The Engineer Falls for His Sweet-Scented Maid - Chapter 43: A Moment in the Kitchen

Basket in hand, Nianhe ran all the way back to the Municipal Party Committee Compound over the hot asphalt.

Outside the Shen house, she stopped to catch her breath and touched her lips.

His warmth seemed to linger there, along with that indefinable sensation.

Was this what going out together meant?

A man as far above her as Engineer Shen had pressed her against the wall behind the water tower and kissed her.

She tried to quiet her racing heart, then opened the door with the basket in hand.

In the sitting room, Liping was leafing through a magazine on the sofa. Beside her stood half a glass of cooled boiled water.

She was not on duty at noon today and had come home early.

At the sound, she looked up and swept a sharp gaze over Nianhe.

“All that time just to buy groceries?” She tossed the magazine onto the coffee table and scrutinized Nianhe’s face. “Why are you so red? Your lips are swollen too. Who have you been fooling around with?”

Panic hammered through Nianhe. She quickly raised the basket in front of herself. “The sun is fierce. It’s the heat. We’re having chili for lunch, and I tasted a little chili powder at the provisions shop.”

Liping snorted but thought no more of it. She waved her away. “Get into the kitchen. Ping’an has been fussing all morning. He’s driving me mad.”

Relieved, Nianhe hurried into the ground-floor kitchen.

Auntie Wang was pacing by the doorway with Ping’an. Seeing her, she complained in a low voice, “You’re finally back, Nianhe. She’s in a dreadful temper today. Mind what you do while you’re cooking.”

Nianhe nodded and took the greens and tofu from the basket, setting them beside the sink.

She turned on the tap. Cold water washed over her hands, finally easing some of her heat.

Through the running water came the familiar rattle of a bicycle chain outside.

Her washing slowed for a moment.

Huai wheeled his bicycle into the courtyard and set it in the shade of a tree.

The top two buttons of his white short-sleeved shirt were open as he entered the sitting room.

Huizhen was just coming downstairs with a palm-leaf fan.

“Back already, Huai?” She approached eagerly. “How did you get on with Miss Liu from the Publicity Department at the state-run café? She’s a high school graduate, and both her parents work at respectable organizations.”

Huai put his briefcase on the cabinet. “I wasn’t interested.”

Her fan stopped. “Not interested? In what way isn’t she good enough for you?”

“She talks too much. Gave me a headache.” He offered the excuse casually, his gaze already moving past the sitting room to the half-closed kitchen door.

Huizhen was exasperated. “You’re looking for a wife, not a mute! How will you share a life if you don’t talk?”

Ignoring her complaints, he rolled up the sleeves of his shirt to bare his strong forearms and strode toward the kitchen.

Inside, Nianhe was cutting tofu with her head bowed.

The soft white block became neat little cubes beneath her knife, but her thoughts were in disorder.

Steady footsteps approached behind her.

Assuming it was Auntie Wang, she spoke without turning. “Auntie Wang, could you pass me the scallion?”

A washed scallion appeared beside her hand.

The hand holding it had distinct knuckles and veins across its back.

Nianhe jerked. The knife nearly caught her finger.

She turned. Huai was standing right behind her.

They were very close. His fresh soapberry scent overpowered the cooking smells.

Auntie Wang had been amusing the baby at the door. The moment she saw Huai enter, she carried Ping’an into the courtyard, pulling the partly open door closed behind her.

She was still thinking the younger Shen son might be a pervert. Better keep her distance.

The kitchen suddenly felt cramped.

Nianhe edged aside until her back touched the stove. Her faint voice trembled. “Why have you come in?”

Huai stepped forward, blocking her between the sink and stove.

“We’re going out together. Can’t I help my girlfriend in the kitchen?” He sounded entirely justified as he picked up the knife. “What needs cutting?”

Nianhe stared, bewildered by the way he had taken charge.

“Ch-chop the scallion.”

He lowered his head. With a few quick strokes, the scallion was finely chopped.

He was so tall he had to bend slightly at the sink, his shoulder muscles filling out the white shirt.

Finished, he set down the knife and turned toward her.

Her blue floral blouse was buttoned tightly at the neck. But her hurried run outside had made her sweat, and the sweet milk scent was stronger than usual, escaping in delicate threads.

Huai moved a fraction closer.

With nowhere to retreat, Nianhe brushed against the edge of his shirt with her full breasts.

Startled, she raised a hand to push his chest. “Don’t. Auntie Liu is right outside.”

He caught her hand.

The light calluses on his palm brushed her skin and sent a tingle through it.

“Why did you run so fast?” He lowered his head, speaking for her alone. “Didn’t you like the kiss behind the water tower?”

Nianhe flushed down to her neck.

Did this man have to say everything aloud?

“Please stop.” Anxiously, she reached to cover his mouth.

He did not evade her. He let her soft palm rest against his lips.

Then he opened his mouth and nipped it lightly.

She sucked in a breath and snatched her hand away, her fingertips burning.

Huai chuckled. He hooked a finger under the hem of her old blouse and lifted it a little.

“You hit the stove just now. Did it hurt here?”

Summer clothes were thin. His fingers touched the soft flesh of her waist directly.

Nianhe weakened all over. If she had not held the stove, she might not have stayed upright.

“No… Please go out. Lunch isn’t ready.” Her quiet plea and bright, helpless eyes did not move him to leave.

Instead, he bent to seek her lips.

Just then, Huizhen’s footsteps sounded outside.

“Huai! What are you doing in the kitchen?”

Terrified, Nianhe shoved him away, snatched up the cloth from the chopping board, and began wiping the stove at random.

He stepped back half a pace under the push, then turned unhurriedly toward the door.

Huizhen came in. Seeing him at the sink with his sleeves rolled up, she looked appalled.

“Is the kitchen any place for a man?” She caught his arm and pulled him toward the door. “All this greasy smoke will dirty your shirt. We have a domestic helper. Why should you do anything?”

Huai reached back, took a handful of greens from the sink, and turned on the tap.

“Mom, I’m worried you’ll be too angry to eat.”

His voice was steady as he improvised, his expression unchanged. “The meeting didn’t work out because I’m too fussy. Let your son wash some vegetables to make it up to you. Don’t be angry.”

Huizhen’s face softened immediately.

She doted on her younger son. Seeing him volunteer to wash vegetables just to please her warmed her heart.

“At least you have a little conscience.” She patted his shoulder, her tone gentler. “All right. Let Nianhe wash them. You’re a man. Your hands are for pens and technical drawings. You shouldn’t be putting them in cold water.”

“You can meet the other one this afternoon,” she went on. “She’s the political commissar’s niece. A pretty girl, and poised too. Be there at two sharp. No more excuses to run away.”