161: Chapter 160 Yin Suwan's New Home

Autumn in Jingzhou is very short. The leaves on the plane trees lining the road have already begun to turn yellow. When the wind blows, a few drift down, landing on the windshield, only to be wiped away by the wipers, and then more drift down.

Forty minutes later, the car turned into a gate. A security guard stood at the entrance; seeing the license plate, he lifted the barrier without stopping the car.

The residential complex was very new, with excellent landscaping. The lawns were still green, and the sweet osmanthus was in bloom, its fragrance trailing along the entire way.

Su Bai followed the address to find the building, parked the car, and took the elevator up.

The elevator was very quiet, its surfaces polished like a mirror, and the floor numbers ticked upward one by one.

Upon reaching the eighteenth floor, the elevator doors opened. The hallway was carpeted, and there was not a sound when stepping on it.

Su Bai pressed the doorbell, and the door opened quickly.

Yin Suwan stood at the doorway wearing a loose white sweater and light blue jeans. Her hair was worn down, and her face was bare, looking clean and fresh.

On her feet were a pair of pink slippers, each printed with a cat.

When she saw Su Bai, her eyes lit up and the corners of her mouth curled up. She wanted to smile but was too shy to show it fully, so she turned sideways to let him in.

"Boss, come in."

Su Bai changed his shoes and walked inside.

The entryway was small. On the shoe cabinet sat a bouquet of pink carnations in a white vase. Next to it was a photo frame containing a picture of Yin Suwan holding a trophy, smiling with her eyes curved into crescents.

The living room was spacious. The sofa was off-white, the coffee table was a natural wood color, and the television was mounted on the wall with a potted plant next to it.

The curtains were light gray and drawn halfway; sunlight streamed in through the other half, painting a golden rectangle on the floor.

By the window stood a bookshelf displaying a few books and some small trinkets: a ceramic cat, a crystal ball, and a small photo frame.

The kitchen was open-concept. The stovetop was spotless, the pots and pans were arranged neatly, and the spice jars were lined up in a row, with the labels on the bottles all facing the same direction.

"Boss, have a seat. I'll pour you some water."

Yin Suwan walked into the kitchen, picked up a glass pitcher, and poured a cup of water infused with lemon slices and mint leaves. The water was warm.

She placed the cup on the coffee table and sat down next to Su Bai, with the distance of one throw pillow between them.

"The new home is nice," Su Bai said.

Yin Suwan smiled. That smile held satisfaction, happiness, and a hint of shyness.

"I only moved in a few days ago, so there are still a lot of things I haven't unpacked."

She pointed to the cardboard boxes in the corner. "The clothes aren't hung up yet, and the books aren't arranged either."

Su Bai glanced at the boxes. There were words written on them: some labeled "Clothes," some "Books," and some "Kitchen."

Yin Suwan followed his gaze and stood up.

"Boss, let me show you around."

She walked in front, and Su Bai followed behind.

First, they looked at the kitchen, where she introduced the stove, the sink, and the refrigerator one by one.

On the refrigerator door was a magnet of a little cat, and next to it was a sticky note that read, "Buy milk."

Then they looked at the bathroom; it wasn't large but was very clean. A row of skincare products in various bottles and jars sat on the vanity, and the shower curtain was white, printed with little blue fish.

Finally, they looked at the bedroom. The bed wasn't large, the duvet was light gray, and the pillows were arranged neatly.

On the nightstand sat a desk lamp with a white shade, and next to it was a book with a bookmark tucked inside.

The closet door was open, revealing a few articles of clothing hanging inside—dresses, sweaters, and coats.

Yin Suwan stood in front of the closet and reached out to adjust the hangers with a very natural movement.

"I live alone, so I don't have much stuff," she said in a soft voice.

Su Bai leaned against the doorframe, watching her.

Her profile looked beautiful in the sunlight—her nose bridge was straight, her eyelashes were long, and her lips were slightly pursed.

She felt his gaze, turned her head, and her face flushed slightly.

"What are you looking at?"

Su Bai smiled but didn't speak.

Yin Suwan smiled too, lowered her head, and continued straightening the hangers.

The two returned to the living room, and Yin Suwan went to the kitchen to wash a plate of fruit, which she placed on the coffee table.

