"No fair! I don’t want you holding me! *Sniffle*... Big meanie brother... *sob*..." Yanxi tried pushing Lingyuan away with her hands.

There was no way he’d let go. If he did, she’d only cry harder.

To calm her down, he had to hold her tight. She’d quiet down soon enough.

"You’re so bad, *sniff*..." Unable to break free, Yanxi buried her face against his chest and kept crying.

After a while, her sobs finally stopped. She lifted her tear-filled eyes and murmured, "Why do you smell so nice?"

"Huh? Do I?" Lingyuan tugged at his collar to sniff—detecting nothing unusual. "I don’t think so."

"Yes you do. Like lavender."

"Really?"

Flustered, Lingyuan loosened his hold and frantically sniffed his clothes.

Yanxi, however, felt a sudden chill of crisis. Watching his frantic movements, she narrowed her eyes like needles. "Did you and Yixinxue... do anything today?"

Lingyuan froze. He didn’t want to relive today’s nightmare.

"No way. Several classmates were in that lecture. Must’ve been the diffuser at our class rep’s place."

His flimsy excuse reeked of lies.

Yanxi’s eyes sharpened as she scrutinized him like an interrogator. "Hmm... You didn’t let Yixinxue sleep with you, did you?"

Lingyuan’s expression locked rigid.

Women’s intuition was terrifyingly accurate—Yanxi had already pieced together ninety percent of the truth.

"Do you really think that’s possible?"

"Not really. Yixinxue wouldn’t like someone like you." Yanxi pondered aloud. "A girl like her needs someone exceptional. But me? No one loves you more than I do. No one deserves you more!"

"Uh..."

"Even if you fail all your classes. Even if you’re useless later in life—it’s fine! Yanxi can support you!"

"I’m not *that* hopeless... ‘useless later in life’?!" Lingyuan’s lips twitched in protest.

"Let’s just eat." He dodged the topic and headed straight for the dining table.

"It’s all cold now."

"Ah! Wait—I’ll reheat it!" Yanxi snatched the dishes and dashed into the kitchen.

"Careful! Don’t trip—" Lingyuan called helplessly after her.

"I’ll be fine!"

Moments later, she placed a steaming plate of sauerkraut fish before him.

Lingyuan had never seen so many fish slices in one dish. Others’ versions hid fish beneath bean sprouts—Yanxi’s made you search for bean sprouts in a sea of fish.

"Smells and looks amazing. Bet it’s delicious."

"Trust Yanxi! I tasted every bit!" She puffed out her chest, brimming with confidence.

"Alright, let’s see." Lingyuan picked up a slice. It bounced playfully on his chopsticks—clearly tender.

*She really put her heart into this.*

He slid it into his mouth. His brows furrowed slightly.

Both loved spice, but overwhelming heat ruined a dish’s balance. This sauerkraut fish drowned in numbing pepper—no trace of fish or sour cabbage remained.

Still, for Yanxi? It was impressive progress.

"Well? How is it?!" she pressed eagerly.

"Mmm! Amazing! Just... use less chili next time, and it’ll be perfect. You’ve improved so much."

Despite its flaws, Lingyuan was genuinely impressed.

"Told you! This is my most successful attempt ever!"

Praise melted away her earlier gloom. She’d never mention the four failed batches that sacrificed four fish—or the other dishes ruined by too much salt, sugar, or blandness.

"So, Brother dear." Yanxi leaned forward, hands on the table, suddenly serious. "Coming home this late... you owe me emotional distress payment, don’t you?"

"Huh?" Lingyuan paused mid-bite.

"My demands are modest! Tomorrow’s Sunday—take me to a movie. Then hotpot and shopping. Fair, right~?"

The old Lingyuan would’ve refused. Not now.

Compared to the class rep’s demands? This was nothing.

"Sure. No problem."

"Eh?! You agreed just like that?!" Yanxi gaped, readying tearful pleas that now hung unused. "Which movie?"

"*Fortress at Sea*, I think. New release." She showed him her phone screen.

"Heard it’s terrible."

"Not necessarily! Big stars are in it—I’m excited." She slid beside him, leaning gently against his shoulder. "Besides... I just want to watch it with you."

"Your call. I’m easy." Lingyuan set down his chopsticks. "I’m full. I’ll wrap the leftovers—they’ll last a few days."

*Heavy flavors stretch meals. This’ll cover that cat food bandit’s cost.*

"Sounds so stingy. I’ll treat you. Leftovers won’t keep." Yanxi carried dishes to the sink, rolling up her sleeves—only for Lingyuan to catch her wrist.

"Your hand’s hurt?" He stared at the bandage on her finger.

"Ah—!" She yanked it back, cradling it protectively. "Just a little accident. Don’t worry."

*[No wonder she was so upset... cried so hard...]*

"Fool."

"Hmph! Who’s the fool?"

"You. Clumsy thing—even a kitchen knife beats you." He nudged her aside and started washing dishes himself. "You’re a young lady. Doing chores at my place? Strangers’ll think you’re my maid."

"Eh? Does Brother dear... want to see me in a maid outfit?"

His kind words died in his throat. Brain short-circuiting, he finally choked out: "You switch channels way too fast."

"Ehehe~ Come on, admit it—you *do* want to see, don’t you~?"