Green Tea Villainess Fails 39

Chapter 39

Unfortunately, 555’s warning came a little too late. Zuo Bian was already in the shower.

The sound of running water stopped, and Qin Ai knocked on the frosted glass door, holding a set of clothes. “Here are some clothes.”

Zuo Bian opened the door a crack, extending a slender arm. “Thank you.”

She took the clothes and changed. To her surprise, they fit perfectly.

Zuo Bian recalled Qin Tian mentioning that Qin Ai had bought a lot of clothes that weren’t her size and couldn’t help but smile.

When she stepped out of the bathroom, the rain was still pouring. She saw Qin Ai standing by the window, gazing at something outside.

“Qin Ai, did you buy these clothes specifically for me?”

Qin Ai turned around. “I bought the wrong size and was too lazy to return them.”

“Really?” Zuo Bian’s eyes sparkled with amusement. She was clearly lying, trying to come up with an excuse.

【Why is the demon king being so coy?】

‘She’s so cute.’

Two completely different evaluations. 555’s was objective, while Zuo Bian’s was filtered through a hundred layers of rose-tinted glasses.

“Have you had dinner? If not, I’ll cook something for you.” Qin Ai walked towards Zuo Bian.

Zuo Bian shook her head. “I’m not very hungry, but I want to try your cooking. You can cook, Qin Ai? I didn’t know that.”

“I just learned a little, my cooking is average.”

“I don’t believe you, unless you let me try it.”

Qin Ai chuckled. “Then let you try it. How about noodles? It’s quick and easy to make.”

Zuo Bian nodded happily. “Okay, cook noodles for me.”

Qin Ai facepalmed. “Don’t say that to anyone else, only to me.”

Zuo Bian, oblivious to the suggestive nature of her words, nodded despite her confusion. “Okay, I’ll only say that to you and only eat the noodles you cook.”

She followed Qin Ai downstairs. Qin Ai put on an apron and entered the semi-open kitchen, skillfully turning on the stove, boiling water, and washing vegetables.

Zuo Bian, who had never cooked before, pulled up a chair and watched Qin Ai cook. She sat with her feet together, her hands resting neatly on her lap, looking as well-behaved as a primary school student in class.

Soon, a tantalizing aroma filled the kitchen. Zuo Bian sniffed the air, her mouth watering.

“Alright, come try it.” Qin Ai brought a bowl of noodles garnished with chopped green onions to the dining table.

Zuo Bian sat down and picked up her chopsticks, blowing on the steaming noodles before taking a bite.

The noodles were chewy and flavorful, having absorbed the savory broth. Each bite was a burst of deliciousness, with the fragrant green onions adding another layer of flavor. Underneath the noodles was a perfectly cooked soft-boiled egg.

“Wow, a soft-boiled egg! I love it.” Zuo Bian took a big bite of the egg. At that moment, another flash of lightning illuminated the dark clouds outside, followed by a clap of thunder. The rain, which had subsided a little, suddenly intensified, large raindrops pounding against the ground.

Zuo Bian had completely forgotten about her supposed small appetite or her fear of thunder. This innocent, gullible, and carefree Zuo Bian was the real her.

Qin Ai rested her chin on her hand, a soft smile on her lips as she watched Zuo Bian eat with a gentle gaze.

Halfway through the bowl, Zuo Bian burped. She looked at Qin Ai apologetically, her beautiful eyebrows furrowed, her eyes filled with guilt and embarrassment.

“Qin Ai, I can’t eat anymore. It’s definitely not because your cooking isn’t good, I just ate too much before I came.”

【Host, by deliberately mentioning that, you’re making it sound like Qin Ai’s cooking is bad.】

Zuo Bian’s frown deepened. She gritted her teeth and said resolutely, “Your cooking is really good, so I’ve decided to finish it even if I’m full.”

【Ah! The more you explain, the worse it gets. You should just stop talking.】

Zuo Bian almost cried, afraid that Qin Ai would misunderstand and think she didn’t like the noodles. She decided to stop talking and just focus on eating.

A hand stopped her chopsticks. Zuo Bian heard Qin Ai’s voice.

“I’m also a bit hungry. I’ll finish the rest. You wouldn’t begrudge the person who cooked the noodles a bite, would you?”

Zuo Bian slowly looked up, her eyes filled with gratitude. “Then you can have it. I won’t fight you for it.”

The cold white light shone down, but the aroma and steam from the noodles filled the living room with warmth and a sense of intimacy.

They finished the bowl of noodles together, leaving only the broth and chopped green onions.

“Qin Ai, it’s raining so heavily outside. Can I stay here tonight?” Zuo Bian looked at Qin Ai, waiting for her answer.

Qin Ai said, “Of course, but your parents will be worried if you don’t go home tonight.”

Zuo Bian seemed to have anticipated this question. She smiled confidently. “Don’t worry about that, I already called my parents.”

Qin Ai shook her head with a smile, saying nothing.

Zuo Bian’s intentions were too obvious. She had appeared not long after Qin Ai got home, as if she had known that no one else would be there, and she even claimed to have already informed her parents.

