Chapter Seventy-Nine: I, Liu Ruoxi, Will Never Admit Defeat!

When noon arrived, the group decided to have Sichuan cuisine at a roadside restaurant, but the beer duck wasn’t nearly as delicious as Qin Xuan’s own cooking—what a disappointment!

After their simple meal, they walked along the riverside to digest lunch. Qin Xuan, arm in arm with Liu Ruoxi, suddenly stopped. Before Liu Ruoxi could react, he bent down; it turned out her shoelace had come undone without her noticing.

Watching Qin Xuan squat to tie the shoelace, Nan Zhiyi felt a pang of envy. She glanced at her own shoes… damn, no laces! But then she noticed Qin Lin’er’s calm expression and whispered, “Why aren’t you surprised?”

“Heh, I’m used to it!” Qin Lin’er had witnessed this scene countless times and, with the air of a seasoned veteran, patted Nan Zhiyi’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, there will be much more ‘dog food’ to come!”

Nan Zhiyi: Who wants to eat dog food? I just want to feed it myself!

Qin Lin’er: Same here!

“All done,” Qin Xuan said naturally, tying the shoelace and standing up, only to find Nan Zhiyi looking at him awkwardly. Isn’t tying your girlfriend’s shoelace totally normal?

After a while, Nan Zhiyi remembered she still had unfinished business and decided to head back first. Seeing this, Qin Xuan and the others figured they might as well return home too.

Back home, Nan Zhiyi collapsed onto the sofa, delighted at the thought that Monday was tomorrow—she could have lessons alone with Qin Xuan in the evening!

“Have you finished the acquisition plan?” Just as Nan Zhiyi was basking in her daydreams, her mother messaged her, irritating her greatly. Always relying on free labor!

“What’s the rush! I’m busy finding you a son-in-law!” Nan Zhiyi snapped back.

On the other end, Yang Ying lay on Nan Zhengyi’s lap, helplessly looking at the message. Son-in-law? After all this time, Mom has managed to win over Dad twice!

Yang Ying simply couldn’t understand why Zhiyi was so hopeless in matters of love—she clearly hadn’t inherited her mother’s prowess.

“Hurry up! It’s needed tomorrow!” Yang Ying urged, then tossed her phone aside.

Frustrated, Nan Zhiyi followed her own routine, taking a shower before emerging with the composed appearance everyone expected of her.

Meanwhile, Qin Xuan and his family returned home, greeted by Marzi meowing at the door. Oddly enough, whenever Nan Zhiyi visited, Marzi loved to dart around her feet—several times nearly getting stepped on, but never learning! Nan Zhiyi privately interpreted this as the cat “recognizing its master.”

“Qin Xuan~ massage my legs for me,” Liu Ruoxi said, kicking off her shoes and acting spoiled. Qin Lin’er wasn’t about to be outdone and placed her feet on Qin Xuan’s lap as well.

Thankfully, there was no odor—otherwise Qin Xuan might not have survived!

Watching the two lying comfortably, Qin Xuan felt a strange sense of accomplishment… Was he satisfying some hidden little kink?

“All right, all right, go play your game!” Liu Ruoxi’s legs were completely relaxed from the massage; afraid she’d fall asleep, she hurried Qin Xuan away.

But Qin Lin’er, clearly unsatisfied, followed Qin Xuan to his room, planning to play games with her brother.

Liu Ruoxi glanced at the now empty sofa and decided to watch some cooking videos. Yes, lately she’d been secretly learning how to cook. Every time Qin Xuan was busy alone in the kitchen, she felt guilty—she’d watched so many tutorials and now just needed hands-on practice!

She rummaged through the fridge, ready to try something new tonight. Thinking about the last failed fish dish, Liu Ruoxi was determined not to give up!

Qin Xuan had barely turned on his computer when Liu Ruoxi messaged him, telling him not to cook dinner tonight. What was she up to now?

He wanted to ask, but the game had already started, so he left it for later.

