She naturally knew about his past. After this domineering and tyrannical man had barged into her life, and she discovered that she didn’t dislike it—in fact, didn’t want to refuse it—she had made various inquiries about his background. She knew he had been forced to join the military, and that he had grown up under his maternal grandfather’s protection.

However, just because his maternal grandfather ran a restaurant didn’t mean Pang Xiao should know how to cook. This tall man had always been domineering and forceful. She would believe if someone said he knew how to scheme or kill. But she couldn’t imagine at all what this person would look like cooking.

Pang Xiao pulled her to the kitchen at the back. Just as they reached the doorway, she could already smell a particularly fragrant aroma.

“Is this beef?”

“Mm. The weather’s hot, so I prepared beef shank in advance and simmered it into soup to cool. Later you can try the cold noodles I’m making.”

As they spoke, the two entered the kitchen. Qin Yining saw that a clay basin had already been placed on the cutting board, containing a ball of prepared dough.

Pang Xiao took the clay basin to scoop water and wash his hands clean, then lifted the wooden lid of the large iron pot and filled it with water, smiling as he said, “Wait a moment. The fire is already ready—we can eat soon.”

He placed the dough on the cutting board. His strong, large hands kneaded the dough until it was firm and elastic in just a few movements, then rolled it into a long strip. Holding one end in each hand, he shook both arms, and the dough was stretched long, striking the cutting board with a “snap.” One strand became two, two became four, four became eight…

Qin Yining leaned against the kitchen doorway, watching Pang Xiao skillfully pull the noodles. Finally, she saw his large hands stretch the dough into uniform thin strands.

The water in the pot had already boiled. Pang Xiao pinched off the ends of the noodles and dropped the uniform thin strands into the pot. The rolling boiling water settled down after the noodles were added.

Pang Xiao stirred with a long ladle, then prepared two basins of cold water for later use. He took cucumbers and pears to wash clean, skillfully cutting them into uniform thin strips. He fished out a piece of already-cooled sauced beef from the pot and sliced it into thin pieces, then cut a few watermelon slices as well.

Qin Yining discovered that Pang Xiao worked with very nimble hands and feet, and his knife skills were also excellent. Clearly he had done this often before—he really had the bearing of a master chef.

Before long, the noodles were cooked. He rinsed them twice in cold water, then placed them separately in two rough but clean clay bowls. He brought out a clay basin that had been chilling in well water since early morning, which contained beef cold noodle soup that had already been seasoned. Pang Xiao picked out the scallion segments and ginger slices from the soup, poured the broth over the noodles, arranged the cucumber and pear strips evenly on top, then arranged the triangular watermelon pieces and beef slices on the other side. Finally, he sprinkled some cilantro and sesame seeds, then smiled as he placed the noodles on the table in the outer room.

“Come quickly, try my handiwork.” Pang Xiao smiled as he handed chopsticks to Qin Yining.

By this time, Qin Yining had already been stunned by Pang Xiao’s skillful technique and the bowl of cold noodles before her that was perfect in color, aroma, and taste.

In the rough clay bowl, the pulled noodles were fine and uniform. The broth had a clear, fragrant aroma and transparent color. The emerald cucumber strips, snow-white pear strips, along with the red watermelon pieces and beef with just the right texture and tenderness—the combination looked appetizing just to see.

Qin Yining tasted a mouthful of the noodle soup. It was refreshing on the palate, without any fishy smell from the meat, but had a fresh fragrance that mixed vegetables, fruit, and sauced beef.

Taking a bite of noodles, they had good texture without being too hard, and the thin noodles were very flavorful. Then eating a bite of cucumber and pear, followed by watermelon and another sip of soup, Qin Yining felt that the summer’s dry heat and sweltering air had all been reduced by these few bites of noodles. Without realizing it, she had eaten half the bowl, soup and noodles together.

Pang Xiao held a larger clay bowl in one hand, using chopsticks to shovel noodles into his mouth while constantly observing Qin Yining over the rim of his bowl. Seeing that although she ate elegantly, her eyes were curved with obvious delight, his heart grew increasingly happy.

During this period, Qin Yining had been anxious and worried about family matters, and with the summer heat, she usually had little appetite. This meal was the most filling one she’d had, though the clay bowl was too large and she still couldn’t finish it.

When Pang Xiao saw she had left half a bowl, he put down his empty bowl and asked, “What’s wrong? Don’t the noodles suit your taste?”

“No, they taste very good. I like them very much, I just can’t eat any more.” Qin Yining looked at Pang Xiao with bright, sparkling eyes. “I never would have thought your cooking skills were so good.”

“This is nothing. Time was tight, so I could only quickly cook some noodles to make do for you. Next time when I have leisure and all the ingredients, I’ll make something good for you to eat.”

Pang Xiao very naturally took Qin Yining’s remaining half bowl and began slurping it up.

Qin Yining raised her hand to stop him but froze it in midair. “That’s what I left over…”

Pang Xiao put down the bowl and smiled. “So what’s to fear about that? Do you want some watermelon? It was just chilled in the well and is still cool.”

He got up and took the cleaver, chopping the watermelon into several pieces in a few strokes. Looking back at Qin Yining sitting on the bench, beautiful as a painting, he made several more cuts and handed her a piece of watermelon that was just the right size for her to bite.

