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A 20-Year-Old Chef Falls for His 45-Year-Old Boss
墨書 Inktalez
In September 2000, a rural boy from Dali County in Shaanxi, Xiao Pan, carried his worn-out luggage and took an overnight train to Shijiazhuang. He was not very tall, with dark skin, but his eyes were full of spirit.
Through the introduction of a fellow villager, he found a job as a cook at a small eatery in the suburban area of Xizhaotong. The owner, Mrs. Li, was 45 years old, divorced, and ran this small shop of less than 30 square meters by herself. She maintained her figure well, wore light makeup, and spoke with a slightly hoarse voice that carried the charm unique to mature women.
“Xiao Pan, be quick with your hands and feet; the customers are waiting!”
Xiao Pan worked efficiently, handling everything from stir-frying dishes to washing dishes and cleaning up without hesitation. Boss Li observed him closely and nodded in approval. This kid was much better than the previous cooks.
Gradually, their relationship began to grow closer.
“Panzi, are you tired? Here, have some water,” Boss Li said as she walked over with a teacup, intentionally brushing her hand against his arm.
Xiao Pan blushed and replied, “Thank you, Sister Li.”
“Don’t call me Sister Li; just call me Meiling,” she said with a sweet smile, the crow's feet at the corners of her eyes curving into crescent moons.
In the winter of 2000, nights came particularly early in the north. The eatery closed at nine in the evening, and Li Xiaoling often stayed behind to help Xiao Pan settle accounts and tidy up. They sat close together under the dim yellow light, and the faint scent of her perfume made this inexperienced young man’s heart race.
“Panzi, you’re only 20 this year; it’s your prime time,” Li Xiaoling said casually.
“You’re not old either; you take good care of yourself,” Xiao Pan mustered his courage to reply.
Li Xiaoling looked up at him and said, “Silly boy, I’m already 45; how can I not be old?”
That night, Li Xiaoling kissed him first. Xiao Pan was completely stunned; it was his first kiss. Her lips were soft, carrying a faint fragrance along with a hint of sweetness typical of mature women.
“Let me teach you how to be a man,” she whispered in his ear.
From that moment on, their relationship changed completely.
During the day in the shop, Li Xiaoling was still the shrewd and capable owner, while Xiao Pan remained the diligent little chef. But when night fell, and the doors were closed with the roll-up shutter pulled down, this place transformed into their secret world.
Li Xiaoling was very caring; she bought Xiao Pan new clothes, secretly slipped him pocket money, and taught him many things he had never experienced before. Xiao Pan quickly grew from a naive boy into a man.
"Meiling, I want to marry you," Xiao Pan said earnestly as he held her close.
Li Xiaoling laughed, "Silly boy, I'm much older than you. Would your parents agree?"
"I don't care; I want you," Xiao Pan's gaze was resolute.
Li Xiaoling said nothing but gently caressed his cheek. This kind of life continued for nearly a year. Xiao Pan was immersed in true love, believing he could spend his life with Li Xiaoling—until that night on July 18, 2001.
"Panzi, come here; I need to talk to you," Li Xiaoling said as she sat on the edge of the bed, her expression complex.
Xiao Pan hurried over, "Meiling, what is it?"
"Our relationship ends here," Li Xiaoling's words struck like a bolt from the blue.
Xiao Pan froze. "What do you mean?"
"It means we’re breaking up."
Li Xiaoling lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. "I've met someone suitable and am ready to start over."
"Am I not suitable? What’s wrong with me?"
"You’re still young; you don’t understand." Li Xiaoling flicked the ash from her cigarette. "What I need is a man who can provide me with a stable life, not a child who needs my care."
"I'm not a child!" Xiao Pan exclaimed, growing anxious. "I can give you a stable life! I can marry you!"
"With what?" Li Xiaoling's words were harsh. "You only earn a few hundred a month; you can't even afford a house. That person has a car, a home, and his own business."
Xiao Pan's face turned pale.
"So this whole year has been a lie?" His voice choked with emotion.
Li Xiaoling looked at him, her eyes filled with a hint of reluctance, but it quickly turned resolute. "Who told you to take it seriously? I never said I wanted to marry you."
Xiao Pan felt as if the sky had fallen. The woman he had loved with all his youth and sincerity had never taken him seriously from the very beginning.
"You can't treat me like this!" Xiao Pan grasped Li Xiaoling's arm. "I love you!"
"Let go!" Li Xiaoling shook him off. "Don't make me look down on you. What kind of man cries and whines like this?"
Xiao Pan released his grip, tears streaming down his face uncontrollably. He stumbled out of the room.
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