Chapter 80: You Are My Man-After Leaving the Monastery, I Had a Flash Marriage with the Capital’s Elite Heir at the Civil Affairs Bureau(A Pillow of Spring Dreams)

Shen Chutang returned to her room in high spirits.

Lu Beiqin spoke, "What was that about just now?"

Shen Chutang flashed a mischievous smile. "That's a secret."

Seeing her in such a good mood, Lu Beiqin's lips curled into an almost imperceptible smile.

Although Shen Chutang wasn't favored in the Shen family, it was clear she wasn't someone who would let herself suffer losses.

Just then, her phone rang. It was Shi Hanhan, inviting her to hang out and go shopping.

Shen Chutang thought it over and agreed. After all, Shi Hanhan didn't have many friends at the moment. Now that the young woman had regained her beauty, she surely wanted someone to accompany her on a shopping spree.

Having just exerted herself, Shen Chutang was starting to feel hungry. She glanced at the time—just right to begin preparing dinner.

She tied on her apron and entered the kitchen. Lu Beiqin glanced over. "Let me help."

"Alright. Could you get the chicken wings and shrimp from the fridge? I'm planning to make salt and pepper chicken wings and sweet-and-sour shrimp."

After Lu Beiqin fetched the ingredients, he saw Shen Chutang marinating chicken breast.

A strand of her long hair fell over her shoulder; she raised her arm to block it, but it slipped through her fingers.

"Lu Beiqin, could you grab a hair tie and help me tie my hair?"

Shen Chutang had intended to do it herself, but seeing her hands covered in marinade, she turned and called out to him, "Help me out, will you?"

Lu Beiqin found himself faced with an unfamiliar challenge. "I don't know how."

Who could have imagined that the illustrious heir of the capital would be bested by a simple hair tie?

Shen Chutang explained, "Just gather all my hair together and wrap the tie around it twice. Loose hair gets in the way, and my hands are dirty. Please help me."

In the end, Lu Beiqin couldn't refuse.

He washed and dried his hands, then carefully scooped up her hair.

The girl's hair was silky and soft, nothing like Zhang Chuan's at work.

He'd never tied anyone else's hair before; after several attempts, he managed to gather it all, exposing the fair, slender nape of her neck.

They stood close together, so close that Lu Beiqin could smell the faint floral fragrance lingering on Shen Chutang.

"Is it done?" Shen Chutang looked up. Lu Beiqin's hand stiffened, almost undoing his careful work.

He averted his gaze. "Almost."

With that, he clumsily wrapped the tie around her hair, finally securing it.

Shen Chutang was generous with her praise. "Not bad, Lu Beiqin. You seem to have a talent for this."

Lu Beiqin cleared his throat, reaching out to pat her head. "I'm not a child. Don't use those tricks you play on your students with me."

Shen Chutang smiled gently, teasing, "How could I use those tricks on you? You're my man, after all."

Lu Beiqin froze, gazing at her pure, clear eyes before turning away. "Let's cook."

"Alright."

Shen Chutang chuckled to herself. Apparently, even a taciturn man could be embarrassed.

She heated oil in the pan, planning to make cherry meat. She diced the marinated chicken breast, then dropped it into the hot oil, only for the oil to hiss and splatter immediately.

"Ah!"

Amidst the crackling sound, Shen Chutang's arm couldn't escape the splattering oil.

Lu Beiqin reacted swiftly, pulling her into his arms, covering the pan, extinguishing the flame, and looking down at her. "Are you alright?"

Shen Chutang shook her head. "I'm fine. Luckily, it didn't hit my face. I'm going shopping with Hanhan tomorrow."

She looked up, unexpectedly locking eyes with Lu Beiqin's face, so close it could easily startle anyone.

They were mere inches apart—if she tilted her head just a little, she could kiss him.

She hurriedly shifted her gaze. Lu Beiqin led her to the sink, turned on the faucet, and rinsed her hand under cold water. Once he confirmed there would be no blistering, he released her. "It's alright now."

"Thank you."

Shen Chutang quickly withdrew her hand and turned back to cooking.

Lu Beiqin noticed the blush creeping up her neck, then left the kitchen.

Only when she heard his footsteps fade did Shen Chutang finally relax.

Though she pretended nothing had happened, she hadn't forgotten that kiss from last time. Just now, when they were close again, the memory she had forced down surged back, making her head spin.

Thank goodness Lu Beiqin left; otherwise, she wouldn't have known how to continue cooking.