Sweet Red Bean Pastry

Song Ren arrived home at night due to the pile of work that accumulated over the week, and partly it was because she wanted to avoid Su Feng.

When she walked into the house, she headed to the kitchen with a hungry stomach. She paused at the threshold when she caught a glimpse of the blond-haired familiar man.

Song Jinyi was folding puff pastry sheets while Su Feng wore an apron. He was placing paste within the sheets before handing them to Jinyi. A smile bloomed on Song Ren's face, at the sight of them.

She knew that Su Feng never made anything before in his spoiled life and wondered what had gotten into him.

She walked into the kitchen unannounced, and she startled them.

"You're finally back," Song Jinyi said with a gasp.

Song Ren glanced at Su Feng and said, "I've been held up at work, but I've finished all my work."

She looked at the counter and noticed the paste they made to go with the puff pastry sheets.

"Sweet red bean pastry," she quietly said, barely a whisper.

Song Ren swallowed hard. She remembered that day vividly at the mid-autumn festival. She made out the figure a young handsome blond man crowded by girls, including her friends.

Song Ren remembered that she was going to buy pastries when she suddenly caught sight of him. It was Su Feng, the boy she had seen pictures of from front covers and the media. He was also the heir to her father's rival.

Song Ren remembered approaching him swiftly and could not deny the reason why he was attracting those girls like bees with pollen. However, she could not help but scoff. Those girls were the same ones that bothered her about her older brother, Song Sheng.

She approached the stand with her head held high asking for a Sweet Bean Pastry. She felt Su Feng's incessant stare, but she did not dare to return it. She knew that acknowledging the boy would be dangerous for her heart.

She had seen many pictures of him and did not care because he was a proud heir of the largest pharmaceutical industry.

His family was considered to be old money, whereas hers is considered to be new money. That is why the Su family is powerful and wealthy, but she knew her father was their most significant competitor.

Song Ren also knew that he did not know who she was, but when her friend called out her name, she stilled, and the man next to her seemed to freeze. Song Ren then collected her Sweet bean pastry quickly and walked away when Su Feng spilled his drink on her. She knew it was not on purpose, but she felt humiliated above measure.

Song Ren then picked up the pastry and asked for a new one. When she walked away, she pretended to look unaffected. She could not believe that she embarrassed herself in front of him.

But since then nothing much has changed. Song Ren's heart always felt complicated around him. Were they friends or enemies? She still didn't know, but what she knew now was that he changed his childish ways, perhaps she should too.

Song Jinyi placed a tray of Sweet Red Bean pastries in the oven and said, "I'll be going to my room, it's running late," excusing herself. "Brother Feng, you're in charge of taking it out of the oven," her last words were.

When Jinyi left, Su Feng cleared his throat, "There were some that we made earlier, would you like some?" his words filled the awkward space between them.

He asked her gently, which took Ren by surprise. In their earlier years, he wasn't the slightest bit gentle. They bickered and argued often.

"I'll have some," she said.

Su Feng had a look of surprise flash across his eyes, but he composed himself quickly. She sat down on the stool and took a few pastries. She devoured each piece because of how hungry she was.

When Song Ren glanced at him, he was wearing a sly grin.

"What is it?" she asked irritated.

"Nothing," he said, keeping his thoughts to himself.

"Are they any good?" he asked.

While Song Ren continued to chew her food, she said, "Tasty." At that, Su Feng smiled. His smile entranced her on the spot; it was soft and genuine of him, a side of him she never witnessed before.

"You've changed," she said.

Su Feng frowned, "how so?" he asked.

"For the past week, you haven't insulted me or said something remotely snarky. Why are you nice to me?" Song Ren questioned.

Su Feng's heart sped up. In all honesty, he was not sure himself. He always knew she was beautiful, but he also hated her.

"Don't be over your head," he began, "You are going to be my wife, so why can't we learn to tolerate each other? "

Song Ren had a feeling. It was because they were going to get married that he was kind to her. They have not announced their engagement nor planned date for their wedding. She could back out at any moment, and so could he, but they both equally knew how vital their union was towards their families.

"Fine," she said. "I can learn to tolerate you."

"Good," he responded with a smile.

"Do you have work tomorrow?" he asked.

"No," she said and paused. Shoot. She forgot to lie.

"Perfect. Then you can accompany me at work," Su Feng said with a broad grin.

Song Ren sighed deeply, "Fine." She felt defeated, but eventually, she had to visit his company. Although they were engaged, she was still surprised that he wanted to bring her there.