Qiao Anchen walked forward step by step, his steps were very steady, just like his whole person. He didn't speak, his lips were slightly pursed, and his profile was calm and cold.
In this silent, snowy night, it seemed to be the only light that existed.
Chapter 20
Chu Yi leaned against Qiao Anchen's back, feeling that time was passing very quickly. Before she could really appreciate it, they had already arrived at their doorstep.
"Go take a shower quickly," Qiao Anchen said after putting her down. Chu Yi nodded and bent down to change her shoes.
My feet were still cold, but very clean, without any wet or sticky feeling.
She took the tissue down and watched as Qiao Anchen took off his coat and hung it on the coat rack. His sweater outlined his back, which was straight and slender.
Memories of what had just happened involuntarily surfaced in Chu Yi's mind. She pursed her lips, but couldn't help but let them curve into a slight smile.
After taking a hot shower, Chu Yi felt like she was reborn. As she dried her hair, she walked outside and saw that all the windows in the house were closed.
Qiao Anchen was cooking in the kitchen, and the smell of ginger filled the air.
"Dry your hair, don't catch a cold." Hearing the noise, he turned around and glanced back. Chu Yi replied "okay," then went to the coffee table to find the hairdryer and sat down on the sofa.
Just as the food was half-dried, Qiao Anchen brought over a bowl of something dark and murky, which made Chu Yi a little scared.
“Mom just called to ask if we’ve gotten home yet. I casually mentioned that your shoes were wet, and she asked me to make you some ginger soup.”
Qiao Anchen felt a little awkward. "Although it doesn't look very appealing, I just tasted it and it tastes alright."
“…Okay.” Chu Yi reluctantly took it and tentatively pursed her lips.
It's sweet with a hint of spiciness.
She tilted her head back and drank it all in one gulp.
"Alright." As if she had completed a task, Chu Yi handed the bowl to Qiao Anchen with a sigh of relief. He took it without saying a word and turned to take it to the kitchen.
Chu Yi continued to blow-dry her hair.
A short while later, Qiao Anchen came over carrying a basin of hot water.
"Why don't you soak your feet tonight?"
The basin was placed at her feet, emitting wisps of heat that seemed to blur Chu Yi's vision.
"Did Mom say that too?"
“No,” Qiao Anchen paused and said, “I always soak my feet in hot water after they get frostbite.”
"This will be more comfortable."
Chu Yi lowered her eyes and stared at the basin of hot water in front of her. After a while, she stretched out her foot and gently touched it. It was very hot, and the heat seemed to penetrate her skin and seep into her body from the soles of her feet.
"Okay," she said softly, carefully placing her feet little by little into the hot water until they were completely submerged, feeling the warmth wash over her.
"Then you can tidy yourself up after you're done soaking. I'm going to take a shower first," Qiao Anchen said. Chu Yi looked up and nodded.
"Okay, go ahead."
When Qiao Anchen came out, Chu Yi had already finished everything and was on the bed. She was flipping through her iPad when she saw him and immediately waved.
"What do you think about me signing up for an amateur hobby class?" Chu Yi slid the page to show him.
"There are desserts, cooking, flower arranging, and yoga..."
Qiao Anchen looked at it carefully for a moment and offered his suggestions, "I think yoga and cooking would be good; you need some exercise since you stay home all day." As for cooking, that was just his personal preference...
Chu Yi glanced at him knowingly, "Do you think my cooking is bad?"
Qiao Anchen: "No." He denied it very quickly, his expression extremely sincere.
"I mean, if you have this itinerary, you can take the opportunity to learn it. After all, learning is endless, and it's always good to learn more and improve yourself."
His tone was normal, but Qiao Anchen didn't realize he was talking too much, like someone trying to cover up something by desperately making excuses.
He nodded as if he had just learned something.
"You're right." She paused, pretending not to see Qiao Anchen's relieved expression, and then said.
"So I'll sign up for a dessert class."
Qiao Anchen: ...Alright then. We're all one family, so desserts are desserts. It's good to try something different every time.
He stood to the side, bent down to shake the blanket, climbed onto the bed, and looked solemnly at Chu Yi.
"As long as you like it, that's all that matters."
“However…” He paused again as he picked up the book, as if remembering something.
"Why did you suddenly decide to sign up for a class? Are you too bored at home?"
“Yes.” Chu Yi said casually, her eyes still glued to the tablet as she checked the course details.
“You’re always at work and working overtime and I don’t see you all day, so I need to find something else to do to distract myself.”
...to shift attention?
Qiao Anchen seemed to sense that something was amiss, but after thinking about it, he nodded and said.
"That's good. It's better to go out more than to stay cooped up at home all the time."