“Thank you.” Qin Yining accepted the watermelon with both hands and took a bite. This year had been dry, and the sandy-fleshed watermelon was extremely sweet.

Pang Xiao sat on the bench across from Qin Yining with his legs spread apart, eating large bites of watermelon while watching her. His mouth was stuffed full, his cheeks bulging, but he still didn’t forget to smile at her.

Qin Yining’s mood somehow became particularly light and cheerful. His good appetite influenced her to eat two more pieces as well.

After the meal, Pang Xiao brought a basin of water for Qin Yining to wash her hands, then used the water she had washed with to wash his own face.

Watching him like this, Qin Yining truly had the illusion that they were family—just an ordinary farming household.

Pang Xiao wiped his face. His temple hair had gotten wet, and he casually swept it back with his hand, smiling. “Yining, what do you think of my cooking skills?”

Qin Yining nodded and earnestly praised, “Your cooking skills are excellent, even better than the cooks in our house. Compared to you, I’m much worse. To be honest, the thing I cook best even now is roasted meat, because I used to eat roasted food often. Later when I returned to the manor I learned a little, but it’s only barely edible.”

Pang Xiao laughed. “Don’t worry. It doesn’t matter if you can’t cook—I’ll cook for you in the future.”

Qin Yining was infected by his smile, and the word “good” almost slipped out. Then she understood the deeper meaning of his words, and her face suddenly flushed red.

This man was willing to risk danger to see her, never put on airs of being a prince in front of her, cared for her in every way, was willing to eat her leftover food, was willing to use the water she had washed with. They were just like family. In this lifetime, she and he might truly be bound together.

Thinking further, her reputation in others’ eyes had long ago been given to this man. Moreover, they had kissed and embraced—she could really only be his person.

Even without considering these things, it would be difficult to repay his life-saving grace multiple times.

The more Qin Yining thought, the redder her face became. Even her neck and ears turned completely red.

Seeing her like this, Pang Xiao couldn’t help but laugh as he pulled her into his arms. “What’s wrong with our Yining? Could it be you’ve been cooked? Otherwise why are you all red?”

Qin Yining giggled and punched him lightly. “What are you saying? I’m not a shrimp.”

“Aren’t you? Let me taste and see.” Pang Xiao smiled as if he were going to bite her face, but she pushed him away with light laughter.

“Stop fooling around. Aren’t there still serious matters?”

“No rush. Since we know the origins of those shops, doing business will be easy. We finally get to meet once—who knows how long until the next time we can meet. I can’t always come see you, and as the war situation becomes increasingly tense, it will be even harder for me to come. Let me hold you a little longer, okay?”

What kind of words was this man saying? Simply shameless!

“What is this? We’re not even married yet.”

“So you’re saying that once we marry, you’ll let me do whatever I want?” Pang Xiao looked at her with bright phoenix eyes.

Qin Yining was stunned, even forgetting to struggle. After a long while, she said, “Who, who said I would marry you?”

“Tsk tsk, our Yining is really a bad person. You ate my noodles and ate my tofu too, and now you want to renege on the debt?”

“When did I eat tofu!” Qin Yining’s eyes widened.

“Still saying you didn’t? Look, you bit my tongue until it broke! Now you want to turn your back and not acknowledge me? You’ve ruined my reputation—if you won’t take responsibility for me, what am I to do?”

Qin Yining pushed against his chest with both hands, looking speechlessly at his face so close to hers.

When this person became shameless, it truly made her sigh in amazement.

“I really should let all your soldiers see what their prince looks like when he acts shamelessly,” Qin Yining finally just scolded him lightly.

Pang Xiao laughed heartily. “Do you think all the men in the army are just rough fellows? They’ve left their homes to fight in wars far away. What they owe most are their mothers and wives back home. Northern men are mostly honest and love their families. Don’t look at how they’re like little tigers outside—when they go home and see their wives, they turn into cats. Each one is more henpecked than the next. Someone like me is actually pretty good.”

Qin Yining said in astonishment, “Don’t tell me your Huben Army specializes in cultivating henpecked men? If you’re considered good, do they have to kneel on beans as soon as they enter the house when they go home?”

Pang Xiao didn’t answer, just lowered his head and looked at her with a smile.

Qin Yining blinked, suddenly realizing what she had said. Embarrassed, she cried “Aiya!” and covered her face with her hands.

“Is Yining finally willing to consider me your man?” Pang Xiao chuckled with delight.

His laughter was right beside her ear, the vibrations making her heart tremble along with it.

His voice was low and magnetic, directly stimulating her until her face was purple with embarrassment. She wanted to dig a hole and bury herself, yet the corners of her lips couldn’t help but turn upward.

“Silly girl, remember this—I, Pang Zhixi, may use deception on anyone, but never on you. A real man’s word is his bond. I said I would marry you, and I will definitely marry you. You don’t need to worry about the problems standing between us—national hatred, family enmity—if I can’t even settle these things, what face would I have to marry you? You just need to wait here peacefully, understand? Our good days are still ahead.”

As Pang Xiao spoke, he reverently placed a kiss on her forehead.

Qin Yining quietly leaned against his shoulder, obediently nodding. “I know.”

Pang Xiao kissed the top of her head again. “You must believe in me, and wait for me.”

“Alright. I will wait for you.”

I will wait for you, no matter what the future may bring. This time, I won’t scheme, won’t calculate, won’t consider national hatred or family enmity—I’ll just believe in you.