C15 Chen Lan's Dinner

Zhao Lei, as usual, sped along on his tricycle, breezing past numerous electric scooters and occasionally matching pace with the slower cars. Chen Lan, seated behind him, was frightened by his speed and repeatedly urged him to slow down.

"Relax, Ms. Lan," Zhao Lei chuckled while pedaling. "It's getting late. If we don't hurry back to the village, it'll be dark before we know it!"

As he spoke, the tricycle hit a small pothole, jolting lightly. Chen Lan let out a startled yelp, clutching the tricycle tightly to prevent herself from falling.

Seeing her reaction, Zhao Lei couldn't help but grin broadly, feeling a surge of energy. He subconsciously pedaled even faster, causing Chen Lan to grip the tricycle with white-knuckled intensity all the way to the village entrance.

As they neared the village, Chen Lan gave Zhao Lei's waist a gentle pinch to remind him, "Stop the bike! Stop the bike!"

Aware that the Beautiful Widow would be mortified to make an entrance in such a fashion, Zhao Lei dutifully pulled over to the side of the road. Chen Lan quickly dismounted and gave him a playful scowl. "Promise me you won't ride that fast again; it's dangerous!"

Zhao Lei, knowing that Chen Lan had his best interests at heart, nodded with a beaming smile. "Got it, Ms. Lan."

Despite his affirmation, his expression betrayed a lack of seriousness. Chen Lan shot him an exasperated look. "It's getting late. Are you still planning to go home and cook?"

"Yes," Zhao Lei replied, nodding. "I skipped lunch today, and I'm famished!"

"Well, I have to cook dinner anyway," Chen Lan offered. "Why don't you join me at my place instead?"

Zhao Lei hesitated. "I'm not sure that's appropriate."

Chen Lan looked down, a hint of sadness in her voice. "Do you dislike me?"

Quick to reassure her, Zhao Lei smiled warmly. "Dislike you? Not at all. I'd be delighted to share dinner with a beautiful woman like you. I'm just worried about imposing on you."

When Zhao Lei complimented her, calling her a beauty, Chen Lan blushed and shyly demurred, "What beauty? I'm practically an old lady now. Besides, I have to cook anyway, so it's no bother."

Having put it that way, Zhao Lei certainly wouldn't decline the invitation. He grinned and replied, "Okay, I'll just return the tricycle to Uncle Hu, and then I'll head over for dinner!"

"Great, I'll be waiting for you at home!" Chen Lan gave Zhao Lei a sweet smile before hurrying back to prepare dinner.

Watching Chen Lan's figure recede into the distance, Zhao Lei murmured to himself, "Waiting for me at home... that phrase really sets the imagination running wild!" But he was well aware that Chen Lan wasn't the type to be taken lightly, so he quickly dismissed his fanciful thoughts and returned the tricycle to Hu Qiang and his wife.

At Hu Qiang's place, Zhao Lei was cornered by Wang Fang, who subjected him to a lengthy tirade starting with "Didn't Auntie Wang tell you..." It took him nearly half an hour to escape.

With darkness fully settled, Zhao Lei hurried to Chen Lan's home and gently knocked on the courtyard door.

The Beautiful Widow opened the door promptly, welcoming Zhao Lei inside with a playful scolding, "Why are you so late? I was starting to think you wouldn't show up!"

Chen Lan had been cooking and waiting for Zhao Lei, growing anxious as the meal neared completion without any sign of him. She feared he might have snubbed her, changing his mind about coming. But just as she was wallowing in self-pity, Zhao Lei's unexpected arrival brought her a delightful surprise, and she couldn't help but let a touch of girlish charm shine through.

Already quite attractive, Chen Lan's playful demeanor only intensified her allure, leaving Zhao Lei momentarily spellbound.

Sensing Zhao Lei's gaze, Chen Lan realized they might be getting too close for comfort. She cleared her throat and said, "Just one more dish to go. Why don't you relax for a bit? Dinner will be ready shortly."

Snapping out of his reverie, Zhao Lei chuckled, "I'm already here imposing on you for a meal, I can't let you do all the work. Where's the kitchen? I'll lend a hand!"

Chen Lan didn't object to Zhao Lei offering to serve the rice while she went to fry eggs. Their kitchen, though cozy for one, suddenly felt cramped with both of them bustling about.

As Zhao Lei finished scooping rice and made his way out, he had to carefully sidestep Chen Lan, which led to an awkward shuffle between them. The heat of midsummer meant they were both lightly dressed, and Zhao Lei was particularly conscious not to give Chen Lan the wrong impression. He held his breath, sucked in his stomach, and slipped past her as quickly as he could.

Their proximity, even with Chen Lan's back turned, was enough to leave her feeling flustered, her breath caught in her throat.

In a sudden move, Zhao Lei squeezed by, causing a startled Chen Lan to lose her balance. She stumbled forward, her hand still clutching the spatula, the other reaching out instinctively. She was dangerously close to pressing her hand into the sizzling oil pan, risking severe burns.

Quick to react, Zhao Lei placed the bowl on the counter and stretched out his arm, gently catching the Beautiful Widow before she could fall. Chen Lan's face was mere inches from the wok, the heat flushing her cheeks. She realized, with a rush of relief, that if not for Zhao Lei's swift intervention, she would have been hurt.

But as she caught her breath, she felt the firm grip of Zhao Lei's arms holding her steady, almost too tight for comfort.

Her heart racing, the Beautiful Widow quickly regained her composure, gently tapped Zhao Lei's arm, and whispered, "Will you let go now?"

To be fair, Zhao Lei initially steadied Chen Lan purely out of concern for her safety. However, as time passed, he found himself becoming distracted and was on the verge of releasing her.

Chen Lan's reminder snapped Zhao Lei out of his reverie, and he realized it wasn't appropriate to keep holding onto her. Given that the Beautiful Widow had spoken up, continuing to do so would border on harassment, so he quickly released her, grabbed his rice bowl, and headed out.

Zhao Lei's swift action in letting go not only surprised Chen Lan but also left her quite impressed with his character. She knew that many men might have seized the opportunity to take advantage of her. Had Zhao Lei done so, it would have been a huge letdown.

As a woman who had been married, Chen Lan appreciated the self-control Zhao Lei exhibited. Watching him walk away, she couldn't help but smile warmly. Then, a thought crossed the Beautiful Widow's mind, causing her cheeks to flush with a rosy hue that made her all the more radiant.

Despite the awkward moment in the kitchen, they managed to enjoy their meal as if nothing had happened. Chen Lan's culinary skills were exceptional, and even the simplest of dishes delighted Zhao Lei. Watching him devour his meal with gusto brought her even more joy.

After dinner, Zhao Lei offered to help with the dishes, but the Beautiful Widow gently declined, urging him to head home instead.

Understanding that Chen Lan was concerned about potential gossip, Zhao Lei didn't want to cause her any trouble and promptly said his goodbyes.

As Zhao Lei walked home, he fondly recalled the kitchen incident, a smile unwittingly playing on his lips. He quickened his pace, but just as he approached the entrance to his yard, he sensed something and came to an abrupt halt.