Siheyuan: I am the God of Cooking, and all the birds are crying with envy!

The lazy and somewhat hot afternoon sunlight, like fine silk threads, quietly shines through the narrow gap in the window and falls on the slightly messy desk in the office.

The breeze blew gently, and the scraps of paper danced in the mottled light and shadow like nimble butterflies.

He Yuzhu was frowning, concentrating on studying a transportation contract. The pencil in his hand was like a lively elf, scribbling on the paper from time to time. He was also muttering to himself, mumbling about many issues about cost and risk. His focused expression seemed as if everything around him had nothing to do with him.

Lou Xiao'e sat quietly opposite him, but her eyes were a little wandering, as if she was a floating duckweed that could not find a place to rest.

Her fingers were boredly swiping across a product brochure, making a slight rustling sound. Occasionally, she raised her eyes and glanced secretly at He Yuzhu.

There was a hint of indescribable emotion in his eyes, like the undercurrent surging beneath the calm surface of a lake; the emotions in his heart were like the gentle breeze outside the window, creating circle after circle of tiny ripples.

"Zhu Zi, although this transportation route is not the best choice, it is the safest one considering the current situation. What do you think?"

He Yuzhu was the first to break the suffocating silence. His voice was a little tired and hesitant, like a traveler who had been trudging through the desert for a long time, with a hint of dryness in his voice.

Lou Xiao'e was suddenly brought back to reality by this sudden voice. She was slightly startled, then came to her senses and nodded gently, the movement seemed a little slow: "Well, this is the only way for now.

But we still need to find some way to reduce the cost, otherwise the profit margin will be very small, and we may end up working in vain."

Her gaze slowly fell on He Yuzhu's face, and a barely perceptible emotion flashed across her eyes for an instant, like a fleeting meteor in the night sky.

He Yuzhu sighed deeply, and that sigh seemed to carry all the pressure and troubles he had in recent days: "How could I not know?

I have been racking my brains over this matter these days and my head is almost going crazy.

However, as long as we can successfully transport this batch of electrical appliances back and open a store, the road ahead will surely be much easier.”

As he spoke, he raised his hand and rubbed his temple, trying to ease his tense nerves, without noticing the strangeness in Lou Xiao'e's heart at the moment.

Lou Xiao'e bit her lips, leaving a row of shallow teeth marks on her pink lips, as if she was having a fierce struggle in her heart. After a moment, she seemed to have made some kind of decision and suddenly stood up.

The chair rubbed against the ground, making a harsh sound, which was particularly abrupt in this quiet office.

He Yuzhu was startled by the sudden noise and looked up in surprise. Before he could react, Lou Xiao'e had already quickly walked around the table and came to his front.

Her cheeks flushed slightly, like peach blossoms blooming in spring. With a bit of shyness and determination, she leaned over and gently kissed him on the cheek.

He Yuzhu seemed to be struck by a strong electric current. His eyes widened instantly and his body shrank back involuntarily. The chair almost fell over under his violent movement, making a shaking sound: "Xiao'e, you...what are you doing?"

His voice became a little sharp due to extreme shock, and his face was full of astonishment and confusion, as if he had seen the most incredible thing in the world.

Lou Xiao'e's cheeks became redder, like the burning sunset glow in the sky, but her eyes were extremely firm, like a rock that had stood for a thousand years: "Zhu Zi, I like you for a long time.

I know this is very sudden and even a little abrupt, but I really don’t want to hide this feeling in my heart anymore, and I don’t want to be so secretive anymore.”

Her voice trembled slightly, and her hands were unconsciously clenched together, as if she was mustering up all the courage to say these long-pent-up words. Her trembling hands seemed to reveal her inner tension and anxiety.

He Yuzhu stood up in a panic, waving his hands in the air, and said, "Xiao'e, stop joking.

I am a family man, and my wife and children are waiting for me at home.

Xinyue and I have been through all the ups and downs together for so many years. This family is the most important part of my life. I cannot do anything to let them down."

His eyes wandered around like a frightened deer. He did not dare look directly into Lou Xiao'e's fiery and determined eyes. His heart was filled with panic and uneasiness, as if he was trapped in a huge vortex and could not find the exit.

Lou Xiao'e took a step forward and locked her eyes on He Yuzhu, as if she wanted to see through his soul with her eyes: "I'm not kidding, Zhuzi.

From the time we prepared a restaurant together to the electrical appliance store we have today, along the way, I have seen your abilities, your responsibilities, and your unyielding spirit, and I am really moved.

I also know that you have a family, but once the emotions come, I can't control myself at all."

She spoke a little quickly, as if she was afraid that He Yuzhu would interrupt her. Her rapid words seemed to be an outlet for her surging emotions.

He Yuzhu took a step back, and his back hit the corner of the table. The pain made his brows furrowed into a deep "川" shape: "Xiao'e, this really won't work.

The relationship between Xinyue and I for so many years cannot be let go just like that.

We have been through so many ups and downs together. There were laughter, tears, quarrels and reconciliations in those days. Every moment is engraved in my heart.

This family is my spiritual haven and my eternal support. I cannot destroy the happiness of two families because of a momentary impulse."

