Chapter 212: Setback
Of course, a proper relationship isn’t something to be taken lightly.
Even if she did have the urge to break up, she should at least keep up the act for a while and find a more reasonable excuse before actually doing it.
Unaware of the turmoil in Xu Youyou’s mind, Lu Jingyao continued to look at her with eager anticipation. “Why aren’t you eating? Is it not to your taste?”
Xu Youyou suddenly noticed a burn mark on the back of Lu Jingyao’s slender hand.
“Did you burn yourself while cooking?” she asked.
Lu Jingyao replied, “It’s nothing serious, just a little accident.”
Xu Youyou felt like his words were subtly hinting at something, as if he was trying to earn some credit.
Having lived a second life, Xu Youyou never let herself suffer. She had no intention of forcing down this unpleasant meal. With a quick glance, she immediately said, “It hurts me to see you like this. You shouldn’t cook anymore.”
Lu Jingyao paused for a moment. He had never cooked before, but making breakfast for Xu Youyou filled him with an indescribable sense of happiness.
Just the simple thought of “cooking for someone you like” was enough to bring him immense satisfaction.
“But I really enjoy cooking for you,” Lu Jingyao said tenderly.
Xu Youyou: Well, you might enjoy it, but I don’t enjoy eating it.
She couldn’t help but think that Lu Jingyao was the type who was both bad at something and overly enthusiastic about it.
Still, she said, “I don’t like seeing you hurt yourself.”
Lu Jingyao immediately responded, “I’m just not skilled yet. But if I practice more, I won’t get hurt next time.”
Xu Youyou found herself with no more excuses. She was genuinely at a loss for what to say.
Meanwhile, Lu Jingyao urged, “Hurry up and eat while it’s hot. It’ll upset your stomach if it gets cold.”
Xu Youyou stirred the bowl with her spoon, hesitating to take another bite.
“I didn’t see Lele this morning. I wonder where he went,” she suddenly said, trying to change the topic.
Lu Jingyao knew that Lele was a sensitive child and that Xu Youyou cared about him a lot. He immediately said, “I’ll go look for him.”
As Lu Jingyao left the kitchen, his assistant, Liu, followed after him. Xu Youyou finally let out a sigh of relief.
Seeing her opportunity, Xu Fang quickly took out a dog bowl. Xu Youyou, feigning an accident, “accidentally” tipped the entire bowl of wontons into it.
“I’m not one to suffer, but I guess the dog will have to take one for the team,” she said apologetically.
Just as she finished speaking, her eyes widened.
She hadn’t noticed earlier, but—wait a second—why were there whole pieces of raw ginger in the dog’s bowl?! Why did Lu Jingyao add ginger to wontons? And why didn’t he even bother chopping it?!
Xu Fang glanced at the bowl and whispered, “Lu Jingyao must’ve heard somewhere that ginger is good for warming up in winter, so he just threw in whole pieces. But don’t worry, Boss, I washed them thoroughly.”
Xu Youyou was just relieved she had only taken one bite.
Xu Fang then called out, and in trotted Guai Guai, wagging his short little legs. Seeing the snowy white wontons in his bowl, he immediately buried his face into them, unsuspecting.
Five seconds later…
“Woof woof! What kind of garbage is this?! Human, are you trying to poison me?!”
Guai Guai barked angrily at the bowl, looking thoroughly betrayed. Even though Xu Fang couldn’t understand dog language, she could tell from the intensity of his barking that he was swearing.
“Even the dog won’t eat it,” Xu Youyou muttered under her breath.
Guai Guai turned to glare at her, barking again. “I’m your dog! Not your trash can! I’m not talking to you today!”
With that, he turned his back to her, sticking his butt out as a sign of protest.
Xu Youyou quickly tried to smooth things over. “How about I treat you and your little friends to a meal later? I’ll get you two big bags of freeze-dried snacks. Will we be good then?” she coaxed.
Guai Guai instantly transformed, pulling a full-on Sichuan opera face change. He turned back around, pressing his head against Xu Youyou’s leg and wagging his tail. His furious barking turned into soft, affectionate whimpers.
“Woof woof! My human is the best in the world!”
Xu Youyou resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the little traitor and turned back to the remains of the wontons in the dog bowl. She didn’t like wasting food, but she definitely wasn’t going to force herself to eat them either.
“I saw that Director He has some chickens in the back,” Xu Fang helpfully suggested.
Xu Youyou patted her on the shoulder. “Make sure you dispose of them discreetly.”
By the time Lu Jingyao returned, the bowl was completely empty. His eyes lit up. “You finished everything?”
Xu Youyou felt an immense wave of guilt.
Lu Jingyao continued, “I’ll make breakfast for you every day from now on!”
Xu Youyou: !!!
“Please, no!” she blurted out.
Lu Jingyao looked slightly confused. “Why not? Are you worried I won’t have time? Don’t worry, I’ll make time. As long as I’m not on a business trip, I’ll make breakfast for you.”
Xu Youyou could already imagine the horror—waking up every morning to a plate of questionable food. Even if they moved back to Shanghai, since they lived in the same neighborhood, he might just show up at her door with an entire spread of experimental dishes.
Faced with the choice between a gourmet meal from her private chef and Lu Jingyao’s “heartfelt” cooking, she would always choose her chef.
“Mr. Lu,” she started.
Lu Jingyao immediately corrected her. “I have a name.”
“Lu Jingyao,” she quickly amended.
He nodded slightly, his deep, handsome eyes locking onto hers. In that moment, she felt like the most important person in the world.
Xu Youyou hesitated. She had the words on the tip of her tongue but found it difficult to say them.
Lu Jingyao waited patiently. Seeing her conflicted expression, he gently took her hand. “I’m not good at guessing what women are thinking, and I don’t want us to waste time on unnecessary speculation. If you have something to say, just tell me directly.”
Xu Youyou sighed inwardly. Lu Jingyao was efficient in everything he did—now he was applying the same principle to relationships.
But she didn’t mind.
Playing mind games, withholding words, and creating misunderstandings—those were things only suitable for idol dramas. In real life, they were just a hassle.
Taking a deep breath, she finally said, “Lu Jingyao, your cooking is terrible. I don’t want to eat it anymore.”
For a moment, Lu Jingyao’s expression went blank.
Xu Youyou felt a little nervous. Had she been too harsh? Had she hurt his feelings?
But then, after a brief silence, Lu Jingyao’s expression turned… oddly thoughtful.
“So this is what it feels like to be rejected,” he murmured.
“Did I say it too harshly? I’m sorry,” Xu Youyou asked cautiously.
Lu Jingyao shook his head. “No need to apologize. I wouldn’t get upset over something so small. Actually… I’ve always learned things quickly, but this is the first time I’ve ever experienced a real setback.”
Xu Youyou was relieved he wasn’t offended—but she couldn’t help feeling a little jealous too.
