On the rewards for successfully defeating a boss

Bubbles kept bursting in the pot, and soup splashed out of the pot from time to time. Chi Mu was worried that Chen Qian would be accidentally injured, so he quickly grabbed his shoulders and moved him away.

When they reached the safe area, the hand on his shoulder slid up and pinched Chen Qian's face as if as punishment, shaking it left and right twice.

"You're too close. Why do you always come so close to me without any precautions? What if I get burned?" There was no hint of blame in his words, but more of helplessness.

Chen Qian was caught off guard and subconsciously wanted to shake his head and run away, but unexpectedly Chi Mu used a little force with his fingertips and stuck his face in place, making him unable to move.

"I know..." Chen Qian raised his eyes awkwardly, begging for mercy with his eyes, "Where's the celery? Do you want some?"

"Then please help me cut some." Chi Mu said to him leisurely, "Little helper~"

Feeling the restraint on his face being released, Chen Qian rushed to the chopping board, holding the kitchen knife and celery, and muttered, "You're welcome."

By the time Chi Mu returned to the kitchen to get some rice, Chen Qian was already drooling over the food on the table.

As soon as the food was in his hands, he couldn't wait to pick up the chopsticks and start eating, his mouth so busy that he couldn't stop.

The braised spareribs were crispy yet not mushy, coated in a rich sauce that made the meat fall apart from the bone with a single sip. The asparagus and shrimp had a crisp, sweet, and chewy texture, perfectly balancing the richness of the ribs. The garlic lettuce had crisp, tender green leaves coated in lard and garlic...

The food had a familiar and delicious taste. Chen Qian stuffed it into his mouthfuls, almost tears welling up in his eyes.

He remembered the last time he ate the food cooked by Chi Mu was the time before.

"It's so delicious." Chi Mu looked at him eating with relish and couldn't help laughing.

He picked up the soup bowl, filled it with razor clam soup, and handed it to Chen Qian, reminding him, "Eat slowly, drink the soup smoothly, and don't choke."

"I haven't eaten it for a long time. I almost forgot how good your cooking skills are." Chen Qian took a sip of the soup and took the time to praise.

"Now that you mention it, it seems I have to make it a few more times to give you a deeper impression." Chi Mu smiled and slowly started eating.

Hearing this, Chen Qian looked up at him with a gloomy expression.

After finishing the meal, Chen Qian's belly was full. He felt his abdominal muscles, which were almost gone, and couldn't help feeling a little lost.

After all these ordeals and a period of bed rest, he was already lacking exercise. After returning, he was still busy all day long and had no time to exercise.

Although he is not a muscle-conscious person, and the exercises he usually practices only focus on techniques and do not require much energy, who can be willing to give up the muscles he has had for several years?

Chi Mu put away the pots and pans and put them in the dishwasher.

As soon as I came out, I saw Chen Qian lying on the sofa in a daze, with one hand constantly touching his stomach. I was a little worried that Chen Qian had eaten too much and had indigestion.

He walked over and sat down next to Chen Qian, saying, "Are you feeling unwell? Would you like to take a couple of digestive tablets?"

Chen Qian shook his head and said, "It's okay, I just ate too much."

"Really?" Chi Mu pondered for a moment and continued, "It's indeed more than you usually eat."

After he finished speaking, he paused, his eyes fixed on a certain part of Chen Qian's face, then he pursed his lips and tilted his head slightly.

After a few seconds, he couldn't help but burst out laughing. He suddenly raised his hand and wiped the corner of Chen Qian's mouth very naturally.

Then he teased, "But is it good enough to take out?"

Looking at Chen Qian's confused expression, Chi Mu did not retract his hand, but raised it between the two of them. The soy sauce-colored traces on the tip of his thumb were very conspicuous - it was the sauce for braised pork ribs.

When Chen Qian saw the sauce on Chi Mu's fingertips, he was stunned and a hint of embarrassment appeared on his face.

He hurriedly took out a tissue and wiped the place where Chi Mu had touched. Then he grabbed Chi Mu's hand and cleaned up the last piece of evidence.

Chi Mu was amused by his actions and laughed even more happily.

After confirming the time, Chen Qian slowly stood up and said, "Thank you for treating me to dinner today."

