Chapter 6

When Chi Wanzhao got home from work, the first thing she saw was Kong Xiyan asleep on the sofa, Yanyan curled up in her arms, so deeply asleep that even the sound of the door opening didn't rouse her. She changed her shoes and went in, stopping at the coffee table to see the sticky note she'd left that morning had been flipped over, with writing on the back.

'Diet failed, but spent an hour and a half walking Yanyan.'

The handwriting was elegant and firm, a stark contrast to the showy flourish of her signature.

Chi Wanzhao set the note down and turned to look at the woman and cat on the sofa.

Kong Xiyan liked to sleep on her side, curled up like a shrimp. Her brows were relaxed, her breathing soft, one hand still resting on Yanyan.

Yanyan was nestled at her chest, her plump body a round snowball, with only the fluffy tips of her ears peeking out, twitching every now and then.

Chi Wanzhao sat on the edge of the chaise lounge, her sharp gaze softening and the lines of her face relaxing. She reached out to stroke Yanyan gently, feeling the vibration of a purr under her palm.

The living room felt tranquil and warm.

After sitting quietly for half an hour, Chi Wanzhao's eyes dropped to Kong Xiyan. She raised her hand, intending to tuck the sleeping woman's hair behind her ear, but stopped midair, afraid of waking her.

Finally, she curled her fingers and looked away, a hint of coolness in her gaze.

As Chi Wanzhao reached the kitchen and opened the fridge, Yanyan woke. Pricking up her ears, she sprang upright, and seeing the familiar figure in the kitchen, gave a soft mew before leaping off the sofa and bounding over to Chi Wanzhao.

She nipped at her pant leg!

Chi Wanzhao: ...

Her usual icy demeanor melted in front of the cat. She shook her head helplessly. "No."

Yanyan: "Meow..."

Chi Wanzhao shook her head again. "Begging won't help."

Yanyan looked mournful, slowly rubbing her teeth on Chi Wanzhao's ankle, licking it now and then, and rubbing her body against Chi Wanzhao's calf. Chi Wanzhao lifted her by the front paws and pointed at her belly. "One more meow and you skip dinner tomorrow."

Yanyan: "Meow..."

Seeing the cat deflate, Chi Wanzhao looked away, set her outside the kitchen, and closed the door.

Yanyan, full of resentment, scratched at the door. The harsh sound roused Kong Xiyan, who blinked her sleepy eyes open and looked between Yanyan and—Chi Wanzhao in an apron.

Kong Xiyan lifted her gaze and met Chi Wanzhao's eyes. Chi Wanzhao said calmly, "Awake?"

Kong Xiyan's face stiffened. "Mm."

Yanyan was still testing the thickness of the door. Chi Wanzhao slid open the glass door, picked up Yanyan, walked a few steps, and placed her in Kong Xiyan's arms. "Take her to the second-floor room, then come down to help with dinner."

Kong Xiyan let out an "Oh." She took the reluctant Yanyan, who kept scrambling to get back to Chi Wanzhao, grabbed her by the scruff, and looked her in the eye. "Stop fussing, or she won't feed you."

Yanyan, who had been meowing nonstop, suddenly quieted, her blue eyes fixed on Kong Xiyan as if asking, "Will you feed me?"

Seeing that hopeful gaze, Kong Xiyan steeled herself, carried her upstairs, and shut her in the bedroom.

With Yanyan gone, the living room was much quieter. Kong Xiyan stood at the kitchen doorway, watching Chi Wanzhao set out ingredients on the cutting board. She asked awkwardly, "What should I do?"

Chi Wanzhao didn't turn around; her crisp, cool voice drifted over. "Wash the vegetables first."

Kong Xiyan rolled up her pajama sleeves, ready to get to work, when Chi Wanzhao suddenly turned and grabbed her wrist. "Wait."

"Huh?"

Chi Wanzhao took a red apron from the rack beside her and shook it out. It wasn't the pullover kind, but one that tied at the neck and waist.

Kong Xiyan stood there ready to take it, but Chi Wanzhao bypassed her reaching hand, stepped closer, brushed Kong Xiyan's hair aside, and brought the straps around her neck, tying a loose knot with nimble fingers.

She carried a faint, pleasant scent; being this close, Kong Xiyan's nose was filled with it. She lowered her head slightly and saw Chi Wanzhao's delicate collarbone, close enough to touch, and below it, a hint of undergarment.

Kong Xiyan awkwardly looked away.

Chi Wanzhao didn't give her a chance to retreat. After tying the neck strap, she rested her head on Kong Xiyan's shoulder, reaching around to tie the waist.

