A new noodle shop opened downstairs in my apartment complex. Not only was the food delicious and affordable, but the owner had a drop-dead gorgeous son who made every meal taste better. Naturally, I became a regular from day one. I ate there every day for three months straight. Then my cousin opened a new restaurant right across the street and insisted I come to support him. I had just sat down when someone walked out of the noodle shop opposite. He stared at me with dark, brooding eyes: "What, does his place let customers touch their abs too?" 1 My cousin has had a girlfriend for years. Just as they were preparing to get engaged, they had a fight, and she refused to talk to him. Coincidentally, she lives in the same apartment complex as me. To win her back, he thought long and hard and decided to open a noodle shop downstairs to create more "accidental encounters." I figured it was just some weird couple's game. And since it was the grand opening, as his cousin, I had to show my support. What I didn't expect was— His shop was directly across the street from my regular spot. So when I walked into my cousin’s place, I felt inexplicably guilty. I mean, I hadn't missed a single meal at the other place for three months. The owner even gave me free side dishes and perks. We had a bond. Eating somewhere else felt like cheating. But I brushed it off. I walked into my cousin's shop, triggered the automated "Welcome!" greeting, and saw my cousin rushing out of the kitchen, soaked to the bone. It was hot out, and he was only wearing a thin white T-shirt. Wet, the shirt clung to his skin, becoming translucent and revealing the outline of his abs. Seeing me, he immediately waved me over. "A pipe burst in the back, soaked me. The plumber just fixed it. Since you're here, I'll make you a bowl, then I'm heading to your place to change." He disappeared back into the kitchen without waiting for a reply. We grew up together, so he knows my tastes perfectly. No need to order; he knows what I want. I sat at the table waiting, chin in hand, habitually looking across the street. Wonder if he's there today. Suddenly, a shadow fell over me, and a tall figure walked into the shop. "Chase? What are you doing here?" seeing him, guilt spiked in my chest. Getting caught eating elsewhere after months of loyalty was awkward. His expression was calm, his dark eyes fixed on me. "My dad said you were late today. He was worried something happened, so he sent me to wait for you." He paused, frowning slightly as if recalling something unpleasant. "Then I saw you sneaking around like a thief, darting into this new place without even looking back at me." He scanned my cousin's shop with disdain. "When this place was being renovated, my dad talked to the owner. Heard he's a fresh grad, athletic build." I nodded. My cousin was a fresh grad and a sports major, so yeah, good build. But... isn't his focus a bit off? Is his lukewarm attitude towards me because... he doesn't like women? Despair washed over me. But before I could speak, Chase’s cold demeanor vanished. He looked at me with haunting eyes. "What, does his place let customers touch their abs too?" 2 Chase. The son of the noodle shop owner next door. Incredibly handsome. But cold. Even after knowing him for three months, I’d barely seen him smile. And he barely spoke. Most of the time, I'd eat my noodles while throwing cheesy pick-up lines at him. He usually stayed silent. Occasionally, he'd sit opposite me and ask how to make me shut up because I was too noisy. In this regard, my cousin and I are alike. We have the "simp" gene. So I grinned and said, "Tell me your name first." Initially, I just wanted his name. Then, his height, weight, hobbies, and most importantly, relationship status. Finding out he was single made me ecstatic. I unleashed a basket of pick-up lines. He still ignored me, which was frustrating. I almost gave up. As for the abs incident... Total accident. One day, I was eating lunch at his place when a flasher walked in wearing only boxers. He came straight for me. Before I could react, he grabbed my hand and tried to put it on his belly. A huge, beer-gut belly. Sweaty and gross. He leered, pressing my hand down. "Never felt a real man? Let me show you..." Then, Chase punched him. I got in a couple of kicks too. The owner called the