Chapter 130 | After Maxing Out, I Became a Landlord in Another World

The next day, when Chen Mian woke up, Flora was still holding the back of his hand, her fingertips slightly curled, fast asleep.

At some point, Loviki had rolled over to face him, her black hair scattered across the pillow, her hand resting loosely in his palm.

Chen Mian lay quietly for a while, listening to the even breathing in the room.

About fifteen minutes later, Flora's fingers twitched slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes. Seeing Chen Mian's face, she froze for a moment, then moved her lips without making a sound. Judging by her lip movements, she was saying, “Good morning.”

Chen Mian mimicked her lip movements. “Morning.”

Flora glanced to the side. Seeing the other three still asleep, her lips curved upward slightly. She gave the back of Chen Mian's hand a gentle squeeze before slowly letting go. Sitting up quietly, she smoothed her slightly messy hair and tiptoed out of the room.

Before long, the faint sounds of washing up and the soft clinking of dishes drifted up from downstairs.

Chen Mian gently released Loviki's hand, pulled the blanket up over her shoulder, and got up to head downstairs.

In the kitchen, Flora had already put on an apron and was preparing breakfast.

“Not going to sleep a bit longer?” Chen Mian walked over to her side, picking up the kettle to pour a cup of hot water.

“I've slept enough,” Flora turned her head, a strand of hair slipping from behind her ear. “Didn't you want to improve your seafood porridge recipe? I'll teach you.”

“You still remember that?”

“Mm-hmm!”

Chen Mian stood in front of the stove. Following Flora's instructions, he poured the washed rice into the pot, added fresh water, and placed it on the stove.

“You need a bit more water,” Flora's voice came from beside him.

She took a step closer, leaning in slightly, and traced a finger along the inside of the pot. “About this high, and the porridge will turn out just right. You can't add the seafood yet.”

She was standing so close that the tips of her hair almost brushed against his arm.

Chen Mian looked down at the spot her finger had traced on the rim of the pot and nodded. “Got it.”

Flora withdrew her hand, standing by to watch with interest.

After a moment, her gaze settled on his profile. She watched him quietly for a bit before speaking softly, “You woke up really early today.”

“Yeah, I promised I'd make breakfast.” Chen Mian put the lid on the pot and turned down the heat. “You're always the one cooking at the apartment, so you should rest while we're on vacation. Though, it seems you didn't get much rest today.”

Flora let out a soft laugh. Then, she suddenly stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind and resting her face against his back. “I did rest!”

Chen Mian paused for a brief second before continuing to prep the ingredients.

The kitchen was quiet, save for the sound of chopping and the gentle bubbling of the porridge in the pot.

After a moment, he set down the kitchen knife, washed his hands thoroughly, and gently turned around.

Flora didn't let go, maintaining her embrace. As he turned, she was drawn along, her face resting against his chest.

“Flora,” he called softly.

“Hmm?” Flora tilted her face up slightly, her bright eyes holding the gentle softness unique to early mornings.

“Mmh...” Chen Mian leaned down and gently kissed her.

Flora's breath hitched for a moment, then quickened. Her hands unconsciously gripped the fabric of his clothes behind his back.

“Chen Mian...” her voice murmured against his lips, muffled and slightly nasal.

It was a long while before they slowly parted. She kept her eyes lowered, the tips of her ears flushed bright red.

Chen Mian looked down at her. His hand slid slowly up from her waist, stopping behind her ear, his fingers gently brushing against her ear.

Flora's breathing instantly faltered. She turned her head to avoid him, but his palm gently cradled her cheek. She trembled slightly, but didn't move away.

“You...” Flora's voice shook slightly. “...Don't touch my ears.”

“I know.” Chen Mian leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear, his voice incredibly soft. “But I was curious.”

“Curious about what...?”

“How you would react.”

Flora's face flushed so deeply it looked like it might drip blood. She reached out to push him away, but her hands lost their strength halfway and rested weakly on his shoulders.

“You... weren't like this before,” she mumbled, her voice carrying a hint of accusation.

“Like what?”

Flora looked up, her eyes slightly watery. Blushing, she whispered, “Like you are now...”

“I really wasn't like this before. I'm only like this with you, Flora.”

Flora's ears burned even hotter. She released her hold on him, and after a moment, she looked up again. Her eyes darted away, and she hesitated before whispering, “Then... then I'll let you touch it once more.”

Having said that, she closed her eyes and nervously turned her head slightly to the side.

Chen Mian leaned down and gently pressed his lips to the tip of her ear.

Flora's body trembled slightly, her grip on his clothes tightening further.

It took a long moment before she slowly let go and stepped back. Lowering her head, she adjusted her disheveled collar and turned away, pretending to inspect the pot on the stove, though her ears remained bright red.

The pot of porridge began to bubble, releasing plumes of steam.

“...We can get ready to add the shrimp,” Flora said, her voice sounding a bit airy.

“Okay.” Hearing this, Chen Mian turned and added the ingredients to the boiling porridge. Once he was done, he turned back around with a smile. “I have a question.”

“...What is it?”

“I don't know how long to cook it before adding the shrimp.”

“...T-then, I'll teach you again next time.”

“Sure. But I might forget next time, too.”

“...Hmm?” Flora looked up in confusion. After a moment, she finally caught on and blushed, whispering, “...You're getting more and more wicked.”

“I'll handle the rest. Go wake them up,” Flora said softly, her face still red as she watched the boiling porridge.

Chen Mian didn't move. His gaze lingered on her flushed profile and ears as he gently pulled her into an embrace. “I think you need a moment to catch your breath, Flora.”

Flora startled slightly, but her body gradually relaxed in his arms.

After a moment, she looked up and said, “Loviki has to go to the palace tomorrow.”

“Yes. The Shadow Cult has likely set an ambush, and more and more suspicious figures have been appearing nearby lately.”

“Will Loviki really be okay going to the palace alone?” Flora's voice carried a hint of worry.

“I've already made arrangements. I'll be following her when the time comes,” Chen Mian said softly.

“Okay.” Flora nodded gently, her expression relaxing.

“Flora.”

“Hmm?”

“Let's find some time to visit the elves.”

“Why?”

“I want to meet your parents,” Chen Mian said naturally, looking down at her.

Flora leaned against his chest, her fingers idly tracing his clothes. It was a long while before she spoke softly, “...Are you serious?”

“Yes. An ugly daughter-in-law has to meet the in-laws eventually.”

“...Who's the ugly daughter-in-law?!”

“Me.”

Flora was amused and let out a small laugh. Once her laughter faded, she fell quiet again, wrapping her arms even tighter around him. “You're not ugly... I'll take you there when we find the time.”

The bubbles in the porridge grew denser, white steam escaping from the gap in the lid. The savory aroma of seafood porridge filled the entire kitchen.

Flora suddenly looked up in shock, her face blank. “Oh no...”

“What's wrong?”

“I think the shrimp is overcooked,” Flora said, looking a bit embarrassed as she blushed.

Chen Mian chuckled at her words and patted her back. “Then go wake them up and tell them I made it.”

“But I made it!”

“If you overcook the shrimp, they'll definitely suspect we were up to no good in the kitchen.”

“...Alright then.” Flora let go of him. She took two steps toward the stairs, then turned back to look at him, a trace of an unhidable smile playing at the corners of her lips. After watching him for a moment, she hurried upstairs.