I put down my wine glass and rolled my eyes in feigned impatience. "Come on, a guy like him is just an ice mountain. Only someone with your love-struck brain would be interested. I don't want to make a fool of myself."
My best friend seemed ready to say more, but I didn’t give her the chance and turned to disappear into the center of the dance floor.
Leaving the noisy bar, I drove back to the villa where I was living with Huo Ze after our marriage agreement. The originally empty living room was now brightly lit, and Huo Ze's suitcase was casually placed at the entrance.
I took a deep breath, trying to suppress the rising panic in my chest. Everything had returned to plan at least a week earlier than I had anticipated!
I forced myself to appear calm and raised what I thought was a perfect smile. "You're back?"
Huo Ze was sitting on the sofa, going through some documents. Upon hearing my voice, he looked up, his deep gaze lingering on me for a few seconds before he replied with a faint "Mm."
I casually placed my bag aside, deliberately slowing my movements as I walked over to sit across from him. "What made you come back so suddenly? You didn't even give me a heads-up so I could pick you up at the airport."
He closed the document in his hands and replied calmly, "It was a last-minute decision; no need to trouble yourself."
His usual indifference annoyed me slightly but also strengthened my resolve to "act." I got up and walked over to him, reaching out to help organize the scattered papers on the sofa, but he subtly dodged my hand.
"I can handle it myself," Huo Ze said as he placed the documents on the coffee table.
I awkwardly withdrew my hand, then quickly thought of something else and smiled. "I haven't eaten yet; you probably haven't either, right? I'll go make dinner. What do you want to eat?"
Huo Ze raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by my suggestion, but quickly returned to his expressionless state. "No need; I've already had my assistant order food."
"Ordering takeout? Then all the effort I've put into creating the 'Good Wife and Loving Mother' image would be in vain!" I thought to myself, gritting my teeth. I absolutely could not give up like this!
"Takeout is so unhealthy; home-cooked meals are better. Just wait a moment, I'll be done soon!" I said, and without waiting for Huo Ze to respond, I dashed into the kitchen.
I opened the refrigerator, only to find it nearly empty, with just a few bottles of drinks and a box of milk that was about to expire. I slapped my forehead in frustration; ever since getting married, I had been too busy enjoying gatherings with my friends to cook. The items in the fridge were still from before Huo Ze's last business trip.
I rummaged through the kitchen, hoping to find some ingredients to cook with. There were some instant noodles and frozen dumplings in the cupboard, but how could I serve those to Huo Ze?
Just as I was feeling overwhelmed, I suddenly heard a light laugh behind me. I turned around to see Huo Ze leaning against the kitchen door, a mysterious smile playing on his lips.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
I awkwardly tugged at the corners of my mouth, trying hard to maintain my composure. "Um... I'm preparing dinner, but it seems like there aren't many ingredients left..."
Huo Ze didn't say anything; he just watched me silently, his deep gaze seeming to see right through all my pretenses. I felt flustered under his scrutiny, and in my nervousness, I accidentally dropped the spatula with a loud clatter.
Instinctively bending down to pick it up, I moved too quickly and bumped into the cabinet behind me, sending a sharp pain through my body that made me cry out.
Seeing this, Huo Ze quickly walked over and supported my shoulder. "Are you okay?"
I lifted my head and met his worried gaze, a strange feeling suddenly surged within me, as if something was quietly changing...
"I'm... I'm fine..." I said in a panic, pushing him away and lowering my head, unable to look at him.
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