The arrangements for a 'probation' of living together - that was what Shao Yan called it; surprisingly came natural to both of them.

She decided not to bring this topic up whenever Qi Ling called. Shao Yan was thinking to let Qi Ling know in person when she's back from her trip.

Since her house was closer to the office, everytime Li Xiqing picked her up from work, they would end up going back to her place. On the weekend, she would go back to his place.

On a quiet apartment floor, series of beeping sound was heard coming from the outermost unit of floor 23.

Shao Yan was entering her own pa.s.scode to unlock Li Xiqing's apartment door. After a few tries, she finally managed to open the door and walk in. Li Xiqing was trailing behind her, carrying bags of grocery with him.

She sighed softly while taking her shoes off, "This is what happened if I never use my own pa.s.scode. I forgot about it"

Li Xiqing had already walked in to the kitchen, he paused, before he looked back at her, "That's why I will stop opening the door for you, you have to use your own pa.s.scode from now on" he smiled and then turned back to keep walking.

Shao Yan was still lamenting on her small failures when she picked herself up from her seat, and walked over to the kitchen to help him cook.

She was grumbling softly, and then suddenly stopped her track. A bright light bulb had just switched on over her head. Her lips slowly perked up.

Shao Yan gave a light cough, and quickly adjusted her expression, before she continued walking to the kitchen.

Li Xiqing was chopping on vegetables when she walked in. Tonight's menu would be a simple three vegetarian dishes. He planned to stir fry some snap peas with garlic and mushroom, boil a tofu soup and also whip up the sweet and sour b.u.t.ton mushroom with carrots and brussel sprouts.

Shao Yan watched him skillfully used the knife in action for a while. She slowly tiptoed to his side and then wrapped her hands around his waist from behind and leaned her cheek on his back.

"Xiqing, my head hurts"

He felt her hands wrapped around him, he kept himself still and let her hugged him. he could hear her dejected voice from behind him.

He put down his knife, and wanted to turn around to face her. But she kept her hold firm, and said "No, don't move, I feel more dizzy if you move. Let me hug you like this for a while"

He was confused. She looked fine the whole day, and even just now, she was still energetic. What happened here, why did she suddenly feel sick? But he listened to her and did not move.

"Go to the bed and rest for a while. I'll call you when the dinner is ready. Maybe you're too hungry that your head hurts" he spoke so gently at her.

His hand moved to pick up the knife again, but she quickly said, "No, it's a different headache"

Hi hand paused mid air, he was feeling more confused now. And then he felt Shao Yan tightened her hold around him and continued, "But I think I know how to cure this, Xiqing" she pursed her lips to keep herself calm, and not just burst out laughing.

He patted her arms, "Just tell me. I'll listen to you"

She rubbed her cheek on his back, "Then you promise me, okay?"

He chuckled lightly and patted her arms again, "Just tell me first, and if I can do it, I promise I'll do it for you" he kept his palms over hers. His head was turned slightly to the side to look down at her, while still talking with his back on her.

She did not say anything for a while, and bid her time to allow the suspense to kick in. And then, he heard her soft voice rang again.

"Xiqing, let's agree to drive on our own from now. You don't have to keep driving me around anymore"

Li Xiqing paused and then gradually, he was baffled. He lightly turned his head to the side, while squinting his eyes and opened his mouth to say something. However, he closed it right away, and then pursed his lips.

Did she just play a trick on him?

He decided not to answer her and then picked up his knife and started to work on the vegetables again.

Huh? Did he not hear what she said? She nudged him, and then she peaked from the side and looked up to his face.

"Xiqing?"

"En?" he answered her.

"Did you hear what I just said?"

And he answered again, "En" and then he stayed silent.

It was now her turn to feel anxious. He still did not say anything more after a while. So she could not take it anymore. She let go off her arms around him, and turned him around.

Li Xiqing saw her confused face and held back his smile. He gave her a blank look on his face, before asking "What is it? What do you want to say?"

Shao Yan had her soft eyebrow scrunched and looked up at him, "Why did you not answer me?"

He crossed his arms in front of his chest, "And how is driving your own car can help your headache now?"

Shao Yan stated her well prepared answer, "Because I keep forgetting my pa.s.scode, and you even told me just now that I should keep using it, so, let me drive my own car so I can start using my own pa.s.scode when I exit or enter the house" she rattled on.

His pursed lips could not stifle the laugh anymore. He let out a soft chuckle "I really can't follow your reasoning, Yan Yan" and he was about to turn his body around, before her small hands grabbed both of his arms and held him still.

"Li Xiqing! You know what I mean!" she pouted her lips and was now scowling at him. She stubbornly held her ground and looked up at him.

His eyes gradually curved and then he gave her a warm, gentle smile. He peeled her hands off, and held hers instead.

"Alright, I understand" he patted her arms, "You can do whatever you want. I was only teasing you just now," he lightly tapped his knuckle on her forehead, "You were using honey trap on me to negotiate your terms just now"

He slowly leaned down and lightly pecked her lips, "I was just returning a favor, Missus," and then he laughed again and turned around.

She blinked and blinked. Did she just get her request granted? That easily?

And at the same time, he was playing a trick on her?