When work hours ended, Ganyu left Yuehai Pavilion almost exactly on time—her steps unusually light, something rarely seen these past days.
The moment she pushed open the door to her home, a warm, inviting aroma of food washed over her, instantly dispelling the chill and fatigue clinging to her body.
She looked toward the kitchen.
Under the warm yellow glow, Yi Chen stood at the stove with his back to her, busy cooking.
He was wearing a light-colored apron that was clearly one size too small—it looked slightly ridiculous, the straps barely tied behind his back, outlining his straight posture and slim, firm waist.
Hearing the door, Yi Chen turned around. When he saw Ganyu, his face lit up with a bright, cloudless smile.
"You're back! Go wash your hands—dinner's almost ready!"
As he spoke, he untied the apron and casually draped it over the back of a chair.
Ganyu stood frozen.
Warm light.
Gentle features.
The faint scent of freshly cooked food clinging to him.
A devastatingly strong 'husband energy' slammed straight into her heart without warning.
This feeling… was lethal.
Her cheeks and the tips of her ears heated instantly. Her heartbeat skipped, then began pounding wildly. A strange, unfamiliar heat spread from her chest outward, leaving even her fingertips tingling.
She watched him turn to get the bowls.
Watched him roll up his sleeves, exposing his wrist.
Watched him naturally place two sets of chopsticks on the table.
It was such an ordinary domestic scene—
yet to her, it carried an overwhelming impact.
Like coming home from work…
to someone wearing an apron, cooking for you, welcoming you with the warmest smile.
Ganyu unconsciously pressed her knees together, fingers nervously clutching the hem of her clothes.
Something was wrong.
A tiny flame had been lit inside her—
quietly, dangerously warm.
She hurried to the washroom, moving stiffly. Cold water rushed over her burning hands, but no matter how long she rinsed, it couldn't extinguish the heat surging in her chest.
When she returned, the small dining table was already neatly set—three dishes and one soup.
All simple home cooking, but vibrant in color and rich in aroma. Clearly made with care.
Yi Chen placed two bowls of steaming rice on the table.
Ganyu sat down obediently, her gaze drifting, unable to look directly at the source of this overwhelming domestic aura.
Yi Chen blinked, leaned closer, and asked with concern.
"Ganyu, you seem a bit strange… Your face is red. Are you feeling unwell? Too tired from work?"
"Ah—n-no!"
Startled as if her thoughts had been exposed, Ganyu shook her head quickly, lifting her rice bowl and nearly burying her face in it.
"I'm fine. Not that tired."
She picked up her chopsticks and quietly ate, chewing mechanically. She couldn't taste a thing.
Everything around her felt too perfect—
warm, peaceful, sweet enough to make her heart race.
She was afraid that if she moved too much, this dream would shatter.
Then—
A pair of chopsticks gently placed a piece of tender, richly braised vegetarian meat on top of her rice.
Ganyu looked up blankly.
Yi Chen met her eyes, his expression filled with mild reproach and concern.
"Why are you only eating rice? You need vegetables and protein too."
"You work so hard—you have to eat properly."
The gesture was so natural, so effortless—
as if caring for her required no thought at all.
Ganyu stared at the extra piece of food, then at his serious face that seemed to say "why are you so bad at taking care of yourself?"
Something deep in her chest was softly struck.
And the heat exploded again—stronger than before.
"…Thank you," she whispered.
She carefully ate the meat with her rice.
The taste…
was inexplicably, overwhelmingly good.
Her heartbeat felt far too loud in the quiet room.
Dinner passed in a gentle, intimate silence.
Ganyu ate slowly, savoring every bite, trying to carve this warmth—this sense of home—deep into her memory.
The piece of food he gave her, she ate almost reverently.
The small flame in her heart did not die.
Fueled by his casual concern, focused eating, and the occasional bright smile he sent her way, it spread—until it became a blazing fire.
Her limbs felt warm and weak.
Her eyes grew soft, hazy.
This feeling was dangerous.
Yet she couldn't resist it.
After dinner, she helped clean up, forcing herself to stay composed. Still, she couldn't stop staring at his slim waist and toned arms as he wiped the counter.
When Yi Chen finished and went to wash up, Ganyu's eyes flicked toward the bathroom.
A bold, secret thought burst forth—uncontrollable.
Her heart pounded violently. Her face burned again.
While the sound of running water came from the washroom, Ganyu tiptoed to the laundry basket.
Her eyes locked onto the clothes Yi Chen had changed out of earlier.
Without hesitation—almost desperately—she grabbed them and hugged them to her chest.
The fabric was soft.
Still warm.
Carrying his scent—clean, sunlit, faintly mixed with sweat.
The smell wrapped around her, stealing her breath.
Her fingers trembled.
What… was she doing?
She didn't know.
She only knew one thing—
She wanted to claim this scent.
Heart racing, she crept back to her room like a thief, shut the door, and locked it.
Leaning against the cool wood, she finally exhaled, clutching the clothes tightly.
Maybe… they had a very important use.
For example—
to hug while sleeping at night.
Or—
to smell when she missed him.
The thought made her so embarrassed she could combust—yet it was intoxicatingly sweet.
Blushing, she folded the clothes carefully like priceless treasures, hid them in the lowest drawer of her bedside cabinet, and closed it gently.
Sitting on the bed, exhausted, her fingers traced the drawer handle unconsciously.
Her lips curved upward despite herself.
Tonight…
she might have a very good dream.
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