There were grapes, strawberries, and blueberries, all arranged neatly.

Su Bai picked up a strawberry and took a bite; it was very sweet.

Yin Suwan also took one and ate it in small bites.

"Boss, are you busy today?" she asked.

Su Bai said he wasn't.

Yin Suwan nodded, her fingers tapping lightly on her knees.

"Then can you stay a little longer?"

Su Bai looked at her.

Yin Suwan looked back at him, her eyes bright, reflecting the sunlight from the window, her own reflection, and something else entirely.

"Okay," Su Bai said.

Yin Suwan smiled and stood up.

"Then I'll cook for you."

She walked into the kitchen, tied on an apron, took ingredients out of the refrigerator, and began washing and cutting vegetables.

Su Bai leaned back on the sofa, watching her.

Her chopping movements were skillful; the knife rose and fell at a steady, stable pace.

The oil in the pan heated up, and she tossed in the scallions, ginger, and garlic. With a sizzle, the aroma immediately wafted out.

She poured in the pork ribs to stir-fry, added soy sauce, sugar, and hot water, covered the pot, and turned the heat down to simmer slowly.

Then she began washing tomatoes, slicing them, and beating eggs.

Su Bai stood up, walked to the kitchen doorway, and leaned against the doorframe.

Yin Suwan didn't turn around, but the corners of her mouth curled up.

"Boss, are you hungry?"

Su Bai said a little.

Yin Suwan nodded and turned the heat up a little.

The ribs were done; she scooped them out, plated them, and sprinkled them with chopped green onions.

Then she stir-fried the tomato and eggs over high heat and took them out of the pan.

Finally, she stir-fried some greens with garlic, keeping them crisp.

The two sat at the dining table with the meal: ribs, tomato and eggs, and stir-fried greens.

Yin Suwan scooped a bowl of rice for Su Bai and handed it to him.

Su Bai took it, picked up his chopsticks, and picked up a piece of rib.

The meat was tender, and the flavor was just right.

Yin Suwan watched him eat, not moving her own chopsticks.

"Why aren't you eating?" Su Bai asked.

Yin Suwan smiled, picked up her chopsticks, picked up a small piece of greens, put it into her mouth, chewed, and swallowed.

The two ate and chatted.

Yin Suwan said she had been rehearsing a new dance lately, practicing until very late every day.

She said her mother had gotten used to living in Jingzhou and didn't want to return to South Korea.

She said there was a stray cat downstairs in the complex that she fed every day, and now the cat followed her whenever it saw her.

Su Bai listened, occasionally responding.

After the meal, Yin Suwan stood up to clear the dishes.

Su Bai said, "Let me do it," but Yin Suwan said, "No need, you are the guest."

She carried the dishes into the kitchen, turned on the faucet, and the water rushed out.

Su Bai stood at the kitchen doorway, watching her wash.

Her back looked small; the apron strings were tied in a bow behind her, the wings of the bow sticking up.

She finished washing the dishes, wiped her hands clean, and turned around to see Su Bai standing in the doorway, her face flushing red.

"Boss, why are you standing there?"

Su Bai didn't speak.

Yin Suwan walked over, stood in front of him, and looked up at him.

"Boss, thank you for coming today," she said in a soft voice.

Su Bai said, "You're welcome."

Yin Suwan lowered her head, her fingers twisting the apron strings. She twisted them for a moment, let go, and looked up.

"I just... missed you a little bit."

Su Bai reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair on her face behind her ear.

Yin Suwan didn't dodge; her body tensed for a moment, then slowly relaxed.

"Su Su."

Yin Suwan took a step forward, standing right in front of him.

Su Bai lowered his head.

Yin Suwan closed her eyes.

Su Bai picked her up.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his chest like a cat that had found its home.

Su Bai carried her into the bedroom and placed her on the bed.

The bed wasn't large, the duvet was light gray, and the pillows were arranged neatly.

Yin Suwan lay on the bed.

She looked at Su Bai; in her eyes were the sunlight from outside the window, her own reflection, and something else.

Su Bai looked at her.

Yin Suwan's breathing quickened, and she bit her lip to keep from making a sound.

She reached out, grabbed his collar, and pulled him down.