Kong Xiyan's hands were still in the air. She wanted to step back, but Chi Wanzhao said lightly, "Don't move."

She was so close, her voice ringing in Kong Xiyan's ear like muffled thunder. Kong Xiyan's cheeks flushed, her bright eyes darting, her hands at a loss.

Only when Chi Wanzhao finished tying the apron and stepped back, satisfied, did she say, "Done."

Kong Xiyan cleared her throat. "Thanks."

A hint of delight touched Chi Wanzhao's brows. "No need for such formality. We're legally married."

Kong Xiyan: ...

The kitchen wasn't very large, only a couple of steps between them. After Kong Xiyan washed the vegetables and placed them on the cutting board, Chi Wanzhao began chopping with practiced ease.

To Chi Wanzhao's left was a pressure cooker. She deftly added the cut chicken, scallions, garlic, and seasonings, set the function and timer, then turned to fire up the wok.

Kong Xiyan looked at her profile—jaw set, lips pressed, expression serious and focused.

Chi Wanzhao hadn't changed after coming home, only slipped off her jacket, revealing an orange shirt. She'd rolled her sleeves to the elbow, showing her slender, fair arms. Kong Xiyan watched her work in an orderly fashion, as if she were crafting some fine work of art.

A meticulous expression.

They say people look their best when serious.

And this was a beautiful woman already.

Even more captivating.

Kong Xiyan forgot to look away, her gaze following the rise and fall of those wrists, until Chi Wanzhao poured the stir-fried dish onto a plate, wisps of steam rising. She raised the plate to hand it to Kong Xiyan.

The latter didn't react.

Chi Wanzhao smiled softly, her voice still clear, with a hint of amusement. "Is it nice?"

Kong Xiyan met those bright eyes through the steam, saying awkwardly, "Don't misunderstand, President Chi. It's just that I find it surprising that someone like you would cook for yourself."

"Of course, you also look good cooking."

Chi Wanzhao placed the plate in her hands, a faint smile still on her lips; when she withdrew her gaze, more amusement crept into her eyes. "I'm afraid it's you who misunderstood, Miss Kong. I was just asking if the dish looked nice."

"After all, this is your first meal here, so I want it to be satisfying."

Kong Xiyan: ...

Nice! Really nice! You're all nice!

She carried the plate out of the kitchen in big strides, took a deep breath, set it on the dining table, and glanced back at Chi Wanzhao's slender back before plopping down at the table.

The dishes were now all in the pan. Chi Wanzhao washed her hands and brought the remaining stir-fried dish to the table. The soup and rice weren't ready yet. She checked her watch and said to Kong Xiyan, "I'll take a shower first. Remember to serve the soup."

She couldn't eat food that was too hot, so she always waited ten minutes before eating. But she didn't know if Kong Xiyan had the same habit, so she added, "If you're hungry, eat first."

Kong Xiyan shook her head. "It's fine. I'll wait for you."

Chi Wanzhao nodded and headed upstairs. The moment she opened the door, Yanyan slipped out from under her feet. She sat right at the door, looking up at her.

Those blue eyes stared at her with reproach, seeming to complain about her cold-heartedness!

Chi Wanzhao: ...

Yanyan was shut in the room next door.

Kong Xiyan heard the commotion from downstairs and looked up, but both doors were closed. She averted her gaze back to the script.

The script was what Tong Yue had given her after the dinner, and Kong Xiyan had read the original novel.

It was a story set during the war-torn era.

The world was divided into three kingdoms: Wu, Zhao, and Wei, standing in a tripod.

A town in the state of Wu bordered Wei and was forever in turmoil. Eventually, it was wiped out by Wei in one fell swoop. All the townspeople, men and women, old and young, were slaughtered, leaving only a handful alive.

Among them was a young boy who survived against all odds.

He fared better than most; before joining the army, he met the daughter of the prime minister, and through that connection, he climbed the ranks steadily, eventually becoming a deputy general. The prime minister, seeing he was a man of talent and promise, both in civil and martial arts, struck a deal with him: if he ever became a general, he would give his daughter's hand in marriage.

Three years later, he finally attained the rank of general and asked the prime minister for his daughter's hand. Before the two could enjoy their romantic moments, war erupted at the border as Wei forces invaded. He volunteered for the border, harboring deep-seated hatred for Wei.

The prime minister's daughter knew the knot in his heart and was willing to await his triumphant return.

But he never came back.

At the border, he narrowly escaped death and was saved by the Wei commandery princess. Learning he had lost his memory, she kept him by her side. Over time, he grew to love her.

