With such an important person waiting downstairs, Su Yang didn't dare to take a shower first. She just quickly changed into a clean set of clothes, blow - dried her hair, and then went downstairs.
In the kitchen, there were high - stools placed beside the large, luxurious island counter, which served as a dining table.
There were three dishes and one soup on the table. When the aunt saw her coming down, she opened the insulated rice cooker and served two bowls of steaming white rice.
Su Yang took the bowl and felt extremely uncomfortable.
"I'm really sorry. I went out for something this afternoon and my phone was out of power. I didn't know you were waiting for me to have dinner."
Xu Lize had gone on a business trip to City B in the past two days, and the aunt hadn't come either.
Su Yang had come and gone a few times by herself, and naturally thought that in the following "co - living life", except for breakfast, she and Xu Lize should handle everything separately.
As a result, on the very first day, Xu Lize had made such a formal arrangement. Thinking of the words he had said with a straight face after they got the marriage certificate this morning, Su Yang felt that she really couldn't figure out what this man was thinking.
Xu Lize put down his bowl and glanced at her. He said slowly, "Today is a special day. I don't have any social engagements tonight. I originally thought you'd be at home all the time, so I didn't tell you I'd come home for dinner. I'll let you know in advance from now on. If you have something to do and will be back late, remember to let me know in advance too."
Su Yang lowered her head and ate. Hearing him say "Today is a special day", she guessed he was referring to getting the marriage certificate, so she whispered, "Okay."
Xu Lize added, "Previously, when I was away, the aunt didn't come in the evening. What do you think..."
"Don't need to!" Su Yang immediately understood what he meant. "Don't let the aunt make a special trip for me. It's easy for me to solve dinner by myself at night. Moreover, the aunt always fills the fridge every time she comes. I won't starve to death alone."
She had been very independent since childhood and knew that most people and things in this world couldn't be relied on.
When she was in the fifth grade of primary school, her grandmother sprained her waist and had to lie in bed for more than half a month. Her grandfather had to work in the fields during the day and was hardly at home. Su Yang had no choice but to stand on a small stool and start learning how to cook and stir - fry.
In college, when she worked part - time in a convenience store, she would return to the dormitory hungry and tired after standing for a whole day. She could even make do with a couple of bites of dry bread and a bottle of mineral water for a meal.
So Su Yang really wasn't used to the way of life of being "waited on".
Fortunately, Xu Lize didn't insist. He just nodded and said nothing more.
Half an hour later, after they finished eating, Su Yang naturally stood up to clear the dishes. But the aunt stopped her with a big wave of her hand and handed her a plate of washed fruits.
"Miss Su, go and sit down. Leave this to me."
Su Yang stood there holding the fruit plate, not knowing whether to go forward or backward. After hesitating for a while, she walked towards the living room.
In the living room, Xu Lize was sitting on the sofa making a phone call. Seeing the opportunity, Su Yang put the fruit plate in front of him and was about to leave.
Unexpectedly, Xu Lize flipped his phone over on his thigh and said directly to Su Yang, "Don't go upstairs yet. Someone will send a set of clothes over later. Try them on."
Su Yang didn't quite understand what Xu Lize meant, but she obediently stopped and sat back on the sofa.
Xu Lize glanced at her from the corner of his eye and then picked up his phone to continue the call.
Su Yang was forced to sit there. Her phone was upstairs charging. The coffee table just an arm's length away was clean except for the fruit plate she had just put down.
Bored, she could only lean on the big pillow and think about the forum post. As she was thinking, her gaze fixed on Xu Lize.
The man was wearing a dark - gray casual shirt with a moderately low V - neck. The style was very delicate, but it still couldn't soften the sense of aloofness on him.
The light from the garden outside shone through the floor - to - ceiling window without curtains, as if setting a silver boundary on Xu Lize.
Su Yang sneaked a few glances nervously. Just as she was about to look away, the doorbell rang.
She immediately felt like she had been granted amnesty. She didn't know where the courage came from, but she suddenly shouted, "Coming!" and ran straight towards the entrance.
Su Yang's sudden shout not only startled the aunt who was busy in the kitchen but also the person on the phone with Xu Lize.
"... Third brother, is there someone in your house?" The voice on the other end of the phone paused.
"Yes." Xu Lize replied. His side - glance followed Su Yang who had run to open the door, and his eyes flickered.
"Where are you tonight? Are you staying in Qingshuiwan?" The voice on the phone was very clear and the tone was casual.
"Qingshuiwan" was right next to Mingkai Group. Since Xu Lize started working at Mingkai, his most frequent place of residence was the single - person apartment in Qingshuiwan because it was only a ten - minute walk to the company.
"Nana, I've noted what you said before. Do you have anything else?" Xu Lize ignored the question and asked instead.
"Third brother, are you busy?" The voice on the other end sounded a bit reluctant.
"Yes, I'm a bit busy. I'll hang up first..."
After Su Yang opened the door, she saw a gentle - looking man standing outside. He had brown curly hair, wore a white shirt and a black suit, and was holding a huge orange paper bag in his hand. The delicate logo was very eye - catching.
And Zhao Rui didn't expect to see a strange woman in Wutong No. 1 either. His first reaction was to take two steps back to check the house number on the door.
Number 88. That was right!
"Are you looking for Xu... Xu..."
For some reason, Su Yang suddenly got stuck when it came to addressing Xu Lize.
Previously, she would naturally call him by his name, and when being polite, she would use "you".
But now, although they had gotten the marriage certificate, Xu Lize seemed to want to draw a clear line with her, which made Su Yang not know how to address him all of a sudden.
Mr. Xu? General Manager Xu? It seemed strange to call him anything.
Suddenly, Su Yang heard footsteps behind her. Before she could turn around, a tall shadow had already enveloped her.
Xu Lize stood shoulder to shoulder with her, took the paper bag from Zhao Rui's hand directly, and said, "Thanks for making this trip. Go back and rest early."
Zhao Rui was completely confused. Just as he was about to reply, "You're being too polite, boss", the door of the villa in front of him was slammed shut.
Outside the door, the wind and rain continued, making the small hanging lamp on the porch sway violently.
Inside the door, Xu Lize put one hand in his trouser pocket and handed the heavy paper bag to Su Yang with the other.
"Go and try them on."
Su Yang took the paper bag and opened it. There were three boxes inside.
"What is this?" She was a bit confused and didn't know what Xu Lize's intention was.
"Try on the clothes first. Don't ask these meaningless questions. Otherwise, you're just wasting both my time and yours."
Xu Lize was to the point.
Su Yang frowned, picked up the bag, and turned to go to the first - floor bathroom.
Okay, she understood the rules!