After gaming, Qin Xuan and Qin Lin’er were exhausted. Suddenly, Qin Xuan caught the scent of something burning from outside the door.

He and Qin Lin’er exchanged glances and rushed out.

They found Liu Ruoxi, holding a lid in one hand and a spatula in the other, still trying to stir-fry. Oil splattered everywhere!

“Damn!” Qin Xuan yelled, snatching the lid and covering the pot, then turning off the stove.

He looked at the thoroughly intimidated Liu Ruoxi.

“Are you all right?” Qin Xuan gently pulled her into his arms, noticing her face dotted with red marks from splattered oil. Tenderly, he stroked her cheek.

“Come here,” he led the dejected Liu Ruoxi to the sofa and searched the drawer for ointment—luckily, they had some on hand.

“Why did you try cooking by yourself?” Qin Xuan said, applying the ointment. “You have me, don’t you?”

Qin Lin’er followed, holding Liu Ruoxi’s other hand in comfort.

“I just thought…” Liu Ruoxi muttered, feeling utterly embarrassed, her head bowed.

“Too much time in the kitchen isn’t good for your skin. Let me handle it alone,” Qin Xuan finished tending her face, checking the rest of her body. Fortunately, she wore enough layers—only her clothes were stained with oil.

“Oh… Okay,” Liu Ruoxi, before Qin Xuan could react, leaned in to hug him, murmuring, “Am I really that dumb?”

“Not at all! I was the same when I started,” Qin Xuan admitted, patting her back. “Don’t overthink it—everyone struggles with the heat at first.”

After a while, Liu Ruoxi’s blush faded, and she put aside her embarrassment.

“Go check the kitchen…” Liu Ruoxi finally remembered the tortured state of the kitchen.

Qin Xuan lifted the pot lid and discovered Liu Ruoxi had tried to make twice-cooked pork. He was impressed—she dared attempt such a dish on her first try, and the slices were so thick!

Liu Ruoxi entered with a dirty towel, intending to clean up. Watching Qin Xuan deftly handle the kitchen, she sighed. Why was she so obsessed with cooking? It wasn’t necessary!

Soon enough, dinner was served. Liu Ruoxi kept picking at the twice-cooked pork, barely touching the other dishes, as if determined to get her revenge.

Qin Xuan understood her mindset—she really held a grudge!

After dinner, Qin Xuan lay on the bed, watching Liu Ruoxi examine herself in the mirror, and sighed softly.

“Does it still hurt?”

“It does!” Liu Ruoxi sprawled across Qin Xuan, her large eyes fixed on him.

Qin Xuan instantly understood and kissed her cheek.

“It hurts here too!” Liu Ruoxi demanded more, but Qin Xuan was happy to oblige…

Meanwhile, Nan Zhiyi finally finished her work, stomach growling. With no dinner to mooch, she reluctantly ordered takeout—what a loss.

While waiting for food, she video-called Qin Xuan, and sure enough, Liu Ruoxi’s face appeared on the screen.

“Well? Here you are again, bothering my boyfriend late at night?” Liu Ruoxi teased.

“Of course! How else am I supposed to steal him away?” Nan Zhiyi shot back, raising an eyebrow.

“Shameless! Wait until I see you tomorrow—I’ll make you pay!” After a few casual exchanges, Liu Ruoxi hung up.

Nan Zhiyi hummed smugly. In this arena, whoever hangs up first loses! Even if it was just self-consolation, she felt quite satisfied.

“Hmph! How does it feel to be coveted by Zhiyi?” Liu Ruoxi tossed the phone aside and interrogated Qin Xuan, “Tell the truth!”

“Well… it does feel a little, um…” Qin Xuan said, holding Liu Ruoxi’s hand before he finished. As expected, Liu Ruoxi tried to hit him.

“Go to sleep! I’m furious!” she declared, but Qin Xuan, knowing her well, realized she wasn’t really angry.

He reached out and embraced Liu Ruoxi’s back as she turned away, feeling content. Was this the sensation single people could never experience?