cops, handed over the pervert, and Chase took me to wash my hands. I scrubbed my hands with soap, disgusted. "So gross. Do I need to cut this hand off?" Tears were welling up. Chase, who had been silent, suddenly grabbed my wrist. He lifted his shirt and pressed my hand onto his abs. "Still feel gross?" he asked. I shook my head frantically. How to describe it? Hard yet soft. Bouncy. Powerful. In that moment, I forgot the trauma and tremblingly extended my left hand. Holding back drool, I looked at Chase with hope. "He touched this hand too." Chase told me to leave before he hit me. I offered my cheek: "Just hit me gently." His look of horror deepened. I kept going back. Maybe out of guilt, the owner gave me extra portions and made Chase sit with me for protection. Eating noodles while admiring eye candy was great. I gained three pounds in a week. I asked if my hand was fully purified yet, requesting another touch. Chase smiled without humor: "Sure, help yourself." How could I? Hehe... I put my hand on his abs and squeezed. He frowned, looking away. But he didn't push me away. It became a tacit agreement. I tested boundaries, and he occasionally allowed it. Usually twice a week. Just a little treat. So hearing Chase's question gave me an idea. I know my cousin's girlfriend. Cute, lively. And like me, she appreciates male beauty. But since she has a boyfriend, she only looks. So if my cousin wants to win her back... Seduction is the key, right? But my cousin is simple. Good, kind, but dense. He probably never thought of using his body to win her over. As his cousin, I have to teach him. Seeing my silence, Chase frowned. "Hard to answer?" I shook my head frantically. "No, no, I'm not that kind of person..." Before I could finish, my cousin walked out with a steaming bowl of noodles. His shirt was soaked, and the kitchen was hot. So he took it off. He was shirtless in just shorts. You know how it is. World's unfair. Fat guy shirtless? Put a shirt on! Hot guy with an eight-pack? Thank you, universe, for the meal and the show! But I didn't think that. He's my cousin. He's taken. He needs to have morals. So I said, "Put a shirt on! Don't let people see." He put the bowl down, wiped sweat from his forehead, and grinned like an idiot. "It's fine, I won't show anyone else." He pointed to a red spot on his abs where oil had splashed him. "I do need a shirt, though. Oil burns hurt." I handed him a tissue. Then I heard a ghostly voice from behind: "You really care about him, huh?" I nodded without thinking. Of course. We grew up together. I'm a good cousin. "By the way, Chase..." I turned to introduce my cousin. But Chase was already walking away, face cold as ice. I didn't think much of it. He was always cold to me at his shop, walking away when I talked too much. Watching him leave, my cousin looked thoughtful. "Sis, don't tell me that's the high-and-mighty god you've been simping for for three months?" I cupped my chin, starry-eyed. "You don't get it. He's top tier." Face: top tier. Abs: top tier. I wonder if... Other parts are top tier too. I'm so curious. 3 I finished eating and planned to head home. My cousin's shop didn't have a shower. Going home and back would take two hours, so he asked to shower at my place. "I'm looking for an apartment in this complex too." He blushed. "Thinking about living in the same complex as Babe makes me shy." I rolled my eyes. They've been dating for years, met the parents, planned to marry. She suggested living together. He refused because he was "shy." She was embarrassed and never brought it up again. Hence the rocky road to reconciliation. Because he avoids the right choices like the plague. I left the shop. My cousin had to do dishes and close up, so he'd be ten minutes behind. As soon as I stepped out, I saw Chase standing in front of his shop. He walked straight to me. "You usually take an hour to eat. Today took two." "Had a good chat?" I nodded. "Yeah, pretty good. Didn't notice the time." My cousin had been spilling family tea. I love gossip almost as much as I love hot guys. My aunt and uncle are professional gossips, so my cousin knows everything. He told me stories while I ate. The tea was piping hot, so dinner lasted two hours. Seeing me nod, Chase pursed his lips, looking unhappy. Standard expression. "So you're going back tonight?" I