It's a good offer

"Why are you addressing me that way?"

He flashed her a confused look as he ate. "What do you mean?"

Ying Yue rolled her eyes at the man across her. He could act ignorant for all she cares but he wasn't fooling her. "You know what I mean."

Fei Huangjin gave up the act as a naughty look crept on his face. "I told you before that I'd call you Mrs. Fei if you called me Mr. Fei one more time. And I'm not the kind of man who breaks his promises." His last statement seemed to hold a deeper meaning to it, but Ying Yue chose to ignore it and picked up another dumpling. "So, are you willing to take up on my scholarship offer?"

Her movement stilled as she tried to process Fei Huangjin's question. She suddenly didn't know what to say. "Er… it's a good offer."

His deep eyes narrowed at her in curiosity as he sensed that there was a catch. "But?"

There was no way to explain why she couldn't go back to Imperial University without talking to him about Ying Shen. But then again, he already said they'd talk about that after dinner, right? Ying Yue was about to pick up another dumpling, however, she found the box already emptied out. Damn, did she finish everything already? She stole a glance at Fei Huangjin, who was still expecting an answer from her. It seemed like even the dumpling gods were even refusing to take her side. She gulped, "It's connected to the conversation we're having after dinner."

He pretended to think about it for a moment and then nodded. "You can take my box of dumplings if you want."

Her eyes and ears perked up at his suggestion, and she gave him a wide grin. "You're willing to give up your dumplings for me?"

Fei Huangjin's pupils contracted slightly upon hearing her question, and his clear gaze swept over her before he replied in a serious tone, "I could probably give up anything for you."

The unexpected answer made her pause, and Ying Yue could faintly see the pampering look in his eyes as her heart stopped. When she recovered from the surprise, she immediately grabbed his box of dumplings and burrowed herself in it.

The man raised his eyebrows. Here he was, confessing how much he liked her and she chose to eat dumplings instead? He shook his head in exasperation. There were really some things you couldn't rush.

They finished the rest of the meal in a comfortable silence and when Ying Yue got up to clean the table, Fei Huangjin stood up to help.

She raised a speculative brow at him as he folded up his sleeves in front of her. "Have you ever even cleaned after yourself before?"

"Did you think I brought a housekeeper with me when I studied overseas?" He snorted lightly and started piling up the boxes together.

This made Ying Yue smile. She quite enjoyed annoying him like this.

Fei Huangjin segregated the garbage as she wiped the table clean. If anyone saw them like this, they'd certainly assume they were an old, married couple. Their movements echoed each other and neither of them had to say anything to get the other going. In other words, their bodies were in tune, and it seemed like they were connected to each other with an invisible red string.

As Ying Yue hung up the table cloth to dry, two sturdy arms snaked around her waist, pulling her against a hard chest that radiated warmth. Fei Huangjin's chin landed on her shoulder, and she immediately retracted her head away from him to avoid getting tickled by his breath.

He was like a puppy trying to gain her attention and affection. She suddenly wondered if Fei Huangjin would bark if she asked him to.

I could probably give up anything for you.

The memory of his statement during dinner made her nervous, but it also made her slightly giddy. She relaxed herself in his embrace and leaned back, allowing her weight to fall on him. The sweetness of the moment caught her in a crossroad. Once she tumbles over to this path, she wouldn't know which road to turn back to. Or perhaps, there really was no going back. Her mind ultimately raced to thoughts of Ying Shen, and she bit her lip, trying to figure out where she should start.

Dinner was already over. It was time for them to talk about it.