Chapter 1155 Here And There
Xia Zhao's muscles slowly relaxed and he was feeling a lot easier with Mu Chenyan making trouble with him. Suddenly, she stopped moving and he heard her even breathing indicating that she fell asleep once again. He didn't know how to react.
"Yanzi!" he called her out again softly. "Don't sleep anymore."
Mu Chenyan bit his chest making him grit his teeth in forbearance. Then she sat up and looked at him as she asked, "Where did you sleep last night, Zhao?"
He didn't know why she was asking this but he still answered truthfully, "I slept in the other room."
Mu Chenyan had an expression that showed that she already expected such a result. She poked his chest and said, "You are a fool!"
"Why am I getting this compliment now?"
"You had a beautiful woman in your arms but you chose to sleep alone. If you are not a fool who is?"
Xia Zhao sat up and said, "You were already asleep. I couldn't just decide on my own. Besides, no matter how much I want to stand beside you. I won't rush things."
"Think again," said Mu Chenyan. "Didn't you say last night that we don't know how many more years we have? Then why are still trying to take it slow? You have to sprint at this point so that we can make for the lost 20 years."
"Do you want me to run?" he asked.
"Run!"
"Then I'll run with you," he replied.
"And if I get tired of running?"
"Then I'll pick you up and run."
Mu Chenyan opened her arms saying, "Then pick me up. I'm tired. Don't wanna get up."
He understood instantly what she wanted and shook his head at her before he stood up and leaned down to hug her as he took her to the bathroom. He put her on the counter and looked at her as he asked, "What else?"
"What? I have to brush my teeth. Don't act like you don't know what to do," Mu Chenyan had no burden ordering him around at all. If it was someone else, she might have some scruples but not with him.
Xia Zhao took a new toothbrush that he had arranged for her and filled the cup with water as she passed it to her. Mu Chenyan opened her mouth and took a sip of water to gargle before taking the brush from his hand to brush her teeth. With the foam in her mouth, she kept looking at him and asked, "I'm really gonna tire you out today."
"It's okay. I'm all ready for it," he told her.
"Let's see your determination," she said. "I want to change my clothes."
"I'll bring it."
"From where?" she asked.
"I arranged it all."
Mu Chenyan came out and looked at him opening the walk-in closet. She was suddenly taken aback when she looked at the neatly placed female clothes. She narrowed his eyes at him and noticing that everything was her own size, she had a complicated look in her eyes.
Considering his personality, she was certain that he arranged it all after he confessed to her last night. He wouldn't do anything ostentatious until he had gotten her response. So, she wondered how long did he sleep last night.
As he picked a dress for her, he found her scrutinizing him and raised his brow, "What is it? If you wanna know something, just ask me."
"Did you pick it all or asked some assistant of yours to arrange everything?"
"How can I let some random person arrange everything that belongs to you?"
Mu Chenyan smiled at his answer and then asked, "So, you did this all last night?"
"No," he replied to her. "From the moment I decided to tell you my feelings, I had already started making preparations. It's just that these were delivered early in the morning."
"I didn't even hear anything."
"You're sleeping like a pig." Mu Chenyan glared at him and he tapped her nose, "A cute pig. Really."
"Adding cute won't make it sound any better."
"No?"
"No!"
"Go and change your clothes," said Xia Zhao. "I'll go and serve the breakfast for you." After that, he left to give her enough space.
Mu Chenyan looked at his back and sighed to herself at his thoughtfulness. She thought she was thoughtful enough but he was certainly better at it. She changed her clothes and looked around at everything around. She had to accept the facts placed right before her eyes.
Xia Zhao was way too familiar with her preferences. Whether it was the color or the designs of the clothes, everything was right up her alley. There was nothing that went against her aesthetics. She smiled to herself as she scratched her head.
At a moment like this, she seriously wondered if she had been too impulsive back then. Was she really too hot-headed and foolish in her youth? Was that why she actually missed out on so many years?
No one can deny that there was no one who matched her better than him. After all, who else can take in her temper and unreasonableness? But more than that, no one could actually love her more than he did. She didn't even know it.
But she won't take all the blame for it. He also has a part in this matter. They didn't just miss out on so many years all because of her.
She was brushing her hair as her eyes fell on the clock and she let out a gasp. She couldn't believe it was so late. No wonder he was insisting on waking her up. She slept for so long without realizing it. When was even the last time she slept for so long? She couldn't even remember clearly.
She hurriedly ran to find her phone but didn't find it in the bedroom, so she went out to find it. Seeing her rushing out, Xia Zhao looked at her and didn't even ask before telling her, "Your phone is on the coffee table."
Mu Chenyan really found her phone there but there was a missed call. And there was no message too. Was she forgotten by her family so soon?
"No one even looked for me?" she asked.
Xia Zhao chuckled, "How is that possible? They must already know that you're here with me."
"Still..." she pouted at that and facepalmed herself, "Why am I wasting time? I have to go. I didn't give Elder Xiang his medicine. I don't know if he took it or not."
"He did," came Xia Zhao's response.
"Huh?" she looked at him in confusion.
"I went to give him the medicine personally."
"You?" she asked weirdly.
"Your phone reminder..." he pointed out and Mu Chenyan understood why and how he knew about it. It wasn't so surprising then. Even if she didn't need a reminder, she still had set a reminder on her phone for every day. It hadn't changed over the years.
"Then it's okay," she relaxed and instantly her nose was filled with a tantalizing aroma in the air. As she came closer, the aroma intensified, filling the penthouse with an irresistible allure.
The table before her was a vision of elegance and decadence, show-casing the array of Chinese-inspired dishes he had passionately crafted. There was a velvety rose placed on the table. She didn't even know where he learned this.
"I slept like a pig, you think I can eat like one too?" she asked.
"I just wanted to prepare a little bit of everything for you," he replied a bit sheepishly because he also knew he went too far.
There were egg custard tarts, congee served with fresh herbs, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, crispy Chinese pancakes, tea eggs, and a fruit platter. In that serene penthouse kitchen, amidst the early morning tranquility, Xia Zhao's unwavering commitment and love shone through.
"Why? Are you trying to get rid of me by cooking everything today for me?" she teased him playfully.
"How is that possible? This isn't even the limit of my potential. I can assure you, I can cook a different breakfast for you every day. As long as you want me to."
"It's better that you have this idea," she said. "But it's not like I want to enslave you. So, I can help you a little here and there." Mu Chenyan took a generous stance and sat down to eat she went on, "Even if I can't match your cooking, I'm not that bad either. My Elle still loves the food made by me the most."
"Then it'd be an honor of mine to have something made by you," commented Xia Zhao happily. It's not like he needed her to cook for him but he was still looking forward to it. "But I won't want to tire you out. So, let's do it together."
"It's not like we are living together."
"Sooner or later," was his response which made her stare at him in surprise.