If this is not love

Chapter 18 The Difficult Sutra (2)
Xinning was even more surprised, and typed slowly for a long time: Xu, I suddenly felt that you and Yichen are not impossible, do you want to let go of your scruples and fight for yourself before choosing another man?
Ruxu's heart vibrated, her fingers stiffened.

Xin Ning: You never really fought for it once, aren't you afraid of regretting it in the future?I promise, with Yichen's personality, even if you can't be a lover, you will never lose him.

Ruxu's fingers landed on the keyboard, unable to move as if being fixed by something.

Xin Ning: You are very brave in everything you do, but you are too timid in front of love.If you are sure that you can let go of Yichen completely and accept another man without any regrets, then I have nothing to say and will only support you with all my strength.

Ruxu bit her lip, typed a few words, and then deleted them.Complex contradictions, unspeakable sadness and depression.

Will you regret it?Won't you regret it?Won't you regret it?

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and the scene on the observation deck with Yichen last night echoed in her ears.With a sway in his mind, his fingers consciously typed out a word: Good!

Xinning immediately sent smiley faces, flowers and hugs.

Ruxu's eye sockets were wet for no reason, and the more she cared, the more afraid she became... This was the most uncertain attempt in her life, and she was afraid that after striving for it with all her heart, she would still get pain.In this regard, I have to say that Xin Ning's bravery in pursuing love makes her admire from the bottom of her heart, and she feels inferior to herself from a distance.

Xin Ning: The endings of too many stories are beyond our expectations. I am very much looking forward to the ending of my dear Xiaoxu's last love scene.Alright, Yitang is here to pick me up for a prenatal checkup, so hurry up and take action!I will spare no effort to help you!

In the evening, Ruxu went to the supermarket for a walk, and came out with a bulging shopping bag in her hand.In fact, living alone is a lot of troublesome places, such as cooking alone, from grocery shopping to washing dishes, and cleaning up, it is very troublesome, sometimes you feel lonely in the dead of night, and there is no one around you to talk to when you have troubles and insomnia...

Now, though, she has new goals.

Xin Ning recommended her experience, Ruxu decided to learn to cook!She has to believe the most vulgar sentence once - to grasp a man's heart, one must first grasp his stomach.There is a newly bought cookbook in the shopping bag, and she will practice hard from now on, trying to cook a "delicious meal" for Yichen before the big holiday of the Chinese New Year.

It was dark, and the unmelted snow on the roadside revealed a faint silver light.In the bitter cold wind, she trotted into the gate of the community, and she couldn't help being stunned when she saw a figure that shouldn't appear in front of her.

"Why are you again?" Waiting for her specially?
"Woman, I've been waiting for you for a long time, why did I come back? I'm freezing to death!" Tan Shaojie blamed her eyes, and couldn't help but stepped forward to take her hand that wasn't carrying anything, and rubbed it non-stop.

How could his hands be cold?Much warmer than hers, okay?Tan Shaojie rubbed and held it again, "Hey, you are called a popsicle player, let me warm you up."

Ruxuan was afraid that others would see his intimate behavior and cause misunderstanding, so she quickly retracted her hand and held up the shopping bag: "Here! If you want to do something good, why don't you help me carry it."

Tan Shaojie grinned, took it readily, and opened the bag to take a look: "Wow! You bought so many good dishes, did you know that I came here, so you specially prepared a big dinner?" I knew it was unlikely, so don't say it. She didn't know that he was coming, even if she knew, she couldn't entertain him intentionally.Besides, if he remembered correctly, this woman has always kept a respectful distance from kitchen matters, how could she suddenly become so excited about cooking?

There is a problem, a big problem!

Ruxu let him guess wildly behind, and walked quickly into the elevator room against the cold wind.Huh, my face hurts from being blown, the first thing I need to do when I enter the room is to moisturize it...

"Ah, keep silent to express your acquiescence. Could it be that it was really prepared for me?" Tan Shaojie asked for the answer.

