The Salted Fish And Protagonist A Ended Up Together - Chapter 31.1

She reached out and swapped their plates, placing her pre-cut portion in front of Wen Mian while she lowered her head to seriously cut Wen Mian’s portion.

Wen Mian used her fork to pop a piece of beef into her mouth. She squinted her eyes in satisfaction, a smile reaching her brows.

Even she couldn’t tell if her mood was due to the delicious food or the person who cut it for her.

The CP fans didn’t know how to express their excitement.

[We are eating so well tonight!] (Note: Slang for seeing great content)

[Arghhh! I can’t keep up with the screenshots! Keep it coming! I love to see it!]

[Haha, everyone is so double standard. I love it too! These two beauties are such a match!]

Mu Ya glared at them. Her knife and fork scraped across her plate with a piercing sound, drawing everyone’s attention.

Zhang Yunxi frowned with concern. “Yaya, what’s wrong?”

Mu Ya shook her head quickly. “Nothing. My wrist just hurt for a second.”

Zhang Yunxi followed up: “Oh? Should you go get it checked?”

Mu Ya’s gaze moved from Gu Man to Zhang Yunxi’s worried face. She was startled for a moment, then said lightheartedly, “No need, it’s an old injury.”

Zhang Yunxi urged: “Alright, but if you feel uncomfortable, you must say so!”

Mu Ya nodded, turning her head stiffly, her gaze continuing to drift toward Gu Man.

After the banquet, Wen Mian returned to the house with the others.

Zhang Yunxi and Su Shiqiu led Mu Ya to tour the house, while Wen Mian went out for a walk. Wang Mo quietly followed behind her.

A park adjoined the house, glowing with soft green lights. There was a gentle breeze, stirring her hair.

Wang Mo caught up to walk side by side with Wen Mian. She turned and smiled. “Mianmian, let’s walk together?”

Wen Mian slowed her pace and nodded. “Mhm.”

Wang Mo’s lips curled into a grin. She perked up her ears, her eyes shining as she looked at Wen Mian.

She instinctively scratched her hair, searching for a topic. “Mianmian, is there anything you like?”

Wen Mian was taken aback for a second. “Why the sudden question?”

Wang Mo looked away shyly. “I just wanted to ask.”

Wen Mian placed a finger to her lips, thinking for a moment. “Things I like? Good food and sleeping, I guess.”

Wang Mo looked thoughtful. “I see. I like food too! We can go out and eat together sometime!”

Wen Mian gave a polite smile but didn’t commit to an answer.

After a loop, Wen Mian and Wang Mo headed back.

Seeing no one else around, Wen Mian said goodbye to Wang Mo and went straight to her room.

Although the location was new, the layout of the house was very similar to the previous one. Wen Mian was still living on the second floor.

Watching Wang Mo head toward the third floor, Wen Mian turned around and saw Gu Man leaning against a doorframe.

The tips of Gu Man’s hair were slightly damp, with water droplets clinging to them. Her form fitting pure white pajamas traced her perfect silhouette. Wearing gold chained glasses, she stared straight at Wen Mian. Her usual coldness was gone, replaced by a hint of rogue-like charm.

Seeing Wen Mian turn around, she straightened up and spoke softly: “You’re back?” Her tone was full of jealousy, but the “rogue” aura vanished instantly.

Wen Mian stepped forward, hands behind her back, saying playfully: “Yes, I’m back.”

The two faced off for a moment, and Gu Man was the first to yield. She said, “Wait for me.”

Wen Mian was confused. Watching Gu Man turn back into her room, she thought for a moment and copied Gu Man’s pose, leaning against the doorframe.

Almost as soon as she leaned back, Gu Man walked out. She was holding a cup with a small cat face on it.

Gu Man reached out. “For you.”

Wen Mian took it, her fingertips lightly brushing Gu Man’s. They were as warm as jade. Both were startled and shifted their gazes to the floor.

Wen Mian instinctively rubbed the outer wall of the cup. It felt similar to Gu Man’s fingers, warm and smooth. She looked down and sniffed. It was honey citron water.

“It helps with sleep. I hope you have a good dream.”

Wen Mian’s eyes sparkled. She saw her own blurry reflection in the water. She looked up. “Thanks. Then… goodnight.”

She felt a trace of reluctance and hesitation.

Gu Man confirmed her words: “Goodnight.”

Feeling Gu Man’s gaze on her back, Wen Mian’s spine couldn’t help but stiffen. A phantom itch seemed to tickle her.

The door slowly closed, cutting off the gaze, but it couldn’t cut off the emotions lingering in Wen Mian’s heart.

She took a small sip. The fragrance of citron mixed with the honey, slightly sweet and not cloying, much like her current mood.

She sat on a stool, cradling the cup, and didn’t put it down until she’d finished every drop. Then she floated off to wash up.

After turning off the lights, Wen Mian lay in her soft bed. The air conditioner hummed outside. The room was quiet, save for the cat-faced cup shimmering in the moonlight.

