Chapter 295: A Different Su Yuqing

Seeing Chen Mo acting so much like a child seeking comfort, Su Yuqing didn’t mind at all that his head was resting on a sensitive part of her body. Instead, a gentle smile graced her face as she softly stroked the back of his head, soothing him.

She didn’t know that Chen Mo had witnessed everything she went through in that pessimistic world, but she had come to understand just how important she was to him.

Just knowing that made her incredibly happy.

Feeling Su Yuqing’s gentle caress, her tangible presence, her distinct scent, Chen Mo thought, ‘It’s so wonderful to be alive in this world.’

‘Her just being here, alive and well by my side, is the greatest fortune and blessing heaven could ever give me this lifetime.’

Holding her this tightly, Chen Mo couldn’t bear to let go for even a second.

And Su Yuqing, wrapped in Chen Mo’s arms, was just as reluctant to break free from his embrace.

Time ticked by, minute by minute, second by second. The two did nothing at all, simply holding each other close, and they stayed like that for the entire afternoon.

But to them, it felt as if only an instant had passed.

Noticing it was getting late, Chen Mo reluctantly lifted his head from the soft, fragrant “pillow.”

“Had a good nap?” Su Yuqing asked, looking at Chen Mo affectionately.

Chen Mo noticed that ever since they’d woken from the dream, Su Yuqing’s attitude toward him seemed to have changed on a deeper level.

He couldn’t quite put his finger on what the specific change was. Her tenderness? It was still there, as gentle as ever. Her love? Still just as fervent.

But something just felt different.

In truth, it was that Su Yuqing was now more inclined to take care of *him*.

Previously, Su Yuqing had passively enjoyed his doting, gradually growing accustomed to depending on him.

But after the dream, all the heartache and affection she’d felt for Chen Mo within that world had been left without an outlet, as she’d been unable to touch him or offer any words of comfort.

Now that she was back in reality, she was projecting all the tender love from the dream onto him.

So, naturally, another layer of protective affection was added to the love she already felt.

This was why her current demeanor felt so different to Chen Mo.

Compared to passively receiving Chen Mo’s love before, she was now taking the initiative to love him.

“What do you want for dinner?” Su Yuqing asked, smiling at Chen Mo.

“Sure, whatever you want,” Chen Mo replied with a casual smile.

“Nope. What do *you* want to eat?” Su Yuqing insisted, her beautiful, wide eyes fixed on Chen Mo with a serious expression.

“Well… how about tomato and egg noodles?” After what felt like a lifetime of separation, Chen Mo suddenly craved something sweet and sour to jolt his taste buds and give him a concrete sense of being alive.

“Alright. You wait here, I’ll go make it.” Su Yuqing cupped Chen Mo’s face and planted a kiss on his forehead before getting up and heading to the kitchen.

It was only then that Chen Mo finally realized what had changed about Su Yuqing.

She had become more assertive than before.

‘These were the kinds of things I used to do for her.’

Chen Mo felt a jolt of surprise at the role reversal, but as he savored the feeling, he decided their current dynamic was pretty great too.

‘Who doesn’t like being spoiled by the person they love?’

‘It’s the same for men and women alike.’

The feeling of being drowned in love is like an addictive poison that seeps into your bones, making it impossible to escape.

Love is the sweetest “poison” in the world!

Watching Su Yuqing’s busy form in the kitchen, Chen Mo’s eyes brimmed with affection, and a sweet warmth spread through his heart.

‘This must be what married life is like.’

Chen Mo couldn’t help but think of their future together.

As Chen Mo watched TV, his mind lost in thought, he soon heard Su Yuqing’s gentle voice calling out, “The noodles are ready! Come and get it.”

On the dining table sat a bowl of tomato and egg noodles, piled high with ingredients.

This bowl of tomato and egg noodles wasn’t just tomatoes and eggs. It was adorned with tender green vegetable leaves, while slivers of thinly sliced ham added a savory saltiness. There were even a few plump shrimp nestled in the crimson broth. Each strand of noodle was distinct, having soaked up the rich, sweet-and-sour soup. A wisp of steam carrying the enticing aroma wafted toward him.

Chen Mo had expected a simple bowl of tomato and egg noodles, not this “deluxe edition” that Su Yuqing had clearly poured her heart and soul into.

“Wow…” Chen Mo’s eyes lit up. He let out an exaggerated exclamation and laughed. “Yuqing, this… this is a feast!”

He pulled out a chair, sat down, and leaned over the bowl to take a deep whiff. The familiar sweet-and-sour scent of tomato, mingled with the complex aroma of egg, shrimp, and ham, instantly stoked his appetite. It also made that feeling of ‘it’s so good to be alive’ more tangible, more warm.

Su Yuqing untied her apron and sat across from him. Resting her chin on her hand, she watched him with a radiant smile, her gaze so tender it seemed to overflow with affection.

“Go on, try it. I added some ketchup, so I’m not sure if the flavor is right.”

Her words held a hint of a tease, but her eyes were utterly sincere—a gentle look that blended doting affection with genuine concern.

Chen Mo didn’t resist this feeling of being spoiled by Su Yuqing in the slightest; in fact, he thoroughly enjoyed it.

“Alright, time to dig in!” Chen Mo picked up his chopsticks, twirled up a portion of the broth-soaked noodles, blew on them, and took a bite. He immediately followed it with a sip of the soup, then proceeded to sample each of the other ingredients.

The perfectly balanced sweet-and-sour broth was rich and appetizing. The fried egg was tender with a runny yolk, the noodles were satisfyingly chewy, and the ham slivers added a savory depth. The springy, sweet shrimp were the perfect finishing touch.

All the flavors melded together perfectly, making it more delicious than any bowl of tomato and egg noodles Chen Mo could remember.

It wasn’t merely a feast for the senses, but also the deep satisfaction of a soul being soothed by love.

“Mmm…” Chen Mo mumbled his praise, his eyes crinkling in satisfaction. “Yuqing, your cooking is out of this world! This is, without a doubt, the best bowl of tomato and egg noodles I’ve ever eaten!”

Seeing the blissful look on his face as he ate, a little smudge of glistening red broth at the corner of his mouth, Su Yuqing’s smile widened, and her heart completely melted.

She picked up a napkin, leaned naturally across the table, and gently wiped the smudge of broth from his lips.

“Eat slowly, no one’s going to fight you for it. If you like it, eat more.” Her actions were effortless, as if caring for him was the most natural thing in the world, imbued with a tenderness that left no room for doubt.

This small gesture filled Chen Mo’s heart to the brim.

He gazed at Su Yuqing’s gentle, focused profile under the lights, at his own reflection mirrored in her eyes, and felt that the tranquility and contentment of this moment were the most precious treasures in the world.

This version of her made Chen Mo realize that she wasn’t just a delicate flower in need of his careful protection. She was a partner who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with him, capable of giving him immense support and boundless warmth in return.

This mutual, more solid love filled Chen Mo with an even deeper sense of anticipation for their future.