"A thick skin comparable to a city wall, if you think it's prepared for you, just treat it like that." What she saw and heard a day changed her attitude towards him a lot.

Tan Shaojie was even more puzzled, staring at her for a while, his tone suddenly sank a bit: "What happened in the office today?"

"It's nothing, it's flat, deserted, and there's no new case coming."

"But—you're weird."

"What's so strange? There are two extra horns on her head?" Her eyes rolled, with a hint of a smile.It's a bit strange, she has never felt comfortable seeing him, but she didn't feel disgusted tonight.

The two stepped into the elevator one after the other, and the elevator slowly ascended.

"The spikes on your body have been put away, and the sharp blades on your mouth have been hidden. Oh, I see—" He touched his chin, pondering, "It must be because we often kiss, you infected me..."

"Tan Shaojie! You are born to be flattered! I kindly didn't care about you before, and wanted to treat you kindly, but you always provoke me, you..." Thinking of what Sister Li said at noon, Ruxu swallowed Get angry, try to lighten your tone, "I sincerely decided to get along with you peacefully. It doesn't matter if you are a colleague, a partner, a boss or a subordinate at work. In private, if you want to be friends, I will try to accept it. After all We are old classmates. However, if you insist on changing your nonsense, I can't guarantee what we can do between you."

When she was the most rebellious in her adolescence, her family was split. She didn't understand why he chose to follow his father, but a child who lacked maternal love made people feel distressed.Ruxu looked at him for a moment, wanting to see his heart through those deep and bright black eyes.

Such earnest and earnest words, absolutely no joke, Tan Shaojie smiled after recollecting every sentence.

"Okay. I promise, we will be colleagues at work in the future, and we will be friends in private. I will not make you angry again, and I will make you happy every day. I will say what you like, do what you like, and talk about you like…"

"Okay, okay, don't say it like an oath, just be serious when you're with me." Didn't she say that the most annoying thing on a handsome face is the mocking expression that can never be distinguished from the real? ?

The elevator door opened, and Tan Shaojie followed her with a bag.

Beef, chicken wings, roast duck... Putting them all on the kitchen counter, he was dumbfounded.

"Miss, besides me, do you really have no guests tonight?" Weird!
"No!" resolutely.

"Buy so much, are you going to enjoy it alone?" At least a few days' worth, she won't be lazy enough to buy enough dinner for a week at a time!

"Why alone? And you." Ruxu arranged the soy sauce, cooking wine, mature vinegar, etc. one by one, pushed him aside, and found a brand new apron from the hanging cabinet.Oh... Which dish is better to experiment with tonight?
Tan Shaojie thought he was smart, but he was still confused.He raised the "Almighty Housewife's Killing Skills" in his hand, "Have you changed your gender, and you want to transform from a cold-faced thunderbolt barrister to a gentle and virtuous little cook?" He put his palm on her forehead and muttered to himself, "I don't have a fever..."

Looking at people from another angle, it turns out that he is quite humorous.Ruxu patted him away amusedly: "Starting tonight, this lady has decided to practice cooking. Young master Tan, congratulations on becoming today's lucky star. Your Excellency will be the full-time judge for this lady's first big meal on her way to becoming an all-round housewife." , I wonder if your Excellency would like it?"

"Cough! It turns out that my young master is also lucky sometimes." Tan Shaojie said seriously, "It is said that the first person who dares to eat crabs is a warrior. For this title of 'warrior', this young master will risk his life and do it for once!"

"Don't worry, the poison won't kill you."

"Yes, you said, I swallowed ten catties of dichlorvos in my mouth!"

"What I mean is that Niuhuang Jiedu Pills are already prepared in the drawer, which is convenient for emergencies at any time."

"Oh...Miss Wang is thoughtful. The Buddha said: I am not as good as hell. Who will go to hell? Before going to hell, I would like to ask an important question."

