Fu Lin sat beside the bed, gently patted her shoulder, and handed her a tissue with a look full of care, teasing, "You're about to cry yourself into a little crying kitten."
Mei raised her head and looked into Fu Lin's soft gaze, which was as gentle as a spring breeze. The worry and unease in her heart gradually dissipated. She took the tissue from Fu Lin and wiped away the tears on her face.
"Well, I am your little kitten." Mei tossed the tissue aside, smiled, and shyly punched Fu Lin's chest with her little fists before happily hugging her.
Fu Lin took out a comb and began to brush Mei's messy hair, coaxing her like a child, "Yes, yes, my little kitten. You've gotten thinner after not seeing me for a month. Want some hot porridge?"
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Fu Lin held the porridge, scooped up a spoonful, blew on it to cool it down, and brought it to Mei's mouth. Seeing Mei's flushed face, he smiled.
"Did you make this?" Mei's small mouth opened slightly, and she took a small sip, gently chewing and swallowing it. Her eyes revealed an indescribable sense of surprise and satisfaction.
"Of—course~" Fu Lin scooped up another spoonful and fed it to Mei, watching her eyes grow brighter and brighter. He deliberately lengthened his tone and then suddenly changed the topic,
"Nope, I wish I had those skills. You haven't forgotten about your promise to teach me how to cook, have you?"
After swallowing the last bite of porridge, Mei finally had the chance to speak. She licked her lips, still savoring the taste, and asked doubtfully,
"Of course not. This egg and lean pork porridge tastes even better than mine. Where did you buy it?"
"It's not store-bought. A friend of mine made it. They're downstairs right now, and they're pretty good at cooking. I'll introduce you later."
Fu Lin put down the spoon and gently wiped a grain of rice from the corner of Mei's mouth with his fingertip. After speaking, he got up and carried the bowl downstairs.
"She? They..." After Fu Lin closed the door, Mei clutched the blanket tightly and murmured to herself, a strong sense of crisis rising in her heart.
"Fu Lin, you're finally down. Come taste what Rita just made… Well, it's just really good — rich but not greasy, tender but not dry, and melts in your mouth."
Bianca waved at Fu Lin, picked up a piece of braised pork as red as a ruby, stuffed it into her mouth, and held her cheek with a blissful expression.
"You're exaggerating. There are thousands of delicious dishes. Are you going to react like this every time you eat one?"
Fu Lin handed the bowl to Rita, sat down in the empty seat next to Bianca, and nonchalantly picked up a piece of perfectly presented braised pork. The moment it entered his mouth, his pupils trembled — it really did melt in his mouth, just as Bianca had said…
Snapping out of his daze, Fu Lin glanced at Bianca beside him. A resolute look flashed in his eyes as he gripped his chopsticks and began devouring the food with no regard for his image.
Soon, he felt that his mouth wasn't enough — he wished he could have another one.
"Damn it! How could you eat so much at once?!" Bianca grabbed Fu Lin's neck and shook him rapidly, but it didn't affect his chopstick speed in the slightest. In fact, two more pieces disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Bianca's heart sank. Ignoring Fu Lin, she picked up her chopsticks and began stuffing food into her mouth without hesitation.
In the blink of an eye, the once-full plate of braised pork was reduced to a single piece. The two of them gripped their chopsticks tightly, their gazes locking together like an electric current, neither willing to give in.
"Fu Lin, the ownership of the last piece of meat…" Before Bianca could finish speaking, Fu Lin blocked her chopsticks with his own and coldly said, "Friend or foe."
Bianca's gaze instantly turned cold. She flicked Fu Lin's chopsticks aside and said with fighting spirit, "Sorry, but I'm not giving up this last piece of meat!"
"So this is your choice?" Fu Lin blocked Bianca's chopsticks again, and the braised pork fell back onto the plate with a jolt.
The two of them exchanged blows with their chopsticks, neither willing to back down. The crisp sound of their chopsticks colliding drew Rita's attention, marking the end of the battle.
Seeing the plate being picked up, Fu Lin and Bianca's expressions changed as they stood up and shouted in unison, "Rita?!"
"Huh? Wasn't the last piece meant for Miss Mei?" Rita held the plate in her hands, tilting her head with a confused expression.
Fu Lin put down his chopsticks, reluctantly tore his gaze away, wrapped his arm around Bianca, and winked, "…Of course, it was meant for Mei. Bianca and I were just sparring — no way we'd fight over a piece of meat."
"Isn't that right, Lady Bi~ an~ ca~" Bianca's eyes widened in disbelief. She never imagined Fu Lin could be so shameless. But that teasing tone made Bianca's face darken. She raised the hand that was hidden from Rita's view and pinched the flesh at Fu Lin's waist, giving it a firm twist.
Bianca then nodded, forcing an awkward smile. The chopsticks in her hand made a crisp snapping sound under the pressure.
Fu Lin felt a sharp sting at his waist, his face turning red. But looking at Rita in front of him, he gritted his teeth and held back the urge to cry out.
"Fu Lin~" Mei's voice sounded from upstairs. Fu Lin looked up, and Bianca also let go of his waist. Their eyes were drawn toward Mei standing at the top of the stairs, a flash of admiration flickering in their eyes.
Mei was wearing a white dress with a blue bow at the chest. Her long purple ponytail was tied high and secured with a white butterfly ornament decorated with a blue rose.
Under the gaze of the three, she descended the stairs gracefully, came up to Fu Lin's side, and silently wrapped her arm around his.