Chapter 75: An Unexpected Meal

The young woman stood on the rug in front of the rented apartment door. In one hand, she held an insulated bag containing a bento box, while the other hovered before the door, gently knocking for the fourth time.

“Lu Chen? Are you there?”

Her voice was clear and bright, yet no sound stirred from beyond the door.

After waiting for a moment in the corridor, the young woman let out a soft sigh. She raised her fingers, preparing to knock once more.

Suddenly, however, a dull thud of footsteps echoed, drawing closer to the door from a distance.

The doorknob clicked and turned, and the security door opened a crack. Lu Chen’s pale face appeared behind the gap, his pupils dark and lifeless.

The young man stared intently at the young woman, his gaze appearing particularly stern in the sunlight.

His lips parted, releasing a hoarse whisper.

“What are you doing here?”

The young woman froze, a bewildered and pained expression marring her delicate features. She clutched the plastic bag as if in fear, then pursed her lips and spoke softly.

“I’m sorry, I seem to have disturbed you. Call me if you need anything.”

She offered a slight bow as she spoke, her dark hair falling across her chest, before turning to step off the rug.

As Lu Chen watched the young woman’s tearful expression, his breath hitched. Words of retention, beyond his control, escaped his lips.

“You’re not disturbing me. Come in.”

The young woman’s eyes immediately brightened, her off-white blouse appearing soft and radiant in the sunlight.

Lu Chen was momentarily stunned, only then realizing what he had said. He could only take a step back, widening the security door just enough for the young woman to pass through.

“Thank you!”

The young woman slipped off her rounded leather shoes and bounded into the room, her movements as light as a fawn’s.

She walked into the living room and immediately spotted scattered broken glass bottles on the floor. Incredulous, she turned her head to look at Lu Chen.

“Lu Chen, did you drink yesterday? These are—”

Lu Chen slammed the door shut, cutting the young woman off.

“Do whatever you want. Don’t waste your breath.”

He uttered the words coldly, then strode directly towards the bedroom.

Yet, after only two steps, a fair hand gripped his arm tightly. Xia Shi’s voice came from behind him.

“Wait. Just wait.”

****

‘Ah, so she finally can’t help but reveal her true colors.’

‘Whatever. If she wants to kill, then kill.’

He sneered inwardly, clenching his teeth as he turned his head, his face contorted in fury.

He expected to see a cold or angry face, or perhaps even a monstrous creature baring its fangs and claws. Instead, he met only the young woman’s eyes, brimming with concern.

She gazed at Lu Chen, her eyes tracing his collar and chest.

Yesterday, he had drunk from a bottle with a sharp, broken edge, leaving his lips ragged and bleeding profusely. While Silvermoon had already healed his wounds, the bloodstains on his shirt had not faded. Instead, they had dried into an unsightly reddish-brown.

Lu Chen was taken aback once more, instinctively raising a hand to cover the stains. The young woman moved closer, firmly pressing down on his arm, her gaze earnest and pained as she scrutinized the bloodstains.

She murmured softly.

“How did these happen?”

Xia Shi’s face drew suddenly near, her voice light and melodious.

A faint, warm fragrance wafted towards the young man, making his head spin. In a daze, he felt as though he had been transported back to the past.

“Tch…!”

The young man sharply bit the tip of his tongue, forcing himself back to reality. His dark pupils trembled incessantly.

‘…This scumbag. This madwoman. This imposter pretending to be Xia Shi…!’

‘Stop playing along with her clumsy farce! End this now!’

He opened his mouth—but still failed to utter any truly fierce words.

“N-nothing. I just accidentally tripped and scraped my chest.”

The young woman hesitated, scrutinizing the young man’s expression. Then, she quickly flipped over his wrist, exhaling a small sigh of relief only after confirming there were no new wounds.

“Seriously, you need to be careful. You don’t seem to be in a very good mood today?”

Lu Chen turned his head away.

“Because I encountered some things.”

The young woman gazed at his tense face, gently taking his hand, her bright eyes shining with an intense light.

“If you’re willing, would you like to tell me about it? While I might not be able to help… sharing it might make you feel a little better.”

‘Xia Shi is dead. Xia Shi is holding his hand, speaking to him.’

Rationally, these two facts were undeniably contradictory and absolutely could not coexist. Yet, emotionally, Lu Chen found himself subconsciously believing both to be true.

An inexplicable shiver slowly crept up his spine. The young man heard his own heart pounding furiously. He struggled to steady his voice, then spoke.

“Let go. I have nothing to say to you.”

“…Is that so? I apologize.”

The young woman obediently released Lu Chen’s hand, her beautiful eyes lowering in disappointment, causing the young man’s heart to clench once more.

After surveying the chaotic living room and kitchen, she moved closer to him again.

“You haven’t had breakfast, and you haven’t had lunch either.”

“…”

Lu Chen averted his gaze, offering no reply. The young woman lifted the plastic bag she held; the heavy bento box was faintly visible within.

“I made some of your favorite dishes. Would you like to taste my cooking?”

The familiar, sweet aroma subtly wafted over, and an image of Xia Shi, wearing an apron, flashed through the young man’s mind. When they first met, the young woman couldn’t cook at all; her first attempt resulted in accidentally adding far too much sugar. Gradually, as she became more familiar with cooking, she improved, yet she always habitually added a little extra sugar.

Lu Chen clenched his chattering teeth, a violent wave of nausea churning in his stomach. He tightened his fists, his nails digging into his palms, barely suppressing the urge to cry and maintaining his cold, angry expression.

He drew a trembling, deep breath, his eyes fixed on the young woman. His hoarse voice grew a touch louder.

“…None of this concerns you. Go back, now, immediately!”

The young man’s anger was palpable. The young woman, unfazed, took a step closer, her bright, clear eyes meeting Lu Chen’s directly.

She spoke each word distinctly.

“It has everything to do with me. You promised me, didn’t you? No matter what happens, you won’t hurt yourself.”

“Enough! You—”

“Come and sit down with me.”

The young woman coldly interrupted his furious roar, pulling him towards the dining table.

In truth, she hadn’t used much strength; he could have easily broken free with a slight effort. Yet, Lu Chen stumbled along, being pulled forward.

The young woman pulled out a chair and turned to face the young man, her dark eyes serious and concerned. Lu Chen, refusing to show weakness, held his breath and tensed his entire body, meeting her gaze with a face full of fury.

Nevertheless, the young man’s resolve ultimately softened. He gnashed his teeth, his body slumping weakly onto the chair.

The young woman offered a bright smile, righted a chair that had been knocked to the floor, and sat beside Lu Chen.

The young man immediately pulled away in disgust. The young woman, seemingly resigned, let out a soft sigh, then took out the bento box, placed it before him, and gently opened the lid.

A rich aroma rose and spread through the air.

Plump grains of rice, enticingly colored sweet and sour pork loin, neatly diced tofu garnished with vibrant green scallions… these were some of the first dishes Xia Shi had learned to cook, and ones Lu Chen had tasted before, now laid out before him.

The young woman took out a pair of chopsticks and held them out to the young man.

“Please, have some?”