Ruxu put on her apron, opened the cookbook, and said casually, "Say it."

Tan Shaojie's eyes locked on her profile, "Excuse me, who should have won the first place in the 'Tasting Warrior'?"

Ruxu was slightly startled, raised her eyes and turned to him: "You want to ask in your heart, who is the purpose of my meticulous cooking skills? After last night, you really don't know?"

Starlight suddenly flashed across Tan Shaojie's black eyes, and he couldn't help holding his breath, restraining the excitement in his body.No way?Is it really for yourself?It's not impossible... He did so much last night, and his performance was almost perfect. Even in the last Christmas scene, before he hurriedly left, he showed kindness and personally invited Wang Yichen for him, hoping that someone would accompany her to be happy to the end .

Two hours and 28 minutes of boyfriend and girlfriend, both real and fake, everything is just for her, she is moved, right?
Tan Shaojie touched his chin with a smile: "Oh! I didn't expect you to be so caring. I'm flattered! You've spent so much time, how can you teach others?"

"Why are you embarrassing? The ugly words are in front of me. I rarely enter the kitchen once in half a month. I have never cooked steak or grilled chicken wings before. If the taste is not good, you are not allowed to laugh at me!"

"No, I swear absolutely not!" He was extremely sincere, and his black eyes showed a touch of emotion that he had deliberately hidden in the past.Even in my dreams, I dare not expect that just after Christmas, my spring will come soon.Could it be that the progress is too fast? His little Xu is very efficient even in matters like dating, big love!
"It won't be the best." Ruxu glanced at him lightly, then shifted her attention to the ingredients.She frowned and thought, as if facing a huge problem, she said to herself, "What should I do first? Yichen has spent a lot of time abroad these years, and he is used to Western food. French food is so famous, I don't think I can achieve it in my life." It’s up to par... The steak is too particular, why don’t you cut the beef into slices and fry it! How about making it into a home-style stir-fry?”

Tan Shaojie's expression froze, he suddenly understood something, and squeezed out a few words from his throat: "Wang... Yichen? Are you cooking for him?"

"Of course, not for him, but for you!" Ruxu replied casually.She didn't pay attention to his strange reaction, picked up the cookbook and flipped through the pages one by one, "It seems that I bought the wrong book, I should buy Lingjiang Local Specialty Kitchen. Otherwise... I will go home with my mother on weekends Learn to do it now. Let me tell you, my mother’s craftsmanship is not just bragging, whether it is steaming, boiling, stewing, or frying, she is good at everything, and she often says that she can go for the international license exam.”

Tan Shaojie pursed the corners of his lips, and gave a soft "en" from his nose.

After a while, Ruxu turned the book from the beginning to the end, only to realize that the people around her were unusually quiet. "What are you thinking about? Quickly give me an idea, which one is better to start with?"

Tan Shaojie's face quietly changed from sunny to cloudy, and his deep eyes scanned the dazzling array of ingredients on the counter. There were several kinds of meat, and all the condiments were available. This frugal woman in life was finally willing to spend all her money, just to please another man.He was depressed and unwilling to answer.

Ruxu patted his arm with the book, "Say something! Hurry up and give me an opinion."

Tan Shaojie snorted coldly involuntarily: "You are always decisive when dealing with official affairs, why can't you make up your mind about such a trivial matter?"

"Tan Shaojie, you are so long-winded! Official business is official business, and this is not official business. Besides, this is not a trivial matter. I must learn a few more dishes in the shortest possible time. It is very important to choose the first entry dish. It is related to the My confidence and future in culinary development.”

"Since it's so important, how dare outsiders make decisions for you?"

"Hey! You are not an outsider, you are my culinary quality inspection supervisor."

Said that he is not an outsider, a few words made Tan Shaojie feel more at ease, pointing to the empty tank and said: "If you buy so much meat, you might as well buy a fish."

"Fish..." Ruxu couldn't help wilting halfway, she doesn't like fish, and she doesn't like the fishy and smelly smell.

