Every summer, the noisy cicadas, like a seasonal renovation team, always made Brittany extremely irritable. Coupled with the already stifling weather, she lost her appetite and began to skip meals, relying on iced Americano to get through the days.

So, every year at this time, Jiang had to find ways to cook delicious food to save face for Brittany and get her to eat something.

One particularly scorching summer day, as Brittany sat sulking in the shade, Jiang arrived with a surprise. "I thought you might need something to cool off," he said, presenting her with a homemade popsicle infused with fresh fruit flavors. Brittany's mood instantly lifted. However, as Jiang handed her the popsicle, Brittany noticed a trickle of blood running down his hand. "What happened to you?" she asked, a hint of annoyance in her voice.

Jiang sheepishly admitted, "I was trying to make these popsicles, and I accidentally cut myself while slicing the fruit."

Brittany grumbled at his carelessness but quickly sprang into action. "Give me your hand," she ordered, reaching for her bag to retrieve a first aid kit.

Despite her irritation, Brittany still carefully cleaned and bandaged Jiang's hand. Once his hand was securely bandaged, Jiang flashed her a grateful smile. "Thanks. I guess I’m not a good dessert maker."

Brittany shrugged nonchalantly.

As the lunch hour approached, Jiang decided to stay and prepare a meal for Brittany. She glanced at him in a way that seemed to say “you sure?”

Jiang chuckled, rolling up his sleeves as he surveyed the ingredients on hand. "Absolutely," he replied with confidence, flashing her a grin that only served to irritate Brittany further.

Brittany’s frown deepened as she watched Jiang's determined efforts in the kitchen. Despite his good intentions, Brittany couldn't shake off the annoyance that simmered beneath the surface. She preferred solitude during her lunch breaks, and Jiang's presence disrupted her routine.