Chapter 30 Sweetness in the Old House

Chapter 30 Sweetness in the Old House

Xie Lin saw Lin Mianmian blush, chuckled softly, and reached out to take her hand.

Their fingertips intertwined, the warm touch soothing their palms. "Come on, let me take you to see the swings."

Passing through the moon gate, the backyard reveals an even more hidden gem.

A swing made of ebony hangs under a century-old camphor tree, with a rattan seat wrapped in a cashmere cushion that looks incredibly soft.

Xie Lin helped Lin Mianmian sit down, while he stood behind her, his slender fingers gently resting on the swing ropes.

The swing slowly rose, getting higher and higher off the ground.

She couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, reaching back to grab Xie Lin's arm: "Slow down, it's too high!"

Xie Lin chuckled softly, loosening his grip and moving his feet slowly in rhythm with the swing.

His chest was almost pressed against her back, and his warm breath brushed against her earlobe: "What are you afraid of? I'm here, you won't fall."

His voice was magnetic, like a feather gently tickling the heart.

The swing reached its highest point and then slowly fell back down.

Xie Lin leaned down and rested his chin on her shoulder.

He nuzzled his nose against her delicate neck: "Mianmian, do you know? When I was little, I always hoped that someone would swing with me on this swing."

"Back then, my grandfather always said that when I grew up, I would bring home a girl I liked and give her this swing."

As he spoke, he suddenly reached out, put his arm around her waist, and lifted her off the swing: "Now you're pregnant."

Lin Mianmian exclaimed in surprise and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck, instantly closing the distance between them until their noses touched and their breaths mingled.

Xie Lin's gaze fell on her reddened lips, his eyes darkening, and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly: "Mianmian, may I kiss you?"

Lin Mianmian's heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of her chest. She didn't dare look into his eyes and just nodded gently.

Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, like a startled fawn.

With permission granted, Xie Lin leaned down and kissed her lips.

This kiss was not as urgent as before; it was tender and lingering, as if afraid of disturbing the tranquility.

His lips were warm and soft, and as they lingered and caressed each other, Lin Mianmian's body went limp, and she collapsed into his arms.

After an unknown amount of time, Xie Lin slowly released her.

His forehead pressed against hers, his wanton and amorous peach blossom eyes hooking his moist lips: "Lin Mianmian, you'll never escape me in this lifetime."

She raised her hand and wrapped it around his waist, her voice muffled: "Mmm, I won't run away."

I added another sentence to my mind: "Until you stop loving me."

The two stood embraced under the camphor tree, sunlight filtering through the branches and leaves, bathing them in a warm golden glow.

Just then, footsteps came from outside the hall, accompanied by Grandpa Xie's hearty laughter. It was Xie Lin's grandfather returning from playing chess.

Lin Mianmian suddenly came to her senses and hurriedly broke free from Xie Lin's embrace.

She awkwardly adjusted the hem of her skirt.

Xie Lin chuckled softly, reached out, and gently tidied her wind-blown hair, his eyes filled with an overwhelming tenderness.

Seeing her flustered state, he deliberately leaned close to her ear, his voice low and teasing: "What are you afraid of? It's not like Grandpa hasn't seen this before."

Lin Mianmian's face turned even redder, and she reached out and pinched his side.

But he grabbed her wrist and they intertwined their fingers.

The wooden door to the passageway was pushed open, and Grandpa Xie walked in carrying a brocade box containing chess pieces. He saw the two of them standing hand in hand under the tree.

With a broad smile, he said, "Oh dear, did I come at the wrong time?"

Lin Mianmian lowered her head even further, wishing she could disappear into a crack in the ground.

Xie Lin, however, remained calm and composed. He took her hand and walked forward, raising an eyebrow as he asked, "Grandpa, did you win the chess game?"

"Of course!" Grandpa Xie proudly raised his chin.

His gaze fell on their clasped hands, and he smiled so hard his eyes narrowed into slits. "Come on, I'll make you braised fish tonight."

"Alright! Mianmian will let you try my grandpa's signature dish!"

The kitchen in the old house is also in a modern Chinese style, understated yet luxurious.

Grandpa Xie, familiar with the process, took a fresh carp out of the refrigerator, and then pulled out a handful of scallions and a few pieces of ginger.

Smiling, she said, "This fish was just caught from the fishpond this morning, it's absolutely fresh!"

