Chapter 214 - Are You Still Alive?

Liu Meilien's heart felt like it had soared in her chest. But her mind had whispered that he was just probably putting on a good show for everyone. She should have asked him if YANG was paying him for this promotion.

She released a light laugh. "You're really playful, aren't you?"

"I don't know," Qing Lok said, popping a blueberry in his mouth. "This might actually be the first time that I am not playing around."

Liu Meilien only smiled at him. Just what would her mother say? It was not like her mother would let her marry the brother-in-law of Feng Xuan—no matter how rich he was. "Do you have a pancake story?"

"I was not really allowed in the kitchen when I was younger. My mother said that I would just be bothering the cooks there. But my brother and I prepared her a special breakfast one Mother's Day. She loved blueberries in her pancakes. So we asked the help of the others but we'd be doing it our way.

We put the butter on the pan and scooped batter. It was a nice circle and we wanted to make a smiley face on it. It looked great at first but then when flipped it, it looked like a scarecrow of some sort. The blueberries melted and spread, making an ugly face. Like straight from a horror movie."

"Did you cry?"

"I did cry," Qing Lok replied with a chuckle. "I was so scared. I think I had nightmares for a few weeks."

He had learned his lesson and mixed the blueberries in the batter before putting it on one of the heart-shaped molds. "Do you like sweets?" he asked casually.

"Hmmm," she said, "I do love sweets. But I am not a fan of sugar. Do you get what I mean? I don't like things that are too sweet."

"Right," he nodded. "Is that to keep your figure or just a preference?"

"I was a little traumatized to be honest," she answered. Another story coming. "Back when I was in high school, there was this local milk tea shop that offered iced ones. So I had mine blended. Wintermelon flavor. I only asked for 50% sugar but when I tasted it, I felt like the sugar granules made its way to my tongue. I didn't want to waste money so I finished it." She shivered. She remembered feeling a little sick after consuming the tall drink.

"Ever since then you never had extra sugar?"

"I try to avoid it," she answered. "I also don't like things with artificial flavors. Like with fries."

"Salted?"

"No, just plain."

"Well then, that's no longer called fries. It would only be fried potato strips." 

Liu Meilien laughed. "I think… I just like things plain. I want prefer the real taste… you know, without the extra flavors."

Qing Lok took the mold out and flipped the pancake. "I can't believe that actually worked," he commented then turned his attention back to Liu Meilien. "If you are ever in a relationship, do you think that you would be a high-maintenance girlfriend or a low-maintenance girlfriend?"

"Depends on who's asking," she joked.

"I AM asking," he chuckled.

"For you, the answer would be high-maintenance. I think you can keep up with it." She squeezed on his forearm. "I'm kidding but… I don't think I'll be the kind of girlfriend that would need a lot of tending to." She shrugged. "But who am I to say. I might say it today but when I'm in the situation already I'd be always crying for my boyfriend's attention."

"You don't have to cry to me, I'd give you my attention willingly."

Liu Meilien's hands shook. This was why people said he was a sweet talker. He really did tell girls what they wanted to hear. Instead of answering him, she turned to the media people who were busy scribbling what was happening. "Imagine, I have to survive a whole day of this kind of conversation. My poor heart."

They gave a light laugh and jotted down what she just said. Qing Lok finished cooking the pancakes, which looked great. He poured just a little bit of syrup and squeezed whipped cream all over the top. 

"What about your chocolate ones?" she asked.

He shook his head. "I want to taste food the way you do. It would help me understand you better."

They both leaned against the counter and their shoulders touching. In a low voice that only them could hear, he asked, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I am," she said, pleased that he was somehow concerned with how she was feeling. She wanted to make the situation lighter but she knew her words carried seriousness. "But I have to remind you, I'm new to this and you're going to make my heart drop to my feet if you continue on with what you're doing."

He bumped her shoulder lightly and forked the pancake. "Do you think I'm playing?"

"I don't know," she answered and swallowed. "You tell me."

"I'd put my arm around you but that would be too much for their eyes."

A sweet pressure pressed on her stomach and down her spine. She suddenly had trouble breathing. He wanted to put his arm around me, she thought in her mind. Whenever she saw that gesture in dramas, she sighed and swooned for the fictional characters.

She turned her face to the side because her cheeks suddenly felt warm. She wanted to leave that place and go somewhere it would just be her and Qing Lok wherein he could put his arm around her.

"Are you still alive?" he asked her, a smile lacing his tone. "If you are, hear this. After today's activities, would you let me drive you home? Or let's go cross another one first on your list?"

She wanted to ask what first he had in mind. But she didn't want to spoil it. She turned back to him. "Yes. Okay."