Chapter 1526: Hard-to-Control Heartbeat

Xu Xiaoxiao didn't quite understand what Jiang Chenghao meant by his words just now.

And Jiang Chenghao didn't explain, only sighing, "I haven't even tasted your cooking yet."

Jiang Chenghao was somewhat bothered by it.

But Xu Xiaoxiao didn't take it to heart at all.

Instead, she said readily, "Once I've practiced enough, I'll definitely invite you to taste it! But for now... let's forget it."

"Then... was Wang Sinian the first person to taste your cooking?"

"No, it was Xin'ai. My level back then wasn't as good as it is now, and I always felt that Xin'ai... was just forcing herself to finish it."

This assessment made Jiang Chenghao laugh out loud.

Xu Xiaoxiao looked at his relaxed, smiling face, not knowing if he was laughing because of Liu Xin'ai or because of her.

Come to think of it, it was probably the former.

Xu Xiaoxiao lowered her head in silence.

Jiang Chenghao then said, "You don't have to wait until you become a master chef to invite me to eat; now is fine too. I always feel that the food you make isn't bad, otherwise how could Wang Sinian have eaten it all? He's not stupid."

Putting it that way... it did make sense.

Jiang Chenghao made a decision: "Then it's settled, let me try your cooking next time."

His words gave Xu Xiaoxiao confidence, and she turned her head and smiled: "No problem!"

"You probably haven't eaten your fill yet, why don't we eat while we chat?"

This was a good suggestion, and Xu Xiaoxiao took Jiang Chenghao to a small restaurant near the school.

The restaurant wasn't big, but the food tasted quite good.

However, while eating, Xu Xiaoxiao's attention was entirely focused on work.

And her engrossed way of working made Jiang Chenghao shake his head repeatedly.

After advising her several times to no avail, Jiang Chenghao took the document directly and said, "It's better to eat properly first, otherwise, I'm

worried you'll get a stomachache."

"I won't, I'm usually like this, and I don't get stomachaches."

As soon as Xu Xiaoxiao finished speaking, she noticed Jiang Chenghao staring at her with a helpless expression.

Hmm...

Alright, Xu Xiaoxiao had accidentally exposed herself.

She scratched her hair and made a concession: "This is a bad habit, I have to change it, I'll try my best not to do this in the future."

Having received this promise, Jiang Chenghao finally withdrew his gaze.

Then he began to peel shrimp.

Jiang Chenghao's fingers were very good-looking; even when peeling shrimp, he was elegant.

Xu Xiaoxiao would glance over from time to time, truly finding it a pleasing sight.

But before long, she discovered a perfectly peeled shrimp placed in her bowl.

So, was this shrimp peeled for her?

Xu Xiaoxiao was a little flattered.

She turned her head and said thank you.

Jiang Chenghao looked at Xu Xiaoxiao's smiling face, and a hint of a smile couldn't help but appear at the corners of his mouth.

Without the document in her hand, Xu Xiaoxiao ate earnestly, and it was delicious.

In the gaps between eating, she chatted with Jiang Chenghao: "Actually, for the things you mentioned just now, it would be the same if we communicated via phone."

"But I want to talk to you in person."

Jiang Chenghao's words made Xu Xiaoxiao's movements pause.

She told herself not to overthink it.

But... the stirrings in her heart were completely beyond her control.

Jiang Chenghao did not know Xu Xiaoxiao's inner thoughts.

He continued to express his feelings: "Every time I hinted at this on the phone, you always refused. If I didn't know you didn't dislike me, I would have misunderstood."

Upon hearing this, Xu Xiaoxiao hurriedly raised her voice: "How could I dislike you!"

After saying this, Xu Xiaoxiao pursed her lips.

She felt... her emotions were a bit too agitated.

She looked around.

Fortunately, there were many people eating at this time, and everyone was noisy, so no one noticed Xu Xiaoxiao's words.

And Xu Xiaoxiao's look of relief was seen by Jiang Chenghao.

That look of being both timid and stubborn... was somewhat cute.

Jiang Chenghao smiled, then lowered his head to eat his vegetables, and listened to Xu Xiaoxiao ask tentatively: "Why... do you want to talk to me in person?"

Jiang Chenghao smiled, then lowered his head to eat his greens, and then heard Xu Xiaoxiao tentatively ask, "Why did you... want to talk to me in person?"

Jiang Chenghao said it too frankly, without the slightest hint of ambiguity.

However... Xu Xiaoxiao found it very easy to overthink!

She used her chopsticks to poke at the rice grains in her bowl, then asked in a soft tone: "And what if you see me?"

"Seeing you makes me very happy. You are a person full of vitality, and chatting with you, even about boring work, feels very interesting."

This explanation made Xu Xiaoxiao feel a hint of sweetness in her heart.

She could be very certain that Jiang Chenghao had no ambiguous intentions toward her.

She could be very certain that Jiang Chenghao had no romantic ambiguity toward her.

However... this did not affect Xu Xiaoxiao's happiness at this moment at all!

In fact, the corners of her mouth could not help but curl up.

Jiang Chenghao turned his head, about to say something more to her.

Just by turning his head like this, he saw Xu Xiaoxiao secretly smiling.

Such an expression made Jiang Chenghao also involuntarily curl his lips, and he asked, "What are you smiling about? Is there something happy?"

Xu Xiaoxiao stiffened, and her eyes were a bit flustered.

Fortunately, her mind turned quickly, and in the blink of an eye, she thought of a reason to respond: "This dish... is quite delicious. Just thinking that one day, I might also have such skills, I feel very happy!"

Jiang Chenghao did not doubt Xu Xiaoxiao's words.

He even expressed his own point of view: "You don't need to set a standard for yourself. No matter how your skills are, those who cherish you will

like it."

Although that is said...

Xu Xiaoxiao looked at Jiang Chenghao and asked, "But everyone likes delicious food."

"The word 'delicious' is too subjective. I think the taste of home is more attractive."

The taste of home?

Hmm, just this one condition, Xu Xiaoxiao would never be able to meet the expectations in Jiang Chenghao's heart in this lifetime.

And also...

What was Xu Xiaoxiao hoping for?

What Jiang Chenghao is like, what could it have to do with her!?

Xu Xiaoxiao suddenly felt that all her efforts had lost their meaning, and she felt depressed.

Jiang Chenghao could feel the change in Xu Xiaoxiao.

He worried that his words had displeased Xu Xiaoxiao, so he asked, "You... why are you unhappy?"

Xu Xiaoxiao quickly sat up straight and said, "No, I'm very happy. Eat, eat quickly!"

To prevent Jiang Chenghao from not believing her, Xu Xiaoxiao even put on a full smile.

Although her smile was big, however... Jiang Chenghao could feel that she had something on her mind.

He just didn't know if her worries... were related to him.

Seeing Jiang Chenghao staring at her, Xu Xiaoxiao felt a bit guilty.

She withdrew her gaze and began to eat on her own, muttering, "After we finish eating, we can talk about business."

Xu Xiaoxiao's behavior made Jiang Chenghao feel that she wanted him to leave quickly...

Jiang Chenghao suddenly felt a bit of tightness in his chest.

He pursed his lips and then said, "If this publishing matter is causing you trouble, you can tell me, and I will talk to your leader."

"Why would I feel troubled? I am eager to help you do more things, really."

"You don't think... I am a burden?"

Xu Xiaoxiao immediately shook her head and said in a firm tone, "Not at all

, I am very happy to be able to help you!"