Chapter 274: Discovering the Truth
Chapter 274: Chapter 274: Discovering the Truth
Xu Jiaxin took a deep sniff. She smelled jasmine, bellflower, and orange blossom, with what seemed to be a hint of pinewood.
All in all, it was a complex mix, but not at all gaudy. In fact, she found it especially pleasant.
The room wasn’t large—it only seemed a little bigger than her own—but it was decorated very warmly.
There were soft cushions on the sofa, and the television was covered with an adorable dust cover.
The dining table was also spread with a light blue tablecloth...
The color scheme here was all light shades: blue, pink, pale yellow...
The colors were beautifully matched, not at all jarring, and made one feel warm inside just looking at them.
’This has to be Su Zhaozhao’s taste,’ she thought. Her husband, Xie Huaizheng, was a soldier. He looked like a tough guy through and through; he most likely wouldn’t have been the one to decorate the place.
When Xie Huaizheng returned from outside and opened the door, he saw there was an extra person in the house.
When he got a clear look at who it was, he couldn’t help but frown.
Xu Jiaxin greeted Xie Huaizheng, "Hello, you must be Camp Commander Xie, right? I’m Zhaozhao’s friend."
"Mm," Xie Huaizheng responded coolly.
Of course he recognized Xu Jiaxin. However, Xu Jiaxin wasn’t very involved in the Xu Family’s affairs, so it was normal that she didn’t recognize him.
’But Su Zhaozhao actually brought her home?’
Hearing the sound, Su Zhaozhao turned to look at Xie Huaizheng. "Jiaxin is here doing some volunteer teaching for a few days, so I invited her to have dinner at our place. You don’t mind, do you?"
"I don’t mind."
Of course he minded. He was so busy on a normal day; only during meals could he quietly enjoy some time alone with Su Zhaozhao.
But he hadn’t expected Xu Jiaxin to just pop up.
’But, whatever. Xu Jiaxin seems to know her boundaries.’
Xu Jiaxin quietly sized up Xie Huaizheng. This was the first time she had ever seen him; before, she had only heard of him.
But now that she saw him in person, she understood why her brother couldn’t compare.
The man before her was tall and powerfully built, with a handsome face and an aura as frigid as a glacier.
’That’s actually really charming!’
Besides, he was only like this with outsiders like her. When he spoke to Su Zhaozhao, he was incredibly gentle.
This damn contrast made Xu Jiaxin feel like she was in one of those romance novels she secretly read.
’It’s surprisingly thrilling!’
Su Zhaozhao had just finished cooking, and Xu Jiaxin immediately rushed over to help serve the food.
Xie Huaizheng shot her a glance. "No need. You’re the guest. Just sit down."
Even though that’s what Xie Huaizheng said, Xu Jiaxin still felt a chill run down her spine.
He was a little too cold and fierce.
She had never met a man like him before. Most people around her were always especially eager, trying to curry favor with her.
But Xie Huaizheng wasn’t like that at all.
He looked like he wished she would never come over to freeload a meal again.
’What’s with him? So stingy! I can pay! As long as I get to eat delicious food!’
Xu Jiaxin huffed and announced, "I can pay. Zhaozhao, your cooking is so delicious, how about I buy the groceries from now on, and you cook!"
"It’s fine, it doesn’t cost that much."
Su Zhaozhao thought of Xu Jiaxin’s lavish spending habits. If she agreed, Xu Jiaxin would probably turn around and fill her entire refrigerator to the brim.
But she felt it was unnecessary.
She couldn’t help but glance at Xie Huaizheng. She leaned in and discreetly squeezed his arm. "Huai Zheng, can you not be so fierce? She’s just a young girl here for a meal!"
"Sorry, it was instinct." To his credit, Xie Huaizheng listened to Su Zhaozhao and apologized immediately.
His territorial instincts were too strong. He could tolerate someone freeloading a meal once or twice, but not every day.
Watching their interaction, Xu Jiaxin just felt it was incredibly sweet.
’Good thing my brother didn’t come this time. If he saw this, he’d probably cough up blood from anger, right?’
She recalled that time when they were returning home from Jiang City. She hadn’t dared say a word the entire trip.
She was afraid that if she said the wrong thing, Xu Jiaming would throw her off the train.
In her entire life, it was the first time she had ever seen her brother so devoted to someone.
Too bad Su Zhaozhao was married.
And the love this man before her had for Su Zhaozhao was no less than her brother’s.
Thinking of this, Xu Jiaxin suddenly mused, ’It would be nice if I could also meet a man who loves me very, very much in the future.’
"Jiaxin, how far along are you and my cousin now?"
During dinner, Su Zhaozhao couldn’t help but make small talk with Xu Jiaxin to ease the awkwardness.
She even placed some food on Xu Jiaxin’s plate.
Because she didn’t have much time, Su Zhaozhao had cooked some relatively simple, home-style dishes.
Things like stir-fried green beans with meat, braised eggplant, the cured sausage Aunt Yun had given them, plus a seaweed and egg drop soup.
"What?" Xu Jiaxin snapped back to reality. Hearing Su Zhaozhao’s words, her cheeks turned a little red.
"Um... we’ve just been writing letters lately."
’Actually, we secretly made a phone call once, but I don’t want to tell Zhaozhao yet, in case she gets the wrong idea.’
She didn’t realize that her expression had already given her away.
Her bashful and timid expression was all the confirmation Su Zhaozhao needed; she found it absolutely adorable.
"Well, take your time. Feelings are nurtured slowly."
She thought about how Xu Ziyang also had a carefree personality, which made him a pretty good match for Xu Jiaxin in some ways.
"Okay." Xu Jiaxin lowered her eyes, picking at the rice in her bowl.
Xie Huaizheng looked at Su Zhaozhao curiously. "She’s dating your cousin?"
When he had returned from his mission, Xu Jiaxin and Xu Jiaming had long since left.
He didn’t know what had happened between them all.
But when Xu Jiaxin heard Xie Huaizheng’s question, she almost spat out the rice in her mouth.
She hurriedly covered her mouth to swallow, coughing as she did.
Su Zhaozhao handed her a glass of water. Xu Jiaxin took a sip and finally caught her breath.
"I’m not! We’re just good friends right now."
After speaking, Xu Jiaxin held the cup, examining the water inside, and couldn’t help but say, "Is this apple water? It’s really good! Sweet and sour, much better than what my mom makes at home!"
Su Zhaozhao hadn’t expected Xu Jiaxin to identify it with just one sip.
She turned to look at Xie Huaizheng. Lately, he had been drinking this almost every day.
When he asked her what it was, Su Zhaozhao had always told him it was to help regulate his system.
And it was true; apple water itself can help regulate the body, so she hadn’t been lying.
At that moment, Xie Huaizheng stared at her in surprise. The man’s usually calm and composed expression changed instantly.
She could sense that he was trying hard to maintain his composure, but something in his eyes was still crumbling.
Su Zhaozhao quickly grasped Xie Huaizheng’s hand. "Are you okay?"
She hadn’t planned to tell Xie Huaizheng so soon. She had intended to lead up to it slowly, so he wouldn’t be so afraid.
She never expected Xu Jiaxin to let the cat out of the bag.
Xie Huaizheng’s thin lips curved slightly. "I’m fine."
But he had only eaten one bowl of rice before he cleared his dishes and went into the kitchen.