Chapter 143 Bad Appearance

Qin Feng was silent and anxious to put away the mobile phone. He tried to get comfortable in the chair beside Green Snake.

After two and a half hours, the film finally ended. The movie’s action and drama however, were lost on Qin Feng’s absent mind.

He leaned forward to the edge of his seat and waited for Jaing Xiaowen to come down.

"Qin Feng, how many women do you have?"

Green Snake’s eyes followed Jiang Xiaowen coming towards them from the crowd and went on coldly, "You've only been in Tianhe for a few months, how many have you had, three?” Her face twitched in a smile. “Is there anything else I don't know? I couldn’t see it before. You still have this skill. It's… awesome."

Jiang Xiaowen approached with a friendly wave. “Hello. I’m Qin Feng’s colleague.” He said to Green Snake. “I saw you two back here and thought I’d pop over and say hey.”

She turned to Qin Feng, "Don’t forget to give me a call when you open the new bar so I can come help. You two have fun! I’ll see you later!”

"No problem."

Qin Feng watched her leave, careful not to say anything in front of Green Snake.

The two walked out of the cinema in a silence that felt like ice. "Can you show me a little respect in front of everyone else?" Qin Feng voiced without making eye contact.

"What's wrong?" Green Snake replied, "Who are you to merit respect? You shouldn't be talking with them anyway, especially the women."

"What? I don't have the right to talk to women? Who can't have a few friends? You’re so cold that you can't even make friends! You just want me to be the same as you!" Qin Feng let out a loud harrumph and continued, "Green snake, I, I’m not talking about you.”

His voice softened as they walked, “You’re a girl, you don’t always have to be so serious ya’ know. Smile more, show a little more sunshine, so that men aren’t terrified to approach you. You don’t like Green Dragon, lord knows why, but you’ve still got a long way to go. Don’t be so negative, yeah? You’ll meet Mr. Right. Our identities don’t always have to hinder us. The day will come when we’re discharged. If someone really loves you, I believe he’ll wait for you."

"Wait for me." Green Snake repeated in a toneless voice, "Will they wait until they’re nothing but a box of ashes in the end? Do we still have the right to love? Is that even a question? That's funny. Perhaps our life is gone in between a mission. What do have left for love?"

"The world isn’t permanent, you can't be so pessimistic. This is risky, that is risky, we’re in a high-risk industry. As along as we’re careful, we’ll be fine. We are still alive after so many years, aren’t we" Qin Feng advised.

"Forget it. I want to go home. I'm exhausted." She said coolly.

They got back around 6:30. Qin Feng put on an apron and got to work, washing the veggies, brushing the pots, and setting some water to boil.

Green Snake left the room and came out in her new pajamas. She leaned against the kitchen door watching Qin Feng bustle around the small kitchen.

“Tired huh?” He said trying not to grin.

“Said so didn’t I?” She returned. “When have you known me to lie?”

He was silent for a moment. “I’ll cook for you. It’s not a problem. I just want you to know I’m not pretending. Why can’t you see that?”

"I'm used to being neglected, not taken care of." Green Snake replied. "Sister Flower must be a very considerate person. Did she cook when you two lived together?"

Qin Feng turned around, suddenly serious ."We didn’t live together. No cohabitation!"

"Tomato to-ma-toe.” She said with a sneer. “We both know you did, but fine. There’s nothing to admit. That’s fine.”

"Think what you like.” Qin Feng harrumphed again. Muttering this time he said, “I’ll make the chicken wings and you won’t get any.” He turned and started on the vegetables with a knife. In moments there was a pile of onions, garlic, and ginger sitting next to the peanut oil. He poured the oil into the pot when a thought occurred to him. “Why don’t you get outta here? Go to the other room, my secret skills need to remain that way.”

"Who wants to sit here and watch anyway?” Green Snake sighed, "Are you worried I’ll distract you and you’ll end up choking me because of a botched chop job? You’re such a sap.”

"What?" Qin Feng shouted at her now turned back, "Turn the TV on will you? China is playing Croatia tonight. Let me know what the scores are!”

"Call what?” Her voice floated back.

“When they score!" He returned. She didn’t respond so he wiped his hands and walked to the doorway separating them.

Green snake gave him white eyes, picked up the yoghurt from one of the unpacked shopping bags and drank. She cocked an eyebrow and said, “Like that’ll happen.”

Qin Feng flicked his wet hands at her, chasing her across the room. Turning back to the cooking he called over his shoulder, “Lippi is the head coach now, anything is possible!”

Her voice once again floated through the open door. “Cook your meal!”

Forty minutes later, he brought out five fine dishes one by one.

He pulled the curtain closing off the living room, turned on the ambiguous pink light, and uncorked a bottle of red wine, "This Porto should be good."

"You sure you’re allowed to take that without asking?” She said eyeing the bottle with apprehension.

"What, it’s just a single bottle of wine. I work in the nightclub, remember?”

Qin Feng took out a pair of shining goblets. He poured gingerly at first and then filled each of them. The two of them raised their glasses and held them in the air.

“Aren’t you supposed to say something?” Green Snake asked.

"Green Snake, being able to sit together and have a solid dinner with you is the greatest happiness. We may be in a sort of prison, yet we can enjoy tranquility and freedom in this moment. Aren’t you glad?” Qin Feng spoke feeling his face grow warm. "In any case, we should enjoy it while we can. We’ve known each other for so many years. Ordinarily when I’m a captain, I know you take care of me. I’m not stupid. I see it all in your eyes. I’m afraid Green Dragon has been overthinking things and isn’t giving you the attention you deserve, but…” His voice faltered, “You know what I think of you…and you should know…”

Green Snake dapped the corner of her eye with a napkin and clinked her glass lightly against Qin Feng's before he could continue. “Thank you.”

The football game continued in the background but Qin Feng didn’t even hear it. He finally had the chance to sit with Green Snake. He had to open his heart and tell her. “I know Green Dragon doesn’t deserve you. He’s rough around the edges, but you have to know he still has feelings for you…”

"We don’t have to talk about him, okay? I want to talk about you, your plans for the future!” Green Snake cut in. “Do you want to protect Xiao He's sister in Tianhe? Isn’t there a better way to settle it?” Her voice was low and serious.

"There is a way, she needs to marry quickly and start a family. That or protect her family in the army.” He said, realizing lamely that he was still holding his glass out as if to cheers again. “Sister Flower is a lot like Xiao He. She’s kind, and just, and warmhearted.” His voice hardened. “But she’s mixed up in this whorehouse circle and she’s been provoking people. Maybe she’s too loyal to the wrong people…either way. People need to know how to be grateful, how to think about the old feelings.”