His voice gradually regained some composure, but there was still a hint of fear in his eyes, as if he was trying his best to resist this sudden emotional impact.

Lou Xiao'e's eyes were filled with crystal tears, like dewdrops rolling on the grass in the morning: "What about me? I have done so much for you. When we were in the restaurant, I accompanied you to find ways to attract customers. In order to improve the dishes, I went around looking for ingredients with you. Now for this electrical appliance store, I am also busy running around, using all my connections in Hong Kong to help you open up various channels.

Zhuzi, you really don't have any feelings for me at all?"

Her voice was choked with sobs and her shoulders were trembling slightly. She looked so pitiful, like a wounded bird, and people couldn't help but feel pity for her.

He Yuzhu took a deep breath, trying to calm his flustered heart, he clenched his hands tightly together, his knuckles turned slightly white due to the force: "Xiao'e, I am very grateful to you, really.

You have helped me so much in business. I always regard you as a good friend and the most capable partner.

But feelings and business are two different things and cannot be confused.

I cannot go against my conscience and hurt two families just because of a momentary impulse.

I have a responsibility to my wife and children, and also to my own life.”

There was a hint of helplessness and determination in his eyes, and that determined look seemed to be his last line of defense.

Lou Xiao'e raised her hand and gently wiped away her tears. A bitter smile appeared on her face, which was full of self-mockery and bitterness: "Friend? Partner? Is this all I am in your heart?"

Her eyes were full of disappointment and unwillingness, and tears were welling up in her sockets like a flood about to burst out at any time. The sadness in her eyes seemed to be able to drown the entire world.

He Yuzhu looked at Lou Xiao'e and couldn't help feeling a little reluctant, as if an invisible hand was gently pulling his heart: "Xiao'e, you are a good woman, you are kind, smart, and capable, you deserve someone who loves you wholeheartedly, someone who can bring you happiness.

But I already have my own life, and I cannot let Xinyue and the child down for their trust and love in me.

Let’s focus all our energy on the electronics store. This is our joint effort and we can’t mess it up because of emotional matters.

We are responsible for our own future and for those who trust us.”

He tried to make his voice as gentle as possible, as if he was comforting a wounded child, and there was a hint of guilt and helplessness in his gentle tone.

Lou Xiao'e was silent for a moment. The room was so quiet that only her slight sobs could be heard.

After a moment, she seemed to have used up all her strength and said slowly: "Okay, I understand.

I won’t mention this matter again, let’s just focus on running the electronics store.”

Her voice was a little hoarse, revealing a hint of despair and heartbreak, like broken glass that could never be restored to its original state.

He Yuzhu nodded slightly, forcing a smile on his face, which seemed a little forced and awkward: "Thank you, Xiao'e.

I believe we can run the electrical appliance store well. As long as we work together, we can overcome all difficulties.”

He felt mixed emotions, including guilt towards Lou Xiao'e and confusion about the future, but more importantly, he felt a sense of responsibility and perseverance towards his family.

From then on, the atmosphere between the two became subtle and awkward, like a thin layer of mist covering them.

Every time we meet, there is a hint of unnaturalness and awkwardness in the air.

But in order for the preparation work for the electrical appliance store to proceed smoothly, they had to continue to cooperate, but the communication became more brief and formulaic, as if two strangers were having a mechanical conversation, losing the tacit understanding and naturalness they once had.

He Yuzhu returned home and looked at his wife busy at work, feeling filled with guilt and self-blame.

He stood silently at the door, watching his wife busy in the kitchen. The familiar figure made him feel extremely warm and precious at this moment.

He knew that he almost fell into an emotional whirlpool due to a momentary negligence and almost destroyed this happy family with his own hands.

"Zhu Zi, you're back. Are you tired?"

Xu Xinyue's voice came from the kitchen, with a hint of concern and tenderness. The voice was like a spring breeze, gently blowing into He Yuzhu's heart.

He Yuzhu walked slowly to the kitchen door and looked at his wife's back. Her back looked a little frail under the light, but it was full of the flavor of home. "Not tired. Things went smoothly in the store today."

He tried to keep his voice calm, but there was still a hint of unnaturalness in his eyes, as if he was a child who had done something wrong and was trying hard to hide his panic.

Xu Xinyue turned around with a smile on her face. That smile was like a flower blooming in spring, warm and kind: "That's good, you take a rest first, the meal will be ready soon."

Her eyes were gentle and kind, and she didn't notice anything strange in He Yuzhu's heart. Her pure eyes were like a clear spring, making He Yuzhu feel more deeply his responsibility to his family.

He Yuzhu responded softly, then sat on the sofa, secretly swearing in his heart that he would cherish this family more in the future, to protect this family with all his heart and soul, and never let anything destroy the happiness of the family.

He knew that home was his eternal harbor and the most solid support in his life.

After her confession was rejected, Lou Xiao'e hid at home alone, tears flowing freely, and she cried for a long time.

She knew that there was no possibility between her and He Yuzhu. The once passionate feelings now felt like a sharp blade, deeply hurting her heart.

But the feeling in her heart cannot be let go just like that. It is like a tenacious seed that takes root and sprouts in her heart. Even though she knows it will not bear fruit, she still struggles painfully.