Helping Beautiful Women Become Stronger, I Have a Love System

152: Chapter 152 Tonight I’m YoursXiao Baihe froze, her eyes slowly reddening: ”Cao Kun... you’ve done too much for me...”

”I’m just giving you a chance,” Cao Kun said seriously, looking at her. ”Whether you can do well depends on yourself.”

”I will!” Xiao Baihe nodded vigorously. ”I worked as a clerk in the county before. I know computer operations and document processing. I... I can learn!”

”That’s good,” Cao Kun glanced at the time. ”Let’s get settled in today. I’ll take you to the company tomorrow. What do you want for dinner tonight? Should I order takeout or go out?”

Xiao Baihe hesitated for a moment: ”If you’re not busy... I’d like to cook myself. As a way to... celebrate the start of my new life.”

Cao Kun was somewhat surprised: ”You can cook?”

”Back in the county, I raised Xiao Jing alone...” She paused, then corrected herself, ”I used to cook often. It’s nothing fancy, but it tastes okay.”

”Then let’s try your cooking,” Cao Kun smiled. ”I’ll go to the Supermarket to buy ingredients. Make a list.”

...

At six in the evening, the aroma of food wafted from the kitchen.

Xiao Baihe, with her hair tied in a ponytail and an apron around her waist, was busy at the stove. When Cao Kun tried to help, she pushed him out of the kitchen: ”You’re a guest. Just sit and wait.”

Cao Kun had no choice but to sit on the living room sofa, listening to the sounds of chopping and stir-frying from the kitchen, smelling the increasingly rich aromas. He felt a long-lost sense of home.

He had been constantly on the move for the past half month.

Ji Guangli had called several times, and he had simply replied, ’Handling some matters, I’ll be back soon.’

He also hadn’t contacted Long Huili or Bai Muyou for the time being.

Now that he had suddenly quieted down, he realized he was indeed a bit tired.

”Dinner’s ready,” Xiao Baihe brought out the final dish.

Four dishes and one soup: shredded pork with green peppers, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, stir-fried broccoli, braised pork ribs, and a bowl of seaweed and egg drop soup.

They were all home-style dishes, but plated exquisitely with enticing colors.

”I hope it suits your taste,” Xiao Baihe said nervously as she untied her apron.

Cao Kun picked up a bite of the shredded pork with green peppers, chewed, and his eyes lit up: ”Delicious! The pork is tender, the peppers are crisp, and the cooking is just right.”

Xiao Baihe let out a sigh of relief and smiled: ”That’s good. Try the others quickly.”

The two sat facing each other and began to eat.

The atmosphere was initially a bit stiff, but good food is the best icebreaker.

”How long did you braise these ribs? They’re very flavorful.”

”Pressure-cooked for twenty minutes, then reduced the sauce.”

”Did you add minced garlic to the broccoli? It’s very fragrant.”

”Yes, I heard you like garlic.”

Cao Kun looked up: ”How did you know?”

Xiao Baihe’s face flushed slightly: ”During those days at the hotel... I observed your ordering habits.”

Cao Kun’s heart stirred, but he didn’t press further.

Dinner proceeded in a warm atmosphere.

Xiao Baihe didn’t talk much, but every time Cao Kun praised the food, her eyes would curve into a smile.

It was the first time in half a month that Cao Kun had seen her look so relaxed.

After the meal, Cao Kun took the initiative to wash the dishes.

Xiao Baihe wiped the table and tidied the kitchen. The two worked together seamlessly, like a couple who had lived together for years.

Outside the window, night deepened, and the city lights gradually lit up.

After cleaning up, the two sat on the living room sofa, silent for a moment.

The TV was on, playing a boring variety show, but neither was really watching.

Xiao Baihe held a water cup with both hands, her fingertips gently rubbing the sides.

She had changed into home clothes.

A light gray cotton long-sleeved shirt and casual pants, her hair loosely tied back, revealing her fair neck.

After half a month of rest, her complexion had improved significantly. Though still on the thin side, she no longer had that sickly pallor.

Cao Kun could smell the faint scent of shower gel on her—jasmine.

