47: The school beauty cooks by herself

Hearing this, Lin Chao couldn't help but be taken aback.

Cooking?

In his mind, an image instantly surfaced of a girl from his university days, wearing a white dress and carrying books as she walked under the shaded path, looking so ethereal and aloof that she seemed detached from the mortal world.

The most pure campus belle of all time, cooking with her own hands?

This image was truly a bit hard to imagine.

He couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Alright then, I'll have to have a taste of our great campus belle's culinary skills."

On the other end of the phone, Yan Qiaoqiao seemed a bit embarrassed as she scolded playfully, "What time is it already, and you're still mentioning that!"

After hanging up the phone, Lin Chao opened WeChat, looked at the location pin, and started the car.

As he passed by an exquisitely decorated cake shop, he stopped the car on a whim.

He bought a small mousse cake.

After thinking about it, he went to the fruit shop next door and picked out some fresh strawberries and cherries.

Finally, he simply grabbed a bag of snacks from a convenience store.

Going to a girl's house for dinner empty-handed just didn't feel right.

Half an hour later, Lin Chao found the residential area where Yan Qiaoqiao lived according to the navigation.

It was a very ordinary old community; compared to the "Qinglan Garden" he had just left, it was like night and day.

Carrying bags of things, he climbed to the fifth floor before finding the door number.

*Knock, knock, knock.*

He knocked on the door.

Soon, a slightly flustered sound of footsteps came from inside the door.

The door opened with a "click."

Yan Qiaoqiao appeared at the doorway, still wearing a cute cartoon apron. Her hair was casually tied back with a hair tie, and a few stray strands hung playfully by her cheeks.

Her face was flushed red from the steam in the kitchen.

"You're here!" Her eyes lit up when she saw Lin Chao, and she quickly stepped aside to let him in.

"Please come in. The house is a bit messy, don't mind it."

She took out a pair of brand-new men's slippers from the shoe cabinet; the packaging hadn't even been removed yet.

One look and it was clear they had just been bought.

A warm current flowed through Lin Chao's heart. He changed his shoes and handed over the items in his hands. "I saw these while passing by and bought some on the way."

Yan Qiaoqiao was stunned. Looking at the pile of things, she felt a bit at a loss. "Oh my! It's enough that you came; why did you buy so many things? It's too expensive!"

Though she was complaining, the smile in her eyes couldn't be hidden no matter what.

Lin Chao smiled. "How is the cooking going? Do you need my help?"

"No need, no need!" Yan Qiaoqiao waved her hands hurriedly, took the things, and placed them on the cabinet in the entryway.

"It'll be ready soon. Go sit on the sofa for a while and watch some TV!"

With that, she dove back into the kitchen like a busy little bee.

Lin Chao relaxed and finally had time to look around this little home belonging to Yan Qiaoqiao.

The apartment wasn't big—a standard one-bedroom, one-living room, one-kitchen, and one-bathroom layout.

The living room and dining area were connected, making the space feel a bit narrow.

However, she had kept it in perfect order and decorated it to be exceptionally cozy.

There were a few cute throw pillows on the cream-colored sofa, and a simple, elegant tablecloth was spread over the small coffee table, topped with a glass bottle holding a few daisies.

A few landscape paintings hung on the wall, and the green plants on the balcony were growing lushly.

The entire room was filled with a warm and grounded atmosphere of life.

This atmosphere was much more human than his "home" filled with Wu Ruolan's things but as cold as a cellar.

It was also more like a real home than Xie Mengya's magnificent "palace," which was so empty it felt like a model home.

A sizzle came from the kitchen, accompanied by a rich aroma of food, interrupting Lin Chao's thoughts.

"Dinner's ready!"

Yan Qiaoqiao walked out of the kitchen carrying the last dish, a satisfied smile on her face.

Three dishes and one soup.

Stir-fried Tomato and Eggs, Cola Chicken Wings, Stir-fried Broccoli, plus a bowl of Seaweed and Egg Drop Soup.

They were all the most common home-cooked dishes, yet they were exquisitely plated and looked, smelled, and tasted great.

Looking at the steaming food before him and then at the girl opposite him in the cartoon apron with flushed cheeks, something seemed to gently nudge a spot in Lin Chao's heart.

"Try it quickly. I don't know if it suits your taste."

Yan Qiaoqiao filled a bowl of rice for him and handed it over, her eyes filled with a hint of expectation and nervousness.

Lin Chao picked up a chicken wing and put it in his mouth.

The skin was fragrant and crispy, the meat was smooth and tender, and the sweetness and saltiness were perfectly balanced.

He praised sincerely, "It's delicious. It's better than what's made in restaurants outside."

Yan Qiaoqiao's eyes instantly lit up, as if they were filled with stars.

"Really? I'm glad you like it!"

She laughed happily, her eyes curving into crescents and two shallow dimples appearing on her cheeks.

The meal was finished in a warm and relaxed atmosphere.

Looking at the empty plates on the table, Lin Chao stood up. "I'll do the dishes."

Yan Qiaoqiao immediately held him back. "No, no, no! You're the guest. There's no reason to let the guest wash the dishes!"

Lin Chao didn't think much of it. "It's fine. I've already eaten; it's just a small task."

"That still won't do!" Yan Qiaoqiao's attitude was firm, like a little hen protecting her food.

Looking at her serious expression, Lin Chao felt like laughing. "How about this: I'll help you. Is that okay?"

Yan Qiaoqiao thought about it and felt that this proposal was acceptable.

"...Alright then."

And so, for the first time, two people stood in the narrow kitchen.

Yan Qiaoqiao was responsible for washing, while Lin Chao was responsible for rinsing them clean and setting them aside.

The space was very small, and the two would occasionally bump arms when turning around.

The sound of running water splashed, and the plates and bowls made crisp clinking sounds.

Smelling the faint, clean scent coming from Lin Chao beside her and hearing his steady breathing, Yan Qiaoqiao felt as if her heart had been soaked in warm honey water—sweet and bubbling.

After washing the dishes and tidying the kitchen, the two returned to the living room.

Yan Qiaoqiao poured two glasses of water and sat down next to Lin Chao. After hesitating for a moment, she still asked:

"Um... Lin Chao, can acupuncture really cure my stomach pain?"

Lin Chao took a sip of water, his expression turning serious.

"Whether it can be completely cured depends on subsequent maintenance, but for relieving symptoms, the effect is immediate."

He put down the water glass and looked at her.

"I need to diagnose you first. Give me your hand."

Yan Qiaoqiao was stunned for a moment and obediently extended her right wrist.

Lin Chao extended his fingers and gently placed them on her pulse.

His fingertips were warm and dry, with a thin layer of calluses.

Yan Qiaoqiao only felt a strange current surge from her wrist, instantly spreading through her entire body. Her cheeks began to heat up uncontrollably again.

Lin Chao closed his eyes, his expression focused.

After a moment, he released his hand.

"Spleen and Stomach Deficiency-Cold, Poor Circulation of Qi and Blood, plus you worry too much and have irregular eating habits. That's why it keeps recurring."

Yan Qiaoqiao listened in a daze and couldn't stop nodding. "Yes, yes, yes. The doctor said the same thing."

Lin Chao stood up.

"Let's go. Go lie on the bed; I'll give you the acupuncture treatment now."

Yan Qiaoqiao's face turned completely red in an instant.