Learning to Love Again

Han Yuan turns off his laptop after finishing a video conference call on his couch.

Looking at the time, it is already 7 pm, he hasn't eaten anything today. The brunch he had with his family earlier on was more of an argument than a meal.

He stares at his kitchen in frustration. It's big and exquisitely decorated, but currently useless. His culinary skills are horrible and he didn't bring housekeeper Mu here with him so he has no one to make him food.

He pulls out his phone in preparation to order from a restaurant but hears his doorbell ring before he can get to it.

He stares at the security camera footage before rubbing his eyes.

He was feeling quite hysterical. He thought he saw Su Lian standing there for a second.

When you think about a person too much, you start seeing them everywhere.

Looking at the screen again, she was still there waiting for someone to open the door. It really is her and not an illusion. He isn't daydreaming.

She stood there in a baggy sweater and a pair of blue jeans but still looked beautiful. That's his baby, a goddess, who would look good in anything, even a potato sack.

After adjusting his clothes, he immediately goes to open the door. Looking at the ceramic pot in her hands, his heart warms up. She actually brought him food. Even though he knows that it isn't meant for him, he can't resist curling his mouth up into a smile. "I didn't think you would come to see me on your own accord, darling."

Su Lian looks up at him before widening her eyes in shock. "Yuan!" She exclaims and tries to take a step back but he pulls her waist with one hand and secures the food with the other.

"You came all the way here to visit. It's only right that I invite you in."

"You- let go of me. Where is the couple? What do you think you're doing?" Su Lian struggles to leave his grip but he has a tight hold on her waist.

"Baby, it's like you read my mind. I was hungry and you brought me dinner. I really can't live without you." He hugs her and makes her stay for a while in his embrace before pulling her inside the villa with him.

"Han Yuan let go of me you-" She pushes him away knocking the pot on the ground in the process.

It shatters and the soup spill all over his newly installed mosaic floor tiles. He didn't see that some of it had also splashed on her hand.

Staring at the ground, Han Yuan gets overcome with grief and he looks towards Su Lian with an accusing glare. "You spilled my soup."

"It wasn't yours to begin with. My grandmother made it for my new neighbors. Why are you here? Where's the couple, the ones who bought the house?"

"I bought it from them and so now it's mine. Is this how to treat your neighbor?" He replies feeling extremely wronged by her questioning.

Su Lian turns around to leave, completely ignoring his 'plight' but he pulls her back.

"Baby, you can't just leave. This was going to be my first meal today, but you've ruined it. What am I going to eat now? Do you want me to starve to death?"

Su Lian shrugs his hand off before scowling at him. "You can starve if you want, that really isn't any of my business. You're a grown man, so take care of yourself."

"Why don't you make me something? Please, baby, it would really make my day. You know it's been so long since I've had a meal made by my beloved." He goes into a brief trance remembering how she would pack his lunch and make him dinner when they were still together. It had surprised him that a girl from a wealthy family could cook so well.

With so many maids, there was no need to learn how. His sister certainly didn't. She had tried making lunch for the family once but ended up burning down the kitchen. But Su Lian, her food was amazing. The most delicious that he's ever had, even better than the finest cuisines. But most importantly, they were made with her hands. Specially prepared for him and he had taken it all for granted.

"I won't cook for you. I'm not your beloved and stop calling me baby. If you're so hungry, then order something." Su Lian scowls at him again and briefly glances at her hand. It's beginning to sting.

Han Yuan sees that she isn't moved by his mention of the past and sighs in his heart. 'Do I really not have a chance anymore?'

He can't repair an old relationship if she won't even acknowledge that it had existed.

Su Lian carefully inspects her hand with a frown on her face. He glances down at her and her serious expression. He follows her gaze and sees that a small area on the back her hand has turned red.

"What happened to your hand? Let me see." He places her small hand in his palm to get a closer look. "You were burned by the soup."

"Let go of me, I'm fine." She tries to wiggle her hand free but he doesn't let her.

He walks her to the sink and runs some cold water on it. "It's a first-degree burn so it won't leave a scar."

Su Lian still tries to struggle so he threatens her. "Be good or else I won't let you leave."

Her body stiffens and she obediently lets him lead her to the couch. She sits still while he rubs aloe vera gel on her 'wound'.

Once done, he looks at her small face and rubs her head lovingly. "Lian, don't forget how precious you are my sweet and delicate little baby." He whispers in her ear. "Or do you need me to remind you?"

While saying so, his hands move to the inner part of her thighs and he strokes them going all the way to the top.

Su Lian's face heats up and she pushes him away before hurriedly shuffling out of his house and running to hers.

With her figure leaning against the fence between both houses, she places her hand on her chest to calm her beating heart.

'So stupid. Snap out of it.' She slaps her bright red cheeks with her hands and tries to give herself a pep-talk. 'Su Lian, you can't fall for him. Not again. He's toxic and no good for you. Yichen needs a strong mother, not a love-struck fool.'

Han Yuan stares at his empty house with a frown on his face.

He was so close, but she slipped away.

He reluctantly picks up his phone and orders his dinner from the nearest five-star restaurant.