Chapter 48.1: A Side Dish
“By the way, didn’t you just say there’d be a punishment for the loser?”
“Uh—!”
Jian Sichun froze, her face turning red with embarrassment.
She remembered the punishments she had endured in the past.
Of course, they wouldn’t do anything like the punishments couples do now, but just hearing the word “punishment” from Shi Hai made her body instinctively brace for “battle.”
“I-I’m true to my word! You can punish me however you want!”
Jian Sichun decided to go all in, straightening her body and slightly lifting her head, ready to accept whatever he had in mind.
But under her expectant yet embarrassed gaze, Shi Hai just patted her shoulder and casually said,
“Then, you’re punished to help me move the luggage.”
“…”
“Come on, it’s time to move out.”
Watching Shi Hai get up from his seat and walk out of the room, Jian Sichun felt even more embarrassed.
What on earth was I expecting?!
She squatted down, holding her head in her hands, pressing her forehead against her knees, feeling her cheeks burn with embarrassment.
Am I really this desperate…?
For the first time, Jian Sichun felt that she might have turned into a shameless woman, spoiled by Shi Hai’s affection.
And why did I feel so embarrassed…?
In the past, she wouldn’t have been shaken by something like this.
After all, she had “been through it all.”
But ever since she was reborn, Jian Sichun felt like her mindset had reverted to that of a twenty-year-old, or even younger, like an eighteen-year-old high school girl.
It was as if she was an innocent maiden, inexperienced in matters of love, blushing and getting flustered over a simple word or thought… completely immature.
From a psychological standpoint, she was already a 29-year-old woman, so why was she acting like a girl who had never been in love?
She was regressing… well, literally going back in time.
It’s all because of him…
Jian Sichun raised her head again to see Shi Hai already helping her lift her suitcase, and she couldn’t help but smile foolishly with happiness.
Perhaps… it wasn’t just Shi Hai who was influenced by Jian Sichun.
Jian Sichun, too, was influenced by Shi Hai, rediscovering that sweet and innocent “first love” feeling.
Compared to the rational relationships of adults, Jian Sichun preferred this feeling.
As long as it’s sweet, being a love-struck fool isn’t so bad.
With that thought, Jian Sichun relaxed and joined Shi Hai in moving the luggage.
…
Dinner time.
Tonight’s dinner was a collaboration between Zhu Lingjie and Jian Sichun.
The meal was so abundant that it elevated the quality of dinner at Shi Hai’s house to an unprecedented level.
Although Liu Zhenshan was somewhat displeased that her cooking skills were outshone by her son, she couldn’t help but beam with pride upon seeing how skilled her “future daughters-in-law” were in the kitchen. She showered both of them with praise.
In her heart, she harbored the unrealistic wish of having both of them as her daughter-in-law.
Even Shi Hai was impressed and gave them plenty of compliments.
Seeing how much Shi Hai enjoyed the food and receiving his praise, Zhu Lingjie wore a contented smile, already satisfied beyond measure.
She felt that she would sleep soundly tonight and even dream sweetly.
Jian Sichun, on the other hand, secretly vowed to practice more after realizing that Zhu Lingjie’s cooking was several notches above hers.
She was determined to catch up.
Watching the delightful reactions of the girls, Liu Zhenshan found herself eating faster than usual.
It wasn’t until her chopsticks scraped the bottom of her bowl that she realized she had almost finished her rice without noticing.
Taking in the girls’ emotional expressions was more appetizing than any gourmet dish in the world!
Today, Liu Zhenshan’s appetite was through the roof, and she doubled her usual intake.
“Shi Hai, get me another bowl of rice!”
Jian Sichun and Zhu Lingjie stood up simultaneously.
“I’ll get it.””Let me get it.”
They exchanged glances, feeling a bit awkward.
After all, their eagerness to please was quite obvious.
The two of them then awkwardly smiled and started to politely offer the task to the other.
“You go ahead, Sichun…” “You offered first, Lingjie, so it’s only right that you do it…”
Liu Zhenshan took a bite of food and then another big mouthful of rice.
Delicious! So delicious!
Shi Hai, however, was quite speechless.