Seriously, sir? You can even pursue a professor?

Tang Zheng had only intended to take a nap, but perhaps because he had gotten up very early and was a little tired from running that morning, and the sofa in the living room was still soft and cozy, enveloped in the warm afternoon air, he fell into a deep sleep.

The dream was chaotic, with one moment a box-pushing challenge, the next his older sister Tang Rui scolding him by pulling his ear, and then Ruan Hongzhuang's clear voice whispering something in his ear, like the wind rippling across the water, making the dream flicker between light and shadow.

When he opened his eyes again, the sunlight outside the window was already slanting, with a few rays leaking through the gaps in the curtains and casting dappled light spots on the floor. The room was quiet, with only the soft sound of pages turning.

Tang Zheng blinked, his eyes still a little sleepy. He moved his body and found that he was covered with a light gray blanket. It was velvety and felt very nice to the touch, and it seemed to have a familiar, faint fragrance.

He looked up at the bed. Ruan Hongzhuang was leaning against the headboard, still wearing the same beige loungewear. Her long hair was loosely tied up, and she was holding a book in her hands, gently turning the pages as she looked at them.

Peaceful and beautiful.

As if sensing his gaze, she turned her head and looked at him. "Awake?"

"Hmm." Tang Zheng sat up and stretched comfortably.

"I'm hungry, I'm going to the cafeteria to get two meals."

"There's still plenty of food in the fridge, Aunt Ruan. What would you like to eat? I'll cook it for you."

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at him. "Didn't you say you couldn't cook anything else?"

"I lied to her."

"Your sister is in the restroom."

Tang Zheng paused for a moment, then subconsciously turned his head to look in the direction of the restroom.

"Just kidding."

Tang Zheng: "..."

Naughty.

"Just make it as you see fit, anything light is fine."

"Understood, Professor Ruan." Tang Zheng folded the blanket and placed it aside before getting up and walking into the kitchen.

He opened the refrigerator door, which was full of ingredients, most of which he had bought that day. He had already thought about what to use for dinner, but considering that Professor Ruan, who liked to lie, might be hungry, he decided to make something simple and quick.

After taking out the necessary ingredients, Tang Zheng skillfully tied on his older sister's favorite pink Hello Kitty apron and began cooking methodically: washing vegetables, chopping vegetables, turning on the stove, and heating the pan...

"Need any help?" A pleasant, magnetic voice came from behind.

Tang Zheng paused in his actions, turned around, and saw that Ruan Hongzhuang had walked over at some point and was leaning against the door frame, quietly watching him, her gaze lingering on the pink apron she was wearing.

Tang Zheng also put the stir-fried shrimp and corn into a plate. "Aunt Ruan, you should go and rest. We don't accept patients here."

"It's much better now." Ruan Hongzhuang said calmly, but her gaze fell on his busy hands.

Tang Zheng looked at Aunt Ruan's breathtakingly beautiful face. Although her complexion had improved a lot, she still looked somewhat pale.

"Aunt Ruan, can you tell the difference between light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and regular soy sauce?" Tang Zheng asked, posing a probing question.

Ruan Hongzhuang paused for a moment, her gaze sweeping across Tang Zheng's face. "You seem a bit out of sorts today."

The voice was calm, but it seemed to carry a hint of danger.

"Aunt Ruan, you're not going to hit me, are you?" Tang Zheng put on an exaggerated expression of fear, looking at her warily.

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at him. "Am I that scary?"

"Of course not, Aunt Ruan is the most beautiful, kindest, and gentlest woman in the world." Tang Zheng gave a thumbs up and said seriously.

"Stop trying to be cute with me." Ruan Hongzhuang didn't say anything more. She turned around, put on her cute bear slippers, and strode away from the kitchen unhurriedly.

Tang Zheng glanced at Ruan Hongzhuang's departing figure, then turned back and continued with his work.

To win over a woman, no matter what type she is, just shower her with compliments.

Twenty minutes later, Tang Zheng finished his work and called it a day.

The two sat facing each other at a small dining table, the rising steam carrying the simple aroma of food, creating a warm and cozy atmosphere between them, evoking a sense of homey comfort.

"How does it taste, Aunt Ruan?" Tang Zheng said, handing chopsticks to Ruan Hongzhuang.

Ruan Hongzhuang took the chopsticks, picked up a shrimp and put it in her mouth. The shrimp was fresh, sweet and bouncy, with a light aroma of wine and saltiness. The cooking time was just right. The baby corn was sweet and crisp. It was a simple stir-fry, but the taste was very refreshing and delicious.

She picked up a small strand of noodles, blew on it gently, and put it in her mouth. The noodles were cooked to the perfect softness and firmness, absorbing the deliciousness of the broth, the richness of the lard, the saltiness of the soy sauce, the spiciness of the scallions, and the wheat aroma of the noodles themselves. These flavors intertwined and blended in her mouth, creating a warm and comforting taste that soothed her stomach.

With her beautiful eyes slightly narrowed, Ruan Hongzhuang picked up another strand of noodles and put it in her mouth.

The last rays of the setting sun shone through the window onto her profile, outlining a smooth and delicate jawline. Her long eyelashes cast small shadows under her eyes, trembling gently as she chewed.

Tang Zheng picked up a piece of side dish and put it in his mouth, suddenly finding the food even more delicious.

Neither of them spoke again, and they focused on enjoying the food in front of them.

It is quiet yet warm.

Time slipped away unnoticed, and Tang Zheng finished the noodles in his bowl, even drinking the soup clean.

A moment later, Ruan Hongzhuang across from her also put down her chopsticks, took out a tissue from the tissue box, and gently wiped the soup stains from her lips.

"Are you full, Aunt Ruan?" Tang Zheng looked at the bowl of noodles in front of her. There was still about a third left in it. According to Ruan Hongzhuang's usual appetite, this was already quite a lot.

Tang Zheng's culinary skills remained consistently excellent.

Ruan Hongzhuang glanced at the empty bowl of noodles in front of Tang Zheng, then pushed her own bowl in front of him. "You eat it, don't waste food."

"Isn't this a bit inappropriate, Aunt Ruan?" Tang Zheng glanced at the bowl of noodles Ruan Hongzhuang was pushing towards him. "What if I don't like it?"

Ruan Hongzhuang didn't say anything, stood up, and walked towards the restroom.

As she passed by Tang Zheng, Ruan Hongzhuang suddenly stopped and grabbed Tang Zheng's ear.

"Ouch—it hurts! Aunt Ruan, let go! My ear is going to fall off!" Tang Zheng quickly reached out to cover his ear, his palm covering most of Ruan Hongzhuang's hand, touching her warm skin.

"If you keep acting like this, I'll rip your ears off."

Ruan Hongzhuang spoke casually, released her hand, and walked slowly toward the restroom in her cute bear slippers.

Tang Zheng rubbed his ears and glanced at Ruan Hongzhuang's departing figure.

Why does this woman always like to pull ears?

He looked away from the bowl of noodles on the table, picked up his chopsticks, and began to eat heartily.

So fragrant!