Chapter 41 (2/2)

Cheng Zheng pa.s.sed her some medication which she swallowed obediently with the aid of the water he gave earlier. Then, she followed him out the room only to see that dishes had already been laid out on the dining table. Cheng Zheng was the first to sit as he emphasised “To give you a head-ups, Aunty Chen has returned to her hometown so these dishes are takeaway fare. Just eat what’s here okay?”

Yun Jin was not as particular about food as he was so she nodded at his request as she sat down opposite him. The memory of them dining together like this was so distant that it felt like it belonged in another lifetime.

Yun Jin picked up some vegetables with her chopsticks and ate it without hesitation only for a bitter taste to fill her mouth. She forced herself to swallow. She ate another mouthful just to be sure that her mood wasn’t affecting her sense of taste. She wanted to say something but eventually decided against it as she directed her chopsticks at another dish she couldn’t identify. She chewed at it before quickly taking a spoonful of soup. This time, she didn’t hold back and she sighed loudly before placing her utensils on the table and staring at Cheng Zheng. This fellow hadn’t even touched the food and was staring at her strangely.

“Cheng Zheng, where did you order this takeaway from?”

“From the Si Chuan restaurant below. How is it?” He had answered too quickly, as though he had antic.i.p.ated her query.

“Have you ever offended their boss or chef?”

“I’m not crazy, why would I do that? Is the food horrible?”

“Very.” It was rare that Yun Jin was so forthright. Cheng Zheng took a bite himself before cursing softly under his breath.

“Can I take it that you are the Si Chuan chef?” Yun Jin asked calmly.

Cheng Zheng’s face immediately turned a bright beetroot as he placed his chopsticks down at lightning speed before grabbing the bowl of soup in her hands. He said hurriedly “If it’s so horrible, forget it. I’ll go down and buy again.” Having said that, he fled to his room to get his keys.

Yun Jin saw his frazzled state and said slowly in a low voice “Cheng Zheng, why do this to yourself?”

He froze with his back to her “This is my business.”

Yun Jin also stood up “Actually, what I meant to say is … I’m really happy.”

Cheng Zheng turned around slowly “That … actually it was the recipe’s fault. I swear I adhered strictly to its directions …”

“Are there any remaining ingredients in the kitchen? I think I better prepare the meal instead.”

Cheng Zheng gestured towards the kitchen and nodded his head furiously.

Yun Jin busied herself in the kitchen as Cheng Zheng leaned against the door frame and studied her wordlessly. The memories were slowly rus.h.i.+ng back.

Yun Jin cracked an egg into the pot before sensing a pair of hands had quietly encircled her waist and she felt his warm breath on her cheek.

“Let go Cheng Zheng.”

“That’s not possible.”

Yun Jin was silent. It seemed from the moment they met each other, they had been repeating the same refrain: Cheng Zheng let go…. No I won’t…

But when he did let her go, she had hurt more than she had ever experienced in life.

“I don’t care what your reasons are. I will never let you go again.” His m.u.f.fled voice came from behind her shoulders.

“But if you don’t let go … the eggs will be burnt. Aren’t you hungry?” Yun Jin smiled weakly.

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