Chapter 273: Xiaolongbaos Are So Delicious
Holding hands and linking arms were entirely different experiences for Mo Qi, a complete novice in romance.
He could even catch the faint, pleasant fragrance emanating from Yan Xi, and he felt the warmth of her body against his arm. At that moment, his mind went completely blank.
All the thoughts he had about "only men should spend money on women" were thrown out the window.
"It's our turn, let's go!" Yan Xi's voice finally snapped him out of his daze. She released her grip on his arm, and only then did Mo Qi regain his senses.
"Ah— okay!"
Yan Xi's twin ponytails swayed gently at her sides as she walked ahead of him.
Where Mo Qi couldn't see, her face had already turned a deep shade of red.
She had clung to his arm too tightly, pressing a certain well-developed area against him, leaving her feeling a tingling numbness.
Ah! So embarrassing!
Yan Xi shook her head vigorously.
"Let's sit there! There are open seats."
Trying to distract herself from her embarrassment, she quickly scanned the restaurant and found an available spot. Pulling Mo Qi along, she hurried over and sat down.
Only after sitting did she realize that the two people at the table seemed to be a couple as well.
"Hi, do you mind if we sit here?" Yan Xi asked with a friendly smile, blinking at them.
The girl glanced instinctively at the boy next to her, who nodded slightly after a brief hesitation.
Seeing no objections, Yan Xi gestured for Mo Qi to sit opposite the couple.
"I'll have an order of Crab Stuffed with Orange, Xiaolongbaos, and Smashed Cucumber!" Yan Xi quickly placed her order when Fu Ya approached, then nudged Mo Qi lightly. "Your turn."
"Uh…" Mo Qi hesitated, remembering once again that his brand-new girlfriend was footing the bill.
Letting a girl pay felt so uncomfortable.
"I'll have a large Egg Fried Rice."
Yes, something cheaper. That should make him feel less awkward.
"…That's it?" Yan Xi waited for a moment, then shot him an annoyed glare when he didn't order more.
This blockhead!
She immediately guessed what Mo Qi was thinking, but she didn't want her boyfriend to only eat a single dish of Egg Fried Rice.
"Add an order of Dongpo Pork Knuckle and Kung Pao chicken."
Both dishes were his favorites, and paired with the Egg Fried Rice, it seemed just right.
"Xixi, I really don't need— Ow!" Mo Qi gasped sharply as he felt a pinch on his waist, cutting off his words.
"Dummy, does it hurt?" Seeing his pitiful expression after one pinch, Yan Xi couldn't help but laugh as she started rubbing the spot she'd just pinched.
"N-not anymore." For some reason, as soon as Yan Xi's soft hand began rubbing his side, the pain disappeared entirely.
"I said I'm treating you. If you only eat Egg Fried Rice, how could I enjoy my meal?"
Muttering softly, Yan Xi shot him another glare.
This big fool!
Yan Xi's face was so close to Mo Qi's that it was barely ten centimeters away. He could even feel her warm breath. Watching her smile, tinged with a playful scold, Mo Qi's mind went blank again.
S-so cute!
"Here are the Egg Fried Rice, Smashed Cucumber, and Xiaolongbaos."
Fu Ya's voice brought Mo Qi back to reality, and he turned his attention to the plate of Egg Fried Rice in front of him.
Yan Xi, sitting nearby, had already picked up her chopsticks without hesitation and started nibbling on the Smashed Cucumber at the table.
The tangy, spicy, and crunchy cucumber slices were refreshingly cool yet incredibly appetizing. After just a few bites, Yan Xi felt her taste buds come alive, her appetite growing with each mouthful.
She began eating faster, sending the cucumber slices to her mouth at an increasing pace.
The Smashed Cucumber, being a small dish, was soon finished, leaving only a bit of diced chili and brown seasoning sauce in the small plate.
"Ah Qi!" Yan Xi glanced at the plate and, with a glint in her eye, came up with an idea. "What do you think… if I dip a Xiaolongbao in the cucumber plate's sauce, will it taste different?"
"Huh?" Mo Qi, engrossed in his Egg Fried Rice, blinked in confusion, his face showing a hint of bewilderment.
Xiaolongbaos… dipped in cucumber sauce?
Weren't dumplings supposed to be dipped in vinegar?
Seeing Mo Qi's puzzled expression only made Yan Xi more convinced. "Look, think about it. Vinegar is sour, right? And Smashed Cucumber is tangy and spicy, right?"
"So, if I dip a Xiaolongbao in the cucumber sauce, it'll just be a bit spicier, but everything else will be the same, won't it?" As she spoke, her eyes lit up with certainty, as if she were almost convincing herself.
After a moment of thought, Mo Qi nodded. "Xixi, you make a good point. So, why not try it?"
"Hehe," Yan Xi giggled mischievously, her eyes twinkling with playfulness. "That's the thing—I want you to try it for me."
As she spoke, Yan Xi leaned in closer to Mo Qi. "Mo Qi~ please?"
Gasp!
Watching the girl's soft pink lips so close to him and hearing her sweet, pleading tone, Mo Qi shuddered as though he were about to ascend to the heavens.
"Okay! Okay!"
With that, Yan Xi grinned, picked up a Xiaolongbao with her chopsticks, carefully bit a small opening into it, and gently blew on it to cool the broth inside. She then slurped out the soup in one go before dipping the rest of the dumpling into the cucumber plate's sauce.
After all this, she extended the dumpling toward Mo Qi, but as it reached halfway, she suddenly froze.
Wait!
Wait, wait, wait!
She had sipped the soup, and now she was feeding the dumpling to Mo Qi…
Wouldn't this be an indirect kiss?!
In an instant, a crimson flush spread across Yan Xi's cheeks. She started to retract her hand but was startled when Mo Qi leaned forward and bit the dumpling right off her chopsticks.
Nom nom nom—
As the Xiaolongbao's chewy skin, tender, juicy filling, and the tangy, spicy sauce from the cucumber plate combined in his mouth, Mo Qi felt the flavors meld into a delicious harmony.
The taste was somewhat similar to the vinegar-dipped dumplings he was used to but with an added kick of spice and a different sourness that created an entirely new flavor experience.
"These dumplings are amazing," Mo Qi said enthusiastically, nodding as he turned to Yan Xi. "Xixi! I think—huh? Why is your face so red?"
"You—" Yan Xi felt heat rush to her head, her entire face burning. She glared at Mo Qi with embarrassment. "You big dummy!"
"Huh?!"
"Shut up!"
"…"
As the two playfully bickered, a soft sobbing sound suddenly interrupted them.
When they quieted down, they quickly realized the crying came from the girl sitting across from them.
The boy next to her had a conflicted and helpless expression. He wanted to wipe away her tears but hesitated, his hand frozen midair, unsure of what to do.
"Excuse me… is everything okay?"
Unable to hold back, Mo Qi asked cautiously.
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