"Well... no need to thank me," Chi Mu mused, "Let's have dinner together next time."

"If I have time." Chen Qian's expression remained calm as he nodded indifferently, perfunctorily, but he secretly said in his heart: This is probably the last time.

"Then I'll go back first." He picked up his coat that was draped on the sofa, and then walked towards the door.

"Wait a moment--"

Chi Mu's footsteps were moving quickly behind him. Chen Qian turned around and found that he had walked straight into the room.

After a while, Chi Mu came out of the room, wearing a thin down jacket and holding another in his hand.

He strode towards the door, handing the other coat in his hand to Chen Qian, and said, "I'll take you home. Change your coat into this one. It's thicker than the one you're wearing. It's not very hot today, and you're wearing too little."

"It seems inappropriate for you to say that I'm wearing too little." Chen Qian obediently took the coat and bent down to put on his shoes.

"Haha...it's a bit inappropriate."

The car was driving on a flat road, and the winter wind was howling outside the window.

The heater was on in the car, but just enough to keep the interior from being too cold, not as stuffy as it had been in the taxi just now.

Chen Qian sat in the passenger seat, propping up his head and staring blankly.

He did not put on the coat that Chi Mu gave him, but covered his legs with it after getting in the car.

"What are you looking at? You're standing still." Chi Mu stopped the car in front of the zebra crossing, turned his head to look at Chen Qian, and asked curiously.

"Hmm? Oh... no, I was just daydreaming." Chen Qian explained silently, still looking calmly at the place he was looking at before.

The red light soon counted down and turned green.

The car moved forward again, running slowly.

The journey was smooth, and except for the occasional red light, there was basically no chance to stop.

Soon, they arrived at their destination.

Chen Qian stood firm and closed the car door.

Just as I was about to turn around and say goodbye to Chi Mu through the car window, I saw the car move backward, turn again, and then stop steadily in an empty space on the side of the road.

Chi Mu took out his keys and got out of the car, walking naturally towards the yard.

After walking a few steps, he stopped. Turning around, he looked at Chen Qian, who was still standing there with a puzzled look on his face, and said, "What's wrong? I've already delivered it, why don't you invite me in to sit down?"

Should I have it?

Before Chen Qian could think, Chi Mu turned around and pulled him up. He walked across the yard to the door in a few steps and pressed the doorbell.

Naturally, there was only one person who came to open the door, and that was Zhong Yi.

The moment the door opened, he caught sight of Chen Qian's confused expression and Chi Mu's smile which instantly became stiff.

Seeing this group, Zhong Yi didn't even bother to say hello. He turned around and went back to the sofa as if he didn't see them, so quiet that it seemed as if he had never stood up.

"Hello, I'm your guest." Chi Mu quickly adjusted his expression, ignored Zhong Yi's indifferent attitude, and took the initiative to say hello.

Zhong didn't even look up, and replied symbolically: "Hello."

"But, aren't my uncle and aunt at home? Why is it so quiet?" Chi Mu casually took off his coat, hung it on his arm, and walked around the house by himself.

"Yes, they're not home." Chen Qian followed behind Chi Mu, unsure of his motives. "How about... wait until they come back, and then come back?"

"Why?" Chi Mu suddenly turned around and asked seriously.

"Ah? Because there are only Zhongyi and I at home, and Chen Tian is not at home." Chen Qian said.

"I'm your guest. It's all right to have you here." Chi Mu continued to stroll around confidently. "I haven't been here for a long time. It was completely different back in high school. It's changed a lot."

"Will it?" Chen Qian followed him and looked around the familiar home.

The decoration is in the style of more than 20 years ago. It has a sense of simplicity and is filled with various small objects. It looks very warm.

Although everyone moved out after Chen Tian graduated from university and Chen Qian graduated from high school, the house was not neglected and was just the same as before.

"However, I've never been to your room, which is a pity." Chi Mu suddenly turned around, his eyes curved with a smile, and asked expectantly, "Perhaps I have the honor to visit it?"

"My room? What's the big deal..." Chen Qian subconsciously wanted to refuse.

"Come to think of it, I've been curious about this for a long time, but every time I came, I was only in Chen Tian's room, and you never invited me." Chi Mu interrupted Chen Qian with a look of regret on his face.