C23 It Was Very Appetizing

Huo Niannian quickly scooped up the food box and headed over to the wooden coffee table.

After placing it down, she said, "I'll head back now. Enjoy your meal, okay?"

But as she turned to leave, Gu Tingshen grasped her wrist.

"Let's eat together."

"Ah? I'm staying to eat as well?"

Huo Niannian had thought she was just making a token appearance and didn't expect Gu Tingshen to actually invite her to share lunch with him. After all, he had complained before about her eating manners, and she had the impression he'd rather not dine with her.

"Isn't it normal for a wife to have lunch with her hubby?"

Gu Tingshen's tone was flirtatious, his gaze teasing.

Huo Niannian's ears turned red at the words "hubby" and "wife," even though she was already married, the terms still made her shy.

"Oh," she said softly, blushing as she looked down, smoothed her skirt, and gently sat down on the soft, fluffy carpet.

"I don't feel comfortable eating on the couch. You don't mind if I sit on the carpet, do you?"

Gu Tingshen smiled softly, "The carpet is cleaned every week; it's very clean. You can sit wherever you like."

Huo Niannian smiled contentedly. "Gu Tingshen, I've realized you're actually a pretty great person!"

"Oh?" Gu Tingshen's spirits rose, and he looked at her with interest.

"Yeah! You're like my grandma!"

Now, that was an unusual compliment.

Gu Tingshen, who was no stranger to praise, was momentarily taken aback by such a unique expression of admiration, his expression turning slightly awkward.

While unpacking the food, Huo Niannian explained, "When I was little, I used to eat with my grandma at a small square table. She didn't have any stools that were the right height for me—they were all too high and uncomfortable. So, she let me sit on a cushion to eat, never minding my posture or appearance, just like you're doing now, letting me be myself."

As Huo Niannian chatted, Gu Tingshen couldn't help but imagine the scenes of her past life with her grandmother.

Watching his genuine and generous little wife next to him, he felt his heart fill with an ineffable tenderness.

"When you're out and about, be careful if you need to. But around me, feel free to relax."

"Mm-hmm." Huo Niannian picked up a piece of green vegetable, her eyes lighting up. "Wow, Nanny Liu's cooking is just too delicious!"

"Then help yourself to more; putting on a little weight is fine."

Huo Niannian was about to nod in agreement when she froze. Was he suggesting she was too thin?

Wait, why would he think that...

Her thoughts wandered back to the night she first met Gu Tingshen. She had never managed to remember the specifics of that night. Did something happen, or didn't it?

"Gu Tingshen, I have a question for you."

"Sure." Gu Tingshen put down his chopsticks.

Seeing his solemn demeanor, Huo Niannian grew anxious. "You can eat. Let's talk while we eat..."

"I'd rather not. Go ahead and ask your question."

Left with no choice, Huo Niannian also laid down her chopsticks. "About that night, did we... did anything happen?"

"Yes."

After his brief reply, Gu Tingshen continued eating calmly. Then, as if an afterthought, he glanced at Huo Niannian, her cheeks as red as apples, and said, "If you can't remember, I'd be happy to help refresh your memory."