7

When Wen Yixin didn't get a response from Qin Ruan, who seemed lost in thought, she gently tugged on her hand, "Qin Ruan, what's wrong?"

Qin Ruan's gaze was fixed on Wen Yixin's moving lips, and she subconsciously licked her own, her voice dry, "It's nothing."

Wen Yixin gave her a curious look, "Are you sure you're not lying?"

Under Wen Yixin's intense gaze, Qin Ruan couldn't help but feel a wave of anxiety wash over her. She lowered her eyelashes and softly denied, "I'm not lying."

"Alright then." Wen Yixin released her hand and asked, "What kind of meat do you want? And don't just say 'anything.'"

Relieved that Wen Yixin had changed the subject, Qin Ruan quietly exhaled and took a moment to look around. After a brief hesitation, she pointed to the fish and shrimp section, "Fish and shrimp—are those okay?"

Wen Yixin followed her gaze to the fish and shrimp swimming in the glass tanks and couldn't help but smile, "Of course."

"You made a great choice."

Qin Ruan's ears flushed slightly at the unexpected compliment, and she lowered her gaze in embarrassment, "No, I just picked something randomly."

Wen Yixin chuckled, "I'm serious; you chose very well." The fresh fish and shrimp were a much better choice than the frozen ones nearby.

It wasn't that Wen Yixin had anything against frozen seafood, but she preferred fresh ingredients whenever possible.

With a deepening smile, Wen Yixin took Qin Ruan's hand, "Come on, let's go pick out some fish and shrimp, and then we can head home."

Qin Ruan followed Wen Yixin's lead, her gaze dropping to the hand holding hers. A smile slowly spread across her lips.

The sensation of warmth and softness from Wen Yixin's hand was so comforting that it stirred a gentle sense of attachment within her.

As they walked hand in hand, Qin Ruan's fingers curled slightly, and she tightened her grip, savoring the warmth that flowed between them.

After returning home from the supermarket, Wen Yixin went straight to the kitchen with the groceries, while Qin Ruan took care of putting the fruits and snacks away in the fridge and pantry.

As Wen Yixin began washing the fish that had been cleaned at the supermarket, she turned and asked, "How about we make fish soup tonight?"

"And for the shrimp, I'll stir-fry them."

"Sounds good," Qin Ruan replied, turning to look at Wen Yixin with a sparkle in her eyes, her mood evidently lifted.

Catching the bright expression in Qin Ruan's eyes, Wen Yixin paused momentarily, then blinked and quickly looked away. She nonchalantly placed the cleaned fish on the cutting board before stepping over to the stove to boil some water.

Over by the pantry, Qin Ruan finished putting away the snacks and walked over to Wen Yixin, asking softly, "Big Sister Wen, is there anything I can help with?"

Wen Yixin cleared her throat lightly, "You can help by chopping some ginger, green onions, and garlic. Then, wash a bunch of greens. I'll take care of the rest."

"Okay." Qin Ruan obediently nodded and began her tasks.

Wen Yixin glanced over at her before returning to the fish. She made a few incisions along the fish's back, then heated a pan and added a small amount of oil.

Once the oil reached the right temperature, Wen Yixin carefully placed the fish in the pan to sear, taking a few steps back to avoid any splattering oil.

She was quick enough that when the fish hit the hot oil and caused it to splatter, none of it touched her.

Just then, Qin Ruan finished washing the greens and placed them in a colander to drain. As she shook the colander a few times, she was drawn to the fragrant smell of the fish and walked over to Wen Yixin.

She placed the colander down and, enticed by the aroma, moved closer to Wen Yixin, watching intently as she flipped the fish to reveal its golden-brown skin. Qin Ruan couldn't resist stepping forward to get a closer look.

Noticing her movement and remembering the splattering oil, Wen Yixin quickly warned, "Qin Ruan, don't get too close."

"Hmm? Why—" Qin Ruan started to ask, turning her head toward Wen Yixin, but was cut off as a warm hand suddenly pressed against her right cheek.

At the same time, Wen Yixin hissed in pain, "Ow, that's hot." She shook her hand and quickly moved to the sink to run cold water over the spot where the hot oil had splashed her.

Qin Ruan froze, instinctively following Wen Yixin's movements.

Her gaze locked onto Wen Yixin's hand, noting the small blisters and red marks that were beginning to form despite the cold water.

All of those were from the hot oil that had splashed out.

And it was all because Wen Yixin had shielded her.

As Qin Ruan stared at the marks on Wen Yixin's hand, a deep sense of guilt and a sharp pang of sadness welled up inside her.

"Big Sister Wen..."

"I'm sorry." She shouldn't have gotten so close.

If she hadn't moved closer, Wen Yixin wouldn't have been burned by the oil.

"You don't need to apologize," Wen Yixin said, turning off the faucet and looking up at Qin Ruan with a gentle smile. "It's just a small burn on my hand. I'll put some ointment on it, and it'll heal in no time."

"But you," Wen Yixin paused, her lips curling into a soft smile as she added:

"You have such a beautiful face. Wouldn't it be a shame if it got burned?"