118

In the afternoon, Gu Ran headed to the gym and picked up the remaining nine progress points for the day.

With the accumulated training results from before, he automatically exchanged another talent point.

Now, Gu Ran had three talent points.

Still, he wasn't in a hurry to use them.

On his way back, he stopped by the supermarket to pick up some fresh ingredients.

He had to admit—this really felt like home life.

And the fact that his cohabiting partner was none other than Hollywood princess Anne Hathaway? That just made it even better.

Gu Ran hummed a little tune as he walked back to the villa.

The moment he opened the door, he was greeted by an unexpected sight.

Anne was crouched on the floor, scrubbing the wooden floorboards.

The hardwood floor was polished to perfection—it reflected her silhouette crystal clear.

But Gu Ran… wasn't looking at the floor.

He swallowed instinctively, completely entranced.

That posture…

It was way better than Catwoman riding Batman's motorcycle.jpg.

Anne, feeling the breeze from the door, quickly stood up and smiled sweetly. "Gu, you're back!"

…Holy sh*t.

That single "you're back" was overflowing with happiness!

Trying to maintain his cool and aloof persona in front of the pure and innocent Anne Hathaway was pure suffering.

Gu Ran forced down the sheer joy about to break through his expression and used his acting skills to remain calm and collected.

"…Yeah."

Anne beamed expectantly. "Gu, how did I do? Is the cleaning okay?"

More than okay.

It was fantastic.

But Gu Ran cleared his throat. "You must be hungry. I'll make dinner."

"Yay!" Anne cheered excitedly.

Ever since she tasted his sweet and sour pork, she'd been hooked.

"Gu, let me help!"

"Sure. I'm making scrambled eggs with tomatoes today. Can you beat the eggs for me?"

"…Oh." Anne pulled out an egg from the fridge and, carefully, slapped it with her hand.

Gu Ran: …

Goddess, please…

I'm trying to maintain a cold and distant image.

You being this adorably dumb is making it so hard for me to keep up the act.

"…Anne, maybe you should just watch instead."

"Oh…" She obediently stepped aside.

Gu Ran grabbed two eggs with one hand, cracked them effortlessly on the bowl's edge, and let the yolks drop in.

Anne's eyes widened in amazement—like an innocent girl witnessing magic.

"Wow! That was so cool! Gu, are you a wizard or a chef?"

…It's just cracking eggs.

Every Chinese person can do this.

Goddess, I'm begging you. Please stop praising me—I'm seriously going to get an inflated ego.

As he whisked the eggs swiftly, he casually answered, "Neither. Actually… I'm a football player."

Anne froze in shock.

"Football player? With skills like yours in the kitchen, you're a football player? That's a waste of talent! Gu, what kind of football player are you?"

Gu Ran cleared his throat and said seriously, "I'm a professional footballer."

Anne gasped. "You're a football player? My God! That's incredible! Gu, which team do you play for? Can I watch your matches on TV?"

…This was awkward.

At the moment, he was still playing amateur national league matches.

Without a work permit, he might not even make it into a second-division pro league in the future.

But that was only temporary.

As he stir-fried the eggs, he casually replied, "Unfortunately, you can't watch me on TV right now because… we didn't pay for cable."

"Ah!" Anne looked genuinely disappointed. "That's such a shame! If your football skills are anywhere near as good as your cooking, you must be amazing! I really want to see you play!"

Haha…

The goddess really knows how to talk.

Gu Ran smiled, "One day, you will."

Anne's amber eyes sparkled. "You promise?"

Gu Ran nodded. "Yes, I promise."

I promise that one day, the whole world will stand for me.

Gu Ran felt his blood boiling with excitement, his grip on the spatula overflowing with power.

…And he completely messed up the dish.

Sh*t.

The second meal he made for the goddess… and he failed again.

Feeling a little dejected, he plated the nearly mashed-up tomato and eggs.

"Wow~ it smells amazing! And the color is so pretty!" Anne was practically drooling. "Gu! You're amazing!"

…Please stop praising me. I have dignity…

Gu Ran covered his face.

Even though the dish was a mess, Anne still ate with gusto.

She ate, she praised, and she ate some more.

Gu Ran could barely take it.

After finishing dinner, he immediately stood up. "Let's go for a walk on the beach."

Anne glanced at the plate. "I think I'll skip this time."

Gu Ran frowned. "Nope. If you eat my cooking, you have to go for a walk afterward. Otherwise, I won't cook for you again."

Anne hesitated, then sighed. "…Fine. But you go wait in the living room. I'll wash the dishes real quick."

She put on an apron and started washing up.

Seeing her so enthusiastic about chores made Gu Ran feel oddly proud.

"Alright, don't take too long. I'll be waiting in the living room."

He turned and left.

But just as he reached the living room, he suddenly remembered something.

Tomorrow morning, he had training camp.

He should ask Anne if she wanted him to leave her some breakfast.

So, he turned back to the kitchen—

And froze in his tracks.

Anne was holding up the plate of scrambled eggs with tomatoes—

Licking it.

Anne Hathaway. Licking. The plate.

If licking plates wasn't elegant, then why did she make it look so elegant?!

Her fingers delicately pinched the plate, pinkies raised slightly, like some high-class aristocrat savoring fine cuisine.

Anne sensed someone's gaze.

She turned her head—

Their eyes met.

Her face flushed crimson all the way to her neck.

Anne: Oh my God. This is so embarrassing.

I've never done anything this humiliating in my life, and of all people, GU had to see it?!

Gu Ran: Oh my God. My cold and aloof persona—

I just saw the goddess's most unfiltered moment! This is even more exciting than seeing her change clothes!

Gu Ran immediately turned around and left.

Anne hurriedly put the plate down and cleaned up.

…Both of them pretended nothing happened.

Five minutes later, they walked along the beach under the moonlight.

This time, Gu Ran didn't forcefully hold her hand.

Neither of them spoke.

They just walked silently, side by side.

Back at the villa, Anne hesitated, then finally said, "Gu, about earlier in the kitchen… It's not what you think. There was an egg stain on the plate, and I didn't want to dirty my hands, so I just…"

Gu Ran quickly nodded. "I understand. I totally understand."

The awkwardness was palpable.

Anne's face burned. "…Goodnight, Gu."

"…Goodnight, Anne."

Gu Ran showered, used the liquid nitrogen cryo-chamber and sauna, then lay in bed.

But he couldn't sleep.

His mind was completely filled with the mental gif of Anne licking the plate.

Damn it.

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