When Scarlett returned from the convenience store, Andrew had just stepped out of the shower. His hair was still damp, and he was wearing the clean clothes she had changed him into earlier.
The moment he saw her, the usual fear in his eyes was replaced by deep shame. His ears turned red as he struggled to find the right words.
"That… um…"
He wanted to ask about his changed clothes, about her seeing him naked, but the words refused to come out. 'A grown man like me actually got seen completely naked by a woman… How embarrassing…'
Scarlett glanced at his flushed face and immediately understood what he was thinking. Before he could finish, she spoke first in a calm, almost indifferent tone.
"I only helped you wipe your body with a hot towel. I didn't do anything else."
'(Except rubbing you until you came in my hand…)' she thought silently, keeping her expression perfectly composed.
Andrew froze. He hadn't even said anything yet, how did she know exactly what he was worried about? 'Does this woman have mind-reading powers? That's terrifying…'
Scarlett took off her sandals and walked barefoot into the living room, still wearing her trench coat over her nightgown. She continued coldly, trying to hide the faint blush creeping up her neck.
"Don't overthink it. It's nothing unusual. Besides, in my eyes, you're still just a kid."
"..."
Those words instantly struck a nerve. Andrew felt looked down upon, and a rare spark of annoyance rose in his chest. 'A kid?' He instinctively glanced down at the front of his pants, checking his "tool." Seeing its size, he felt somewhat satisfied, but also irritated.
'I'm clearly an adult now… How can she still treat me like a child?'
Scarlett placed the shopping bags on the table. "I bought the eggs, maggie, and canned vegetables you wanted."
She paused for a moment, then added, "I'm going to wash my face. Cook a bit more and save a portion for me."
"Oh… okay," Andrew replied quietly.
As Scarlett walked toward the bathroom, Andrew stood in the kitchen, still feeling conflicted. While boiling Maggie, his mind kept spinning.
'Why isn't she mentioning the wine at all?'
He clearly remembered how angry she sounded yesterday evening. Her voice had risen sharply. But after that… everything was blank. He only remembered starting to write his last words in the memo app before passing out.
He also had several strange dreams, begging Scarlett for forgiveness, her suddenly becoming gentle, and then an oddly realistic dream where she was stroking him… followed by his sister Catherine stealing his pillow again.
"Speaking of that pillow… it felt really soft and comfortable," Andrew mumbled to himself as he cracked eggs into the boiling Maggie. "I wonder if I can buy one like that."
The kitchen utensils were all brand new, as if they had never been used. Even the cooking oil in the cupboard still had its seal intact.
More than ten minutes later, two steaming bowls of fragrant Maggie sat on the table, perfectly cooked, topped with fried egg and vegetables.
"Teacher Scarlett, it's ready," Andrew said softly.
Scarlett, who had just finished washing her face, walked over and looked at the appetizing bowls. A flicker of surprise and satisfaction appeared in her eyes.
'This little fellow actually knows how to cook… and it looks quite good.'
In her heart, she silently praised him: 'Perfect.'
Andrew had put some effort into cooking this bowl of noodles: a fried egg cooked until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, diced ham sausage, and vegetables, it could be called a feast for the eyes, nose, and mouth.
He did all this in hopes that Scarlett would calm down and stop being angry about him drinking the alcohol, letting him off this time.
Watching Scarlett take a bite, Andrew was so nervous he dared not breathe, afraid that if it didn't suit her taste, it would only add fuel to her existing anger.
"H-how is it? There were too few ingredients... the taste might be just average."
Andrew asked nervously. He still felt uncertain, as Scarlett seemed wealthy, and her palate must surely be picky.
Scarlett's small mouth moved slightly, and she said softly, "Mmm, it's quite tasty."
Then she lowered her head and continued eating without saying anything more.
Hearing this reply, Andrew finally breathed a sigh of relief: It seemed Scarlett had calmed down; he had finally escaped this ordeal.
Andrew also picked up his fork to eat.
He had only taken a few bites when Scarlett suddenly asked him, "Is there more?"
He looked up and saw that Scarlett's bowl was already empty.
For a moment, Andrew marveled at how fast Scarlett ate; even he couldn't manage that speed.
"There's none left. I only cooked this much," Andrew said apologetically.
Scarlett's lips pursed slightly. A faint trace of disappointment flashed across her face, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she simply sat down opposite him and stared.
Her gaze was intense and unwavering.
Andrew suddenly felt like he was sitting on pins and needles. His movements became stiff and slow as he ate. Being watched so coldly by Scarlett made every bite feel difficult to swallow.
After a while, Scarlett seemed to notice how uncomfortable he was. She finally looked away and lowered her eyes to her phone.
Freed from her stare, Andrew quickly sped up, practically inhaling the rest of his noodles. He had just finished the last bite when he stood up, intending to wash the dishes and escape.
"Don't go yet," Scarlett said suddenly.
"I'll wash the dishes—" Andrew tried to slip away.
"I told you to sit for a while first."
Her voice carried a clear note of command. Andrew immediately sat back down like a startled rabbit.
Seeing how terrified he still was, Scarlett felt a little helpless. She leaned back slightly and spoke directly:
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have…"
"Sit properly and don't speak yet."
Andrew shut his mouth instantly. In his mind, the situation had already turned into an interrogation scene from a crime drama. Scarlett was the cold female interrogator, and he was the criminal about to be tortured for answers.
'It's over… She's going to settle the score for the wine now.'
"Why are you so afraid of me?"
"Huh???"
Andrew was completely caught off guard. He had expected her to scold him about the expensive alcohol, not this.
Scarlett looked at him seriously. "Don't say you're not afraid. Don't lie, and don't stutter. Tell me the truth."
Andrew swallowed hard. He didn't dare meet her eyes.
"Because… I drank your alcohol yesterday, and you got really angry. That was a bit scary…"
Scarlett frowned, looking somewhat helpless.
"I wasn't angry because you drank the alcohol. I was worried something would happen to you. That liquor has a very high alcohol content. I rarely drink much of it myself."
Andrew blinked in surprise. "You… weren't angry?"
He finally realized he had overthought everything. But recalling how sharp her voice had been last night, he really couldn't be blamed for panicking.
Scarlett continued, her delicate brows slightly furrowed in genuine confusion.
"Besides, you've clearly been afraid of me since the first day you moved in, no, even since high school. I never hit you or scolded you unfairly, did I? So why are you so scared of me?"
"This…"
"Don't lie. Tell the truth."
Her stern tone and icy expression made Andrew's back break out in a cold sweat. He hesitated for a long time.
If he told her the real reason, the terrifying rumors, the way students called her the "Ice Demon," and the time he saw her beat a muscular hooligan until the guy cried, he might actually die tonight.
The saying was right: Lies don't hurt people, but the truth is the sharpest knife.
He hadn't even finished writing his will yet…