Chapter 72: Eating Noodles

He walked to the Chufang area, Li Qingxuan skillfully opened the flour bag, scooped out two bowls of snow‑white flour and poured it into the basin, his movements smooth as flowing water.

He added warm water and a pinch of salt, his fingers kneading and folding the dough, producing a soft sound.

"I'll chop the scallions," Li Feifei said, moving close to the stove, picking up a small knife, her fingertips deftly cutting the green scallion pieces into fine mince.

"Qingxuan brother, do you think we could switch to chicken someday?" she asked, tilting her head, her hair falling over her shoulders, outlining a soft silhouette in the lamp light.

The water in the pot began to boil, steam rising in wisps and blurring the glass window.

Li Qingxuan rolled out the kneaded dough, folded it, then pulled it into thin, long noodles, his movements precise and focused, as if performing a silent ritual.

"Probably, let's also slice some meat strips—you were exhausted yesterday, you need to replenish." he replied, his voice softened by the steam,

After the noodles went into the pot, they cooked quickly, and the aroma burst forth—the richness of the flour, the fresh scent of the meat strips, the clean fragrance of the scallions—interweaving into an irresistible fragrance that instantly filled the whole small kitchen.

Li Feifei couldn't help but take a deep breath, a satisfied sigh escaping her throat: "So fragrant, Qingxuan brother, your cooking keeps getting better."

She scooped a spoonful of hot broth with a small spoon, took a gentle sip, the broth warm and smooth as it slid over her tongue, just the right savory saltiness, making her unconsciously narrow her eyes.

Having served two bowls of noodles, Li Qingxuan laid the meat strips on top and sprinkled the green scallions.

The noodles stood distinct, soaked in amber‑colored broth, steaming hot.

The two sat down at the table, Li Feifei eagerly picked up a pair of chopsticks, blew on them, and brought them to her mouth.

The noodles were chewy and springy, the broth warm as it entered her stomach, dispelling the morning's slight chill.

"Delicious!" she said, muffled, her cheeks flushed from the heat, "Better than any restaurant back in the city."

Li Qingxuan watched her wolfing down the food, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifting.

He ate more slowly, but his gaze remained gently fixed on her, as if this ordinary mealtime were more precious than any other moment.

"Eat slowly, don't burn yourself," he reminded, his voice soft.

The bowl bottoms were soon empty, Li Feifei set down her chopsticks contentedly, her fingertips lightly brushing the rim, feeling the lingering warmth of the ceramic.

"Qingxuan brother, next time let's plant more wheat and try making buns," she said dreamily, her eyes shining, "Those snakes yesterday……they probably won't come back? Are you still going out?"

Li Qingxuan cleared the bowls and chopsticks, the sound of rushing water filling the air as he turned to her: "Today I won't go out. Feifei, today's harvest is enough for us to go further."

Li Qingxuan walked up to her, gazing at her complexion, confirming Li Feifei had fully recovered, then he gently lifted her and carried her back to the bedroom, the desire ignited at dawn urgently seeking release.

"Ah!" Li Feifei exclaimed as she was suddenly lifted, her eyes meeting Li Qingxuan's mischievous smile, her cheeks instantly flushing.

Li Qingxuan gently laid her on the soft bed, leaned over, his fingertips brushing her cheeks, which were faintly flushed from shyness and a hint of excitement, the delicate touch carrying the warmth of life.

Li Feifei's eyelashes trembled slightly, her eyes tightly closed, she simply clung to him more tightly, like a vine yearning for sunlight.

The desire sparked at dawn on her fragrant shoulders, now in this quiet solitude, burned even fiercer, more scorching than before.

He lowered his head, kissing her forehead, then the tip of her nose, finally covering her soft lips, savoring the fresh sweetness of her breath, as if to draw in that pure joy and abundance.

Li Feifei's response began with a hint of shyness, quickly turning into an equally fervent entanglement.

Her slender arms climbed onto his neck, her fingertips unconsciously sinking into the hair at the nape of his neck, her body slightly arched, meeting his exploration.

Outside the window, the greenhouse's lighting system slowly simulated the afterglow of sunset, bathing the interior in a hazy warm orange.

Only their heartbeats and gradually quickening breaths could be clearly heard in the small space, weaving together a rhythm more tumultuous than wheat waves.

After a long while, Li Feifei curled up in Li Qingxuan's embrace, her damp hair pressed against her cheek, she lightly rested on his solid chest, listening to his steady, powerful heartbeat, her breathing gradually easing, extreme fatigue and an indescribable sense of satisfaction intertwining, leaving her too lazy to even move her fingertips.

Li Qingxuan's arm gently encircled her, his palm slowly gliding over her smooth back, sending a subtle, reassuring shiver.

"Are you hungry?" his low voice sounded above her head, hoarse and tender after the act.

Li Feifei rubbed against him in his embrace, her voice muffled like a kitten: "... Hungry, but I don't want to move."

The warmth from that bowl of steaming noodles seemed to have been replaced by a deeper, warmer current.

Li Qingxuan gave a low chuckle, the vibration of his chest clearly transmitted to her: "Then rest, I'll go make you some in a moment."

"Mm..." she replied indistinctly, her eyelids growing heavier.

The enormous expenditure of energy and the intense pleasure just experienced let fatigue completely overwhelm her.

Before her consciousness sank into darkness, she dimly thought, it turned out true "fullness" is not merely stomach satisfaction.

Li Qingxuan felt the warm, soft body in his arms, listened to her breathing gradually become even and long, knowing she had fallen into a deep sleep.

He held his position without moving, his gaze resting on the darkening "sky color" outside the window.

He lowered his head, gently imprinting a light kiss on her forehead where sweat‑damp hair lay scattered, then slowly closed his eyes; after a while he rose lightly, moving as gently as possible so as not to disturb the sleeping person in his arms.

Li Qingxuan carefully slipped his arm from under Li Feifei's neck, tucked the blanket corner for her, confirmed she only murmured unconsciously and had not woken, then stepped barefoot onto the slightly cool floor.

He silently slipped on an outer garment, the fabric rustling faintly; as he left the bedroom, the soles of his shoes barely touched the floor, he gently closed the door, and even the last sliver of light in the crack vanished.

Inside the fortress all was quiet, Li Qingxuan headed straight for the Chufang area, Li Qingxuan did not turn on the main light, only using the soft ambient glow from the edge of the workbench to operate.

He scooped out snow‑white flour again, this time his movements more composed and also more focused.

Warm water was poured in, his fingertips kneading and pressing the gradually forming dough, which gave a slight rebound with each pressure, as if responding to his touch.

He recalled Li Feifei's bright, hopeful eyes when she dreamed of buns, a gentle smile unbidden tugging at his lips—perhaps next time he really should give it a try.

The water in the pot boiled again, bubbling gurglingly, he scattered the noodles into the pot, watching them tumble and unfurl in the rolling water.

Next, he took a small piece of cured meat from the storage compartment, cut it into fine strands, quickly stir‑fried it in another small pot until it changed color, the rich meat aroma immediately rising.

The green scallions were evenly scattered over the cooked noodles, then drenched with sizzling meat strips and clear broth.

The food aroma domineeringly spread, warm and rich, carrying the homely scent of hearth and home, like invisible threads silently piercing the fortress's stillness, twining toward the bedroom.

Li Qingxuan carried the noodles into the bedroom, gently shaking Li Feifei's arm: "Feifei, wake up, the noodles are ready."

His voice was low and soft, tinged with an imperceptible indulgence.

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