Rose in No-Man's Land

10 Worring about gains and losses

In the evening, Tao Ye did indeed come as promised. She brought a lot of fruit, some ingredients, and a freshly butchered chicken.

Entering, she said to Xia Xingmian, "I didn't have time to go home, so let me make soup here. Is your kitchen okay?"

Xia Xingmian murmured, "The kitchen is fine, but isn't this a bit too much trouble for you...?"

Tao Ye smiled warmly and said, "Your hand's in a cast, you need chicken soup. Back home, they always say, if there's an injury to the bones, chicken soup is a must—it's really good for you."

Xia Xingmian wanted to apologize again for the afternoon, but seeing that Tao Ye didn't bring it up, she decided to let it go.

She followed Tao Ye into the kitchen, helping by taking out the pots and bowls from the drawers. While reaching for the spatula, she stole a glance at Tao Ye, who was busy washing the pot. A thought suddenly flashed through her mind.

Clang—!

A loud crash rang out on the kitchen tiles.

Tao Ye quickly turned and saw Xia Xingmian standing there, her cast-bound hand hanging, her eyes lowered as she softly explained, "...I only have one hand and couldn't hold it properly."

Tao Ye picked up the spatula and patted Xia Xingmian on the shoulder comfortingly. "Go sit on the sofa. I'll handle the cooking."

Xia Xingmian nodded and headed to the living room.

A short while later, a muffled gasp came from the living room.

Hearing it, Tao Ye, holding the spatula, hurried out and saw Xia Xingmian sitting at the coffee table, holding a paring knife, trying to peel an apple she'd brought. A small cut on her thumb was seeping blood.

Tao Ye quickly set down her things, found a band-aid, and, still in her apron, sat beside Xia Xingmian, helping to bandage her finger. "Stop peeling, just leave it here. I'll peel it for you later." She coaxed gently.

"I didn't want to eat it, I wanted to peel it for you." Xia Xingmian's head was down, her expression blank, but a faint sense of grievance appeared in her brows. "But I only have one hand. I'm sorry..."

Xia Xingmian's intentions seemed a bit too deliberate, and Tao Ye sensed something, sighing helplessly, "What is it you really want? Just tell me, okay?"

Xia Xingmian knew this was a good moment to speak, but after hesitating for a long time, her pride made her shake her head. "...Nothing."

Tao Ye didn't press further, though a bit of concern and hesitation lingered in her eyes as she returned to cooking.

The chicken soup was ready. As Xia Xingmian drank, Tao Ye peeled an apple for her.

"Did you record the lecture?" Tao Ye asked.

Xia Xingmian shook her head. "No."

"Remember to record it tomorrow. I'll help you transcribe it."

"...Okay."

Tao Ye observed Xia Xingmian's expression and softly asked, "Are you sure there's nothing you want to tell me?"

Xia Xingmian took a sip of the soup, eyes on the surface. "No." She answered with a steady expression.

After they finished eating, it was almost time for Tao Ye to go to work. As she left, she glanced at Xia Xingmian, who was sitting silently on the sofa eating the apple, and said, "Goodbye, Xiaoman."

Xia Xingmian looked up at her, biting into the apple, and replied calmly, "Mm, goodbye."

Did she want to say something?