Just then, He Su Ye poked his head out, smiling warmly despite the flour on his face, looking very much at home. Fang Ke Xin sat on the sofa, sulking as she watched TV, while some familiar faces from their last gathering greeted Shen Xi Fan.
Li Jie, ever the lively one, immediately said, “I was just talking about you, and here you are! Perfect timing! Shen Xi Fan, come help me make dumplings. You do know how to make dumplings, right? Don’t tell me you don’t!”
Thanks to Li Jie’s antics, Shen Xi Fan ended up covered in flour. Unable to wipe it off with her powder-covered hands, she stood there helplessly until He Su Ye stepped in with a damp towel, gently cleaning her hands. Then, he took off his apron and handed it to her.
“I’ll cook the dumplings. You don’t have to,” he said as he turned toward the kitchen.
Qiu Tian, watching the scene, gave Shen Xi Fan a meaningful glance before following He Su Ye into the kitchen. Fang Ke Xin bit her lip and turned her face away, clearly uneasy.
Leaning against the fridge, Qiu Tian watched He Su Ye put the dumplings into the pot and said confidently, “You like that girl, don’t you?”
He Su Ye’s hand trembled slightly as he held the plate. Turning around with a smile, he openly admitted, “Yes, I do. You figured it out so quickly?”
Qiu Tian looked startled. “Unexpected! Totally unexpected!” Then, switching to his usual playful smirk, he said, “I think she’s great—genuine and kind. So, have you confessed yet, or did she turn you down? Wait, you haven’t confessed, have you? You’re such a slowpoke…”
He Su Ye sighed. “Can you stop being so sharp? It’s terrifying. If Fang Ke Xin finds out what you’re up to, she’ll kill you!”
Qiu Tian snorted. “I just can’t stand how she fawns over you. And you—acting all innocent with your ‘Oh, really?’ and ‘Is that so?’ attitude—it’s unbearable. Why do girls always like you more than me? It’s so unfair!”
He Su Ye squinted at him, thinking, Even I can tell you have feelings for Fang Ke Xin. Why else would you always push Li Jie to convince me that she likes me? Though, maybe you’ve got a point.
Qiu Tian lifted the lid of the pot and said, “Why don’t you confess already?”
Steam clouded the kitchen windows, leaving a thin layer of fog. Through the mist, He Su Ye’s face held a trace of melancholy.
“How can there be a future without letting go of the past? I don’t want to push her or burden her. As long as I’m by her side and she’s happy, that’s enough for me,” he said softly.
Qiu Tian patted his shoulder. “Wow, you’ve evolved faster than Darwin’s theory of evolution. Someone should rewrite it!”
* * *
That evening, everyone ate too much. Lying on the sofa, clutching their stomachs, they groaned, unable to move.
“Senior Brother! Digestive tablets!” Li Jie called out dramatically.
Shen Xi Fan suddenly remembered the experimental medicine He Su Ye had mentioned before and couldn’t help but laugh. Then she saw him walking over with a bowl of something dark and fragrant.
“Could it be the new medicine?” she thought.
It turned out to be a mixture of hawthorn, tangerine peel, and other herbs. Qiu Tian took a bite and listed the ingredients: “Hawthorn, malt, green peel, black plum, bitter orange—is this one of Old Master Gu’s concoctions?”
He Su Ye said seriously, “I just made it for fun in the lab. How does it taste?”
Everyone laughed and grabbed spoons to try it. Shen Xi Fan glanced at He Su Ye, who leaned against the sofa. His bangs fell across his forehead, partially hiding his eyes. Leaning closer, he asked softly, “Little girl, how about going for candied hawthorn tomorrow night?”
Meeting his gaze, she smiled. “Sure. Don’t be late!”
She thought of that candied hawthorn skewer, with its bright red glaze coating the round hawthorn berries. No fancy sesame or bean paste filling—just the simplest and most delicious treat.
Shen Xi Fan had always been an idealistic perfectionist. She hoped her love wouldn’t need diamonds or gold to make it shine. All she wanted was love itself, as pure and timeless as the taste of candied hawthorn—sweet and sour, endlessly satisfying.
And maybe, just maybe, He Su Ye would be the one to hand her that candied hawthorn skewer on a snowy, bustling street.
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