TCBHIWAF Chapter 64

Chapter 64: Just Say What’s On Your Mind

The two strolled along the beach, the fine sand beneath their feet soft, warm, and yielding.

Ye Xingchen found a spot with a great view and set up his easel again, spreading out the canvas.

Lin Yu stood before the easel, paintbrush in hand, gazing at the seascape before him, ideas for the painting forming in his mind.

Ye Xingchen watched quietly by his side, occasionally handing him a tube of paint or adjusting the angle of the easel.

Lin Yu’s brush moved swiftly, outlining the contours of the sea. The blue paint spread across the canvas, as if directly copying the magnificent seascape onto it.

As time passed, the painting gradually took shape.

In the distance, the sea and sky met, the azure sky merging with the deep blue ocean. A few wisps of white clouds floated leisurely.

Waves surged in layers, crashing against the rocks on the shore, splashing up glittering droplets of water.

On the beach, a few seashells were scattered, as if telling the stories of the sea.

Ye Xingchen watched Lin Yu painting with rapt attention, his heart filled with joy.

He felt that Lin Yu at this moment exuded a unique charm, that absorption and dedication to his creation fascinated him.

When Lin Yu finally finished the painting, straightened up, and let out a long breath, Ye Xingchen stepped forward and sincerely praised, “Yu, you painted beautifully! You’ve practically captured the soul of this sea.”

Looking at his work, Lin Yu’s lips curved into a slight smile, his eyes full of satisfaction.

“It’s all thanks to you for coming with me and helping me prepare all this that this painting exists.”

As the two were speaking, the sea breeze suddenly picked up, causing the canvas to flutter.

Ye Xingchen quickly steadied the easel. “The wind’s getting stronger. Let’s take the painting back inside before it gets damaged.”

Lin Yu nodded, carefully took down the painting, and the two walked back towards the villa together.

Back at the villa, Ye Xingchen carefully hung the painting in a prominent place in the living room.

The two stood before the painting, admiring this work that captured the beautiful moment.

Looking at the painting, a complex emotion welled up in Lin Yu’s heart. He turned to look at Ye Xingchen, wanting to say something, but hesitated, unsure how to begin.

Ye Xingchen seemed to sense Lin Yu’s unease and asked softly, “What’s wrong, Yu? Just say what’s on your mind.”

Lin Yu lowered his head slightly, his expression somewhat conflicted, and slowly began,

“Xingchen, you’ve been busy looking after me these past few days, doing so much for me. I’m very grateful. But I feel my health has improved a lot, so I was thinking of going home this afternoon.”

As Lin Yu said this, his eyes darted away involuntarily, yet he felt it inappropriate to stay any longer.

Upon hearing this, Ye Xingchen simply gazed at Lin Yu in silence for a long time, long enough for Lin Yu to feel a pang of anxiety, secretly wondering if Ye Xingchen was angry.

Just as Lin Yu was filled with apprehension, Ye Xingchen finally uttered a soft, “Okay.”

After a brief pause, he added softly, “If you’ve made up your mind, just let me know when you want to leave.”

Unknowingly, it was noon.

Lin Yu struggled internally for a moment, then tentatively asked, “Shall I leave after lunch?”

Ye Xingchen was slightly taken aback, then a patient smile appeared on his face, and he asked, “What would you like to eat?”

Seeing that Ye Xingchen was not only not angry, but also so gentle, the tension in Lin Yu’s heart dissipated slightly.

“Anything you make, I like to eat.”

Hearing Lin Yu’s words, Ye Xingchen’s expression, which had been slightly gloomy due to Lin Yu’s impending departure, finally improved a little.

The corners of his lips curved upwards, and he said, “Then you wait, I’ll go make it now.”

Before the words had even faded, Ye Xingchen turned and walked briskly towards the kitchen.

Watching his back, a complex emotion stirred in Lin Yu’s heart, a mix of gratitude for Ye Xingchen’s attentive care and a faint sense of loss at the impending separation.

Entering the kitchen, Ye Xingchen quickly tied on an apron.

Thinking about the dishes in his mind, he decided to make three dishes and a soup.

First, he began preparing a nourishing yam and pork rib soup, blanching the ribs and then simmering them with yam in a casserole. Before long, the rich aroma of the broth wafted through the air.

Next, he stir-fried a refreshing dish of celery and lily bulbs, the sweet flavor of the lily bulbs complementing the crispness of the celery.

Then, he made a plate of tender and smooth shrimp and tofu, a dish rich in high-quality protein, nutritious, and easy to digest.

Finally, he made a cold seaweed salad.

Soon, the three dishes and a soup were ready and placed on the table.

“Yu, come eat.”

“Coming.” Lin Yu came to the table, looking at the colorful and fragrant dishes, a warm current flowed through his heart.

“Xingchen, your cooking skills are getting better and better. It looks so appetizing,” Lin Yu said with a smile, his eyes full of admiration.

Ye Xingchen pulled out a chair, motioning for Lin Yu to sit down.

“See if it suits your taste.”

The two sat down one after the other, and Ye Xingchen first served Lin Yu a bowl of yam and pork rib soup, handing it to him.

“Have some soup first to warm your stomach.”

Lin Yu took the bowl, gently blew on it, and took a small sip. The soup was fresh and delicious, the rich aroma of the broth mixed with the soft tenderness of the yam spreading on his tongue.

“Hmm, delicious, this soup is amazing,” Lin Yu couldn’t help but exclaim.

Ye Xingchen looked at Lin Yu’s satisfied expression, the corners of his lips slightly raised, his eyes full of smiles.

“If you like it, I’ll make it for you again sometime.”

Hearing this, Lin Yu paused with his soup, but did not reply.

Ye Xingchen picked up a piece of celery and lily bulb and put it in Lin Yu’s bowl.

“Try this, it’s refreshing and helps with digestion.”

Lin Yu took a bite, the sweet lily bulbs and the crisp celery perfectly fused together, creating a unique taste.

“Everything you make is delicious,” Lin Yu said as he picked up some more food and took a few bites.

Then, Ye Xingchen recommended the shrimp and tofu, “You should also try this shrimp and tofu.”

Lin Yu scooped a spoonful and put it in his mouth, the tenderness of the tofu and the freshness of the shrimp intertwined, instantly bursting into a wonderful taste in his mouth.

“This is also delicious. Xingchen, did you secretly go to learn how to cook?”

Ye Xingchen smiled, “Of course not. I was just thinking that your body hasn’t fully recovered yet, so I’m trying to make you some good food in different ways.”

Hearing Ye Xingchen’s words, Lin Yu felt a burst of emotion in his heart, and the somewhat heavy mood caused by his departure in the afternoon eased a little.

The two ate and chatted idly.

Occasionally, Ye Xingchen would observe Lin Yu’s expression, and seeing him eating happily, he felt satisfied himself.

After the meal, Lin Yu helped clear the table, while Ye Xingchen washed the dishes.

The two worked together in tacit understanding, neither of them mentioning Lin Yu’s departure in the afternoon.

But within this silence, there was a hint of reluctance.

After cleaning up the kitchen, Ye Xingchen looked at the time and softly asked, “Yu, what time are you planning to leave this afternoon? I’ll take you.”

Lin Yu was slightly startled, his heart filled with mixed feelings. After hesitating for a moment, he said, “Three o’clock, I think that’s about right.”

Ye Xingchen nodded silently, “Okay, let’s watch some TV first then.”

For the rest of the time, the two sat in the living room, watching TV, chatting idly…

Time passed by unconsciously, and it was almost three o’clock.