"You made this?"
Looking at the delicious and fragrant dishes, Song Xi was surprised. She hadn't expected him to have this skill.
Lou Yuming snorted in response, "What do you think?"
... It seemed not.
Song Xi pouted, waiting for Lou Yuming to personally hand her chopsticks and a bowl.
"Your airs are getting bigger and bigger," Lou Yuming remarked.
Song Xi chuckled sheepishly, "Thanks."
"Hmph."
"It tastes good," Song Xi said after trying a piece of carrot, then handed the bowl back. "I can't eat this much."
"Are you a cat?" Lou Yuming frowned.
"I really can't," she added inwardly, "and I'm an artist, how can I eat so many carbs! I'll get fat!"
"Troublesome."
Lou Yuming scooped a large portion of the rice from her bowl into his own. "Is that enough?"
"A little more."
Lou Yuming continued to scoop, displeased. "Then why don't you just not eat."
Song Xi grinned foolishly again and took the bowl. "I still have to eat, otherwise I'll get low blood sugar."
"Heh, you know that too, huh."
Song Xi ignored him and muttered to herself, "Why hasn't Xiao Mo come back yet?"
"She's not coming back."
Song Xi froze. "What do you mean?"
"Why are you so nervous?" Lou Yuming said helplessly. "I mean she's already off work at this hour."
"Oh," Song Xi breathed a sigh of relief. "Don't scare me like that."
For some reason, she felt a prickle of unease, as if something was about to happen.
"Eat."
Seeing her lost in thought, Lou Yuming tapped the table with his knuckles.
Song Xi asked, "Did Xiao Mo go to your company today?"
Lou Yuming grunted an "Mmm" and, seeing her chopsticks still, coldly reminded her.
Song Xi, like a student being checked for homework in elementary school, perfunctorily shoveled a mouthful of food into her mouth. "I think... Xiao Mo and Yao Yifan are quite a match, don't you think?"
Lou Yuming said indifferently, "You still have the energy to worry about other people's business."
Song Xi replied, "Who do you mean by 'other people'? Isn't Yao Yifan your assistant? Aren't you concerned about him?"
"He handles his own affairs."
Lou Yuming added, "Besides, he probably doesn't have time for romance right now."
The wretched capitalist!
Song Xi propped her chin on her hand. "If they could really end up together, it would be a good thing. Xiao Mo is straightforward and doesn't understand social nuances; she needs someone clever."
Lou Yuming glanced at her.
Six of one, half a dozen of the other.
"Does Yao Yifan have a girlfriend now?"
"I'm not sure."
"Has he had a girlfriend before?"
"I'm not sure."
"How many people are in his family?"
"...Not sure."
"..."
He knew nothing.
Song Xi grew annoyed. "Then what *do* you know?"
Lou Yuming put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth with a napkin. "One should not speak when eating."
"..."
"Are you done eating?" Lou Yuming asked, looking at the rice in her bowl.
"What do you think?"
Lou Yuming stood up and moved away from the table. "Wash the dishes after you're done eating."
"On what basis..."
"I bought the food, so of course you're washing the dishes."
His words choked the "on what basis" in Song Xi's throat.
Song Xi huffed, "Fine, I'll wash them!"
After filling the sink with water, Song Xi saw Lou Yuming head into the bedroom, looking like he was about to take a shower.
Is he planning to sleep here tonight?
Song Xi pursed her lips. If Yao was like this, then she should leave today.
She rinsed the soap off her hands and picked up her phone to send Xiao Mo a text message.
[Xiao Mo, have you found a place yet?]
She hadn't really expected Xiao Mo to finalize a place in one day. She could just stay in a hotel for a few nights if necessary. But the key thing was that ever since their conversation that afternoon, Xiao Mo hadn't contacted her.
Logically, after meeting Yao Yifan, she would have definitely told her. But up until now, even Lou Yuming had returned, and she hadn't received even a text message. This was too abnormal.
After washing the dishes, Song Xi, still wearing her apron, frantically called Xiao Mo, but it didn't go through.
She tried several more times, but still no luck.
Lou Yuming emerged from the bathroom, catching sight of her furrowed brow.
He wiped his head with a towel and casually draped it around his neck. He walked over and asked, "What's wrong?"
His gaze drifted down and he saw she was still wearing her apron. He gently removed it for her.
"Xiao Mo's phone isn't going through."
"Have you tried Yao Yifan?"
Song Xi had an epiphany. "Call him now."
"Ring, ring, ring—"
Song Xi's heart leaped into her throat. "It's not going through either."
Lou Yuming's eyebrows furrowed slightly. He then took out his own phone and called Yao Yifan.
It rang twice before Yao Yifan's voice answered.
Lou Yuming handed the phone to Song Xi. "It's connected."
Song Xi was speechless. Rolling her eyes, she took the phone and asked with annoyance, "Why didn't you answer my calls?"
Yao Yifan paused. "Miss Song?"
"Is Xiao Mo with you? I can't get through to her."
Yao Yifan looked at the agile figure of the woman in the alley. "Yes."
Song Xi frowned. "Have her pick up the phone."
"...She's a bit busy right now."
"?" Song Xi's mind conjured some R-rated images. "Oh, I see. Enjoy your evening. I won't disturb you. Xiao Mo, call me back when you're done."
Yao Yifan: "..."
Did she misunderstand something?
Watching her hang up, Lou Yuming asked, "What happened?"
Song Xi handed him her phone. "I think you were mistaken."
"Mistaken about what?"
"Yao Yifan doesn't seem like someone who doesn't want to date."
"Oh?"