Chapter 280: TWO LOVEBIRDS

Old Li nodded, admiring the carefully plated fish.

"I’m sure the young master would appreciate the gesture."

Zhang Wei placed a bowl of rice, and Old Li added a plate of stir-fried vegetables.

"While you serve the food, I’ll get Wang to get the young master."

Liuxian nodded and took off the apron, placing it back on the hook.

He stared at the food; this was his first-ever dish. He hoped it was good enough for Guiying to eat.

Guiying, on the other hand, was heading back to the main house.

Having dropped off Fu Pei in the staff building, they were now heading to the main house.

He raised a brow, seeing Liuxian’s car parked up front. Checking the time, he stared at the car, puzzled.

Just a little over 5:30pm. Liuxian usually didn’t return home this early.

At most 6:30pm or 7:00 pm at the latest.

"I wonder what he’s up to."

He thanked the cart driver as he got down.

Fu Pei had taken most of his afternoon; he had wasted his sleeping hours.

He was about to reach for the doorknob when it pushed open.

"Ah! Young master, I was to fetch you. It’s time for dinner."

-_-

Guiying’s eyes narrowed. Since when did they have dinner this early, or was it because Liuxian was around?

Butler Wang held back a laugh, seeing the confusion on Guiying’s face.

He could tell something was off, but he didn’t know what.

"Where’s Liuxian? I saw his car outside; are we having dinner because he’s home so early?"

Butler Wang shrugged, gesturing for Guiying to look forward.

-_-

What the heck?

The whole setting reeked of suspicion.

Now he was really curious what Liuxian was up to.

When they got to the dining room, Guiying pulled out a chair.

Eating dinner this early wasn’t that bad. He had a fitting tomorrow so that he could avoid the bloating.

"Young master, Guiying is seated. You should serve him now."

Liuxian nodded, his hands shaking slightly, the tray swaying.

He felt like a chef serving his food to a critic, where their verdict could either make him or break him.

"You can do this."

Zhang Wei, Old Li, and Butler Wang raised their thumbs, offering him their biggest smiles.

Liuxian nodded; there was no pressure. It was his husband he was serving; he knew Guiying would go easy on his feelings.

He carried the tray and stepped out of the kitchen, silently walking to the table.

"Sorry for the delay, here’s your meal."

Guiying turned back to see Liuxian holding a tray, his lips curled up.

"Why are you the one serving the meal? And why is there only one serving?"

His brow pulled together; was there a Chapter he missed?

Liuxian came home early to serve dinner?

"This is for you; that’s why there’s only one serving."

He set the plate of fish first, then the bowl of rice, followed by the plate of stir-fried vegetables.

"I’m sorry I didn’t pay attention to your feelings that day. It must have taken everything in you to say that. I should have been more considerate."

Guiying’s heart raced. He didn’t need Liuxian to say it aloud.

Liuxian came home early to make dinner for him.

"Did you make this yourself?"

Liuxian stared at the kitchen door, then at the food.

"I had a lot of help..."

Guiying nodded and picked up the chopsticks, moving to pick the fish.

He would try the fish first, then pair it with rice.

Guiying took a bite of the steamed fish. It was soft, flaky, ginger and scallion cutting through the soy. He paused mid-chew. It was better than he expected. He took another bite without thinking.

"Do you like it? It’s my first time."

Guiying set the chopsticks down, stood up, and walked toward Liuxian.

Resting his forehead on his chest, he let out a long sigh.

His fingers curled around Liuxian’s shirt, then he wrapped his hands around him.

"I wasn’t angry at you; I was angry at myself, and I’m sorry for lashing out at you. I was—overwhelmed then. Thank you for making me dinner; it was delicious, and I’m so happy being the first person to taste your cooking."

Liuxian froze.

The weight of Guiying against his chest stole the air from him. He could feel Guiying’s shaky breath through his shirt, and the way his fingers curled into the fabric like he wasn’t sure he should let go.

