Especially Fond of You

Chapter 11(A, Gu Lin’s Perspective)

Gu Lin really wanted to sever ties, no, break the master-servant relationship, no, the human-dog relationship with Gu Er.

Bringing Wang Miao home was meant for some peace and quiet, but this stupid dog just kept howling nonstop, scaring Wang Miao into speaking softly.

Why the barking? It's not like it's lacking food or water!

After numerous threats, Gu Er finally cowered under the bed, and Gu Lin, exhausted, discussed dinner with Wang Miao.

This girl, who seemed so composed, turned out to be quite a prankster, suggesting they eat dog meat.

Gu Lin pointed at Gu Er, saying, "This guy is so lazy, all fat and no good meat."

Wang Miao laughed and then insisted that her foot hurt and didn't want to go out, asking him to cook.

Gu Lin rubbed his temples, "You really want me to cook?"

"You can't cook?" Wang Miao asked innocently.

"I can, but it might not be good."

"I won't say if it's bad!"

Seeing her expectant look, Gu Lin thought he might as well make it up to her for the interrupted shopping trip.

Though he wasn't sure if his cooking would be a treat or a punishment...

Living alone, he rarely cooked, mostly eating at the hospital canteen or dining out, so his fridge was practically empty.

Gu Lin rummaged through the fridge and found some steaks, checking the expiration date to make sure they were still good.

He crouched in the kitchen and asked Wang Miao, who was in the living room, "Is steak okay?"

"Sure." Wang Miao wandered to the kitchen door, "Is there any side dish?"

"I have pasta and sauce." Gu Lin placed all the ingredients on the counter, turning on the faucet to wash his hands, "So, steak and pasta it is."

"You have quite a high-quality life."

Gu Lin chuckled, "I didn't even know I had such good stuff until you came."

"Oh?" Wang Miao looked at the fridge for a moment and then asked, "Didn't you buy these?"

Gu Lin sensed her implication that these were bought by an ex-girlfriend and quickly explained, "A buddy of mine stayed here temporarily and bought some of these. I didn't pay attention."

Wang Miao quietly said, "Oh," and limped back to the living room.

Gu Lin opened the pasta package, followed the cooking instructions, and dumped it all into the pot to cook. Once the pasta was done, he set it aside. The frozen steaks had mostly thawed, and he haphazardly shook off the water in the sink, poured some peanut oil into a frying pan to heat, and then threw in the steaks.

The water on the steaks made the hot oil splatter loudly, almost hitting his hand.

Hearing the commotion, Wang Miao came over, "Are you trying to blow up the kitchen?"

Gu Lin turned on the range hood and urged her to go back to the living room, "It's smoky, don't stay here."

Wang Miao ignored him, went to the stove, turned off the heat, took out the steaks, poured the oil into a bowl, scrubbed the pan, and put it back on the stove to dry, then asked Gu Lin, "Didn't your 'buddy' buy butter?"

Gu Lin felt she emphasized "buddy" as if she was jealous. He found it amusing and pulled out some butter balls from the fridge, "It was a buddy, named Fan Sizhe. I'll introduce you sometime."

"Fan Sizhe is your buddy? Sisley is my gal pal then." Wang Miao put the butter in the pan to melt, placed the steaks back in, and handed the spatula to Gu Lin, "You do it."

Gu Lin took over and continued cooking the steaks, helpless against her disbelief, "You'll see when you meet him."

When the steaks were done, Wang Miao asked him to use the earlier drained oil to stir-fry the meat sauce and pour it over the cooked pasta.

Following her instructions, Gu Lin prepared everything. He watched Wang Miao limp around, setting the table, looking adorable.

Such a wonderful woman, who can cook and take care of people. Gu Lin stared at her back for a while, then remembered her Manchu name. To show intimacy, he tried calling her, "E Er He."

The syllables didn't come out smoothly.

He slowed down, enunciating carefully, "E—Er—He."

"What?" Wang Miao looked at him quizzically.

Gu Lin tried again but felt he was calling her "stupid."

"Just call me Wang Miao." Wang Miao, amused, sat at the table.

"This name is too awkward. Do you have a Han name?" Gu Lin rested his chin on his hand, not too hungry, wanting to chat.

Wang Miao shook her head, "No."

"I'll call you Miao Miao?"

Wang Miao frowned, "No."

Gu Lin frowned playfully, "Why not? It sounds cute, earthy and adorable."

"You're the one who's earthy."

