Chapter 70 Sour and Sore Waist...

When George rolled back home, Ellie was sprawled out on the couch, catching some Z's with the TV droning on in the background. She didn't even notice him until he plopped the stuff he bought on the coffee table. Suddenly, she snapped to attention.

Her body jerked a bit, and her eyes popped open. "You're back?" she mumbled, rubbing her eyes and sitting up.

After dealing with the whole washing up and medicine routine earlier, her waist was still sore, and her legs were shaky, but at least the pain from moving around was gone. That annoying burning sensation from the fabric rubbing against her little cut, though, was still there...

"Why didn't you crash in the bedroom if you're tired?" George asked, frowning.

"I'm not tired. I woke up when you called me. The TV was just so boring, and I kept watching...You bought this?" Ellie said, eyeing the stuff in his hands and spotting a small bag of rice cakes, her fave. She wasn't even hungry before, but now that she saw them, she suddenly felt like she needed a snack!
George knew exactly what she was hinting at and handed her the rice cakes. "Here, munch on this first. I'll whip up something in the kitchen."

"Okay," Ellie grinned, reaching out to grab the snack. She watched George head to the kitchen with the groceries and tilted her head, curious.

"What time did you head out?" she asked.

"Around eight," George replied, disappearing into the kitchen.

Ellie took a bite of the cake. It was soft, chewy, and had this subtle sweet flavor that spread through her mouth. She let out a satisfied sigh, chewed a few more times, and swallowed before taking another bite.

Slipping on her slippers, she wandered over to the kitchen door. "This from that spot by the kindergarten, right?"

George smiled, grabbing an apron. "Yep, I know you love their stuff."

Ellie chuckled, her eyes crinkling into little crescent moons. "Did you also cover for me at work?"

"Don't sweat it, I took care of it this morning."

"Hehe..." she giggled, raising her hand to take another bite of the cake, watching him unpack the groceries.
There were green peppers, beef, cauliflower, bitter lettuce, fresh prawns, and a few lemons... She already knew what dish he was gonna whip up—all her faves.

George lined up the groceries on the counter, and when he saw her still hanging out at the kitchen door, munching on her rice cake, he gave her a look.

"Why are you just standing there?"

"I'm watching you cook," Ellie said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Aren't you tired?"

"Tired? I didn't do anything. I..."

George turned to face her, locking eyes. "I mean, aren't you tired from standing? Aren't your legs sore? Doesn't your waist hurt?"

Ellie blinked, finally catching on. "Oh, yeah, my legs are sore and my waist does hurt..."

"Then go chill and watch TV. I'll be done soon."

She pouted and was about to turn around when George suddenly called her back.

"Oh, wait."

"What?"

"Did you put on the ointment?"

Ellie nodded, her face turning a bit pink.

George raised an eyebrow, giving her a knowing look. "I knew it."
...Ugh! What did he mean, "I knew it!" His tone and expression... it was making her feel so embarrassed...

George found Ellie's guilty look incredibly adorable and couldn't help but add, "Don't worry, it swells up like that, what else can I do?"

Ellie's face grew even hotter. She pretended not to hear and turned to walk into the living room, clutching her cake. This guy was really something, making it sound like she's suspecting his intentions, when he was the one who made her rush around so much her feet hurt...

George watched her head into the living room, smiled, and shook his head lightly. He grabbed a basin, poured in the shrimp, and let them soak in water. Then he scooped some rice and started cooking.

His movements were quick, and in less than an hour, dinner was ready. Green pepper beef, stir-fried cauliflower, bitter chrysanthemum egg drop soup, steamed mantis shrimp, and a plate of dipping sauce with a hint of lemon.

Even though Ellie had already eaten a cake, she couldn't help but salivate when she smelled the aroma of the green pepper beef. As soon as the food hit the table, she dove right in, devouring it like she hadn't eaten in days.