Chapter 9

Putting on an apron, washing and cutting vegetables, cooking was not a difficult task for Jiang Fan, and he didn't dislike it at all. His knife skills, though not exquisite, were sufficient for home cooking. It might not have the flavor of a professional chef's, but it was still a complete meal with color, aroma, and taste.

While Jiang Fan was washing the vegetables, Tang Wan snuck into the kitchen, folding her arms behind her back and curiously looking at the ingredients in the sink. She whispered, "Hey? All of these are my favorite foods? Aren't you afraid that I won't come back today?"

Jiang Fan continued washing the vegetables seriously without turning his head and replied softly, "You don't like the smell in the kitchen, so why did you come in? I'm not picky about food. If you don't come back, I'll still eat."

"Huh? Jiang Fan, you've changed. Men are indeed fickle. It's only been a few days since the divorce, and you're already treating me so coldly. Don't forget that I'm still your creditor. Pay me back! Pay me back! If you're not picky, why didn't you buy crabs?"

Crabs were always something Tang Wan bought ready-made to eat. In the three years after their marriage, she and Jiang Fan had only argued once. The reason was that Tang Wan had bought crabs and asked Jiang Fan to cook them, but Jiang Fan couldn't bring himself to do it and put them in the fish tank to keep them alive. Then, the next day, Tang Wan threw the lively crabs into a pot of boiling water, and Jiang Fan's face remained gloomy for the entire evening. He didn't make dinner, nor did he wash the dishes or clean the kitchen.

Tang Wan knew she had spoken out of line, but Jiang Fan didn't take it to heart. He turned around and walked out of the kitchen. When Tang Wan thought Jiang Fan was going to stop working again, he came back, holding an extra box of yogurt.

"Go, sit on the sofa and drink this. Don't bother me here," he said.

After the divorce, Jiang Fan didn't treat Tang Wan with deference anymore. In his mind, there was no idea of pleasing women. People were equal, with no distinction of high or low, even if you were the creditor now. But Tang Wan didn't leave. She didn't realize that when she said Jiang Fan had changed, she had also changed, possibly because the relationship between them had changed.

"We're not a couple anymore."

"Hmm? We need to put more chili in the pork intestine for it to taste good."

"Have you forgotten about the time when you were almost in agonizing pain on the bed at 2 am and we spent the whole night at the hospital?"

That was in the second year after their marriage. In winter, Tang Wan wanted to eat spicy boiled fish, and she wanted it to be the spiciest. Then, in the middle of the night, Tang Wan was rushed to the hospital. The doctor diagnosed her with intestinal spasms. The antispasmodic injection didn't work, and the IV drip didn't help. In the end, Jiang Fan had no choice but to keep giving Tang Wan water to drink.

Jiang Fan stayed by the bedside for a whole night, while Tang Wan moaned and groaned on the hospital bed. Because Tang Wan disturbed the rest of the others, Jiang Fan almost got into a fight with someone at the hospital.

Tang Wan also recalled this incident. She used to think it was Jiang Fan's responsibility, but now she felt that it should also be considered a small happiness, even though it was just a contractual marriage.

"Then put less chili and make the heat higher. Is there any soup?"

"Egg soup, Miss Tang! If you're not busy, can you help me bring the tableware upstairs?"

"Sure, Mr. Jiang."

Tang Wan left the kitchen, and Jiang Fan couldn't help but smile. At this moment, his phone suddenly rang. Jiang Fan hurriedly took out his phone and saw that it was an unfamiliar number.

"Hello."

"Sir, would you like our on-site service? We are the best in the country..."

Jiang Fan directly hung up the phone. There were too many scammers nowadays.

For dinner, there were three dishes and one soup. If Tang Wan weren't here, Jiang Fan might not have cooked at all. At the dining table, both Jiang Fan and Tang Wan were quiet, eating in silence, as if they had returned to their life three years ago. After the meal, Jiang Fan cleared the table and washed the dishes, and Tang Wan voluntarily helped. Then, her little toe accidentally hit the table leg, and Jiang Fan had to find a Band-Aid for her, but unfortunately, there wasn't one at home.

After washing the dishes, Jiang Fan returned to the sofa and took out his laptop to prepare for his studies when Tang Wan came, dressed in casual clothes.

"Mr. Jiang, do you want to go downstairs and take a walk? I, the princess, am giving you a chance to protect me."

"No."

"Jiang Fan!"

"No! I have some things to look at."

Tang Wan was annoyed. She took a deep breath and then smiled at Jiang Fan, calling out in a coquettish voice.