The atmosphere suddenly grew a bit ambiguous.

The laughter from the TV seemed out of place.

Xiao Baihe suddenly turned off the TV.

Silence instantly enveloped the room, with only the faint hum of the air conditioner and their soft breaths.

Xiao Baihe put down her cup and stood up.

Cao Kun thought she was going to get water or do something else, but instead of moving away, she stood before him, looking down at him.

The light shone from behind her, outlining a soft halo around her figure.

”Cao Kun,” she called his name again, her voice trembling slightly.

”What’s wrong?”

Xiao Baihe took a deep breath, as if steeling herself: ”I... I don’t know how to repay you. I have no money. I only have myself.”

Cao Kun was taken aback: ”Lily, you don’t have to...”

”Let me finish,” she interrupted him, her cheeks flushed but her gaze firm.

”For the past half month, every night I’ve been thinking about where I would be now if it weren’t for you.”

”Maybe dead, maybe insane, maybe still desperately searching for my daughter... You gave me a new life.”

She knelt down, meeting the eyes of Cao Kun who sat on the sofa.

They were very close. Cao Kun could clearly see his own reflection in her eyes and the slight tremble of her eyelashes.

”I know you have other women,” Xiao Baihe’s voice grew softer. ”I’m not hoping for anything. It’s just... tonight, I want to give myself to you. Not out of gratitude, but... because I want to.”

She reached out and gently grasped Cao Kun’s hand.

Her hand was cold, her fingertips trembling, but her grip was tight.

”If you don’t want me, I understand.”

She lowered her head, her ears turning red. ”But if you... want me, tonight, I am yours.”

The air seemed to freeze.

Cao Kun could hear his own heartbeat, could smell the increasingly thick, ambiguous scent in the air.

Xiao Baihe knelt on the carpet, looking up at him. Her eyes held shyness, resolve, and a trace of barely perceptible longing.

After half a month of living together day and night, going through life and death, revenge, and rebirth, their relationship was no longer simply one of rescuer and rescued.

Cao Kun had to admit he had feelings for Xiao Baihe.

But he also knew that once they crossed that line, everything would change.

”Lily,” he spoke, his voice slightly hoarse. ”Are you sure? I don’t want you to do this out of gratitude...”

”I’ve been thinking for half a month,” Xiao Baihe interrupted him, her gaze clear. ”Ever since the journey back from Nanhe County, I’ve been thinking. Cao Kun, I’m not a child. I know what I’m doing and what this means.”

She stood up but didn’t step back. Instead, she moved closer.

Then, she did something that made Cao Kun’s heart skip a beat.

She leaned down and gently kissed his lips.

It was light, brief, like a butterfly skimming the water’s surface.

But that momentary soft touch sent a jolt like electricity through Cao Kun’s entire body.

Xiao Baihe pulled back slightly, her face now completely flushed, but she still looked at him.

”This past half month... every time you comforted me, held my hand, patted my back... I kept thinking how nice it would be if this man could hold me.”

Her voice choked up: ”I’m not shameless... It’s just... it’s been too long since anyone truly loved me.”

Those words shattered Cao Kun’s last hesitation.

He reached out, took her wrist, and gently pulled her toward him.

Xiao Baihe compliantly fell onto his lap, the two now face-to-face.

”Are you sure?” Cao Kun asked one last time.

Xiao Baihe didn’t answer with words but with action.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him again.

This time, it was no longer a tentative touch.

Her lips were soft and warm, carrying a hint of inexperienced exploration.

Cao Kun returned the kiss, his hand naturally encircling her waist. Xiao Baihe’s body trembled slightly, then pressed closer.

The kiss deepened gradually.

Cao Kun could feel Xiao Baihe’s tension.

Her body was stiff, her breathing rapid, but she kissed with intense focus. Her hands moved from his neck to his cheeks, her fingertips gently stroking, as if confirming this was real.

After a long while, their lips parted.

Foreheads touching, both were breathing a little raggedly.

”To the bedroom?” Cao Kun asked in a low voice.

Xiao Baihe nodded, burying her face in his shoulder, and softly murmured, ”Mm-hmm.”

...