The question from that night remained unanswered.
Xu Jingyi fell silent when faced with it, offering no reply for a long time.
It wasn't until the commercials ended and a new episode of the drama began that she finally spoke, her tone light, "Let's watch the show."
Lin Ruoyan didn't press the matter.
She watched the rest of the episode in silence and went back to her room to rest.
Later, as Lin Ruoyan had predicted, work wasn't as busy.
The question from that night remained unanswered.
Xu Jingyi fell silent when faced with it, offering no reply for a long time.
It wasn't until the commercials ended and a new episode of the drama began that she finally spoke, her tone light, "Let's watch the show."
Lin Ruoyan didn't press the matter.
She watched the rest of the episode in silence and went back to her room to rest.
Later, as Lin Ruoyan had predicted, work wasn't as busy.
They started getting home earlier and earlier. One day, while Xu Jingyi was doing yoga at home, she overheard The Auntie on the phone.
"Miss… yes… What time will you be home?… Around 6 o'clock… Yes, yes."
After she hung up, Xu Jingyi asked, "Who was that?"
"Madam, it was Miss. She called to say she's coming home for dinner."
Xu Jingyi struck a difficult pose, exhaling a long breath, "Hmm, I see."
She finished her yoga and went back to her room to shower.
When she came down, Lin Ruoyan was already sitting at the dining table, fiddling with her phone.
She seemed to be browsing something, but her expression was serious, as if she were dealing with work.
"You're back?" She was the first to speak.
Lin Ruoyan glanced over and then subtly averted her gaze.
"Yeah, I got off work early today, so I thought I'd come back for dinner."
The conversation felt strange, like a wife greeting her husband returning from work. Lin Ruoyan felt a little awkward but let it go, not dwelling on it.
"Did you wait long? Let's eat."
Xu Jingyi went to the table and sat beside Lin Ruoyan instead of across from her, bringing their distance closer.
"No, I just got here too.
The Auntie just finished setting the table." A pleasant aroma wafted into the air, not faint, but very nice.
The two of them began to eat.
"I just worked out, and I was covered in sweat. I was afraid you wouldn't like the smell, so I went to take a shower.
I didn't expect you to be back so soon."
Her hair wasn't completely dry, some areas still damp, the moisture causing her hair to curl slightly.
Xu Jingyi usually showered before bed, and to avoid suspicion, rarely appeared in front of Lin Ruoyan like this. Today was an exception.
Freshly showered, she looked clean and bare, but her complexion was very good.
Lin Ruoyan didn't dare to look for long and quickly turned her gaze away.
"It's okay, I didn't wait long."
Her earlobes were slightly red, clearly visible to Xu Jingyi because her hair was tied back.
Just this small detail, and Xu Jingyi felt a strange sensation. It was fleeting, like a wisp of smoke, impossible to grasp.
The feeling arose and quickly vanished.
She soon put it out of her mind. It had been a long time since someone had joined her for dinner at home after Lin Ruofeng's accident.
She was happy that Lin Ruoyan was back today.
Lin Ruoyan didn't talk much, so she took the initiative to chat.
Although Lin Ruoyan didn't speak much, she would answer when asked, though mostly in short replies.
So, Xu Jingyi did most of the talking, and they chatted well, often discussing work.
The atmosphere was harmonious, at least much better than the initial tension where they would start arguing after just a few words.
Usually, if nothing special came up, it was Xu Jingyi's drama-watching time after dinner. However, perhaps because she was in a good mood today or had company, Xu Jingyi finished an entire bowl of rice.
She usually maintained her figure, and when she saw the bottom of the bowl, Xu Jingyi's mind went blank for a moment.
She actually ate so much!!! How is that possible?
Why would she eat so many carbs at night?
The Auntie was already getting older, and her metabolism was starting to decline significantly, so she deliberately controlled her diet at night.
The Auntie was clearing the dishes, and Xu Jingyi's expression was clearly off.
It was completely the opposite of her cheerful demeanor from just now. Lin Ruoyan was a little puzzled.
She was fine just a moment ago, so what happened?
She shouldn't have said anything wrong, right?
She replayed their conversation in her mind, and after confirming that the problem wasn't with her, she spoke, "Sister-in-law, what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Xu Jingyi was still regretting it in her heart.
"But you look terrible. Is there something wrong with the food?"
But she herself had eaten it without issue.
Xu Jingyi hadn't even reacted yet, but The Auntie was startled.
She explained in a fluster, "Miss, I… I only bought the groceries this afternoon, they're definitely fresh.
And the seasonings are all well within their expiration dates, there shouldn't be any problems."
"I always pay extra attention to these things, and… and Madam ate half a bowl more rice than usual today, so the taste should have been fine."
As she spoke, Xu Jingyi's fists clenched.
Her voice was tight as she said, "The Auntie, it's okay.
The food was delicious today, it's not your fault, don't worry."
Only then did The Auntie relax.
The boss paid well, and the work was easy; she didn't want to lose her job.
After The Auntie had cleared away the plates, Lin Ruoyan spoke again, "Sister-in-law, you can tell me what's on your mind now."
She thought Xu Jingyi had something important to say, but was just struggling with how to bring it up. "Just speak your mind."
Xu Jingyi raised her face and looked at her, a serious expression on her face.
"Ruoyan, if you're free tonight, can you walk with me?"
Having Dinner Together
"That's right!!!" Lin Ruofeng exclaimed.
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