"Fan-gege (a playful term for an older brother or a close male friend), I want to..."

"I'll go downstairs. Shut up."

"You're so unromantic!"

Jiang Fan couldn't withstand Tang Wan's attack, which was both physical and had a magical armor-piercing effect. He raised his hand in surrender and went downstairs.

Tang Wan, with her natural beauty, impressive height, and slender legs, was a sight to behold wherever she went. Jiang Fan, who was by her side, was also handsome.

This pair of attractive young people instantly became the focus of attention in the community, drawing gazes from all around. When they reached the basketball court, Tang Wan said she was too tired to walk and wanted to go to the supermarket to buy water. She asked Jiang Fan what he wanted to drink, but Jiang Fan looked at the supermarket and then at his own home, shaking his head and saying he would drink when they got back.

Tang Wan muttered "moneygrubber" under her breath and then jogged to the supermarket, no longer showing any signs of exhaustion. Jiang Fan, left alone at the basketball court, felt somewhat tempted to join in and get some exercise.

Just then, a kid around twenty years old twisted his ankle, leaving the basketball game with one player short. Everyone's gaze fell on Jiang Fan, and one of them asked if he could come and fill in for a while, as someone would take his place later.

Jiang Fan, who had not touched a basketball for a long time, was a bit unskilled. After failing to catch two passes, he was rejected by his teammates. However, the proud Jiang Fan couldn't just leave in such a disgraceful manner. He took off his coat and rejoined the game, taking his time to find his rhythm after receiving the ball.

As the sweat dripped down, his hand feel improved. Layups, three-pointers, steals, assists – except for rebounds, Jiang Fan was in his best form. Just when Jiang Fan was feeling a little complacent, the atmosphere on the court suddenly changed. The young men on the court seemed like they had been injected with adrenaline, their speed skyrocketed, and there were even slam dunks.

While Jiang Fan was puzzled, he noticed that the injured kid was staring straight at someone outside the court. Jiang Fan turned his head and saw that it was Tang Wan who had returned, sitting on a chair and talking on her phone.

"My husband doesn't need any on-site services, and he doesn't eat snacks."

Tang Wan looked confused and serious as she spoke. The charming voice on the phone replied in a coquettish tone,

"Oh! Sister, you're wrong about that. Which man doesn't seek something new? The flowers you cultivate yourself are not as fragrant as wildflowers."

"Well, he doesn't go for that. Wildflowers are dirty."

The other party fell silent, seemingly hurt by this remark. You could hear her taking deep breaths to adjust her state.

"Don't worry, sister. I'll attract him."

"Auntie, you're very confident? My husband only likes women with long legs. By the way, I'm 1.72 meters tall. Auntie, are you over 1.7 meters?"

"That's too much!"

The call was hung up. The game was also over. In the last few minutes, Jiang Fan had been brutally defeated. Then, under the gaze of everyone on the court, he walked to the uncommonly beautiful woman, took a bottle of water, and gulped it down.

"Hmm? Is this flower already taken?"

Jiang Fan didn't bother with the thoughts of those kids. He looked at the phone in Tang Wan's hand and asked with confusion,

"My phone? Someone was looking for me?"

Tang Wan smiled and shook her head.

"It was a nuisance call. I saw you being beaten so badly on the court that I couldn't stand to watch anymore. So I picked up the phone to pass the time. How was it? Do you feel like you're getting old and your stamina is depleted?"

Jiang Fan shrugged.

"Having a top-tier beauty like you here is much more effective than any stimulant. Let's go. Otherwise, those kids will see me as a rival."

Just as he finished speaking, the sound of a basketball came from behind. The young man who had made several slam dunks came to stand behind Jiang Fan, saying he wanted a one-on-one game. Jiang Fan didn't refuse, but the result was that he was beaten black and blue. The young man was overjoyed, thinking he would gain the favor of the goddess, but then he found that the goddess was covering her mouth and sneaking a laugh at Jiang Fan. When she looked at him, her eyes were as cold as frost.

Jiang Fan and Tang Wan left.

The people on the court also lost their interest in playing basketball. They sat on the ground like wilted eggplants. The young man who had made the slam dunks sighed in disappointment.

"Why keep playing basketball? Wouldn't it be better to use this time to find a girlfriend?"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

In a luxurious apartment in the city, a woman stood angrily in front of the mirror, gritting her teeth.

"You're proud of being 1.72 meters tall? Do you think I'm a short person at 1.8 meters? Damn it, this ruler is inaccurate. How did I become 1.66 meters?"