"Why that expression? You don't want to eat fish, do you?"

"The fish is very fishy and has thorns when you eat it. It's troublesome." She doesn't bother to do any troublesome things.

"You are wrong. Fish is delicious and nutritious, and people who love fish are smart."

"That's wrong! I don't like fish, but I'm just as smart. If I eat fish every day, wouldn't I be extremely smart? I don't want it!" Ruxu waved her hand in disapproval, picked up the beef, and looked left and right , "There is no fish here, and you insist on telling me about fish. You are not sincere. It is better to study how to deal with this piece of high-quality beef."

Tan Shaojie folded his arms and retreated to the kitchen door, "Let me ask you, you don't like fish, what if Wang Yichen happens to like fish very much?"

"He..." Ruxu stopped suddenly, she remembered that Yichen really liked fish.

"Unfortunately, I happen to have a little research on the methods of various fish. If I don't want to study slowly in a book, I don't mind taking an apprentice." He suggested slowly.

"You? Can you cook fish?"

"Not only fish, but also know a thing or two about other dishes."

"Really?" Ruxu stepped over, grabbed his cuffs, her beautiful eyes sparkled with excitement, "Say it sooner! I don't have to be so troubled if I said it earlier. You just played me on purpose and wasted my time."

Tan Shaojie complained: "How dare you? I sincerely suggest that you learn to cook fish first. Fish is actually very easy to learn. Moreover, if you can make the fish you hate the most delicious and tender, he will definitely be moved."

"It makes sense! But -- you really know how to cook? Is it really easy to cook fish?" She is basically an idiot at home, is Tan Shaojie fooling her?
"Alas! It is said that women are suspicious, and this is true. If you don't believe me, I won't force it. Except for fish, I am not interested in other dishes for the time being. Take your time, and I will go outside to watch the news." He just came It's only been a few times, but each time, with an unrestrained attitude of the hostess, he strode towards the sofa and picked up the remote control to turn on the TV.

Ruxu thought about it, there are many culinary experts around her, but there are not many who are convenient to teach herself, and she doesn't have time to enroll in cooking classes.Xin Ning has a big belly, and Shen Yitang, a man on the verge of perversion, is afraid of being tired even if he asks Xin Ning to come out for a meal. His meticulous care for his wife has almost made her, a bystander, angry!
Ruxu stands in front of Tan Shaojie and the TV, blocking his view.Eh!He lies down comfortably, feels at home, doesn't he?He was so stingy that he didn't even want to help.

Tan Shaojie raised his eyebrows: "Have you decided?"

Ruxu frowned, "Didn't you say that from now on, I will only say what I like to hear, and only do what I like? First teach me how to stir-fry beef? I bought all the ingredients like ginger, scallion and garlic."

Tan Shaojie sighed and shook his head: "I promised you that I will only make you happy in the future. Unfortunately, it is not a question of ingredients, but a question of principle. If cooking fish is a difficult problem for you, if you can't overcome it, I advise you to give up learning how to cook Yi, there are many ways to grab a man's heart, there's no need to force yourself to do something you don't like."

Ruxu bit her lips: "I didn't feel forced, because I like it, so I am willing to change for him. It is hard for me to wash my hands and make soup, and I will not give up. Don't you want the woman you like in the future to take the initiative to do it for you? These?"

Tan Shaojie narrowed his eyes, and pointed out sharply: "It seems that he doesn't like you, does he?" It's best not to let him know that she and Wang Yichen exchanged feelings for each other in Lingyun Building last night, otherwise...otherwise he will regret it so much that he wants to sell Lingyun Building to you. blow up!

Ruxu was annoyed, and her face turned red: "Do you teach or not? If not... leave my room immediately, I'm not in the mood to entertain uninvited guests."

It's faster for a woman to turn her face than to turn a book, and the words of wisdom really make sense!However, the reason why she suddenly turned her face made Tan Shaojie feel very happy, haha!He lazily sat up from the sofa, patted the hem of his clothes, and stood up.Walk towards the door without saying a word.

