Xu Ze drove Sun Linfei’s sports car at a leisurely 40 km/h, meandering through the streets before finally arriving at a nearby supermarket.
Sun Linfei’s mood had noticeably improved. She strolled ahead happily, browsing the aisles while Xu Ze trailed behind with a shopping basket, completely forgetting that she was supposed to be the assistant while he was the actual chef.
“Xu Ze, let’s have carrots today! Carrot and pork rib soup, okay?”
Xu Ze suppressed a grimace. Carrots? I’m not a rabbit. I hate carrot and rib soup.
But he managed a diplomatic response. “How about white radish instead? White radish and pork rib soup—the broth is richer and sweeter.”
“No. It’s summer. I want something light. We’re getting carrots.”
“……” Xu Ze had no rebuttal.
Helpless, he watched as Sun Linfei tossed one strange vegetable after another into the basket, completely unconcerned with whether he knew how to cook them—or even what they were. Her confidence in his culinary skills was… touching.
Staring at the basket full of bizarre greens and roots, Xu Ze’s face fell. Cooking a few dishes was easy, but some of these ingredients didn’t even exist in his rural hometown. How was he supposed to prepare them?
Luckily, Sun Linfei wasn’t paying attention. Seizing the opportunity, Xu Ze stealthily returned the unfamiliar vegetables to their shelves and replaced them with ones he actually knew how to cook. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.
By the time they finished shopping, Sun Linfei was in high spirits—so much so that she even grabbed an expensive bottle of Bordeaux from the wine rack and tossed it into the basket. Xu Ze blinked. What’s this for? Should we get candles too?
Back in the car, Xu Ze studied Sun Linfei’s unusually cheerful expression. “What’s up with you today? You’re way too happy. Something’s off.”
“Off? What’s wrong with me being happy? Are you asking for a beating?” Sun Linfei pouted, her big, beautiful eyes narrowing threateningly. The unspoken warning was clear: One wrong move, and you’re dead.
Seeing her childish yet adorable expression, Xu Ze wisely chose to drop the subject. Provoking her temper while driving was a risk he wasn’t willing to take.
As Sun Linfei sulked at being ignored, Xu Ze stifled a laugh. Who would believe that the prestigious Sun Linfei—club president, sports committee vice-chair, and the university’s top beauty—could act like this in private?
She’s just too cute.
By the time they returned to Sun Linfei’s apartment, it was past eight. The usually poised Sun Linfei sprawled inelegantly on the sofa, munching on a sausage while glaring pitifully at Xu Ze. “Hurry up, Xu Ze! I’m starving!”
“Yeah, yeah. Almost done.” Xu Ze sighed and headed to the kitchen with their groceries.
The kitchen was well-equipped—electric pressure cooker, rice cooker, everything he needed to save time.
After washing and chopping the pork ribs, he tossed them into the pressure cooker along with the dreaded carrots, added salt and water, sealed the lid, and set the timer.
While the soup cooked, he rinsed the rice, prepped the vegetables, and started stir-frying. Within minutes, rich aromas filled the kitchen, drawing Sun Linfei in like a moth to flame.
Watching her sneak peeks into the kitchen, eyes wide and mouth watering, Xu Ze couldn’t resist teasing her. His laughter only made her blush harder.
“Stop laughing! I said stop!” She stomped her foot, fists clenched, but his laughter only grew louder.
Defeated, she huffed and retreated to the living room to sulk.
Xu Ze had to admire Sun Linfei’s roommate, Li Xiaorui. The kitchen appliances were top-notch—the pressure cooker finished the ribs in under thirty minutes, switching automatically to “keep warm” mode.
By the time the rice was ready, the dishes were done. Everything landed on the table in perfect sync.
Sun Linfei stared at the spread—fragrant stir-fries, steaming soup—and eagerly grabbed the wine bottle, tossing the opener to Xu Ze before diving in.
Hungry himself, Xu Ze poured them each a glass but didn’t question the unusual formality. Sun Linfei’s whims were beyond his comprehension anyway.
The soft lighting, the faint background music, the wine and food—it should have been a romantic scene. But instead of gazing lovingly at each other, the two dug in like starving wolves, utterly ruining the ambiance.
Finally, Sun Linfei set down her chopsticks with a satisfied sigh. Noticing Xu Ze mirroring her, she smiled and raised her glass.
“To me—happy birthday.”
“Birthday?” Xu Ze blinked but clinked his glass against hers. “Happy birthday.”
The wine tasted bittersweet on his tongue.
Pouring them each another splash, he asked, “Why today? This shouldn’t be your birthday.”
“Why not?” Sun Linfei’s cheeks were faintly flushed.
“Your family would never let you spend your birthday alone like this.” Xu Ze sipped his wine. “A daughter of the Sun family, celebrating with only her fake boyfriend? Unthinkable.”
“Heh. My ‘boyfriend’ isn’t just easy on the eyes—he’s sharp too.” Sun Linfei grinned impishly. “Today’s my solar calendar birthday. My family celebrates the lunar one.”
“Ah.” Xu Ze raised his glass again. “To your happiness.”
The glasses chimed. Sun Linfei beamed. “Thanks.”
“Why invite me today?” Xu Ze nibbled on a piece of chicken, curious.
Sun Linfei refilled their glasses, then fluttered her lashes coquettishly. “You’re my boyfriend. Who else would I spend it with?”
Xu Ze downed his wine in one gulp, the sweetness laced with something sharper. “Come on, ‘girlfriend.’ No need to act. We both know this is just a pretend relationship with a side of… ambiguous friendship.”
“You see right through me.” Sun Linfei laughed, but a shadow flickered in her eyes.
“Another toast—to my first birthday spent with just one person!”
Slowly, the bottle emptied between them. Sun Linfei’s face was flushed, her gaze hazy as she leaned forward.
“Xu Ze… know why I asked you today?”
“Because I’m your ‘boyfriend’?”
She shook her head. “Because you’re the only one I could ask. At home, my ‘birthday’ is just an excuse for adults to network. No one cares if I enjoy it.”
Tipping back the last of her wine, she sighed. “But you… you’re only my ‘boyfriend’ at school. If you were real, my father would make sure you left the university—or that I did.”
“Why?” Xu Ze already knew the answer but asked anyway, his voice tight.
“You know why.” Her smile was weary. “If only you were really Old Man Tang’s grandson…”
“But I’m not.” Xu Ze’s lips twisted wryly as he drained his glass.
Suddenly, Sun Linfei stood unsteadily and stepped closer. “Xu Ze… can I hug you?”
Her eyes, though drunk, were unwavering. With a soft sigh, Xu Ze rose and opened his arms.
She pressed against him, her face buried in his chest, arms tight around his waist. “You smell nice,” she murmured.
“Today’s my birthday. Can I make a wish?”
“Of course.”
“I can’t be your girlfriend now. But… if one day I said I wanted to marry you—would you say yes?”
“Why?”
“Because maybe someday, I’ll run away. And when I do… I’ll marry you. Would you want that?”
Xu Ze paused, then smiled faintly.
“Or maybe… I’ll be the one to steal you away. How’s that?”
