Martial arts have become extinct worldwide, yet I am forced to have a large family.

Yang Xian returned from the food pick-up area carrying two large platters full of meat.

Since Xia Ming is treating, she should feel that the meal is worth it.

"Let's go make the sauce." Yang Xian put down the plate.

"Um..." Xia Ming's eyes darted around.

"This is my first time eating at a place like this, and I don't know how to make sauces."

"I...I'll just eat the original flavor."

Because of her family circumstances, she has always lived a very frugal life.

She had to be very careful with every penny, and apart from daily expenses and training needs, she dared not make any extra purchases.

For her, a buffet restaurant like this, costing several hundred yuan per person, was a luxury she could never have imagined before.

If it weren't for wanting to express her sincere gratitude to Yang Xian, she would never have been willing to come here.

Yang Xian didn't mind, and spoke gently:

"Eating hot pot without dipping sauce is like losing half the soul."

"It's okay, everything has a beginning. Come on, let me help you adjust it."

"Ah? Okay!" Xia Ming quickly got up and followed Yang Xian.

The two arrived at the sauce station.

"Do you like spicy food? Or do you prefer sweet and sour?" Yang Xian turned around and asked her.

Looking at the dazzling array of seasonings, Xia Ming subconsciously replied, "I...I can have anything!"

"Then I'll adjust it to my taste?" Yang Xian picked up a small bowl and skillfully added various seasonings into it.

He was explaining to Xia Ming at the same time:

"To make basic sesame paste, you need to dilute it with warm water or broth first, so it won't clump together."

"Add a little chive blossom sauce to enhance the flavor, and then add some fermented bean curd sauce to increase the complex salty and savory aroma."

"Sesame oil is the soul of the dish; it's essential..."

Xia Ming stood beside him, quietly watching his profile, a warm feeling welling up in her heart.

Yang Hyun is so handsome, so gentle, and so patient...

So this is what it feels like to be cared for so tenderly by someone of the opposite sex.

Not far away, a girl nudged her boyfriend and said with a mix of envy and reproach, "Look at him, he even helps his girlfriend make the sauce! And look at you, you just eat what you want!"

The boy scratched his head awkwardly, "I just don't know how either..."

girlfriend?

Upon hearing those three words, Xia Ming's heart skipped a beat, and a rush of heat instantly shot from the base of his neck to his cheeks.

in case……

If I could really become his girlfriend...

"Alright, try it and see if it suits your taste."

Yang Xian handed her the bowl of prepared sauce, interrupting her reverie.

"Thank you!" Xia Ming snapped out of his daze and hurriedly took the bowl.

She picked up her chopsticks, carefully dipped the tip of the chopsticks into a tiny bit, and put it in her mouth.

The rich aroma of the sauce explodes on the taste buds instantly, with salty, fragrant, fresh, and sweet flavors blending together perfectly, creating a rich and unforgettable experience.

Perhaps it was because Yang Xian personally prepared the taste for her, or perhaps... the term "girlfriend" just now added some kind of magical filter to her taste buds.

In short, this was absolutely the best sauce she had ever eaten in her life.

"Mmm, delicious!" Xia Ming looked up, his face beaming with undisguised joy.

Back at our seats, the broth in the hot pot was already bubbling and boiling, and the rising steam blurred our vision.

Xia Ming stared at the bubbling red oil, but he couldn't calm down.

Her gaze kept drifting unconsciously to the other side.

Should I... confess my feelings right now?

But wouldn't it be too abrupt to confess now?

What if he refuses? How can we possibly finish this meal? What if we can't even be friends anymore?

Xia Ming, you're really disappointing!

The opportunity is right in front of us!

She cursed herself inwardly.

He had confidently told Qingxue that if you like someone, you should boldly pursue them and not leave any regrets. But when it came to himself, why did he become so timid and hesitant?

But... if I don't say anything, wouldn't this carefully prepared "date" be wasted?

"Yang Xian...!"

Xia Ming put down her chopsticks and nervously gripped the hem of her skirt with both hands.

Yes, she had made up her mind...

I want to confess my feelings to Yang Xian!

"Hmm?" Yang Xian looked up, still brushing the tripe.

"I..." Xia Ming's heart pounded as he prepared to utter the words he had practiced countless times.

"Wait for me a moment," Yang Xian suddenly interrupted her, standing up.

"what?"

Xia Ming stared blankly at his retreating figure, wondering what he was going to do.

The courage I had finally mustered vanished in an instant.

Does he... not want to listen to me?

A sense of loss welled up inside me.

Yang Xian returned quickly, carrying a clean white napkin.

"Wrap this around your neck," Yang Xian said, handing her a napkin.

"Huh?" Xia Ming didn't react.

Yang Xian explained, "You're dressed so beautifully today, and your dress is white. If there are oil splatters, they'll be hard to wash off."

Upon hearing this, Xia Ming quickly lowered his head to check if he had been splashed with oil.

This off-white dress is the most expensive dress in her wardrobe, and also her favorite.

She usually wouldn't wear it, but she changed into it specially today to see Yang Xiancai.

If it gets really dirty, Xia Ming will be heartbroken...

The neckline of the dress was just right, showing off her beautiful collarbone without being too revealing.

But just as Xia Ming lowered his head, the perfectly positioned collar opened slightly, providing Yang Xian, who was standing, with an excellent view.

A beautiful scene suddenly came into view.

Yang Xian glanced at it once and immediately forced his gaze away, silently reciting the proverb "Do not look at what is improper."

"Then... can you help me?" Xia Ming looked up, his cheeks flushed, his tone pleading.

"it is good."

Yang Xian walked to her side and bent down.

The distance between the two instantly closed.

The napkin was wrapped around her neck.

Yang Xian carefully pinched one corner of the napkin and gently tucked it into her collar.

My fingers brushed against her skin unintentionally, bringing a slightly itchy and tingling sensation.

Xia Ming was so nervous that he stopped breathing. A current surged from the spot that had been touched, instantly spreading throughout his body.

"alright!"

Yang Xian sat back down in his seat.

But Xia Ming was clearly still a bit dazed.

I'm so embarrassed!

I had finally mustered up the courage, but his interruption ruined the atmosphere.

How do I start this conversation again...?

Just as she was feeling incredibly conflicted, a waiter in uniform walked over with a professional smile on his face.

"Excuse me, may I bother you?"

The waiter bowed slightly to the two of them.

"The two customers booked our couple's set meal, which allows them to participate in a special in-store activity. After completing the activity, they will receive a gift from our store."

Yang Xian stopped eating the hot pot.

He looked up at Xia Ming, whose face was flushed.

"A couple's set meal?"