Ruxu stared blankly at his broad back, didn't argue or refute with her, did he just leave?She didn't speak, she just couldn't believe it, and she wasn't used to this change.

Walking to the entrance, Tan Shaojie suddenly turned his head, with a faint smile on his lips: "Do you want me to accompany you to buy fish?"

Ruxu came back to her senses, "Now?" So it turned out that he didn't leave because of Xiaoli.

Glancing at his watch, he smiled: "It's nineteen o'clock Beijing time, and there is no fresh fish in the market. However, pick one and steam it, it should taste good."

Standing where she was, waiting for her quietly, she pursed her lips suddenly and untied her apron.

It turned out that he didn't brag, from the selection of fish to the cooking of fish, not only could he tell a set of sound theories, which gave her a lot of knowledge, but he could also cook a delicious meal with impeccable color and aroma.

Ruxu stared blankly at the plate, recalling how he was in a hurry in the kitchen just now.

His evilness could not be changed overnight, knowing that she was afraid of fish, he insisted on letting her catch it with her own hands, but the fish was slippery and she couldn't catch it at all, almost fell to the ground together with the fish.He stood idly by and only missed clapping and laughing.She was afraid of fish, so he didn't stop until she was stimulated to the point of vomiting.

He did it on purpose!I must be laughing in my heart!

However, seeing him roll up his cuffs, clean up the fish neatly with a knife, and calmly put the fish into the pan for frying, she couldn't help but be full of doubts.Why does he know how to cook, and he is so proficient that he seems to have practiced countless times?She stood by the side, dazed, inexplicably forgetting where she was, she couldn't smell the fishy smell in her breath, and only saw his busy figure in her eyes.When a plate of brightly colored sweet and sour fish comes out of the oven, her biggest thought is to have a bite right away.

"I can't believe it...you did this."

"Sometimes you have to believe your eyes. Hehe, please." Tan Shaojie personally provoked a small piece for her.The main purpose of making sweet and sour fish is to help her overcome her psychological barriers and let her understand that fish can be sweet and sour like candy, beautiful and delicious.

Ruxu tried to take a small bite, chewing slowly, a faint fragrance spread between her lips and teeth.

"How? Does it taste good?" A certain man was full of confidence.

Ruxu suddenly opened her eyes wide and couldn't control her voice: "Tan Shaojie, I can't see that you really have two hands, the taste is delicious! I've decided, you teach me!"

Tan Shaojie felt sweet in his heart when he heard the first half of the praise, but in the second half she was willing to learn cooking from him for Wang Yichen, and he felt sour again.Sighing silently, this dish fits the occasion and fully expresses his state of mind...

Ruxu praised while eating, and unknowingly ate half of a sweet and sour fish. "Tan Shaojie, is cooking fish your best job?"

"What do you think?" Seeing her enjoying the food she made, his eyes were as gentle as his tone.

"I think so, playing hard and soft will only let me learn how to be a fish, maybe you will only know how to do this." In fact, he only showed one hand is enough to surprise her.

"Enhuh! Next time what do you want to eat, feel free to ask, and I can show you a little more generously." He is confident enough that even French and Western food can't be difficult for him, at worst, he needs to spend more time and do more research beforehand. Second-rate.

"You're making an old mistake again, bragging and not drafting." She disdains, but there is a smile in her eyes.

"I never force you to believe in me, just cook fish! Sweet and sour fish with sweet and sour taste, hot and sour fish head with chopped peppers, or fish with pickled cabbage, steamed fish or boiled fish for lighter dishes...Actually, Doing every type of thing has their commonalities and similar skills. For example, if you can play the piano, it will be much easier to learn other instruments. The same is true for cooking. You should concentrate on learning a few dishes first, and then learn other dishes. Then it will come naturally.”

(End of this chapter)