Heiress' Househusband is a Secret Billionaire - Chapter 202

Chapter 202: Of Tom Yum Goong and Mango Sticky Rice
Lariette and Ruediger reached Lumina Spring around three in the afternoon, neither too early nor too late. The hours long ride exhausted them, but both wore contented smiles on their lips as they headed to the apartment unit.

Lariette and Ruediger dragged their suitcases, all eager to get inside the apartment as soon as possible and threw themselves on their beds.

“We’re home~”

Lariette excitedly declared once she pushed open the door, revealing the familiar interior of her much beloved apartment. She caught the sound of Ruediger’s soft chuckles from behind.

“It’s nice to be home,” Ruediger mused, closing the door with a thud before locking it, “Tho we’ve just been away for three days.”

“Hehe, how many days don’t matter,” Lariette glanced over her shoulder, smiling at Ruediger, “As long as the house feels like a home, right?”

“Yes, you’re right.”

Returning Lariette’s smile, Ruediger swallowed what he actually wanted to say to her. She turned around, walking ahead of him and missing his softened gaze.

As long as she was with him, he was home.

Lariette quickly put her suitcase on the floor and switched on the air-conditioning system. Then, she rushed to the washroom in the kitchen. Her footsteps echoed in the apartment.

The sultry summer heat made Lariette more exhausted. She washed her face, her ears and her feet, trying to cool herself. Sighing in relief, she emerged from the washroom.

“Lettie, have some drink.”

Lariette saw Ruediger once she stepped out of the washroom. He handed her a glass of cold water.

“Thank you. Have you drank?”

“I have.”

Ruediger entered the washroom as Lariette headed to the living room. She sank on the couch. Drinking the cold water, she threw her gaze out of the windows.

Within the short time she was in the washroom, he had already pulled back the curtains. She smiled, looking at the familiar scenery around the towering apartment building.

Still, the concrete jungle view of the city was far behind the picturesque scenery of her beloved northern countryside.

As Lariette leaned comfortably against the plush cushion seat with her legs stretched out, she heard the familiar footsteps coming from the kitchen. Looking in that direction, she grinned at Ruediger.

“Let’s order takeout tonight. I’m so tired.”

“A good idea,” Ruediger nodded, agreeing with Lariette, “I only think of napping now.”

Lariette leaned facing Ruediger as he sat on the same couch, separated by the seat in the middle. Her eyes traced the lines on his face, trying to find any signs of discomfort.

“How’s your back? Want some warm compress before you nap?”

Ruediger’s bruises weren’t too big but they were still painful. Lariette guessed it would take him a few more days before the swelling subsided completely.

A grin tugged on Ruediger’s lips as he caught the trace of worries in Lariette’s voice. Despite not wanting to trouble her, he loved the extra attention she showered on him these days.

“I’ll take up your offer. I gonna take a bath first.”

Ruediger rose to his feet. Undoing his bun with one swift movement, his wavy crimson locks spilled below his shoulders. He turned around, grabbing his suitcase before disappearing inside his bedroom.

Lariette’s gaze followed Ruediger’s back until he vanished. Pursing her lips, she shifted her eyes to the other direction. No one could decipher what was on her mind.

Lariette and Ruediger had some takeouts in the evening. Despite the exhaustion, they still had a lively chat over dinner.

Sitting across each other, a feast of Thai food was served on the table. A mix of sweet, spicy, sour and savory flavors enticed their tastebud.

Aside from the shared tom yum goong, Lariette had beef green curry with jasmine rice while Ruediger opted for pad Thai with chicken and prawns. They also ordered a portion of mango sticky rice, intending to share.

“This is so yummy.”

Lariette let out a contented sigh after she had eaten a spoonful of tom yum goong. The tangy heat hit her tongue first, followed by a warm and citrusy undertone from the kaffir lime leaves and galangal.

The long ride home left Lariette weary, but the delicious meal was enough to lift her spirits. She smiled further as the scent of chili, lemongrass and coconut milk wafted in the air.

“It’s not too spicy for you?” Ruediger watched Lariette’s reaction with amusement. The corners of his lips quirked up.

Lariette chuckled. She shook her head softly, “Hehe, I can handle it. But, years ago? I looked for milk once I took a bite.”

“Really?” Ruediger raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Lariette’s story, “Maddie told me you enjoy every flavor, no matter if it’s sweet or spicy.”

Putting her spoon down, Lariette laughed softly, “I wasn’t used to spicy food before. I think I tried Thai food back in high school. I was completely unprepared, you know?”

Ruediger hummed, eager to hear more about Lariette’s first experience with spicy food. He left the stir-fried noodles forgotten in the bowl.

“I think I went to a mall to buy something, and then I saw this one Thai restaurant,” Lariette began, tracing her memory back, “The scent was so good! I knew I had to try it!”

The teenager Lariette was alone on that particular summer day. She tried inviting Samantha and Stephanie to accompany her, but the mother and daughter said they were busy.

Trying not to feel down about it, Lariette vowed to enjoy delicious food before going home. She came across the Thai restaurant after emerging from the bookstore with some purchases.

“I didn’t know what to order,” Lariette propped her elbow on the table, supporting her chin as she talked, “The waitress recommended pad kra pao. You know, the spicy basil chicken? I thought, ‘how bad could it be?'”

Laughing at the memory, Lariette said, “I cried after one bite. My mouth felt like it was on fire! I drank water like my life depended on it!”

Ruediger couldn’t help but picture Lariette’s flustered reaction. Chuckling, he stated, “That must have been quite the experience. Still, that didn’t stop you from eating spicy food again.”

“Hehe, you’re right,” Lariette nodded, agreeing with Ruediger, “My palate was limited before. Since then, I pushed myself to try various cuisines.”

Aside from Thai food, Lariette explored the taste of Indian, Korean and many others. Her spicy tolerance gradually grew, including her taste palate.

“I started easing into it. I tried milder dishes at first. Now, I can really enjoy it. I still have my limits tho. What about you, Eddy? You seem like someone who could handle spice without breaking a sweat.”

Lariette’s question earned a smirk from Ruediger. He glanced at the bowl of tom yum goong and his pad Thai, “My spice tolerance is high, but I also have limits like you.”

Arching her brows, Lariette asked, “You’ve visited Thailand before, right? How was it?”

Knowing how well-traveled Ruediger was, Lariette doubted he hadn’t visited the tropical country formerly known as Siam. Thailand was one of the countries on her bucket list.

“I traveled to Thailand a few years ago. I really thought I was prepared for their spice levels, but,” Ruediger chuckled in helplessness, “Oh, boy. I was so wrong.”

The memory of the breathtaking tropical country came to his mind.