46_Cooking Together

After the warm shower, both of them got dressed and were ready to cook for real. Li Yao pulled Mu Lihai's hand to the kitchen and he had a small smile over his face. He liked it when Li Yao was clingy like this. Even in her own home, she wanted to pull his hand with hers. Li Yao might or might not realize it though.

"Now, let's do it." she beamed. Her hands magically working on the counter and Mu Lihai resumed his job with the veggies.

Mu Lihai would occasionally stole glances towards Li Yao and sometimes he would smile to himself. Thinking about their bright future together.

Li Yao noticed him glancing at her and she turned to him. Giving him a face that asked what was it about. Mu Lihai didn't know what got to him but he suddenly averted his eyes from her. He looked at everything but her. His eyes even trailed on the broccoli in his hands that he found very interesting out of the blue.

".. What's wrong?" Li Yao took a step near Mu Lihai. Touching her hand on his shoulder lightly. The touch sent electrifying sensation over his whole being that he felt so surreal about the whole thing.

"Nothing." he smiled.

"I just thought that I like this."

"You like.. this?" Li Yao didn't get his meaning. She thought he was talking about the broccoli.

"I like it when it's just you and I. I don't think I can make it if you're not in my life anymore, Li Yao." Mu Lihai confessed. It was his real feelings.

Li Yao wasn't able to utter a single word. Overwhelmed by Mu Lihai's honest reply, she pushed her head down, seemingly a little bit shy.

Then in a second, she looked up again. Tiptoing and facing Mu Lihai straight in the face, Li Yao gave a quick peck on his cheek. A tint of blush was evident on her face.

"I like this too. Just so you know, I wish that time should just stop at this moment." Li Yao giggled softly at her own remark.

She knew it was impossible for time to stop. But she said it nonetheless. She was happy to be with Mu Lihai because only the best things happened when she was with him. Only good memories emerged when they were together. Ever since they decided to date, Mu Lihai had been a very good man to her. Li Yao loved his gentleness and how considerate he was. She felt loved. After six years of being alone, she finally got a someone who cared for her deeply.

"Li Yao." Mu Lihai slowly embraced Li Yao when he saw her thinking deeply. The look on her expression told him that she was thinking about them. Li Yao had that gentle expression that he was mesmerized with.

"I love you." he whispered. Li Yao hugged him back with arms around his waist.

"I know." she answered with eyes closed. Relishing in the warmth of his embrace.

They continued working in the kitchen with Li Yao boiling chicken soup and cooking the rice. Mu Lihai finished rinsing the veggies and he helped Li Yao making mixed stir fry vegetables beside her. Then he helped Li Yao in making sweet and sour pork dish.

Mu Lihai was so great in cooking that even Li Yao was surprised. He told her that it came from his experience in living alone overseas for his studies. He knew many recipes that most men found impossible to make. And Li Yao found Mu Lihai even more attractive than ever because of this.

More than an hour passed and Li Yao was now peeling oranges to make fresh orange juice. Mu Lihai was setting the table as she was busy working on the blender.

They were so in sync that it felt like they had done this before. Mu Lihai's coordination with Li Yao was superb like a professional sou chef.

When everything was done, Mu Lihai helped his girlfriend in cleaning up the kitchen. Only then did they settled in the dining table to start their dinner.

"I hope you don't mind that we don't have alcohol drinks for dinner tonight." Li Yao sat in the table beside Mu Lihai.

"It's fine. We can stock up some beer or wine in the fridge later." Mu Lihai said as he took Li Yao's hand in his. Li Yao smiled brightly when she heard him. That only meant one thing- he would stock up drinks in the fridge and he would visit often.

He propped one arm on the table and his side face was on his palm. He looked dashing but lazy overall. It gave him a fresh look that Li Yao liked to see.

"Let's eat." she said after she gave a squeeze on his hand.

Both Mu Lihai and Li Yao was content. The feeling of cooking together did wonders to them. It felt magical. And they wanted it to last for long.

"How about we cook together sometimes?" Mu Lihai proposed. Li Yao smiled at his idea.

"Let's do that. How about two to three times a week?" she suggested.

"Alright. Even if you ask me to cook seven times a week with you, I will still do it." Mu Lihai told her and she beamed at his words. Li Yao's happiness was profound and he was glad for it.

Bliss surrounded the couple as they enjoyed their dinner. Unaware of what was about to crash their way.