She used to live alone and cooked for herself to save money, so Lin Xiaoxiao was confident in her cooking skills.
Lin Xiaoxiao was preparing in an orderly manner, while Tang Xue took the clothes out of her schoolbag and hung them up. When she came to the kitchen, she saw Lin Xiaoxiao's well-organized figure.
For a moment, Tang Xue was somewhat surprised. She really didn't expect that Lin Xiaoxiao, a young lady who seemed to never lift a finger, would have such a down-to-earth side.
The last time she was at Lin Xiaoxiao's house, she also ate breakfast, but at that time, Tang Xue thought that the breakfast was made by the nanny, and she really couldn't connect those foods with the person in front of her.
"Are you hungry?" Lin Xiaoxiao, who was serving the wood ear mushrooms and yams, turned around and saw Tang Xue standing at the kitchen door, seemingly lost in thought.
Tang Xue was startled and subconsciously glanced at her wristwatch, only to realize that she had been standing there for more than ten minutes. Tang Xue was a little dazed; she had actually been staring at someone's back for so long.
"It'll be ready to eat soon, why don't you go outside and sit down?" Lin Xiaoxiao walked to Tang Xue's side and tilted her head to look at her. "You must be very hungry, I noticed you didn't eat much at noon."
"I'll help you." Tang Xue snapped out of her daze and looked away from Lin Xiaoxiao's overly bright eyes. Since Tang Xue wanted to help, Lin Xiaoxiao didn't refuse. She had already done what she needed to do, and now all that was left was to finish up.
"Is the food not to your liking?" Lin Xiaoxiao's voice carried a hint of unease as she looked at Tang Xue, who only remembered to put rice in her mouth every few days.
She felt that her cooking skills were quite good, but Tang Xue didn't seem to like it.
"Huh?" Tang Xue looked up and saw that the person opposite her, whose eyes had been bright, were gradually dimming. Tang Xue's heart seemed to twitch slightly, and her brows furrowed unconsciously.
Seeing Tang Xue frown, Lin Xiaoxiao became a little anxious. "I didn't mean to blame you. I just think that if you don't like it, there's no need to force yourself. We can go out to eat, to a restaurant you like, okay?"
Tang Xue, whose thoughts were scattered and who hadn't clearly heard Lin Xiaoxiao's previous words, widened her eyes slightly, and some emotion seemed to surge in them, but it quickly disappeared.
"No, your cooking is delicious. I was just thinking about something else, it's not that I don't like it." Tang Xue didn't force herself to deliberately cater to Lin Xiaoxiao.
Rather, Lin Xiaoxiao's cooking skills were genuinely good, and the food she made was delicious. At least, in Tang Xue's opinion, Lin Xiaoxiao's cooking skills were better than hers. Most importantly, all the dishes on this table were ones that she liked. Tang Xue felt a little bit of joy in her heart.
"If you like it, that's good." Seeing that Tang Xue didn't seem to be forcing herself, Lin Xiaoxiao's lips curled up again. If Tang Xue said it was delicious, then it must be delicious, and she wouldn't accept any arguments against it.
Chapter 21
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When Tang Xue was cleaning up after dinner, she didn't let Lin Xiaoxiao help. Lin Xiaoxiao didn't insist either, and went back to her study to deal with the work she hadn't had time to finish that afternoon. By the time Lin Xiaoxiao came out of her study, it was already eight o'clock in the evening.
There was no one in the living room. Lin Xiaoxiao glanced at the room next to hers, hesitated for a moment, took out a few cans of beer and some snacks from the refrigerator, and after thinking for a while, she took out a bottle of red wine.
In fact, after arriving here, Lin Xiaoxiao had already replaced everything in the house, inside and out.
Lin Xiaoxiao locked up all the red wine that the original owner had treasured. When she first arrived, seeing so much red wine, Lin Xiaoxiao opened a bottle out of curiosity and tasted it.
However, the taste was something Lin Xiaoxiao really couldn't accept. Adhering to the principle of not wasting anything, she still drank the opened bottle of red wine.
After that, Lin Xiaoxiao locked up the stored red wine, thinking about whether she could give it away later. Although she was now a rich person, she couldn't quite get used to the tastes of the wealthy.
But she didn't know whether Tang Xue preferred red wine or beer, so she naturally brought a little of both.
Lin Xiaoxiao hadn't forgotten that Tang Xue was heartbroken. She had noticed Tang Xue's absent-mindedness during dinner earlier, and it seemed she was still upset about the breakup.
Lin Xiaoxiao didn't know how to comfort the other person. She just felt that drinking some alcohol to vent was better than keeping it bottled up inside.
"President Lin?" Tang Xue opened the door and looked at Lin Xiaoxiao, who was standing in front of the door holding a small basket, with a look of confusion in her eyes.
Lin Xiaoxiao felt a little embarrassed, and her gaze shifted from Tang Xue's bathrobe to her own toes. "Um, I just came over to ask if you want something to drink?"
Tang Xue had just taken a shower, and her hair was still wet. Just now, Lin Xiaoxiao, with her sharp eyes, spotted a drop of water running down Tang Xue's collarbone, down, and down again.
