Chapter 92: An Indirect Kiss

“Why did Dog-Egg make so many meat dishes?” Yuxiu asked in confusion, her question mirrored on the bewildered faces of Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo. “Comrade Zhong, wasn’t it you who told Dog-Egg to do so?”

“I...” The words tangled on her tongue, and she changed direction mid-sentence. “I suppose I did?”

Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo exchanged glances. Yan Rushan picked up his chopsticks and placed food into Yuxiu’s bowl. “Come, eat first, we’ll talk later.”

The two men lowered their heads, eating without further inquiry.

After dinner, Zhong Yuxiu sprawled contentedly on the sofa, while Yan Rushan brought her a cup of clear tea.

“Drink some tea to soothe your throat.”

“Thank you.” Zhong Yuxiu straightened her back, reached out to take the cup, and took a delicate sip. The temperature was just right. “You should have some too.”

Yan Rushan’s gaze deepened as he looked down at her delicate face. Suddenly, he leaned forward and drank from the exact spot where she had just sipped.

Zhong Yuxiu gaped in astonishment. Was that even possible?

“What’s wrong?” Yan Rushan was nervous inside, though his expression remained calm. His eyes stayed fixed on her, not missing a single nuance of her reaction.

Acting like nothing had happened!

“Why did you drink from where I drank?” Sharing a cup—wasn’t that the legendary indirect kiss?

Yan Rushan feigned composure. “I didn’t have any tea, so I poured just this one cup.” His tone was even, but his eyes betrayed a hint of grievance.

She suddenly didn’t know what to say.

“Don’t be angry. I won’t do it again.” He sat beside her, his back breaking into a cold sweat for fear he had offended her and made her dislike him.

Such grievance, just listen to those words.

Zhong Yuxiu glared at him fiercely. “Who told you not to drink? Just don’t drink from where I drank, saliva is dirty! Aren’t you bothered by it?”

“No, not at all. If it’s yours, I don’t mind.” He certainly wouldn’t touch anyone else’s.

Zhong Yuxiu blushed furiously. Was he always so adept at flirting?

“I’m going upstairs. You should head home.”

Time to make her escape.

Yan Rushan watched her back as she left, his eyes narrowing slightly. It was always like this; she could dodge for a moment, but could she dodge forever?

Zhong Yuxiu closed the door upstairs, leaned against it, breathing shallowly. Her heart beat wildly, her face felt hot—surely red. How embarrassing! She had run away again; the power of sweet words was too much for her to bear.

She stood dazed for a long time, then extended her mental senses—no sign of Yan Rushan downstairs; he must have left. Relief washed over her. She opened the door, patted her cheeks, went downstairs to wash up, and returned upstairs to lie down.

Dog-Egg finished tidying up and returned, seeing Zhong Yuxiu buried under the covers. He came over and poked her.

“Master, isn’t it stuffy under the blanket?”

“No.” Her muffled voice came from beneath.

Not stuffy, she said.

“It’s not good for your health to stay under the covers. You need fresh air. Also, Master, you don’t have a research project at hand, so you should rest early and build up your energy.” Dog-Egg sat at her bedside, chattering incessantly. “You’re very lazy now, do you know that? Life is movement; you should go out, walk, run, and practice fitness techniques.”

Zhong Yuxiu suddenly sat up, shooting him an annoyed look as she turned to sit. “I’m very healthy.”

She had no desire to practice those fitness techniques—they were exercises based on the meridian system, extremely beneficial for the body and capable of strengthening immunity over time.

But in the interstellar world, they were somewhat redundant, and particularly exhausting.

Most interstellar people possessed supernatural abilities; their physical constitution was strong and their immunity even stronger.

Although she was now in this world, her mental power remained. With it, she feared no illness, as her abilities would gradually transform her body. No matter how weak the original owner had been, after more than two years of modification, she was greatly improved.

“Master, you’re too lazy. It’s bad for your mind and body.” Dog-Egg knew something of her physical condition. “You say you’re healthy, but you always curl up into a ball when you sleep; you’re sensitive to cold and heat—those aren’t signs of health.”

“Stupid Dog-Egg, go recharge.”

Dog-Egg nodded. “Yes, Master, I’ll go right away. Even if you don’t like hearing it, I still have to say it—your body is the foundation of all endeavors. You have abilities to transform your body, but I suggest you still keep moving.”

Having finished, Dog-Egg left. Zhong Yuxiu lay in bed, pondering his words. He was right about one thing: since arriving in this world, she had become very lazy. If she could sit, she wouldn’t stand; if she could sleep, she wouldn’t get up. She indulged her laziness wherever possible.

Life was good now, and she had no desire to change.

Let it be for now; if she changed, it would be later.

Having made up her mind, Zhong Yuxiu quickly fell asleep. When she awoke again, it was still dark outside. She checked the time—just past five in the morning. She had gone to bed early last night and slept enough to wake naturally.

“Dog-Egg.”

“Master.” Dog-Egg unplugged the charging cable and came out of the laboratory. “What are your instructions?”

Zhong Yuxiu sat up, leaning against the headboard. “Is it time to make breakfast? I’d like some soy milk.”

“Master, there are no beans at home,” Dog-Egg said apologetically. “Even if there were, without a soy milk maker, it wouldn’t be possible. I’m sorry, Master, I can’t fulfill your wish. I’m useless.”

“A soy milk maker!”

Zhong Yuxiu mused, “Never mind, it’s not your fault. We really don’t have one. It’s too difficult to have soy milk.”

“Yes, Master. If you have time, perhaps you could study how to make a soy milk machine. Once it’s made, Dog-Egg could prepare soy milk for you every morning.”

“All right, I’m getting up. Go make breakfast—steamed buns, bread, porridge, and a little pickled vegetable. By the way, do we still have any eggs?”

Dog-Egg replied, “Yes, Master.”

“Then boil a few more. Two for each person, and make sure to prepare Yan Rushan’s as well.” She wasn’t sure if Yan Rushan would come for breakfast—her abrupt departure yesterday had been rude.

“Yes, Master, no problem at all.” Dog-Egg opened the door and closed it behind him. Zhong Yuxiu got up, dressed, and went downstairs. She tidied her hair in the bathroom, braiding it into a thick plait down her back, washed up, and headed to the kitchen.

At the stove, Dog-Egg was busy cooking. Seeing her, he asked, “Master, why did you come down? Are you going out for a walk? You really listened to Dog-Egg’s advice, Master, you’re wonderful.”

He spoke while deftly shaping the buns.

Zhong Yuxiu’s mouth twitched. “I’ll go for a walk, all right? I’ll come back for breakfast in a bit.” Taking advantage of the darkness, she’d go out, clear her mind, and breathe some fresh air.

That was a slap in the face—rather painful!

“All right, Master. Be sure to return in an hour for breakfast.” With that, Dog-Egg resumed his work.

Zhong Yuxiu stepped out the door, the cold morning wind tightening the skin on her face. She pulled her coat closer, realizing her cotton jacket was no longer very warm.

Walking along the secluded path, she thought: morning air was the best, especially in the compound with its lush vegetation and numerous flower beds. Breathing out the stale air and in the fresh, combined with the brisk wind, was invigorating.