Go with the flow and solidify the relationship. This is the option that best suits his inner desires, but the risk is that Yan Xi might feel he is too eager.

Option two: Feign modesty and steer the conversation away with a joke. This is safe, but it will make him seem cowardly and doesn't fit the "mature man" image he's just established.

He gave up on option two.

Looking into Yan Xi's incredibly bright eyes, he decided to choose a compromise.