Chapter 24: The Beautiful Chef
Three-thirty, Hongrun Square.
After half a month, Zhang Long saw Luo Man again and couldn’t help but be dazzled. Her figure was as alluring as ever, no change at all—perfectly curvaceous. The pairing of casual sneakers and jeans was impeccable, her long jade legs full of vitality.
Beneath her light jacket was a patterned short-sleeve top, her curves occasionally swirling like a vortex, drawing all eyes.
But most striking of all, her hairstyle had changed.
...
“Why did you cut your hair?” Zhang Long sniffed, feeling the heat rising within him the longer he stared. Luo Man’s crisp, short hair gave her an inexplicable aura of coolness.
“Mm, does it look good?” Luo Man’s eyes curved into a smile as she twisted her upper body left and right, giving Zhang Long a chance to inspect her new style.
“Uh, it’s okay…” Zhang Long looked up at the sky. Not good.
“Hypocrite.” Luo Man rolled her eyes in a way that was almost charming. The way he’d stared just now, and he calls it ‘okay’? Forget it. Expecting a straight man to say something nice was unrealistic.
“Are you not going home for the Mid-Autumn Festival?” Zhang Long’s question broke the mood. Today was September 30th, the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month—Mid-Autumn Festival.
“Of course I am!” Luo Man replied, exasperated, and strode toward the mall entrance without looking back. Not the best time for conversation; better not to let a straight man annoy her to death.
“Uh-huh.” Zhang Long cleared his throat and hurried after her.
There was still plenty of time left in the afternoon. Luo Man ignored Zhang Long and went straight to the elevator for the fifth floor, where the cinema was located. Last time they hadn’t managed to watch a movie together; today, she intended to make up for it. Tickets had already been booked online on the way.
Even with the Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays, it wasn’t as if every show was sold out. What movie they watched didn’t matter; it was about who you watched it with.
So, after picking up the tickets, Luo Man tossed one to Zhang Long and headed straight for the waiting area, saying nothing the whole time.
Zhang Long followed obediently behind. He might be a straight man, but he understood that Luo Man was having a bit of a tantrum—deliberately so.
Fine, let her. He wouldn’t try to appease her; let things be.
...
It had been a month since Zhang Long’s rebirth, and this was his first time entering a cinema. When bored at home, he’d watched some films from this world; though none were exactly like those of his previous life, some were similar.
Luo Man had chosen a newly released romance movie. The theater was about seventy to eighty percent full, not packed.
Most people went to the cinema during holidays for special effects or star actors. Romance movies were usually just watched by couples, with little concern for the actual film.
Because it wasn’t really about the movie—it was about passing time together, quietly deepening their connection.
“Hmph.” Suddenly, Luo Man let out a soft sound.
The movie was already playing, but Zhang Long was entirely focused on the screen, only occasionally reaching for popcorn or taking a sip of water, as if he was genuinely absorbed in the plot and acting—unbeatable.
“Hiss~” Suddenly, Zhang Long drew in a sharp breath. He’d been engrossed in the film when a pain shot through his thigh. Not agonizing, but certainly real and uncomfortable.
“What are you doing?” Zhang Long turned and whispered, baring his teeth.
“Oops…” Luo Man’s lips curled into a fleeting smile before she switched to an apologetic look. “I was reaching for the popcorn and missed, grabbed you instead. Sorry, thank you.”
Well, she played it convincingly enough.
Zhang Long didn’t dwell on it. He shot Luo Man a mild glare before turning back to the screen, but this time he kept a wary eye on her. Sure enough, within a few minutes, her small hand seemed ready to misbehave again. He’d been waiting for this.
When Luo Man pretended to reach for popcorn and missed, Zhang Long immediately moved his leg and caught her left hand with his right, humming quietly.
Her hand was surprisingly smooth.
“Ahem~” Luo Man froze, clearing her throat.
Her trick had been discovered. When she tried to pull away, she found her left hand firmly held. After a few experimental tugs, she stopped resisting, letting him hold her hand, feeling the warmth of his palm. A subtle heat flowed between them, spreading through her body.
Steady, strong, warm, and hot.
...
The supermarket was on the mall’s lower level.
After the movie, Luo Man and Zhang Long shopped for groceries with a sense of mysterious intimacy. On moving day, they’d already bought pots and utensils. On weekends, when they didn’t want to eat out, they’d sometimes cook dumplings or noodles at home.
“Uh, isn’t this enough…?” Zhang Long called out. The cart was loaded with meat, seafood, vegetables, fruit—at least a dozen kinds. No way could they finish all this tonight; it would just go to waste.
“We’ll eat it gradually.” Luo Man didn’t bother with him. Though she picked out many kinds, the quantities weren’t large. “Eating out or ordering delivery while working is fine, but during holidays, it’s better to cook at home—cleaner, healthier, and cheaper.”
“Don’t let money make you forget the tough days you worked in the school cafeteria. That’s all part of growing up.”
“Hurry up, keep moving.”
Zhang Long shrugged, saying no more.
He had worked in the university cafeteria during his previous life. The pay wasn’t much, but it meant free meals. The Welfare Institute in Hangzhou only covered tuition and accommodation, not living expenses.
As long as you worked hard, a college student could earn enough not to starve.
Half an hour later, shopping was done.
Naturally, Zhang Long carried the bulk of the bags. Luo Man’s hands weren’t empty either; besides her purse, she carried two shopping bags—all fruit.
The door clicked open.
Luo Man followed Zhang Long into his apartment. She knew he was well-off, but seeing he lived in a two-bedroom made her raise her eyebrows. In the suburbs, renting such a place cost three to four thousand a month. Here, near the Bund, it must be eight or ten thousand.
“Go rest…” In the kitchen, Luo Man rolled up her sleeves. “Let me show you what I can do today. The tricks you learned in the school cafeteria barely qualify as edible. For Mid-Autumn Festival, I’ll make you some authentic homemade dishes. Go have fun.”
“I can cook for myself.”
...
Honestly, Zhang Long hadn’t expected Luo Man to cook herself. Instead of spending Mid-Autumn with her parents, she came here and took over his kitchen—a surge of emotion rose within him.
He offered to help with washing and prepping, but Luo Man refused. She wanted to work alone.
“Class rep…” Zhang Long began, but Luo Man interrupted, shooing him away. “I know what you’re going to say—thanks, touched, whatever. It’s not hard, really.”
“Go rest.”
So Zhang Long surrendered the kitchen to her and went to the living room to watch TV.
Mid-Autumn Festival—a day for reunion.
Zhang Long had the TV on for background noise, but his mind wasn’t on the screen. He’d been in this world for a month and never felt truly integrated. No familiar family or friends, no familiar songs or shows, nothing at all; loneliness always clung to him.
But right now, Luo Man had come to spend Mid-Autumn with him, cooking by hand. To say he wasn’t moved would be a lie, even if he knew her intentions.
If he had no money, would Luo Man be so friendly? No, society was pragmatic.
Likewise, if Luo Man weren’t beautiful, Zhang Long probably wouldn’t keep agreeing to meet her.
Women seek wealth, men seek beauty.
Zhang Long had an adult’s perspective; it wasn’t hard for him to understand. He felt attraction, at most rising to the level of dating. Marriage was too distant.
Even childhood sweethearts or long-term lovers could break up over time; relationships were fragile.
Thinking too far ahead was pointless for now.
He let out a slow breath, glanced toward the kitchen, his eyes flashing softly as he murmured, “Having a woman at home really makes it lively.”
“Happy Mid-Autumn Festival.”