Lin Xiaoxiao wanted to reach out and slap her face, but she was holding something in her hands and couldn't move. At this moment, Lin Xiaoxiao regretted cutting her hair short. She could even feel her ear tips getting hot.
Lin Xiaoxiao just felt a little embarrassed. The other person had just finished showering and was obviously getting ready for bed, but she had knocked on their door at that moment and asked if they wanted a drink. Seriously, it was awkward. Yes, she was so embarrassed that her ears turned red, that's all.
"Um, I'm sorry, I didn't know you were resting so early. It was my oversight, I'll be more careful next time." Lin Xiaoxiao hugged the small basket in her hands tightly and prepared to turn around and leave.
"Come in." Tang Xue stepped aside, making way for the doorway.
"Huh?" Lin Xiaoxiao was taken aback.
"Didn't you want to have a drink?" Tang Xue asked, a faint smile appearing in her eyes.
"Yes, yes, let's have a drink." Lin Xiaoxiao nodded, picked up her small basket and walked into the room. This was clearly her house, but Lin Xiaoxiao felt like an outsider and seemed a little lost.
Tang Xue narrowed her eyes, looking at Lin Xiaoxiao who seemed a little awkward holding the small basket. Thinking of the slightly reddened tips of Lin Xiaoxiao's ears earlier, Tang Xue's lips curled up, a pleasure she herself was unaware of.
"I didn't know what you liked to drink, so I just got red wine and beer. I'll pass on the spirits, they're too strong." Lin Xiaoxiao took everything out of the small basket and tilted her head to look at the person next to her.
Tang Xue hesitated for a moment, then reached for a can of beer. "This will do."
“I like this too. It seems we have similar tastes.” Lin Xiaoxiao was quite happy. Before coming here, she was thinking that if Tang Xue chose red wine, she would have to keep her company. Fortunately, Tang Xue’s taste was the same as hers, so she didn’t have to force herself.
Sensing Lin Xiaoxiao's happiness, Tang Xue raised her eyebrows slightly, seemingly in a good mood.
Tang Xue had many questions about Lin Xiaoxiao, but she couldn't ask. They were just boss and subordinate. Tang Xue didn't think they could actually become friends just because Lin Xiaoxiao had said she wanted to be friends with her.
At this moment, Tang Xue was unaware that her curiosity about Lin Xiaoxiao would gradually push her closer to Lin Xiaoxiao, making her the person Lin Xiaoxiao was closest to.
She will become the person who understands Lin Xiaoxiao the most, and perhaps even the person who understands Lin Xiaoxiao even more deeply. Of course, these are all things to be discussed later.
"Um, if you don't mind, you can treat me as a confidant. I promise that what we say today will not be known to a third person other than the two of us."
Seeing Tang Xue drinking and looking very sad, Lin Xiaoxiao weakly spoke up. She had no friends before and naturally had no experience in this area, so she had no idea what to do now.
Hearing the somewhat hesitant voice of the person beside her, Tang Xue propped herself up on one leg, rested her head on her knee, and looked at Lin Xiaoxiao with a hint of confusion in her voice, "Tree hole?"
“Yeah.” Lin Xiaoxiao scratched her cheek, glanced at Tang Xue, and immediately looked away. She took a sip of beer, as if trying to bolster her courage. “Don’t be too sad. You’ll definitely meet someone better in the future.”
Tang Xue's eyes were even more confused. She wasn't sad, but she quickly realized what Lin Xiaoxiao was talking about. Startled, Tang Xue sat up straight, staring at the beer in her hand, her mind racing.
Yes, she should be sad, she's heartbroken, but why doesn't she show any sadness at all, especially if Lin Xiaoxiao hadn't brought it up?
She had almost forgotten that she was still heartbroken. Even when she broke up with Lin Yu today, she didn't seem to have much of an emotional reaction.
Tang Xue's relationship with Lin Yu developed naturally, and she couldn't even recall why she had agreed to be with him in the first place.
"Um... I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you." Looking at Tang Xue's profile, Lin Xiaoxiao felt a little lost.
She really didn't know how to comfort her. Now that she saw Tang Xue seemed even more upset because of her words, Lin Xiaoxiao was almost frantic with worry.
Tang Xue turned her head and saw the panic and helplessness on the girl's face. Looking into those eyes that had always seemed to sparkle like stars, she saw deep self-reproach.
Looking at the corners of Lin Xiaoxiao's eyes, which were slightly red from anxiety, Tang Xue's heart skipped a beat. As if possessed, she raised her hand and touched the corners of Lin Xiaoxiao's eyes. "You look better when you smile."
Chapter 22
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Lin Xiaoxiao was stunned. Tang Xue's hand was very hot. Lin Xiaoxiao could feel her eyes burning slightly and unconsciously swallowed.
She was very close to Tang Xue, so close that if she looked closely, she could count how many eyelashes Tang Xue had. Lin Xiaoxiao felt her throat tighten, her eyes widened, and she didn't dare to blink.