Chu Yi paused for a moment while scrolling through the page, but her expression remained unchanged; she simply ignored him.
Two days later, Chu Yi received a call from the tutoring center, inviting her to try out the course. The location wasn't far, but she still had to take a bus. Luckily, Qiao Anchen was on vacation at home.
"I'll take you there." He stood up and prepared to leave.
Chu Yi discovered a special quality in Qiao Anchen.
He was like a blank sheet of paper when it came to romantic relationships, so clean that he had no awareness whatsoever, and even seemed to have a built-in shield against it, so simple and dull that it was terrifying.
But he has excellent character; he cares for and respects women, and is very gentlemanly in matters within his ability. If we disregard romantic feelings and focus solely on his qualities as a husband, he would be considered extremely qualified.
The two arrived at the training center, which was a standalone building near the city center. The surrounding environment was nice, quiet and elegant, and the interior was decorated in a campus style.
This building is full of training classes, with different classrooms and courses. We met many students along the way. After visiting the dessert classroom, Chu Yi paid his tuition on the spot.
It's still early to go back. I just looked around at the strawberry mousse, matcha cake, mango crepes... Chu Yi is starting to lose control of her appetite.
"Let's go to that dessert shop in Cube City and buy some food!" Chu Yi said, looking up at Qiao Anchen. He had no objections.
"Okay, I'll go get the car."
Cube City is nearby, just a ten-minute drive away. Inside, there's a dessert shop called Encounter. I often come here; the shop is quite popular, especially during holidays.
There were a few people in line at the order counter. Chu Yi naturally chose the strawberry soufflé without hesitation, while Qiao Anchen stared at the picture and pondered, but they still hadn't made a decision by the time it was their turn.
"Then let's have the same as mine." Chu Yi cut to the chase and said directly to the waiter, "Two strawberry soufflés, oh no, let's change the other one to matcha."
The matcha at this shop is less sweet than the strawberry one. Considering Qiao Anchen's straightforward taste, Chu Yi thoughtfully changed the flavor for him.
After placing her order, she turned around and looked around the store. There weren't many people there at the moment, and there were a few empty tables in the corner.
"Let's eat there." Chu Yi pointed, and Qiao Anchen nodded in agreement.
"Um."
The two carried their plates to their seats. Chu Yi swallowed hard, holding a fork, and immediately started eating.
The soft, fluffy soufflé topped with a whole strawberry was so delicious that Chu Yi's heart melted as she ate it. Qiao Anchen looked at her with her eyes closed and a blissful expression on her face, finding it hard to believe.
He took apart the fork beside him.
Qiao Anchen took a bite.
Honestly, he really couldn't understand what was so delicious about this sweet and sticky stuff.
Chu Yi was still looking at him with anticipation.
"How is it? Is it delicious?"
Qiao Anchen: "...I want to drink water."
"..." Chu Yi remained silent.
Having been married to Qiao Anchen for half a year, Chu Yi could often understand the meaning behind a single expression or a simple word from him.
She cut her losses in time and stopped trying to humiliate herself.
The two ate in silence... no, it should be said that Chu Yi ate her soufflé alone, while Qiao Anchen waited listlessly, his gaze occasionally sweeping around the store.
A pair of students sat down next to me. I couldn't tell their exact age, but they were wearing blue school uniforms under their down jackets. Their faces were clean and youthful, and they were smiling happily at each other.
"Piggy, I want to try yours~" the girl said sweetly. The boy smiled indulgently, used his fork to scoop out a bite for her, and brought it to her lips.
"Hey~"
"Mmm, so sweet!" The girl's eyes lit up with surprise, and she scooped a spoonful of cake from the cake in front of her and handed it over.
"Try mine too."
"It's sweeter than mine," the boy said after tasting it.
"Really?" The girl blushed, unable to hide her joy, and the boy softened his voice.
"Yes, because you fed me, there was double the sugar in it."
Qiao Anchen: "..."
He couldn't help but frown. Chu Yi noticed his gaze was fixed in that direction, so she followed his gaze and also caught a glimpse of the scene. She understood immediately.
"Look, in this day and age, kids are just as good at dating as adults."
"Some adults are even worse than them." Chu Yi made a pointed remark, using a sarcastic remark to criticize the underlying issue.
"Outrageous." Qiao Anchen's brows remained furrowed as he uttered this sentence, making Chu Yi almost doubt her ears.
"What?"
Qiao Anchen turned around with a serious expression, looking very focused.
“If it were my son, I would have killed him long ago.”
"..." No, Chu Yi didn't want her future son to have a father like that.
The thought had barely formed when a sudden realization struck her.