Chapter 3

Lucas knocked on the door: "Emma, breakfast is ready."

I usually didn't have much appetite in summer mornings.

But seeing the sesame noodles, scallion pancakes, and mung bean porridge on the table made my mouth water.

"Lucas, what time did you get up to make all this?"

"6am."

I had been sound asleep at that hour. My face reddened slightly in embarrassment.

I picked up a spoon, about to add sugar to my porridge.

He brought over a glass of water first: "Don't eat yet, drink some warm water first. It's good for you."

I looked up at him.

Only then did I notice his hair was damp and his face slightly flushed. He wore athletic shorts and a t-shirt, the front soaked with sweat.

I could faintly make out the lines of his body under the shirt - all muscle, but lean rather than bulky.

"Did you go for a run earlier?"

He nodded. "Mm. You eat first, I need a quick shower."

Without the comparison, I wouldn't have realized how lazy I was.

I decided I'd cook dinner tonight. I couldn't let him do everything.

...

After work I stopped by the supermarket. I bought some groceries, having asked Lucas's mom what dishes he liked.

Passing the frozen section, I saw ice cream on sale. I tossed six pints into my cart.

By the time I got home it was dark outside, and I was alone in the house.

I finished cooking, but Lucas still wasn't back.

I glanced at the clock - he should be off work by now.

Just as I was about to call him, my phone rang.

"Emma, I have to work late tonight. I might get back pretty late."

"Okay, have you eaten?"

"I'm busy right now, I'll grab something from the cafeteria later."

"Get some rest early, don't wait up for me. Remember to lock the door."

"Captain Lu..."

I heard someone calling him on the other end. We only chatted briefly before he hung up.

I looked at the steaming beef and lotus root rib soup on the table. I went to the kitchen and packed some food in a thermos...

I took a taxi to the police station. When the guard asked who I was, I said I was Lucas's wife.

It felt a bit awkward saying those words - I felt embarrassed.

The guard's eyes lit up when he heard that. He enthusiastically led me inside.

When I saw Lucas, he was poring over case files with a cigarette in his mouth, brows furrowed.

I squinted slightly - this was the first time I'd seen Lucas smoke.

I'd never smelled smoke on him before, so I assumed he didn't.

Lucas looked up and saw me, seeming surprised.

He quickly took a final drag of his cigarette and stubbed it out in the ashtray. He jogged over, took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders.

His gaze was deep, hiding a smile.

Someone nearby started teasing: "Captain, who's this?"

The guard laughed and said, "It's the Captain's wife."

"Captain got married? When are you treating us to the wedding banquet?"

"Quick, look - the Captain's wife brought him dinner!"

It was my first time at the police station and I felt nervous.

A group of young, energetic officers in training called out greetings, addressing me as "sister-in-law". It was quite lively.

My face turned bright red from the attention.

Lucas smiled faintly and said, "Thanks Uncle Li. We just got our marriage license recently, haven't had the wedding yet. I'll invite you all when we do."

The guard smiled and left, telling us to spend some time together.

Lucas's eyes crinkled with amusement. "There's watermelon inside. I picked it up from a farm earlier - it's very sweet."

I held up the thermos and smiled. "I made a couple dishes and brought them over."

We went inside and Lucas closed the door.

He took out a watermelon, wiped it clean, and quickly cut it in half. He stuck a spoon in one half.

His dark eyes stared at me intently.

Feeling shy under his gaze, I tried to make conversation: "This watermelon is too big, I can't finish it all."

"If you can't finish, leave it here. I'll eat it later."

My face reddened slightly. Growing up, only my dad would eat my leftovers. Now there was a second man willing to do so - it felt strange.

"Hurry and eat your dinner. The food won't taste as good if it gets cold."

"Have you eaten?"

I shook my head. I'd been so eager to bring the food over that I hadn't eaten yet.

"I'll eat when I get home."

Knowing he had a big appetite from all his training, I'd packed extra food.

He took out a pair of disposable chopsticks from a drawer and handed them to me. "Let's eat together."

Lucas put a slice of beef in my bowl. "Eat more, your waist is too thin."

His blunt words startled me and I choked.

Lucas's mom had said he liked spicy food, so I'd added extra Sichuan peppercorns and chili when cooking.

Now as I choked, I felt awful.

My face turned red as I coughed, breaking out in a sweat.

Lucas hurriedly stood up and patted my back to help me breathe.

"Have some water."

I gulped down water from the cup he handed me, finally managing to catch my breath. I looked up at Lucas.

His brows were deeply furrowed, expression serious. He looked a hundred times fiercer than usual.

"You can't handle spicy food. Don't use so much chili when cooking."

I felt wronged. "I only made it spicy because you like it."

"And I only choked because you said something shocking."

He fell silent and walked out the door.

Did we just have our first fight?

I watched his figure disappear into the night through the window, feeling an inexplicable sense of loss.

Eight minutes later, Lucas returned carrying a bag filled with various candies.

Acting as if nothing had happened, he unwrapped a lemon flavored candy.

"Open your mouth."

The sweet and sour candy melted on my tongue, making the spiciness fade.

Lucas asked gently, "How is it? Feeling better?"

I nodded.

"You shouldn't eat this dinner. I'll make you something when we get home."

I felt bad for misjudging him earlier.

"It's okay, the lotus root soup isn't spicy. I can eat it with rice."

"Alright, I'll eat the spicy beef. You drink all the soup."

"Wait for me to finish up work and we'll go home together."

Lucas ate quickly, polishing off his meal in 5 minutes. He sat down at the computer, looking focused.

I don't like having people around when I'm working, so while Lucas reviewed case files, I got up to take a walk outside.

I ran into one of his coworkers - tall, handsome, and very friendly.

"Hey sis, let's exchange contact info. I'll add you to our family group chat."

"Our Captain never had a girlfriend before. The bureau chief tried to set him up once, but the girl thought he was too intimidating and busy..."

James was quite funny, able to make me laugh with just a few words.

"Emma, time to go."

Lucas stood behind me, tall and straight-backed, holding his briefcase and the thermos.

"Bye sis!"

I smiled and waved goodbye to James.