"Don't blame yourself, I'm not that sad." Tang Xue chuckled softly, seemingly finding Lin Xiaoxiao's adorable dazed expression cute. "Anyway, thank you very much."
Tang Xue withdrew her hand, hugged her knees, and rested her chin on her knees. "I've known Lin Yu for quite a while, and in my opinion, he's a very polite gentleman."
He was very considerate in everything he did, but only today did I realize that I had never truly understood him, and that I didn't really like him.
To be honest, I only had a good impression of him, not romantic feelings. The reason I accepted his pursuit was because his persistence and dedication moved me, and I thought I had feelings for him.
But it wasn't until today that I realized that after breaking up with him, I didn't feel sad at all; in fact, I felt relieved.
"Don't you think I'm being unreasonable?" Tang Xue tilted her head to look at Lin Xiaoxiao. Perhaps because she had been drinking, Tang Xue's eyes were a little blurry.
The icy aura emanating from her body vanished without a trace, and the way she tilted her head to look at people made her look especially adorable, like a kitten waiting for its owner to pet it.
Lin Xiaoxiao rubbed her restless hands together, coughed lightly, and said with utmost seriousness, "Not at all, not at all."
You accepted his advances because you wanted to give him a chance and reciprocate his feelings. You did nothing wrong; the mistake lies with the person who didn't appreciate it.
The fact that Tang Xue wasn't sad about breaking up with Lin Yu was a huge good thing. It meant that Tang Xue wasn't desperate for Lin Yu yet, and that she could still be saved.
Besides, what's so excessive about it? Compared to the pain Lin Yu inflicted on Tang Xue, kicking her was actually extremely merciful.
If Lin Xiaoxiao's initial purpose in undertaking this mission was to avoid ending up on the streets, then after learning the entire plot and what happened to Tang Xue, her original intention had unknowingly changed.
"Tang Xue, I told you, you deserve better. There's no need to blame yourself for a scumbag. You gave him a chance, but he didn't know how to cherish it. You did nothing wrong."
Lin Xiaoxiao leaned closer to Tang Xue, supporting herself with one hand, and said earnestly, "I will protect you and give you the best of everything. I will definitely find you the most outstanding boyfriend in the world."
Yes, Lin Xiaoxiao felt that a lovely and beautiful girl like Tang Xue deserved to be loved by the whole world. She would do everything she could to avoid the suffering Tang Xue had endured and would never let such a thing happen again.
"You will protect me?" Tang Xue repeated the question, her tone slightly strange. "You will give me the best of everything?"
"Mmm." Lin Xiaoxiao nodded her head vigorously. Tang Xue subconsciously touched Lin Xiaoxiao's forehead. She was really worried that Lin Xiaoxiao's head would fall off.
"What if I don't have the best boyfriend in the world?" Tang Xue smiled, her eyes clear, no longer as confused as before, as if she were joking or just curious.
Lin Xiaoxiao patted her chest and said, "I'll support you. I have money." Lin Xiaoxiao spoke with absolute confidence; indeed, she had money.
If she really couldn't find a suitable man, then she would just support Tang Xue; she would definitely treat her well. "Of course, it still depends on your wishes." After her bold statement, Lin Xiaoxiao felt a little embarrassed.
"Okay," Tang Xue smiled.
Lin Xiaoxiao stared blankly at the girl in front of her who was laughing heartily. Tang Xue was naturally beautiful, but because of her personality, she usually either had a cold face or a polite smile.
Such a genuine smile made Lin Xiaoxiao feel as if she were seeing a sunflower blooming in winter—dazzling and warm.
"What's wrong?" Tang Xue waved her hand in front of Lin Xiaoxiao.
"You're so beautiful," Lin Xiaoxiao blurted out in a daze.
Tang Xue paused for a moment, picked up the beer she had placed aside, lowered her eyes, and took a small sip. From childhood to adulthood, Tang Xue had heard plenty of people praise her appearance, but this time, it seemed a little different.
"You look so beautiful when you smile. You should smile more often." Lin Xiaoxiao praised her again, her praise genuine.
Because Tang Xue is truly beautiful. As the female protagonist of this novel, Tang Xue's looks are absolutely impeccable. Lin Xiaoxiao already thought Tang Xue was stunningly beautiful.
Unexpectedly, when the other person smiled, it really made her heart pound. It's a pity she's straight, otherwise, she would have tried to pursue Tang Xue.
"Thank you." Tang Xue paused for a moment, then softly uttered the two words.
Lin Xiaoxiao scratched her cheek, feeling a little embarrassed. She was the one praising someone else, but somehow she felt like she was the one being praised, which was really quite embarrassing.
"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Lin." Tang Xue picked up her beer, raised it halfway, and smiled. Tang Xue was not an indecisive person.
She had figured it out. She did care about Lin Xiaoxiao. Since she did care and now had the opportunity, she might as well spend more time with her. As for the rest, she would leave it to time.
Although Tang Xue had some doubts about her judgment of people after what happened with Lin Yu, she could still sense that Lin Xiaoxiao's concern for her was genuine.
She didn't want to delve into whether the past events were true or false; she wanted to accept this kindness and understand Lin Xiaoxiao better.