Let's Stay Like This for a Bit

Lily smiled mischievously, "I'll gladly help you out if you need me. You have my contact number, so let me know anytime, but today I have an appointment so take a rain check on it. During this time being, you should sort out your feelings and figure out what you really want to do. Don't act impulsively just in the heat of the moment."

She turned around and took a step forward, "Ah! I forgot to tell you that when I said do whatever you haven't done in the past, it doesn't include pinning my Su down and being naughty. If I find out that you attempted that then my heels are always ready to serve your balls with a great show of balloon deflation."

She winked and waved as she exited the laboratory.

As much as Chen Mu would love to pin Susu down, he would only do things that she gives consent for and is comfortable with doing. After Lily had left, he followed the same exit out of the lab and started to laugh slightly, "Haha, you do have the most valuable friend. I'm glad you have someone like that to protect you, other than me."

Chen Mu gathered himself together and went to the supermarket to grab the freshest ingredients that he sees. "Right, I still have to make her diet plan. I can't sit here sloppily all day."

He rushed home right after buying ingredients for tonight's dinner because Susu told him that she would be home early. Upon entering his condo with three bags of groceries in his arms, he heard Susu's humming sound coming from the kitchen. Without saying a word, he quietly walked to where she was.

Standing by the dining table, he captured the lovely moment of her making food while singing with his apron clumsily tangled in dead knots. Even so, to him, this was the most heartwarming picture he had seen ever since moving into this place. At this moment, he felt like everything was perfect and complete.

"Hehe~ It's done~~" She scooped the stir fried vegetables with beef onto a clean plate and sniffed it. The fragrance of the dish was enough to make one's mouth water. He gulped to the delicious smell coming from the food.

Susu turned around with a huge smile with a pair of chopsticks in her hand and a piece of beef stuck between it. "Welcome back~ Were you thinking of scaring me? Hehe, I have great ears, so I knew you were back. Here, try this beef, say ahhhh" She walked towards Chen Mu and brought the food to him. While staring at her, he opened his mouth, allowing her to feed him.

"Oh wait! It is still a little too hot. Hold on." He watched as the girl carefully blew the piece of meat before feeding it to him. Her eyes were filled with anticipation of praises that she almost looked like she was counting every single bite it took for him to eat it.

"So?~ How is it? How is it?~" The minute she saw movement with his Adam's apple, she knew he had swallowed it. He smiled at her and complimented, "Your cooking is extremely good. It makes me hungry and want to have more."

Hearing his response made her blush slightly, "I made a lot! It's enough for both of us! Hehe, go to wash your hands, and dinner will be ready!" She turned around and stepped forward a step before her body stopped midway and felt his touch. The bags of groceries dropped to the floor as his arms wrapped around her body and a familiar warmth spread throughout her body.

His head was leaning to the side of her head. The warmth from his body enveloped her mind as she let her guards down completely and felt a layer of security surrounding her. It was as if he was shielding her from all harm. After a few minutes had passed, he showed no signs of letting go.

Her hands reached for his arms and lightly patted, "Chen Mu? What's wrong?" He whispered, "Susu.."

"Mm.."

"Susu.."

"Yes, I'm listening.." The more he sounded like that, the more concerned she became. She tried to loosen his arms around her to look at his expression. After some attempts, he finally released her. Or so she thought.

Once she turned around, she was once again trapped in his comforting embrace. This time, he whispered, "Let's stay like this for a bit." Feeling the desires to get closer, she forgot her initial motive of loosening from his embrace. Eventually, her arms reciprocated the hug, making him tighten his arms slightly around her.

Everything was so peaceful and quiet that they closed their eyes and enjoyed each other's company. After the elevator incident from today, Susu had felt disgusted, but once she was in Chen Mu's embracing, she felt significantly better. Only she knew how much she loved his scent and the comfort he provides.

Finally, she rubbed his back and asked in the gentlest voice, "Are you alright?" He nodded and lowered his head onto her shoulders before letting go, "You must be hungry. Let's eat. I bought a lot of fresh vegetables, fruits, and meat. If the dishes you made aren't enough, we always have more varieties."

Seeing his smile gave her a sense of relief, "Alrighty! Then you go to wash up while I set up the table for dinner~ Oh wait, before you go..." She took a standing stool and knelt on it. Instinctively, he placed his arms around her hips to prevent her from falling.

Her hands used his shoulders for support as she kissed his forehead, followed by ruffling his hair. "I'm not sure what was wrong with you earlier, but seeing your smile right now is great. If you ever need a hug or comfort, I'll always be willing to be your hugger. For as long as you need me, I'll be there for you. So, don't keep things to yourself."

Before she got off the stool, she stuck out the index finger from both hands and used the fingertips to lift the corners of his lips, making it into a smile. "See? That's the handsome, confident Chen Mu that I know." She giggled before heading back to the kitchen to wash up and prepare for dinner.

She didn't know how hard it was for him to hold back and not hug her tightly again. She also didn't realize that his eyes turned pink as he turned around and headed for the bathroom. In his head, he recited her words. After closing the door behind him, he placed his hand on his chest where his heart felt suffocated and bitter, "I'll definitely find a cure for you. Definitely won't let you go."