Qin Ai had suspected that there was a mastermind behind Zuo Bian, but she didn’t know who it was.

“Did someone tell you something today?” Qin Ai asked.

Of course, someone had tipped Zuo Bian off, and that person was Qin Tian. Zuo Bian remembered Qin Tian asking her to put in a good word for him with Qin Ai.

“Xiao Tian said that you’re afraid of being alone, so he asked me to come over and keep you company. He’s such a good boy, always caring about his sister.”

Qin Ai raised an eyebrow. She didn’t even know she was afraid of being alone.

“But I’m sure Xiao Tian told you something else.”

“He also said that whether his allowance can be saved depends on me.” Zuo Bian answered truthfully.

Qin Ai suddenly chuckled. “As expected. Then tell him he did a good job. I’ll double his allowance.”

“That’s great! Xiao Tian will be so happy to hear that.”

“I have a question.”

“Hmm? What question?” Zuo Bian tilted her head, looking at Qin Ai.

Qin Ai smiled slightly, her sharp eyes sparkling with mischief. “Did you learn these techniques from someone?”

Zuo Bian hesitated, her expression troubled. Qin Ai had asked a similar question before, but 555 had stopped her from answering.

【Ahem, ahem, I’ve been thinking, it’s strange to keep it a secret from her. Let’s just tell Qin Ai that I’m the mastermind behind you. Host, just say you consulted a love guru with rich theoretical knowledge and a lot of experience.】

‘Okay, I’ll tell her that.’

Zuo Bian memorized 555’s words and said, “I consulted a love guru with rich theoretical knowledge and a lot of experience. They’ve helped me a lot, I’m very grateful to them.”

“A lot of experience?”

“Mm.” Zuo Bian nodded.

“Rich theoretical knowledge?”

Its theoretical knowledge was indeed rich, it even gave her a Green Tea Handbook to study. Zuo Bian nodded again.

“Love guru?”

“That’s right!”

Qin Ai covered her mouth with her fist, hiding her laughter. “That’s quite…. a Husky-type guru. Very impressive.”

“Husky?” Zuo Bian was confused.

Qin Ai composed herself. “Huskies often have imaginative logic that can make people—” She paused. “See the world in a new light.”

【Hmph, she has good taste. Hmm? Wait, isn’t a husky a dog? Shameless Qin Ai, how dare you call me a dog! I might not be human, but you’re the real dog here, deceiving an innocent girl without even blinking!】

‘555, don’t get so excited, Qin Ai is praising you.’

【Wuwuwu… A married daughter is like spilled water. Look at you, you’re not even married yet, and you’re already siding with Qin Ai and abandoning me, the poor little thing who’s worked so hard for you! Gu Zuo Bian, you’re so heartless!】(Note: ‘Gu Beicheng, you’re so heartless!’ is a famous line from a dog-blood (melodramatic) romance novel)

Zuo Bian panicked, not knowing how to comfort 555’s fragile heart.

Suddenly, an idea struck her. ‘I’ll let you play with the tablet all day tomorrow.’

【Xiao Bian is the best, I love Xiao Bian! You’re the most beautiful woman in the world!】

‘Qin Ai is also beautiful.’ Zuo Bian corrected.

【Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! You’re both beautiful!】

After finishing the noodles, they both brushed their teeth. Qin Ai led Zuo Bian to her bedroom. “I don’t have any spare rooms for you to sleep in tonight. You’ll have to make do with sharing a room with me.”

Zuo Bian was ecstatic. “Not at all!” she said with a bright smile.

Seeing Zuo Bian’s happy expression, it was more than just “not at all,” she was thrilled. She couldn’t wait to get into bed.

“Last time at the hotel, you fell asleep before I could say good night.”

Zuo Bian felt a bit embarrassed hearing Qin Ai’s words. “I’m a heavy sleeper, I fall asleep easily. I’ll wait for you to say good night before I sleep tonight.”

Qin Ai smiled and got into bed.

Zuo Bian followed and lay down beside her, obediently covering herself with the blanket. She stared at the ceiling.

“I’m ready, Qin Ai, you can say good night now.”

Qin Ai turned off the bedside lamp, plunging the room into darkness.

The curtains were open, the window blocking the wind and rain outside. Only the occasional flashes of lightning illuminated the room momentarily.

Qin Ai turned on her side, facing Zuo Bian. She whispered, “Zuo Bian, I’m afraid of the dark.”

A flash of lightning illuminated Qin Ai’s face, revealing no fear whatsoever. Unfortunately, Zuo Bian was lying flat on her back, her gaze not on Qin Ai’s face, so she didn’t see Qin Ai’s fake “fear of the dark.”

Zuo Bian hugged Qin Ai’s head in the darkness and gently patted her back, soothing her like a child. “Don’t be afraid, I’m here.”

Qin Ai’s face buried in Zuo Bian’s soft and fragrant embrace, the gentle touch and voice carrying a calming power.

Of course, Qin Ai wasn’t afraid of the dark, she just wanted to be closer to Zuo Bian.

“Are you feeling better now? Do you want me to turn on the bedside lamp?” Zuo Bian asked softly.

Qin Ai said, “No, this is fine.”