Chapter 188: He Likes Her So Much
Su Zhaozhao also juiced some apples, then added the juice to soda water with some ice cubes.
This created a visually appealing and refreshing-looking apple soda.
’I wonder if Xie Huaizheng will be able to drink this,’ she thought.
She used very little apple juice, so it only had a faint apple flavor. She also added a splash of lemon juice. The combination reduced the apple taste, creating a sweet and sour, refreshing drink that was perfect for summer.
Meanwhile, Xie Huaizheng was holding the information he’d had someone investigate.
He looked at the sheet of paper in front of him, which contained a person’s basic information, and couldn’t help but frown.
Xie Huaizhen...
’So this is the man whose name sounds like mine.’
He had actually heard people mention him before—a hardworking young man had joined the troops, one with a name that sounded like his and who was the same age.
However, they were in different units; the other man was in the artillery battalion.
Like him, he was also from Beijing.
’He’s quite good-looking and hardworking...’
’But why does he have such inexplicable animosity towards Su Zhaozhao?’
’And that sense of resentment...’
He knew men too well. Xie Huaizhen’s feelings for Su Zhaozhao were complicated—so complicated that he suspected they must have known each other for a long time.
But looking at the file, Xie Huaizheng couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary. Everything seemed normal.
It was just a bit of a coincidence—their names, ages, and hometowns were similar. But they were comrades-in-arms who were destined never to be friends.
His investigation also revealed that Su Zhaozhao and Xie Huaizhen hadn’t met much recently, and when they did, it was usually related to Zhou Chengguo.
’So could it just be as Su Zhaozhao said? He dislikes her because of the incident with Zhou Chengguo?’
’If that’s really the case, then this man is pretty useless, such a poor judge of character.’
Xie Huaizheng shredded the paper in his hand and threw it in the trash.
When he returned to the military compound, he could smell the aroma of Su Zhaozhao’s cooking in the hallway before he even opened the door.
The man’s thin lips curved into a slight smile. He found it strange—why did Su Zhaozhao’s cooking smell so fragrant?
’It seems simple enough, but the aroma is just different from anyone else’s.’
’Could it be that I’m so in love with Su Zhaozhao that I just think her cooking smells amazing?’
’Probably not.’
Once inside, Su Zhaozhao saw him and smiled. "You’re back? I’ve already finished cooking."
She had made savory pot rice and had some leftover braised beef to go with it. She thought it was a pretty good meal.
’I have to admit, even though this is high in calories, it’s absolutely delicious!’ she thought.
Su Zhaozhao also brought the apple drink to Xie Huaizheng. "Have a sip? I just made it. It’s a nice, cold fruit juice."
Xie Huaizheng raised an eyebrow. Looking at the glass of juice, he asked in surprise, "You even know how to make juice?"
"Of course. It’s very simple. Go on, try it."
Xie Huaizheng took a sip. It was sweet and sour, with a fruity aroma.
He couldn’t quite identify the fruit, but it tasted great. After drinking it, he felt the fatigue in his body melt away.
’It’s so strange. I always feel like there’s some kind of magic in the water Su Zhaozhao gives me. Why else would it always taste so sweet and refreshing, much better than the water I get for myself? And how can it dispel my fatigue?’
"Is it good?" Su Zhaozhao asked, her face tense with nervousness.
"It’s delicious. Zhaozhao, what kind of fruit did you use?"
"Just some common fruits." Su Zhaozhao smiled and quickly changed the subject. "Alright, let’s eat. Try the savory pot rice I made and tell me what you think."
She used to make this often when she was too lazy to cook. Just toss all the ingredients into one pot, cook until done, and it would be delicious.
Xie Huaizheng looked at the hearty bowl of rice and dug in.
With the very first bite, he could taste the chicken, cured sausage, carrots, and green beans.
The rich flavors and textures made Xie Huaizheng finish the bowl of rice in no time.
The rice wasn’t just rich in texture; it was also exceptionally fragrant.
He ate three bowls in one go.
After eating, he proactively cleared the table and washed the dishes, then went to take a nap.
When he woke up, he went back to training.
Now, his greatest source of anticipation was wondering what delicious food Su Zhaozhao would have for him when he came home each day.
Just like today, every time he returned, Su Zhaozhao would always have prepared all sorts of delicious meals for him.
But when he’d ask her what she was making, Su Zhaozhao would just smile and say, "It’s a secret. I’ll tell you when you get back."
Su Zhaozhao’s way of building suspense also piqued Xie Huaizheng’s curiosity.
Now, for Xie Huaizheng, he really looked forward to coming home.
As for Su Zhaozhao, she took the workbook to Li Weichuan that afternoon.
"Since you’re going to participate in the competition, you need to practice well. There are a lot of rather difficult math problems in here. Give them a try. The answers are in the back, so you can check them if you get stuck."
Li Weichuan was surprised that Su Zhaozhao, unlike the previous psychologists, didn’t constantly ask him about his problems, his inner feelings, or his emotions.
Instead, she acted like a normal person; she gave him what he liked.
’How... unprofessional.’
’But she’s so young, she probably hasn’t even been to college. It’s to be expected.’
However, after the young man flipped through the workbook, his previously dismissive gaze suddenly turned serious.
’The problems in here look really difficult, much harder than the ones I usually do. And they seem very novel, too.’
After a quick look, Li Weichuan immediately looked up at Su Zhaozhao.
His gaze was intense. This was the first time he had truly looked at Su Zhaozhao.
He suddenly realized how young Su Zhaozhao was. Li Tiantian had said she was three years older than him, but why did she look so youthful, as if she were even younger than he was?
And she was very pretty, with a sweet, beaming smile on her face.
However, Li Weichuan felt that this smile was just an act.
’She probably thinks everyone will fall for this innocent and harmless look of hers.’
Li Weichuan felt he should mock her, but after she gave him this book, he didn’t have the heart to.
Thinking of this, Li Weichuan said to Su Zhaozhao, "Thank you."
Hearing Li Weichuan thank her, Su Zhaozhao knew that she had succeeded in her first step and had managed to move him.
"You’re welcome. Practice hard. If you can solve everything in this book, I believe you’ll have a place not just in the provincial competition, but even in the national one."
’This is the Math Olympiad, after all—classic problem types compiled from years of national competitions.’
If Li Weichuan could solve all of them, Su Zhaozhao would be truly impressed.
After Su Zhaozhao left, Li Tiantian immediately asked her, "Zhaozhao, how is it? Is Wei Chuan doing okay now?"
"He’s doing great. In fact, I think he’s about to start studying even harder."