From the kitchen doorway, Old Li, Zhang Wei, and Butler Wang all had soft smiles on their faces. None of them made a sound.

Liuxian didn’t see them.

All the things he’d wanted to say were stuck in his throat. Apologies felt too small right now.

So he didn’t use words.

His arms came up instead. One hand settled between Guiying’s shoulder blades. The other rested at the back of his head, gentle. He held him. Steady. Like he’d been waiting to.

Guiying exhaled against his chest—a long, quiet breath.

Liuxian lowered his forehead until it rested against Guiying’s temple.

He didn’t pull away.

He just stayed there, holding him.

"You’re my everything, Guiying. I always want you to be happy, and that means letting you experience things for yourself. Our age difference makes it look like I’m the one in control, but I love and respect you; we are equals, and I don’t ever want you thinking you answer to me or you’re beneath me or anything like that."

Guiying’s grip tightened around his shirt.

"I know." His voice came out muffled against Liuxian’s chest. "I’ve always known that. That’s why what you did hurt the way it did. If I thought you didn’t respect me, I wouldn’t have cared enough to fight about it."

Liuxian’s hand stilled at the back of his head.

"I still shouldn’t have listened."

"No, you shouldn’t have." Guiying pulled back just enough to look up at him. "But I also shouldn’t have let you find out that way."

They stood there for a moment, neither of them letting go.

"Where did you get the idea to cook? Knowing you would have just given me money."

-_-

Liuxian chuckled nervously; he should really send Tiantian a thank-you gift.

"I got the idea from Tiantian, and Mum told me where to get the fish."

Guiying patted his chest, walking back to the table.

"You did a good job; now let’s eat."

"There’s only one serving."

"So we share it." Guiying dropped back into his chair and slid the plate toward the center of the table. "I’m not eating your first meal alone while you stand there watching me like I’m judging a competition."

Liuxian hesitated, glancing toward the kitchen doorway where three heads immediately disappeared out of sight.

He sighed and sat down.

Guiying picked up his chopsticks, lifted a piece of fish, and held it out toward him.

"Open wide."

"Guiying—"

"You cooked it. You get to taste it." Guiying’s brow lifted, unmoving. "Now open up."

Liuxian obeyed, letting Guiying feed him the first bite of the first meal he’d ever made in his life.

He chewed slowly, considering.

"It’s not bad."

Guiying nodded along with him, taking a bite himself.

"It’s not. You could go a little easy on the salt, but other than that it’s delicious."

Liuxian slowly slid his hand along the table until it found Guiying’s.

"I’ll definitely do better next time. I’ll take cooking lessons so I can cook for you every day."

He lifted Guiying’s hand to his lips, kissing it gently.

"Aww, that’s so sweet. Look at you two lovebirds."

Fu Pei stood at the entryway; he had gotten bored and wanted to play with Guiying.

Who would have thought he’d walk in and see him all cute with his husband?

"Who’s that? Did you get a boy toy just because you were angry?"

-_-

"What do you take me for?! I’m a married man. Fu Pei is my assistant; he has no issue except his loose tongue."

Fu Pei strolled to the table, bowing slightly. "Nice to finally meet you, Mr. Liu. I’ve heard many great things about you."

Liuxian nodded; he recognized the name. Fu Pei was the hacker known as 404.

He couldn’t ask Guiying what prompted him to make his informant his assistant, as it would lead to answering questions he didn’t have the answer to.

"Why did you randomly decide to get an assistant? You can’t be that busy..."

-_-

Guiying’s lips twitched; he couldn’t exactly say Fu Pei was his informant, so he coughed slightly.

"Um. I just decided, since I’m going to be busy in a couple of days, why not get an assistant? Or do you not think I deserve one? Is it because I’m not a CEO like you?"

Liuxian immediately shook his head. "Of course not, that’s not what I meant. I’ll get you an entire entourage if you want."

Guiying patted his hand; now Liuxian wouldn’t ask questions anymore. "No, Fu Pei is enough."