The prime minister's daughter refused to believe he had died in battle. She struggled to reach the border, and amidst the chaos, she saw the man she longed for, but he no longer remembered their vows.

She tried every possible means to win him back, resorting to clinging and pleading, but the amnesiac general never looked back at her once, and she endured repeated harsh words.

Finally, her heart turned cold.

Soon after her return, the prime minister arranged a marriage for her, making her the Crown Prince's consort.

The general, obedient to the princess, began leading troops against Wu. He was valiant and unmatched, driving the Wei soldiers all the way to Wu's capital. The prime minister's daughter, now Crown Prince's consort, stood on the city wall, exchanging a look with him.

Then she leapt to her death.

His memory returned.

The rest of the plot follows him using his identity to dismantle Wei step by step, entangled with the princess's feelings.

Kong Xiyan didn't read further because her role wasn't in those scenes.

She was set to play the general's first love, the prime minister's daughter.

She was pondering the plot when she heard a beep from the kitchen. Probably the soup Chi Wanzhao had timed was done. She put down the script and went to the kitchen.

The pressure cooker displayed "keep warm," meaning it was ready.

Kong Xiyan took a soup bowl from the cabinet, then pressed the top switch of the pressure cooker, just as she'd seen Chi Wanzhao do earlier.

But it didn't open. She tried again, pressing harder, but the lid wouldn't budge.

Frowning, she was about to try when a sharp voice came from behind. "What are you doing?!"

Kong Xiyan turned to see Chi Wanzhao, fresh from her shower, hair tied up, wearing a nightgown. Under that intense gaze, she felt a twinge of guilt.

"I'm serving the soup."

Chi Wanzhao let out a breath of relief, walked over, and said, "Don't open the lid like that in the future. There's pressure inside; it could hurt you."

Kong Xiyan: "Oh..."

She had never lifted a finger in the kitchen before, and after her debut, she hadn't stepped foot in one either. She'd only learned to cook in the past couple of years, but where she'd been, having an electric rice cooker was already a luxury.

Let alone a pressure cooker.

Seeing her expression, Chi Wanzhao came up behind her, took her right hand, and said, "First press this to release the pressure, then wait until this light turns green. When you lift the lid, do it from the side, and watch out for the steam."

The moment Chi Wanzhao took her hand, Kong Xiyan instinctively pulled back, but behind her was a soft, warm embrace.

With no way to escape, she listened to Chi Wanzhao's instructions, and when she finished, there came a question close to her ear. "Got it?"

Kong Xiyan nodded. "Mm."

Chi Wanzhao had just bathed, her fingertips still damp, and her palm felt cool against Kong Xiyan's. Unable to bear the closeness, Kong Xiyan pulled free, ladled some soup into a bowl, and carried it to the dining table.

"Let's eat."

Chi Wanzhao cast her a glance and said, "Okay."

Her mind elsewhere after that exchange, Kong Xiyan ate absent-mindedly, but she couldn't deny the food was delicious—especially the soup, which was not the least bit greasy.

She had two bowls.

After dinner, her gaze kept drifting upstairs. Chi Wanzhao followed her gaze, thought for a moment, rose, went upstairs, and released Yanyan.

Yanyan meowed twice and dashed downstairs, then sat by her food bowl, wagging her tail left and right. Seeing that Chi Wanzhao was slow, she padded over to Chi Wanzhao's feet and rubbed her plump body against them.

Kong Xiyan felt sorry for her and looked up. "Just give her a little."

The cat and the woman wore identical expressions. A hint of helplessness flickered in Chi Wanzhao's calm eyes.

In the end, Yanyan got her cat food.

She cleared the bowl with satisfaction, then licked her belly with her pink tongue.

Kong Xiyan sighed at her cunning behavior.

The road to weight loss was long and arduous.

After clearing the dishes, Kong Xiyan sat on the sofa reading the script. The phone on the tea table buzzed. She glanced at it; it was Tong Yue.

"Tong Yue."

Tong Yue's voice was as crisp as ever. "The styling photos have been moved to the morning shoot. We'll release the official announcement in the afternoon."

Kong Xiyan: "Okay."

Tong Yue: "Also, have you read the script?"

Kong Xiyan picked up the script from the tea table. "I'm reading it now."

Tong Yue let out a breath. "Good."

Kong Xiyan: "Sister Tong, don't worry. I'll study it thoroughly."

Tong Yue gave a light laugh. "Miss Kong, do you know what's the scariest thing after a fall?"

Kong Xiyan paused. "I don't."

Tong Yue: "Never being able to get back up."

"Lucky for you, you still have the chance."