Gu Lin didn't know why, but hearing her speak made him want to laugh. He rubbed his face, trying to look serious.

Wang Miao had already started eating, cutting her steak elegantly, chewing slowly, looking like a proper lady.

She ate without speaking, so he stayed silent too, just watching her steady demeanor, always wanting to tease her, not knowing where this mischievousness came from.

Gu Lin reflected on himself deeply. Why was he so naughty?

After reflecting, he continued his mischief, saying seriously, "If you don't like Miao Miao, I'll call you Wang Ping'an then."

Isn't that what her Manchu name means?

Wang Miao choked, drank some water to calm herself, and pounded the table, glaring at him.

Gu Lin quickly patted her arm, "Just kidding, eat up."

Wang Miao resumed eating, asking before taking a bite, "Do you have a nickname?"

"My full name was given to me on a whim by my mom, so I don't have a nickname." Gu Lin joked, but it was true; his parents always called him by his full name.

Wang Miao grinned mischievously, "Then I'll call you Gouzi."

Gouzi?

Gu Lin wanted to tap her head, "Alright, you can call me that, Wang Ping'an."

Wang Miao was surprised he agreed, then got angry, "I don't want to be called Wang Ping'an."

Gu Lin was about to retort but saw Gu Er sneaking over after finishing its food. He scolded, "Behave!"

Gu Er immediately stopped, wagging its tail and whimpering, only to be placated when Gu Lin tossed it a meat-scrap bone.

They didn't have much food and ate early, so they finished before it got dark.

Wang Miao didn't stay long, saying she had to go home to prepare lesson plans for her morning class. Gu Lin didn't insist, stacking the plates in the sink, turning off the air conditioner, and changing shoes to walk her out.

But Gu Er, seeing him put on shoes, thought it was going for a walk and eagerly brought its leash.

Gu Lin pushed it away, "With your behavior today, you still want to go out?"

Gu Er didn't understand, tilting its head and trying to look cute, hoping to persuade Gu Lin.

Wang Miao suddenly asked, "If it misbehaves, do you hit it or withhold food?"

"No hitting." Gu Lin nudged Gu Er back, opened the door, and hurriedly pulled Wang Miao out, only to hear the dog scratching at the door.

Gu Lin shifted his hand from Wang Miao's wrist to her hand, gently holding it, "No need for violence, just loving education."

"How do you educate it?"

"Heart-to-heart talks." Gu Lin said seriously, "Like you teach kids. When they make mistakes, you talk to them. Hitting solves nothing."

Wang Miao was stunned, "You talk to the dog? Can it understand?"

"After a few talks, it will." Gu Lin almost convinced himself, planning to really talk to Gu Er tonight about not barking at Wang Miao next time, or she'd cook it.

On the way to her place, Wang Miao got a call from her mom, urging her to come home for dinner because her brother was back.

With her mom's loud voice and the quiet car, Gu Lin heard everything.

Just as he was about to ask if he should meet her brother, Wang Miao decided for him, "Drop me at the gate. My brother is tougher than my dad. He only visits once a month, so it doesn't matter if you meet him."

Gu Lin didn't mind social interactions but wasn't eager either. Since Wang Miao didn't want him to go, he was fine avoiding the hassle. Mother-in-laws usually grow fond of their son-in-laws, but big brothers might not be as welcoming.

They quietly drove on, occasionally exchanging a few words without any awkwardness.

Wang Miao looked at the streetlights coming on and suddenly turned to Gu Lin, "You were lying to me."

Gu Lin's heart skipped a beat, feigning nonchalance, "Lying about what?"

"Talking to the dog, you were lying."

Phew, scared me.

Gu Lin smiled, "If you make a mistake, you'll see if I talk to you."

When the light turned red, Wang Miao playfully slapped his arm, "I'm not a dog!"

Her demeanor, how to describe it, was cute and innocent?

Gu Lin felt happy despite the hit, and after dropping her off at the gate and seeing her limp away, he got out, "I'll walk you in."

"No need, I'll walk slowly. You go back." Wang Miao didn't let him, "

If my mom sees you, she'll make you stay for dinner."

"Can't bear to feed me?"

"We just ate." Wang Miao patted her stomach, "Going home to eat again sounds filling."

"Eat less." Gu Lin gently cupped her chin, "Your chin is quite round."

Wang Miao widened her eyes, ready to retort.

Gu Lin didn't wait, quickly kissed her lips, then casually let go, "Slim down for a better wedding photo."