Chapter 81 Part 1

Zhong Nian was tempted, but he still refused.

Although he had not asked, he felt that Mo Heng would not agree.

Moreover, he did not want Mo Heng to know that he had daily interactions with Jiang Jingyun and that their relationship had developed to a fairly good level.

So, he chose to sneakily finish eating alone at Jiang Jingyun’s place before going back.

It was still early, so he could sit at the dining table with Jiang Jingyun and slowly munch away.

He did not even need gloves; the braised pork trotters were stewed so tender that they fell apart with one bite, and the texture in his mouth was chewy and springy.

Jiang Jingyun also squeezed a glass of fruit and vegetable juice for him to cut the greasiness.

At the dining table, Jiang Jingyun sat with him but did not touch his chopsticks himself. He simply watched Zhong Nian eat with an expression of contentment and satisfaction.

Occasionally, he handed him tissues, refilled his juice, or shared the process of how he made the dishes. So even though Zhong Nian ate alone, he did not feel awkward at all and listened with rapt attention.

“You know how to make so many things—almost everything—and you do it so well. You’re better than many professional chefs,” Zhong Nian exclaimed in admiration.

Jiang Jingyun shook his head. “This is just what I should do.”

Zhong Nian thought he was being modest, but Jiang Jingyun said seriously, “I just thought that if I had a lover in the future, I wouldn’t bear to let them eat takeout every day or make them cook. Moreover, cooking for a loved one would be a happy and wonderful thing. Just trying to learn with that mindset already makes me happy.

“I think this is also one of the essential skills a husband needs.”

As Jiang Jingyun spoke, he smiled wistfully. “Although I’ve honed my cooking skills for so long with this personal idea in mind, I’m still single to this day. Every time I cook and eat alone, it feels a bit lonely…”

Jiang Jingyun lowered his gaze, then quickly pulled himself out of the low mood and smiled again. “Just listen and don’t take it too seriously… Would you like a bowl of rice? Pouring the braising juice over it tastes great, and it can be steamed in ten minutes.”

Zhong Nian bit his chopsticks, unable to resist the temptation, and nodded.

He watched Jiang Jingyun’s back as he walked into the kitchen to steam the rice, thinking that he should eat more later so as not to waste the other’s effort in cooking.

In the end, he, who had only wanted to satisfy a craving, ended up stuffed, with a round belly as he said goodbye.

“Sorry… I ate a bit too much.”

Jiang Jingyun smiled and shook his head. “For me, the happiest thing is that someone likes the food I made.”

And in Jiang Jingyun’s eyes, Zhong Nian’s appetite was like that of a little cat; he had not eaten much at all.

Afterward, Zhong Nian showed him the pastries in the bag, saying they were given to him by the Security Uncle and that they tasted pretty good.

By the time Zhong Nian was about to leave, it was already late.

Seeing that it was almost six o’clock, he hurriedly said goodbye to Jiang Jingyun and took the elevator downstairs in quick steps.

As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, he had not walked a few steps when he saw a familiar figure standing near the door of their home.

Zhong Nian recognized Mo Heng’s back at a glance and instinctively stopped in his tracks, startled.

Damn, he was still a bit too slow.

As he bit his lip in annoyance, Zhong Nian realized that Mo Heng was actually talking to the resident of 1604.

Because the door was only open a crack, Zhong Nian had not immediately noticed the tall figure hiding behind it.

Pricking up his ears to listen carefully, the voice of the 1604 neighbor was low, but unlike when he had spoken to Zhong Nian earlier—stuttering and hesitant—it was clear and without timidity.

“…He’s doing well. You can’t treat him like that.”

Mo Heng’s tone was indifferent. “Why can’t I?”

Unaware of the context, Zhong Nian felt a bit confused for a moment.

Due to the angle, he could not see Mo Heng’s expression as he faced away, and the other man was bowing his head with hair that was too long, so little could be seen.

But just from their tones, he could sense the confrontational atmosphere.

Zhong Nian had previously heard from Jiang Jingyun that Mo Heng had complained about someone in 1604 littering trash carelessly, so he thought that even if the two did not get along, it would not be too bad because of that incident.

But now it looked so serious… Had something happened?

“I know that as the owner, you have the right to do anything to him, and I, an outsider, have no right to interfere, but… but he… anyway, you just can’t.” The man behind the door pushed it open wider, revealing his full figure.

Mo Heng was already tall, but this man was even taller, his upright and imposing build standing between the door and frame like a mountain, exuding an unprecedented aura of determination that pressed straight toward Mo Heng.

But Mo Heng was completely unaffected, as if he felt no pressure at all, his tone still even. “And then?”

“If you don’t learn to cherish him, I can’t guarantee that I won’t do something irrational.”

Hearing the man’s threat, Mo Heng’s tone also took on a sharp edge of sarcasm. “He’s my wife. Aren’t you meddling a bit too much?”

The man said gravely, “You should know that I won’t fear those so-called Rules. I only follow my own rules and principles.”

…

Upon hearing Mo Heng mention him, Zhong Nian was stunned and instantly pieced together the reason.