Chapter 21: Rouge

Vehicles came and went in the parking lot from time to time. Suddenly, a car horn blared from outside the window, instantly snapping Chu Susu out of her daze.

What had just happened to her? Was she just too exhausted from being busy all day? Why had she zoned out so inexplicably while with Han Xuan?

By the time she came back to her senses, Han Xuan had already retreated to her previous position, maintaining her usual reserved distance, as if she had never leaned in to say those words.

She was still gazing at her, her dark pupils clear as cut water, black as ink.

“What did you just say?” Chu Susu rubbed her brow, feeling truly fatigued after a whole afternoon of meetings—her mind was a bit foggy. “Make them pay the price? Of course I want that.”

She thought of Xia Zilu’s madwoman behavior today and irritably lowered her eyelids. “But it’s not that easy.”

Xia Zilu had no shame, but Chu Susu did. A normal person could never retaliate using a lunatic’s methods. When the opponent was that shameless, it was hard to come up with a plan.

Another reason was that her sister Chu Qingyang was a police officer in the Imperial Capital—a sensitive position in the system—so Chu Susu didn’t want to escalate things to a mutual destruction level, as it wouldn’t be good for her sister.

As for Jack’s side, Chu Susu didn’t care much. Doing her own job well was the right thing.

Anyway, Rebecca favored her more now. Jack could rage all he wanted, but he couldn’t find any fault with Chu Susu. He’d finally caught a chance to throw some shade, and he was probably thrilled.

She was too lazy to bother with someone like that. Besides, she really had left the office too long without reason today—he could say whatever.

These were all her own messes. Chu Susu was just about to tell the kind little lamb not to worry too much when she heard Han Xuan nod. “Yeah.”

It was as if she hadn’t been the one to ask that question earlier.

Chu Susu didn’t think much of it and lowered her gaze. “I should thank you—not only for not getting mad, but for comforting me instead.”

She then looked up and saw her smiling faintly. “I’m fine. I was just worried you’d be in a bad mood.”

“I should be the one saying that. I actually hope she’d come straight at me instead of hurting you again…”

Han Xuan shook her head in disagreement. “No. I’m actually glad she came but didn’t run into you directly.”

“I heal fast, but you’re different. If something serious happened, I wouldn’t even dare to imagine it.”

It was impossible for Chu Susu not to be touched. “You…”

If it were anyone else saying this, she’d dismiss it as fake pleasantries.

But Han Xuan’s eyes were so clear, as if one could see straight to the bottom—nothing but genuine concern.

She gently patted Chu Susu’s hand. “Don’t worry, everything will be fine. People like that…”

If you listened carefully, you could detect a casual indifference in her tone.

“…will get their karma.”

That evening, Han Xuan visited Chu Susu’s home again. But this time, it wasn’t her initiative—Chu Susu had suggested it.

Last time Han Xuan had been drunk, but sober, she was naturally much more reserved. She timidly offered to cook, but Chu Susu shot it down immediately. How could she trouble Han Xuan to cook after what happened today?

So Han Xuan suggested that Chu Susu could prep the ingredients under her guidance, and she’d handle the stir-frying.

It was a workable idea, so Chu Susu clumsily marinated meat and chopped vegetables under her instructions while they chatted idly.

It was strange—such an ordinary domestic scene felt like a date to Chu Susu.

She’d never cooked at home with anyone else before. For one, they were all as hopeless in the kitchen as she was; for two, dates needed some romance, like a dark movie theater or candlelit dinner…

But with Han Xuan, Chu Susu didn’t think about romance or not. She just felt comfortable and relaxed.

As if they’d known each other for a long time.

Chu Susu was truly clumsy in the kitchen. She’d finally gotten everything ready when her phone screen lit up.

Fang Chen: “Susu, someone gave me some imported steaks. I’m driving over to drop some off for you now. You can cook them yourself these next couple days.”

Her cousin knew she lived alone and often dropped by with stuff unprompted.

“Han Xuan, my cousin’s coming over with some steaks. You mind?”

“Ah?” In the kitchen, Han Xuan turned around. With her apron on and spatula in hand, she looked incredibly gentle. She shook her head. “Of course not.”

A bit shy, she seemed almost embarrassed to boast. “Good thing I know how to make steak. It’s… pretty good. I’ll make some for you two later.”

Hearing that, Chu Susu was already hungry. She lowered her head to message Fang Chen, adding a note: “Thanks bro, got a colleague over at my place right now.”

