My Neighbor Is A Freeloader

Chapter 9 [Hey, Your Lover is My Crush!]

Although Sana has agreed to attend Tzuyu's class, it does not mean she can skip the washing of vegetables. One of the vegetables is huai san (a kind of yam, also known as ‘mountain root’) which Sana rinses after peeling off its skin. She rubs her face with her hands unthinkingly and very soon, her face starts to itch.

The more she scratches, the worse the itch becomes. Sana does not know what is happening and becomes scared. She has only applied some moisturizer today and has not bothered with any make-up. Why is her face itching like this?

“Tzuyu! Tzuyu! Help! I have been poisoned!”

Tzuyu is cutting some vegetables and her holler causes him to nearly cut his finger. He puts down his knife and walks over to her.

“What is wrong?”

“I don’t know! Could the cotton candy be poisoned? My face is so itchy! Look at my face! Am I disfigured?”

She tries to scratch her face but he captures both her hands using one of his and pulls her closer to examine her face. His jerk is rather forceful and she flies forward until she is nestled in his arms. Errr…. isn’t their position a bit like... kissing?

Tzuyu examines at her face carefully and shakes his head. “Who ask you to touch your face with your hands?”

He is so close! Sana is distracted by his handsome face at such close proximity and forgets her discomfort temporarily.

“Umm.. I…. because…. In any case, you never say that I can’t! And um…. can you let me go now?”

Tzuyu lets go of her and takes out a bottle of white vinegar. He mixes some vinegar with warm water and asks her to wash her face with the solution. When Sana questions why, he explains.

“The huai san’s skin contains certain enzymes that can cause an allergic reaction but it is usually not serious. Washing your skin with some diluted vinegar can help to combat the allergy and reduce the itch. Try it.”

Sana flatters. “You are so knowledgeable.”

Tzuyu scoffs. “And you are so dumb.”

Sana ignores him and washes her face. Although Tzuyu continues to look at her as if she is a dummy bear on display, he patiently waits until her itch goes away before he resumes cooking. Maybe this is her retribution for stealing his cotton candy? Thinking of her itchy face just moments ago, Tzuyu suddenly feels much better as an unconscious smile lit up his face.

XxxxxX

After lunch, Tzuyu asks Sana if she has any special plans for the day. If she hasn’t, can she spare him an afternoon? He has an important presentation next week and he needs some new clothes to replace the ones damaged by Schrödinger.

What a longwinded way to ask if she can go window shopping with him! Sana agrees and thinking, Nayeon to join them. When Nayeon receives Sana’s call, she senses the opportunity to redeem herself in her company and applies urgent leave just so that she can join them for shopping.

On the way to the shopping district at Finance Street, Sana asks Tzuyu for his budget so that she can know which shops to go to. Tzuyu replies. “I do not have a budget.”

“You want to shop for clothes when you have no money? Surely this isn’t possible even if you are very handsome?”

Tzuyu is surprised by her interpretation. “What I mean is, you can spend any amount. I am fine.”

Ohh, so the point is you are rich, okay. Sana thinks to herself, big deal!

"Why are you so dump!? You eat too much but you know nothing, Stupid! Everyday, you only know to eat,eat,eat. Look at your cheeks, they are getting chubbier day by day. If your brain is as big as your chubby cheeks, your life will be better than this"