The next morning, Wen Mian came downstairs early.

As usual, Gu Man had woken up very early and was busy in the kitchen.

Wen Mian rubbed her eyes and peeked her head around the door, asking softly, “What are you making?”

Gu Man turned her head and replied gently, “Oatmeal porridge and wontons. Is that okay?”

Wen Mian’s heart softened. She had mentioned wanting wontons a few days ago, but due to various reasons, she had forgotten about it herself.

She hadn’t expected Gu Man to remember…

Wen Mian paused, looking around, and spotted a plate of round, gold ingot shaped wontons next to Gu Man. Her eyes felt a bit stinging.

After a while, she asked, “Did you make them yourself?”

Gu Man lifted the pot lid. The hot steam dampened her brows, obscuring her expression. Only her gentle voice could be heard: “Mhm. I thought homemade would be healthier.”

Wen Mian didn’t know what to say. From preparing the filling to wrapping them, she wasn’t sure what time Gu Man had started.

If she hadn’t come in and seen it with her own eyes, would Gu Man have simply not said anything?

Wen Mian stopped talking, afraid that if she spoke, she wouldn’t be able to hide the slight sob in her voice.

Gu Man stood tall and graceful as she lowered the wontons into the pot. The water made a “glug-glug” sound.

When they were done, she scooped out a bowl, walked to Wen Mian’s side, and said softly, “Let’s go, it’s ready.”

Wen Mian followed her. Looking at her straight back, she suddenly caught up to walk side by side with her, tilting her head. “Is this mine? Where’s yours?”

Gu Man replied warmly: “Mhm, it’s yours. I’ll get mine in a moment.”

Wen Mian stopped in her tracks and suddenly smiled. “Then you sit down first. Wait for me.”

Gu Man looked back in confusion as Wen Mian cheerfully skipped back into the kitchen.

Gu Man waited for a moment. Wen Mian walked out carrying a bowl, skipping back to her side with a beaming face: “Alright, let’s go.”

Gu Man looked down at the bowl she was carrying. It was also full of steaming, ingot-shaped wontons. A full bowl.

Gu Man’s lips curled up. She didn’t need to think twice to understand Wen Mian’s intention.

She looked up, her gaze moving from Wen Mian’s hands to her face, finally landing on her faintly red earlobes.

Is she shy? Gu Man smiled inwardly and started walking, not forgetting to ask, “For me?”

A questioning phrase with a certain tone, as if she couldn’t suppress the joy in her heart and wanted to show off.

But there was no one else here! Wait, no….the staff members nearby felt like they had just been fed a whole plate of “dog food” (Note: Witnessing couple moments).

Having said that, Gu Man watched Wen Mian’s reaction. As expected, her ears turned an even more brilliant red, and her pace quickened.

A soft chuckle escaped Gu Man’s throat. The sound seemed to wrap around Wen Mian’s ear and land right on her heart.

Wen Mian gripped the bowl tightly, wishing she could turn around and cover Gu Man’s mouth. What are you laughing at! You know it, so don’t laugh! Just shut up!

She walked faster, her feet making a “tata” sound, and walked grumpily to the dining table to put the bowl down.

Gu Man followed closely, placing Wen Mian’s bowl by her hand and suppressing a smile. “Eat. Taste my cooking.”

In an instant, Wen Mian couldn’t stay angry. Thinking about Gu Man waking up early to wrap wontons for her, she silently thought: Fine, I’ll let you off this time for the sake of the wontons!

She took a bite, scooping a wonton into her mouth.

Her pupils instantly dilated. Her feet swung back and forth under the table, and her head swayed unconsciously. Only one thought remained in her mind. Delicious! Super delicious!

Wen Mian struggled to pull her gaze away from the food. She glanced at Gu Man, a bit confused. Her cooking skills improved this much in just two days?!

Seeing Wen Mian’s satisfied look, Gu Man finally felt at ease. Only then did she pick up her spoon to eat. As long as Wen Mian was satisfied, her hard work over the last two days wasn’t in vain.

Just as Wen Mian finished the wontons, Gu Man, who had been watching her from the corner of her eye, stood up immediately and brought out a small bowl of oatmeal porridge from the kitchen.

“It’s slightly sweet,” Gu Man said softly.

Wen Mian nodded and took a spoonful. The oats had been stewed until thick and creamy. The white broth had a rich aroma and a lightly sweet taste.

The temperature was perfect too.. warm, not needing any wait.

Wen Mian was extremely satisfied. As she drank the porridge, she looked up at Gu Man and noticed her earlobes turning red bit by bit.

Wen Mian smiled, her eyes crinkling. You laughed at me just now, and now your own ears are red!

She teased: “Gu Man, do you feel hot?”

Gu Man, who hadn’t dared to make eye contact, couldn’t help but look up. Her pupils appeared brownish-black in the slanted morning sunlight.