Xie Lin took the fish, raised an eyebrow at Lin Mianmian, and asked, "Are you scared? Want to try killing a fish?"

Lin Mianmian quickly shook her head, shrank back, her eyes full of fear: "I dare not."

Xie Lin chuckled and reached out to ruffle her hair: "Just kidding, just sit still."

He rolled up his shirt sleeves, revealing his well-defined forearms, and skillfully worked the fish.

Amidst the splashing of fish scales, Lin Mianmian sat on a small stool beside him, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at him.

Sunlight streamed through the window and fell on his profile, outlining his defined jawline.

I never expected that Xie Lin, a young master who never lifts a finger, would actually know how to cook.

He's actually quite handsome when he's cooking.

Grandpa Xie was picking vegetables nearby when he caught a glimpse of the interaction between the two out of the corner of his eye.

Unable to suppress a chuckle, he deliberately coughed twice: "You little rascal, don't clean the gills too thoroughly, leave a little bit so they're fresher!"

Xie Lin didn't even look up: "I know, please don't give orders anymore, or you'll pick the wrong vegetables."

"Hey, you little rascal!" Grandpa Xie feigned anger, but still continued to pick vegetables with a cheerful smile.

Lin Mianmian couldn't help but smile as she watched this scene.

She got up and walked to the cutting board, picked up a scallion, and slowly began to peel it, just like Grandpa Xie: "Grandpa, let me help you."

"Good, good, good!" Grandpa Xie smiled so much his eyes narrowed into slits. "Our Mianmian is so well-behaved, unlike this brat who only knows how to annoy me."

Upon hearing this, Xie Lin looked up at her, unable to hide the smile in his eyes.

After preparing the fish, Xie Lin poured oil into the pot, and when the oil was hot, he put the fish in.

With a sizzling sound, the aroma instantly filled the air.

Lin Mianmian stood to the side, coughing lightly twice from the fumes.

Xie Lin immediately stepped aside to shield her, his voice gentle: "Stand back a bit, don't get burned."

Pan-fry the fish until golden brown on both sides. Xie Lin then added ginger slices and scallion segments, along with cooking wine and light soy sauce. Finally, he added water, covered the pot, and simmered it.

Flames licked the bottom of the pot, which bubbled and steamed, filling the air with an increasingly rich aroma.

Taking advantage of the moment, Xie Lin turned to look at Lin Mianmian and saw that there was a little bit of scallion on the tip of her nose.

He couldn't resist reaching out to wipe it away for her, his fingertips gently brushing against the tip of her nose, the touch warm: "Little glutton, can you smell the fragrance?"

Lin Mianmian's cheeks flushed, and she nodded gently.

Grandpa Xie watched with great interest.

He deliberately drew out his words: "Oh dear, my old bones can't stand you young people being so cloying."

Lin Mianmian's face turned even redder, and she hurriedly turned around to help set the table.

Before long, the braised fish was ready.

Bright red fish chunks are served on a white porcelain plate and sprinkled with bright green scallions, making one's mouth water and giving them the motivation to eat.

Xie Lin stir-fried two more vegetables, and the three of them sat around the table, enjoying each other's company.

Xie Lin picked up a piece of fish, carefully removed the bones, and put it into Lin Mianmian's bowl: "Try it and see if it's good."

Lin Mianmian took a bite, and the tender fish melted in her mouth, carrying a rich sauce flavor. She couldn't help but exclaim, "Delicious!"

"That's right, look who did it." Xie Lin raised an eyebrow, his tone smug.

Grandpa Xie took a sip of his wine and looked at the scene before him.

His smile grew even wider: "Come back often in the future, I'll make sure you have plenty of fish here."

Lin Mianmian looked at Grandpa Xie's kind smile, and then at Xie Lin, who had gentle eyes and brows beside her.

The warmth in my heart felt like it was about to overflow.

She raised the hot water cup, smiled at Grandpa Xie, and said, "Thank you, Grandpa."

Xie Lin also raised his glass, his eyes full of tenderness: "To Grandpa."

After dinner, Xie Lin offered to take Lin Mianmian back to school.

After getting into the car, Lin Mianmian looked at him and smiled faintly: "I'm really happy today. Thank you, Xie Lin."

Xie Lin leaned closer and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

A pleasant voice: "Silly girl, you still thank me. From now on, I'll make you this happy every day."