But Fang Chen was driving and probably hadn’t checked his phone—no reply after a bit.

Twenty minutes later, the doorbell rang.

“Here.” Fang Chen carried a foam box full of fresh ingredients. “Didn’t bring too much in case it goes bad before you finish. If it’s good, I’ll bring more next time…”

Before he finished, he heard the stir-frying sounds. “You have company?”

Han Xuan appeared at the kitchen door. She casually pinned up her hair, her straight bangs swaying slightly. Clutching the hem of her apron, she looked both obedient and nervous.

“Hello…” She gave a shy smile and a polite nod. “I’m Susu’s friend, Han Xuan. May I ask how to address you?”

Chu Susu introduced, “This is my cousin, Fang Chen.”

Fang Chen stared at Han Xuan, a barely perceptible flicker of surprise crossing his face. But his temperament was steady—he wouldn’t show it outright.

“Oh, hello little Han. No need to be so formal. I’m a few years older, so if you like, call me Chenchen-ge like Susu does.”

“Okay.” Han Xuan nodded obediently, committing it to memory. “The food’s still on the stove. You two chat first. Chenchen-ge, are you staying for dinner?”

Fang Chen smiled. “Nah, I won’t crash you young folks’ gathering.”

Once Han Xuan returned to the kitchen, he sat on the living room sofa, cleared his throat, and lowered his voice. “This little Han—is she your girlfriend?”

“No, don’t overthink it.” Chu Susu whispered. “She’s a colleague. We get along well.”

Fang Chen didn’t buy it and shot her a meaningful glance. “Even the closest colleagues don’t come over to your place to cook for you.”

That glance at little Han earlier reminded him of how he cooked for his wife at home.

Chu Susu was stumped and mumbled, “Really not. You’re imagining things.”

Fang Chen chalked it up to her being stubborn. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “How old is this girl? Where’s she from?”

“Why do you care?” Chu Susu lazily refused to answer. “She’s just a friend right now.”

“Just getting to know her. You’re such a kid.”

They bantered a bit more when Han Xuan brought out several dishes—colorful, fragrant, and perfectly flavored as always.

Fang Chen had planned to drop off and leave, but the aroma changed his mind. He took a bite and was blown away.

“Little Han, how do you make this?”

He cooked often and knew how hard it was to elevate simple home cooking. This seemingly ordinary mapo tofu… one word: perfection!

Han Xuan shared her cooking tips a bit shyly. Watching Fang Chen’s eager expression made Chu Susu chuckle beside them.

After noting down the recipe, Fang Chen suddenly asked, “Little Han, how old are you?”

Chu Susu shot him a warning look not to interrogate.

Han Xuan didn’t mind and answered obediently, “22.”

Fang Chen’s eyes filled with admiration. “So young, and your cooking’s already this amazing?”

“Mm, I cook for myself a lot.”

“Where are you from?”

“Local from the Imperial Capital.”

“How long have you known our Susu?”

Seeing the questions get more ridiculous, Chu Susu kicked him under the table. “That’s enough already.”

Han Xuan just smiled. “It’s fine.”

They chatted a bit more before Fang Chen caught his cousin’s eye signal and wisely left soon after.

Gotta leave space for the young ones, right?

Unfortunately, he missed out on Han Xuan’s pan-fried steaks—they were all devoured by Chu Susu.

Juicy and tender without a hint of gaminess, wrapped in butter and black pepper aroma. As Han Xuan said, so good your head falls off.

Pipi watched enviously from the side, so she fed it a small piece. The living room instantly filled with “awwoo” sounds.

Chu Susu meant to wash the dishes, but somehow Han Xuan had already quietly taken care of everything without her noticing.

“You’re too good.” She sighed, sitting back down to finish the steak. “Makes me feel like a criminal.”

Han Xuan gazed gently at her eating, looking quite satisfied. “How could that be?”

She took a napkin and wiped Chu Susu’s face. “I’m quick at chores—used to it. And usually no one else eats my cooking. This is nice.”

The phone screen showed it was already 10:30. The subway would stop running soon.

Before Han Xuan could pull her hand away, Chu Susu grabbed it, tracing from wrist to fingertips.

The touch was soft and smooth, like flawless mutton-fat jade.

“Want to stay?” Chu Susu blinked and asked.

Last time Han Xuan was drunk, to the point that even her blushing, clingy, coquettish appearance was incredibly hard to resist, she still restrained herself and didn’t do anything improper.

But today, it was different.