章 9: Getting Closer.

The couple sat on the table for a few more minutes after finishing the meal. Hao Ren stood up and said, "I will get you some tea, it would help you get the food down."

Han Lingshi shook her head and said, "I feel like I am about to explode."

Hao Ren smiled a her, and said, "Then you should stay here, I will clean things up."

After that he cleaned the table and then proceeded to deal with the dishes. He was washing them up while humming a little tune, when suddenly, he found Han Lingshi standing next to him and drying the wet dishes with a cloth.

He was surprised and said, "What are you doing?"

Han Lingshi asked, "Am I doing anything wrong?"

Hao Ren shook his head and asked, "Miss Han, why are you drying the dishes?"

Han Lingshi replied, "I just thought that letting you work on your own is not a right thing, Hao Ren. This is the least I could do."

The young man smiled and shook his head. He did not say anything because while he appeared to be shy his head was fluttering. Han Lingshi was the most beautiful woman he has seen in his life. She was so gorgeous that even the most decked up celebrities could not hold a candle to her. After cleaning the dishes, it was already 8 in the night.

Han Lingshi said, "Hao Ren, it was the best meal that I have ever had."

Hao Ren smiled in reply, and did not say much. Han Lingshi checked the watch on her wrist and said, "I will be taking your leave now, it is pretty late."

The young man said, "How far is your house from here?"

Han Lingshi replied, "Not very far, just a few kilometers away. I came here by my car, so it won't be a hassle."

Hao Ren nodded and said, "Allow me to see you off."

Han Lingshi nodded and picked up her bag, they got into the elevator and the lady asked, "Where did you learn how to cook?"

Hao Ren replied the question with a question, "Would you believe it that today was the first time I ever made anything that tasty?"

His words sounded sincere but his eyes were filled with mischief. Han Lingshi thought that he did not wish to reveal and rolled her eyes. Then suddenly she thought about something and sighed.

Hao Ren asked, "Is everything alright, Miss Han?"

Han Lingshi looked at him and said, "You can eat such tasty food daily. If I ate things like this, I will grow fat."

Hao Ren chuckled and said, "Do not worry, you will not grow fat if you eat food cooked by me."

The elevator opened and Han Lingshi asked, "What if, I still became fat? What will you say then?"

The young man followed her out of the elevator and said, "If you became fat, then I will have it easier."

His words may sound mean, but it was a subtle jab of flirt that he directed at her. He wanted to say that if you grew fat, no one would want you and I could have you all for myself. However, when he was speaking, he thought that it was a very cringe expression and so he changed his words.

He did not notice that Han Lingshi's grip on her purse was tighter than normal and her cheeks had a faint flush on them. They quickly came to the gate of the building where the car was already waiting for her.

Hao Ren skipped forward and helped her with the door, Han Lingshi stood closer to him and said, "Does the age gap between us never bother you?"

Hao Ren shook his head and replied, "Six years is not that big of a gap, Miss Han. Also, I feel like you are much closer to me in age than the people from my age."

Han Lingshi was surprised and asked, "Why do you say that?"

Hao Ren was about to answer her when a gust of wind grazed them both and caused Han Lingshi's hair to fall on her face. He instinctively reached out and gently tucked the rebellious tresses behind her ear as he leaned closer and said, "Just a feeling."

Han Lingshi was shocked, she did not expect Hao Ren to make any moves at her. Many people have tried flirting with her but they never had the guts to even come closer to her. While she was completely surprised, Hao Ren had already stepped back and said, "Miss Han, are you alright?"

The lady woke up from her daze and nodded before she got inside the car. Hao Ren did not leave until the vehicle was out of sight. He turned around and went back home to sleep for the day. Moving his stuff from the old rented apartment can wait till tomorrow. The biggest task on his list was to make money and even more, he needed to get a job.

...

The next day, Han Lingshi came to the office with a trace of darkness under her eyes. She had trouble sleeping because as soon as she closed her eyes, Hao Ren would appear in her mind tucking away her hair. She did not know why it was bothering her so much but probably it was because she acknowledge the fact that they had a relation that was worth cultivating.

All her life, she had never felt so calm and restless at the same time. She spend her morning distracting herself with work, soon, it was lunch time, and she received a call.

Han Lingshi looked at the caller ID and smiled as she answered the call, "Hao Ren, do you need something?

The caller was Hao Ren, the young man replied, "It's nothing as such, Miss Han. I wanted to apologize to you about my actions last night."

Han Lingshi shook her head and said, "No, no, you did nothing wrong."

While she said that on the surface, she was scolding Hao Ren for mentioning that embarrassing situation last night. She did not even know but she was blushing. Hao Ren said, "No, I made you uncomfortable so, I should apologize. I have delivered a tiffin for you at the reception counter, please enjoy the meal, and accept my apology."

Han Lingshi was surprised but then she said, "I accept!"

As soon as she said, she froze. Her voice was a bit too excited. Hao Ren on the other side chuckled and said, "You know Miss Han, you are very adorable. I like that about you."

Han Lingshi realized that her goofy reaction made Hao Ren think she was adorable so, she took a deep breath and said, "It is not me, but your food."

The young man replied, "If you like the food I cook that much, then I will make it for you, forever."

BOOM!!!

Forever was a strong word, and Hao Ren made Han Lingshi emit steam from her ears. She thought it s probably that Hao Ren was from a younger generation and so he said such things easily. She shook off the daze and remarked, "How many people have you ever said this to?"

Hao Ren chuckled and replied, 'The poor and average do not have the luxury to talk to people. So, you are the first and also the only one I would ever say this to. Now, I will leave you to the food, I have something to do."

Han Lingshi nodded and replied, "Fine. Have a good day, Hao Ren. See you someday soon."

The call was disconnected and Han Lingshi called the reception and sure enough a gift box was delivered addressed for her from Hao Ren. She smiled brightly knowing that she would have good food.

...

Hao Ren was walking on the sidewalk, when the system announced, *Ding: the host has completed the task of delivering lunch for his wife like a dutiful husband, issuing reward...*