The kiss, however, earned him a sharp tsk from Xiaobao. The brush had slipped, smudging polish onto Yu Xi’s skin.
She reprimanded him in anger, "You ruined it. Don’t disturb him."
Yu Xi chuckled softly, amused by the exchange. Jian Ci straightened, his brows furrowing.
He retorted saying, "I can’t even kiss my man when I co ho?"
Xiaobao was swift with her response saying, "Who do you think he’s trying to look good for, ?"
Jian Ci pursed his lips, unable to refute her words. Unlike Jian Wei, he wasn’t skilled at bantering with Xiaobao, so retreat was his only option.
Yu Xi, sensing his quiet sulk, asked gently, "Are you hungry? I can order sothing."
Jian Ci leaned against the backrest of the couch, his eyes fixed on Yu Xi. "No," he said firmly, "I will make sothing for you."
His gaze trailed from Yu Xi’s eyes down to his lips, and internally he swore. He really wanted to press Yu Xi down and get payback for that ssage.
Yu Xi tilted his head, amused. "Are you really up for it? You must be tired."
Xiaobao chid in, grinning. "Yeah, especially after that beating."
Without hesitation, Jian Ci smacked Xiaobao upside the head.
"Ow!" Xiaobao yelped, rubbing her scalp. "Look what you almost made do! Xi-ge, your boyfriend hit !"
Yu Xi, ever the calm one, acted like a boor parent saying, "Fight it out. Let’s see who wins."
Xiaobao blinked. "???" She pouted dramatically. "Brother, you have changed. I thought in your heart I was the most important. Wait... are you dicmatised by this vixen?"
Jian Ci turned to Yu Xi, his expression asking silently: Can I hit her again?
Yu Xi nodded.
Jian Ci smacked Xiaobao upside the head once more.
"Ouch!" Xiaobao rubbed the back of her head, glaring.
"What do you want to eat?" Jian Ci asked Yu Xi, ignoring her.
"Anything," Yu Xi replied smoothly. "Surprise ."
"I want fish," Xiaobao piped up.
Jian Ci narrowed his eyes. "Did I ask you?"
"No," Xiaobao admitted, "but you can’t say no to your sister-in-law."
Jian Ci froze. "..."
She was right. He couldn’t say no to her.
Minutes later, Jian Ci moved with unusual focus in the kitchen, the quiet hum of appliances filling the air. The scent of lemon and butter rose as he carefully seared the fish, his movents deliberate, almost ceremonial. He laid each fillet atop a bed of fresh spinach, the golden sauce glistening as it pooled gently around the edges. Cooking, for him, was more than a task. It was always a way to steady his emotions.
Xiaobao, when she slt the aroma, kept peeking towards the kitchen. "Let redo this one," she said seeing that it was smudged.
Yu Xi nodded his head saying, "Mm, do my toes too."
Xiaobao’s eyes lit up. She was thrilled her brother was letting her do as she pleased.
When the plates were finished, Jian Ci carried them to the table with quiet pride. "Dinner is ready," he announced, setting down the elegant al. The lemon butter fish glead against the deep green of the spinach, a simple yet refined dish that spoke of care and thoughtfulness.
Xiaobao almost jumped up in excitent. She loved coming here to leech als off Jian Ci. The company was nice, but the food was always divine. She was about to sit down when Jian Ci raised a hand. "Uh uh uh—go wash your dirty paws."
Xiaobao grumbled, dragging herself off to wash her hands.
Yu Xi leaned closer, his eyes warm. "It looks really good."
Jian Ci wrapped his arms around Yu Xi’s waist, his smile seductive, his eyes gleaming. He pulled Yu Xi closer, his voice low. "You made fun of ."
Yu Xi chuckled, feigning innocence. "Did I?... I don’t rember doing that."
Jian Ci’s lips curved into a grin, his gaze trailing down Yu Xi’s face.
Jian Ci smiled, his eyes gleaming. "Really? Maybe this will make you rember."
He pinched Yu Xi’s waist, and Yu Xi laughed, trying to wiggle out of his arms. "Gege, I was wrong, gege!"
Suddenly, Xiaobao returned, drying her hands. "Aren’t you going to tell Xi-ge to wash his hands too?"
Jian Ci chuckled. "No."
"Wow," Xiaobao said, her jaw dropping. "Such obvious double standards."
"Well," Jian Ci replied smoothly, "his nail polish isn’t dry, so I will feed him."
Xiaobao: "..."
She opened her mouth to say it was dry, but Yu Xi nudged her under the table, and she shut up instantly.
"It’s really not dry," Yu Xi said with a sly smile. "Thanks, babe."
Jian Ci’s grin widened. "No need to thank ." He pulled out Yu Xi’s chair, whispering as Yu Xi sat down, "I love to feed you."
Xiaobao felt like she had just been force-fed dog food. It was so unfair. "It’s getting cold," she muttered, trying to distract herself.
Jian Ci sat down, and so did the others. Xiaobao smirked. "Thank you for the food, sister-in-law."
Jian Ci didn’t seem offended. He happily replied, "Enjoy your food. It was made with love."
He lifted a fork, feeding Yu Xi. Yu Xi ate happily, savoring each bite. After three mouthfuls, Yu Xi leaned closer. "Don’t just feed . Eat as well."
Jian Ci’s heart ward. "Little Xi cares about ."
Xiaobao snorted. "Of course he does."
Jian Ci was about to snap back at her when Yu Xi pinched his chin, tilting his face toward him. The playful bickering fell silent, replaced by the quiet intensity of Yu Xi’s gaze.
After dinner, Jian Ci leaned against the doorfra, his expression unreadable.
Xiaobao jumped, startled. "What? I did the dishes like you asked. Why don’t you just use the cleaning robot?"
"It’s therapeutic," Jian Ci replied smoothly. "Now co. I want to talk to you."
Xiaobao followed him reluctantly, muttering under her breath. Jian Ci gestured to the couch. "Sit."
She sat down wondering what he wanted, while Jian Ci perched on the coffee table in front of her.
"What’s up?" she asked.
Jian Ci took a breath, gathering his courage. "Here’s the thing... do you have anyone you like?"
Xiaobao blinked, confused. "Huh?"
"You must have soone," Jian Ci pressed, his tone firm but oddly gentle. "This big brother will help you."
The realization hit her instantly. Xiaobao’s eyes narrowed. "Wait. Are you trying to chase away?"
Jian Ci froze. "...."
Her smirk widened, triumphant. "You are trying to chase away."
Jian Ci rubbed his temples, already regretting starting this conversation.
Reviews
All reviews (0)