The lock turned softly from inside, and the next second, Mu Wannuo’s figure appeared behind the door.
Her expression was calm, completely indifferent to the argument that had just happened.
Mu Wannuo peeked out, first scanning the clothes on Ning Chuxue to confirm they were the set she had left on her office desk, then reassured, she stepped aside to let Ning Chuxue in.
Her expression showed no change throughout, as if nothing had happened.
Seeing Mu Wannuo appear, Ning Chuxue instinctively wanted to apologize, but the other spoke first: “Come inside first. It’s cold out there.”
Ning Chuxue was momentarily speechless and could only follow along.
A hint of warmth still flowed through her heart. Mu Wannuo’s first words weren’t blame but concern, and that warmth spread through her entire body.
Ning Chuxue temporarily set aside the guilt in her heart and stepped into the rental apartment.
Compared to the stench of gutters and cooking oil outside, Mu Wannuo’s rental apartment only smelled of perfume, with none of those unpleasant odors.
Mu Wannuo led Ning Chuxue from the entryway to the living room sofa.
After settling Ning Chuxue on the sofa, she returned to the kitchen to continue her work.
But she paused briefly at the kitchen doorway.
Then she walked behind the door, locked the living room door, and only then stepped into the kitchen.
Ning Chuxue noticed it but didn’t think much of it.
Taking advantage of the brief lull, she let her eyes wander, taking in the rental apartment.
The decor was simple—walls painted white, with a few stickers bearing the character for fortune.
The sofa was positioned against the right wall. Sitting on it, Ning Chuxue could see two bedrooms and a bathroom straight ahead.
The kitchen was beside the entrance, to the left as soon as you walked in.
Ning Chuxue sat on the sofa, bored. The air conditioning had already been turned on to blow warm air, as if to keep her from catching a chill.
Before long, Mu Wannuo walked over from the kitchen carrying a bowl of sour fish soup.
The aroma of the sour fish soup instantly drifted into Ning Chuxue’s nose, assaulting her senses.
Seeing Ning Chuxue with drool at the corners of her mouth, completely unbothered about her image, Mu Wannuo couldn’t help but smile.
She set the plate of sour fish soup on the table, pulled a paper from the tissue box on the table, and wiped the corner of Ning Chuxue’s mouth. “How’s big sister’s cooking? Does Chuxue like it?”
“I love it!” Ning Chuxue nodded quickly, praising without reservation.
Tossing the tissue into the nearby trash can, Mu Wannuo pinched Ning Chuxue’s tender cheek, just like she had when they were kids.
“Don’t rush. It’s still hot. Let it sit for a bit before eating.”
“Okay!” Ning Chuxue agreed obediently, completely forgetting why she had come to the rental apartment in the first place.
Or rather, she had now been completely “bewitched” by the plate of sour fish soup in front of her.
“Mu Wan jie, is it really okay for me to eat something this strongly flavored?”
Ning Chuxue asked curiously. Wen Yasheng often reminded her not to eat strongly flavored foods carelessly, nagging at least once a day—she had long grown tired of hearing it.
“Eating it once in a while is fine. I didn’t add much salt or other seasonings.”
Mu Wannuo had checked the reports at the archive room. Eating a little occasionally wouldn’t hurt her body or worsen her condition.
But she couldn’t eat too much.
“That’s good to know.”
Ning Chuxue had thought she wouldn’t be able to eat it, but with Mu Wannuo’s assurance, that worry faded away.
She picked up the chopsticks beside her and, under Mu Wannuo’s expectant gaze, picked up a piece of fish and put it in her mouth.
A delicious, tender taste with a faint sourness.
Soon, the smooth, silky texture filled her mouth. There was just no spiciness—probably because Mu Wannuo hadn’t added any chili or the like.
Mu Wannuo quietly watched Ning Chuxue’s content expression, not disturbing her.
By the time Ning Chuxue set down her chopsticks, the small bowl of rice had been completely cleaned out, leaving only some broth and rice grains behind.
“Does Chuxue want more rice?”
Mu Wannuo pulled out a tissue and carefully wiped the grease and rice grains from the corner of Ning Chuxue’s mouth.
Ning Chuxue didn’t resist.
“I’m full. I can’t eat any more.”
Ning Chuxue’s diet had always been bland before, so trying something with a bit more flavor for once naturally delighted her.
Mu Wannuo smiled slightly and carried Ning Chuxue’s bowl into the kitchen.
The faint sound of running water came from the kitchen—Mu Wannuo washing the dishes.
The small rental apartment was especially quiet, leaving only the gentle sound of water and the low hum of the air conditioning, wrapping the room in warmth.
Ning Chuxue leaned obediently against the soft sofa back, her belly slightly protruding, her whole body filled with a relaxed, full sensation.
The anxiety from the argument with Mu Wannuo, the panic of running through the rain, the guilt of searching everywhere without finding her—all of it was mostly soothed by that bowl of warm sour fish soup.
She tilted her face and quietly looked toward the kitchen.
Warm yellow light fell on Mu Wannuo’s silhouette, outlining her soft contours.
The young woman stood tall and graceful, her movements calm and meticulous. The way she washed the dishes was gentle and orderly, without the slightest rush.
From the concerned “It’s cold out there” at the door, to personally cooking for her, patiently telling her to eat slowly, and then carefully wiping the grease from her mouth—every detail was gentle beyond words.
But deep in Ning Chuxue’s heart, that faint, lingering unease never fully dissipated.
She clearly remembered the small gesture of Mu Wannuo instinctively locking the door when they came in.
It was subtle and natural, like a habit carved into her bones, yet it made her heart sink slightly.
Before long, Mu Wannuo finished tidying up, dried her hands, and walked out of the kitchen.
“Stuffed?” Mu Wannuo walked slowly to her, bent down slightly, and reached out to gently ruffle her soft hair, her movements tender and affectionate.
Ning Chuxue nodded lightly and replied in a soft, sweet voice: “Mm, it was really good.”
Seeing the pure satisfaction in her eyes, Mu Wannuo’s heart felt warm and content.
Compared to the confrontation of arguing, the emptiness of the cold war, she preferred Chuxue like this—completely reliant, completely unguarded.
“You changed your clothes, but you got caught in the rain earlier, and the dampness has soaked in.” Mu Wannuo’s fingertips lightly brushed over Ning Chuxue’s sleeve, the touch slightly cool, her tone carrying a gentle insistence that left no room for refusal.
“Sit and rest for a bit. I’ll go run you some hot water. Take a bath to ward off the chill, or you’ll risk catching a cold and a fever tonight.”
Hearing this, Ning Chuxue was momentarily stunned.
She had been so absorbed in Mu Wannuo’s attentive care that she had completely forgotten the fact that she had been soaked by the rain.
Although she had come by car the whole way, during the short walk after getting out, her pant legs and sides had gotten wet.
“Mm… okay.”
Just as Mu Wannuo had said, if she left it alone like this, she would very likely catch a cold.
Ning Chuxue had no reason to refuse, so she could only agree.
Before long, Mu Wannuo, having finished running the hot water, appeared at the bathroom door.
“The hot water’s ready. Chuxue, come over.”
Ning Chuxue looked at Mu Wannuo, who had prepared bath towels for two people.
Ning Chuxue froze for a moment. Looking at Mu Wannuo at the bathroom door, a bad premonition welled up inside her.
“Mu Wan jie, you’re not planning to bathe with me, are you?”