nodded again. I hadn't finished hearing the gossip. My cousin left a cliffhanger to ensure I'd return. Chase's face got colder. I assumed he was worried about losing a customer. "Don't worry! Uncle's noodles are delicious and cheap. Still my top choice. Going across the street is just for something fresh..." "Fresh?" Chase interrupted, a weird smile on his face. "The noodles? Or the person?" I didn't get it. Before I could ask, he said, "Are his abs nice to touch?" "They're okay." We fought a lot as kids. I scratched him a few times. Felt decent. But I remembered I was chasing Chase. "Don't worry! His abs aren't as good as yours!" Chase smirked. "Thanks for the comparison." "Of course!" I patted my chest, glanced at my apartment building, and tested the waters. "Business is slow today, your dad can handle it. Want to come to my place and watch a movie? I found a great horror flick." I love horror movies. Friends scream watching them with me. If I watch with Chase, he'll get scared and jump into my arms. Then... hehehe. "Wipe your drool." Chase interrupted my fantasy. I blinked at him. "Really not coming? It's really good." "No." He turned and walked back into his shop without hesitation. Meanwhile, my idiot cousin had closed up and was running toward me. "Horror movie? Let's go! I'll keep you company. Just gotta shower first..." Chase stopped dead in his tracks. 4 I didn't notice. I nodded at my cousin. "Sure. I have snacks and beer." Chase spun around and marched back. Lips tight, face cold. "You're watching a horror movie with him? And drinking?" My little habit. Horror movies need beer. It's cozy. "Yeah. Problem?" I felt the temperature drop around Chase. "Whatever," he said, and walked away fast. I wanted to chase him, but didn't want to be clingy. Internet advice: Push and pull. So I took my cousin upstairs. He went to shower in the guest bath. I prepped snacks and beer and picked a movie. Doorbell rang. I opened it to see Chase holding a takeout container. "My dad's new recipe. Said you're a loyal customer, have to try it first." He looked reluctant. "I didn't want to come. He made me." My Uncle Jing is great. Always giving me free food. I took the noodles happily. "Want to watch the movie?" Expected rejection. He turned to leave, then looked back. "I hear water running." "Justin's showering." I pointed to the bathroom. Chase frowned deeply. "Lena, are you sure about this?" About what? I was confused. Chase closed his eyes, took a breath, and said slowly, "You're really watching a horror movie with him?" "Well, you won't join me." I shrugged. Just then, my cousin walked out. White T-shirt. Boxer shorts. Relaxed. He walked to the living room, cracked a beer, and chugged. He looked at the door. "Hi. I know you. Chase, right?" "I know you too. Justin." "Lena, hurry up, movie's starting." "Since you're busy, I'm leaving." Chase turned and left before I could speak. What a waste. If he stayed... Horror movie. Beer. Maybe... hehehe. "Wipe the drool." My cousin interrupted my fantasy. Annoying. I threw a slipper at his head. "Ow! Still so violent, Lena!" Call me sister! "You live alone. How can you give your apartment number to a man? Aren't you afraid?" I slumped on the sofa. "I wish." I hinted so many times, he never came. I promised only movies, no touching, he didn't believe me! Am I that untrustworthy? Ha. Maybe. My cousin looked terrified. Doorbell rang again. He scrambled to open it. "Chase? Again?" Chase stood there with another bowl of noodles. Sweating a little. "My dad..." "Another new recipe?" I finished his sentence. He nodded, handed me the noodles. Sweat dripped down his neck. "But I can't eat two bowls." My cousin grabbed it. "It's fine, I'll eat what you can't. I don't mind." I felt a chill. Chase looked at me, then left without a word. We opened the noodles. Tasted the same, just one spicy, one mild. Doorbell rang again. We both went to the door. Chase. Third bowl. "This is my dad..." "Third new recipe?" Chase nodded. He handed it over. He was sweating profusely now. "Look, we can't eat three bowls. Please, help us eat one and watch the movie?" I expected rejection. He thought for a second, then walked in. "Fine. I don't want my dad's hard work wasted." He agreed! Suddenly, Justin looked very superfluous.
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