Chapter 127: Being with the One You Love

"Well, actually, you can eat it with your hands, but since you want utensils, Soo-jung, I’ll get you a set."

Hearing Soo-jung’s question, Chen Zhe glanced at the bar counter and realized he hadn’t prepared any utensils for her. He instinctively reached up to scratch his cheek.

But recalling that he was in the middle of cooking, he quickly stopped himself, nodding with a hint of troubled helplessness on his face.

"Then no need. Since you say so, Ah Zhe, I'll trust you and just use my hands. But if I’m using my hands, I should wash them first—make sure they're clean."

After hearing Chen Zhe’s explanation, Soo-jung’s mind seemed to light up with a sudden flash of inspiration. A flood of thoughts burst through her mind in an instant.

She hurriedly interrupted Chen Zhe’s attempt to fetch utensils for her, her face bright with a radiant smile. Not giving him a chance to speak, she quickly got up and walked over to stand beside him behind the bar.

"But, I don’t know how to wash my hands properly so that they’re clean enough to pick up food directly. Ah Zhe, could you help me wash my hands?"

Noticing Chen Zhe staring at her in surprise, Soo-jung turned her head, smiling warmly, holding her hands out over the sink and winking at him.

"Alright, alright, I’ll help you wash your hands."

After a brief moment of daze, Chen Zhe came back to his senses upon hearing Soo-jung’s words. Seeing her deliberately putting on a pitiful expression, he couldn’t resist her charm and nodded in agreement.

He squeezed some hand soap, his expression a little stiff as he stood beside Soo-jung, ready to rub the soap onto her hands.

"If I stand to the side, my view won’t be good. Won’t the washing be less thorough?"

Gently moving his arm aside, Soo-jung dodged Chen Zhe’s hand as he tried to apply soap, still smiling as she shook her head lightly.

"Then, Soo-jung, where exactly do you want me to stand to wash your hands?"

Knowing he couldn’t refuse her, Chen Zhe sighed with a touch of helplessness and asked what she wanted him to do.

"How about you stand behind me to wash my hands? What do you think of that idea?"

Smiling sweetly at Chen Zhe, Soo-jung said this idea had already formed in her mind the moment she heard him speak. She moved her hands back over the sink and shook her shoulder gently, signaling him.

"Ah, well..."

Soo-jung’s sudden request startled Chen Zhe. He hesitated, unsure whether to stand behind her and reach around to wash her hands as she suggested.

"Honestly, I already agreed to your request. Why are you still hesitating?"

After waiting a while and noticing Chen Zhe hadn’t moved behind her, Soo-jung turned her head back toward him, a teasing expression on her face.

She had been so forward, yet Chen Zhe still hesitated, forcing her to remind him again.

"Alright, here I come!"

With Soo-jung’s direct prompt, Chen Zhe knew any more hesitation would be unnecessary. He quickly stepped forward and stood behind her, slipping his hands beneath her arms.

Leaning gently against her back, Chen Zhe could distinctly sense the faint fragrance she emitted and the warmth of her body.

He clearly felt Soo-jung’s slight shudder and the instant tension in her muscles when he leaned against her, followed by their relaxation.

At the same time, as Chen Zhe felt the warmth radiating from her body, Soo-jung was equally aware of the heat from him and the warm breath brushing against her hair and ear, causing her breathing to deepen unconsciously.