Chapter 4 — Icebergs Also Know Red Eyes

I looked up at him, it was backlit so I couldn't see his expression, but he was holding out a hand. I stared at that hand. The joints are clear, the fingers are very long.

“Pull me up.” he said.

I put my hand on it, he used a little force, my whole body was lifted up. He let go very quickly, so quickly that I didn't have time to feel the temperature in his palm. After walking a round, I felt less tired and began to have the strength to talk.

“To Nghien.”

“Um.”

“Why did you agree to go on a date with me?”

He didn't answer right away, walked about ten more steps before speaking: "I already asked."

“You never answered directly.”

He tilted his head slightly and glanced at me, then quickly withdrew his gaze.

“I don't really want to lose weight.”

“Yes, so you agreed because—”

“Help me.”

Just two words, in a flat tone as if saying the weather is nice today. I said "oh" once. Help me lose weight. Reasonable. We are in a relationship of helping each other. You help me keep my mouth shut, I help you... what can I help you with?

“So what can I help you with?” I asked.

He didn't answer, just walked faster. I ran slowly and followed, not asking any more questions. At lunch in the cafeteria, I sat opposite To Nghien, in front of me was today's standard meal — brown rice, chicken breast, cucumber. I chewed my food mechanically, but my eyes kept glancing at the next table. The girl at the next table is eating fried chicken. Golden fried chicken pieces, crispy, glossy and greasy, drenched in ketchup—

“Look at me.”

My eyes were pulled back. To Nghien put down his chopsticks and sat opposite, looking straight at me.

“Why are you looking at me?”

“It's better than looking at fried chicken.”

I got a lump in my throat. What do you mean? What does this mean? Are you confidently telling me you're more handsome than fried chicken? Or simply want to distract my attention? He had already lowered his head to continue eating, his head tip to his ears— I must have seen wrongly. Not red. Probably because of the light. To Niem then walked over with a tray of rice and plopped down next to me. The tray was filled with braised meat, coke-braised chicken wings, and fried rice.

“Brother, sister-in-law, have a nice afternoon.”

I stared at its tray of braised meat, my pupils shocked. To Nghien looked at his sister: "Sit a little further away."

“What's wrong?” To Niem picked up a piece of braised meat and put it in his mouth, making a satisfied sound, "Um... it's delicious..."

“To Niem.” To Nghien's voice lowered half a tone.

I kept my eyes glued to the process of the braised meat moving from To Niem's chopsticks to his mouth, my hand holding the chopsticks was shaking. To Niem finally realized the unstable atmosphere, picked up the tray and stood up: "Okay, okay, I'll go, you two can slowly enjoy your pile of grass." He walked two steps, then turned around, leaned close to my ear and whispered: "Come on, sister, you've become thinner, I can see it." I used my last bit of will and stuffed a piece of chicken breast into my mouth. Chew like a rag. To Nghien suddenly spoke up: "Tomorrow I'll change the way I do things."

“What to do?”

“Pan-fried with black pepper sauce.”

I looked up at him: "You did it?"

“Yes.”

“You know how to cook?”

“Know a little.”

To Niem's message immediately popped up - he was sitting in the far corner of the cafeteria, but his typing speed was as fast as flying. To Niem: *My brother has NEVER cooked for anyone!!! Including me!!! He himself always eats in the cafeteria!!!* I looked at the message, then glanced at my son The boy's expressionless face was sitting opposite him, eating rice. Heart skipped a beat. Not because of vibration. But because — chicken breast sauteed with black pepper is definitely better than boiled chicken breast. Yes, that's the reason. 05 On the fifth day we met, I ate chicken breast sauteed with black pepper made by To Nghien. Store in a transparent plastic box, cut into small pieces, sprinkle with black pepper and rosemary leaves, and decorate with a few cherry tomatoes. When I opened the lunch box in the cafeteria, the people around me all turned to look.