*Eh... heheheheh!*
The corners of Belle's mouth lifted uncontrollably, her heart blossoming with joy.
Ye Qingfeng, unaware of the chaotic thoughts swirling in Belle's head, gently bit down on the chopsticks, savoring the taste of the fish.
*It's fine... not that spicy at all.*
*But why was Belle's face so red just now?*
He glanced down at Belle, who was standing there in a daze with a silly grin. He still didn't understand what she was so happy about, but her cheeks were definitely flushed.
*She probably just can't handle spicy food.*
"Belle... Belle?!"
He had asked her to carry the dish out, but had to call her name twice before she snapped back to reality.
"Huh? What's wrong?"
"Could you take this dish out for me?" Ye Qingfeng paused, then added, "Careful — it's hot."
"Okay! Got it!"
Ye Qingfeng turned back to prepare the last dish. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a small smear of oil at the corner of Belle's mouth. Without overthinking it, he pointed to the same spot on his own face. "Belle — right here."
"Eh—?!"
Belle had just picked up the plate with both hands when she heard him call her name. She turned her head, startled enough that she nearly dropped it, and hastily set it back down on the table.
"What's wrong?"
Ye Qingfeng stared at her in complete confusion.
*What do you mean, what's wrong?!*
*Qingfeng is so mean... ugh...*
*He fed her first! And now he's hinting — no, outright telling her — that he wants a kiss!*
*And here, of all places! What if someone walks in?!*
*But... it's Qingfeng. It's not entirely unacceptable...*
She thought back to the plots of those romance films she'd watched before. In a situation like this, she needed to be a little reserved — she couldn't let Qingfeng think she was too easy.
"Do... do we have to do it here..."
Belle lowered her head shyly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Huh?" Ye Qingfeng looked at her — soft, flustered, suddenly transformed — and was completely lost. Replaying the last few seconds in his head, he arrived at a perfectly reasonable conclusion. "I can take care of it."
He'd noticed Belle's hands tremble slightly when she picked up the dish earlier. She was probably worried it was too hot. And now, having already agreed to carry it out, she'd gotten shy about admitting she needed help.
*Ah — just as he thought. Belle was still such a kid. What was there to be embarrassed about?*
"It's okay, Belle. Don't be embarrassed."
Wanting to spare her further awkwardness, Ye Qingfeng stepped forward to take the plate of boiled fish himself.
*!!!*
When Ye Qingfeng said "I can take care of it" — Belle's brain had simply stopped working.
By the time she came back to herself, he was somehow already right in front of her, leaning slightly down, hands reaching toward her.
His face filled her entire field of vision, growing larger and larger until there was nothing else.
Belle's breathing quickened sharply. Was he going to take her by the shoulders and — and force a kiss?!
*So bold! So exciting!*
*But she couldn't let Qingfeng seize the initiative — she needed to act first! Just like the female lead in that romance film she'd watched the other day!*
Belle took a deep breath, steeled herself, and made her move.
She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Ye Qingfeng's neck before he could react.
Then, meeting his stunned gaze, she delivered her first kiss — her soft lips pressing gently against the corner of his mouth.
*So soft! Hehe!*
*[Beep! Belle's Affection Level inc—]*
"Qingfeng——! Hamburgers!" At that exact moment, Anby poked her head through the kitchen doorway. She took in the scene, tilted her head, blinked once — and then turned toward the living room and announced at full volume: "Qingfeng and Belle are making babies in the kitchen!"
**Xiao Zhi (System):** ....
**Ye Qingfeng:** Anby, you're not getting any hamburgers!!
**Belle:** One moment of courage, a lifetime of wanting to disappear. Please do not disturb.
**Nicole:** Huh?!
**Billy:** What should I give as a wedding gift?
**Wise:** Sis — already?! Really?!
Belle's already-flushed cheeks turned completely, catastrophically red, the blush spreading all the way to her earlobes. Her head felt like a pressure cooker. Her vision went dark.
She pitched forward and fainted.
In the span of a blink, Ye Qingfeng felt something thump against his chest. He looked down to find Belle in his arms, eyes tightly shut.
*No — sis?! You pick now to faint?! How am I supposed to explain any of this?!*
Before he could gather his thoughts, a rapid series of footsteps converged on the kitchen.
Then, one by one, heads appeared in the doorway — like visitors at a zoo peering into an enclosure — all staring at the only conscious party: Ye Qingfeng.
*What a disaster.*
---
A short while later, the coffee table was covered in dishes. Three people and one machine were seated on the sofa, eating with great enthusiasm.
Belle lay peacefully on the sofa, declared the victim of the incident by unanimous verdict.
Ye Qingfeng stood in the corner of the living room, sentenced to reflect on his actions.
"Qingfeng! Just admit what you did and come eat."
Billy opened the fuel port he typically reserved for diesel, clinked vessels with Nicole and Wise, knocked back a generous pour, and hollered across the room.
"But I didn't do anything..."
Having explained himself countless times already, and now thoroughly hungry, Ye Qingfeng replied with very little energy left.
"Hmph! Sounds like Qingfeng still hasn't grasped the gravity of his mistake." Nicole was swishing a slice of fish around in plain water, taking her time before finally putting it in her mouth. Her expression shifted. "Just keep reflecting over there... *mmm* — so tender! — ...for a little longer."
The one who had sentenced him to the corner in the first place was Nicole herself, now eating with complete satisfaction. Not that she actually believed what Anby had said.
At most, she suspected the two had been kissing in the kitchen — and that Anby had simply matched what she'd walked in on to the plot of some film she'd watched.
But the principle stood. If Qingfeng was bold enough to kiss today, there was no telling what tomorrow might bring. It was best to nip things in the bud before Anby's words became prophetic.
Wise, for his part, also didn't believe Anby's proclamation — not because he had any particular faith in his sister's restraint, but because he genuinely trusted that his good friend wasn't the type to be ruled by impulse.
Belle was still young in every sense of the word. If it had been someone more like Nicole, he might not have been so confident.
As for Anby — the architect of the entire incident — she was eating with complete dedication. Her face had turned bright red from the spice, but her chopsticks hadn't stopped moving once.
If she had to score the meal out of ten, she'd give it a nine. No higher.
Nothing could replace hamburgers in Anby's heart.
And if anything ever could, it would only be hamburgers made by Ye Qingfeng.
"Qingfeng~" Anby said, not looking up from her bowl. "Why aren't there hamburgers? You promised me hamburgers."
Ye Qingfeng's fist tightened.
In his entire life, he had never encountered someone quite so shameless.
-------
A/n: New content and stories posted on my patreon go check it out!
patreon.com/deadlygoober