After walking for a while, they finally arrived home. Ye Qiuling plopped down onto a chair, and Ye Qi sat on a stool beside her.
Chen Xuanmo had originally planned to go back and sleep, then come again in the afternoon. However, Ye Qiuling invited him to stay for grilled fish. Seeing her invite him so warmly, he did not refuse and followed her back inside.
Watching her slumped over the table like a lazy big cat, Chen Xuanmo’s lips curled slightly.
After resting for a moment, she immediately headed to the kitchen. Chen Xuanmo, who had hurried back just to see her, was feeling a bit sleepy, yet he forced himself to follow her in.
The moment he saw the kitchen, he could not help but widen his eyes. He had never seen such strange furnishings before. The sense of novelty was indescribable, even clearing some of the drowsiness from his eyes.
Ye Qiuling turned around, saw him, and smiled with a hint of pride. “Well? I designed it myself. Does it look nice?”
Chen Xuanmo nodded and praised, “It looks good. I have never seen such a setup before.” He walked over to the cylindrical object and asked, “What is this?”
His eyes were filled with curiosity as he looked at her.
Ye Qiuling replied, “That? It’s called a rice cooker. It needs electricity to work, and it’s used to cook rice. Very convenient.”
A barrel that could cook rice? How strange. Chen Xuanmo asked, “What should I do?”
Ye Qiuling casually glanced at him and noticed the faint dark circles under his eyes.
Without thinking, she blurted out, “Did you go to the back mountain to steal chickens last night? Why do you have dark circles?”
Chen Xuanmo’s lips twitched.
This ungrateful girl, he had rushed back overnight just to see her, and she dared to tease him like this.
Thinking that she would be his consort in the future, he decided not to hide anything and explained everything truthfully. “No. I went to celebrate my mother’s birthday and hurried back overnight. I did not go steal chickens. I have enough to eat, there’s no need for that.”
Then he teased her in return, “If you want to steal chickens, I can accompany you.”
“Uh…” The joke backfired on her. Ye Qiuling felt like his role-playing was getting a bit too serious, but she did not say much. “If you don’t mind, you can go rest in the guest room on the third floor. Sleep for a while, and I’ll call you when the grilled fish is ready.”
Chen Xuanmo had not wanted to leave at all, but hearing this offer, he pretended to hesitate. “Is that alright? Will Uncle and Aunt agree?”
Ye Qiuling replied, “I’ll go ask.” She dashed out of the kitchen and went to Ye Dazhi and Shen Wanru, telling them that Chen Xuanmo wanted to rest in the guest room on the third floor.
The couple exchanged a glance. Seeing how excited their daughter looked, they understood that she had feelings for him, so they agreed.
Shen Wanru said, “I’ll go make the bed for him first. You can bring him upstairs afterward.”
Ye Qiuling smiled sweetly. “Okay, Mom.”
She hurried back into the kitchen and said to Chen Xuanmo, “My parents agreed. I’ll take you upstairs to rest later.”
Chen Xuanmo was a little surprised that they agreed so easily, but then thought perhaps it was because he had previously helped Ye Qiuling with money.
Smiling gently, he said, “Alright, thank you, Qiuling.”
Seeing his smile, Ye Qiuling could not help but stare for a moment. He was so handsome, and when he smiled, he looked as beautiful as a blooming flower.
Noticing her dazed expression, a thought flashed through Chen Xuanmo’s mind. Since Qiuling liked his face, he could use it to his advantage, step by step, until he held her firmly in his grasp.
After staring at him for quite a while, Ye Qiuling finally felt embarrassed. Her face turned slightly red as she said, “Let’s go, I’ll take you to the guest room.”
Chen Xuanmo followed behind her, noticing her slightly reddened earlobes, and the corner of his lips lifted again.
When they reached the third floor and opened the guest room, it was simply furnished with just a bed. Shen Wanru had already made it. Seeing them, she smiled and said, “It’s ready. Come and rest. The next room is also prepared, Chen Wu can sleep there too.”
Chen Xuanmo thanked her, “Thank you, Aunt. I’ll rest here for a while.”
Chen Wu had not expected such treatment for a servant and quickly expressed his gratitude. “Thank you, Madam Ye.”
Seeing how polite they both were, Shen Wanru felt pleased. “It’s nothing.”
Chen Wu went to the next room and went to sleep.
Ye Qiuling glanced at her mother and said, “You rest first. I’ll come call you when the food is ready. Come on, Mom.”
Shen Wanru and Chen Xuanmo replied at the same time, “Alright.”
Ye Qiuling laughed.
After Shen Wanru went to the restroom, Ye Qiuling went downstairs. She saw Ye Dazhi sitting outside, staring at the trees and occasionally glancing at the land in the backyard, his eyes filled with a longing to farm it.
“Dad,” she called.
Ye Dazhi turned with a smile. “What is it, Qiuling?”
She got straight to the point about hiring workers. “I’m planning to open a hotpot restaurant. Can you go recruit people now? We’re opening tomorrow.”
Ye Dazhi had forgotten about it while thinking about the land, but upon hearing her again, he remembered. He patted his chest and assured her, “Alright, I’ll definitely find people. Don’t worry.”
Seeing the smile return to his face, Ye Qiuling smiled as well. “Then I’ll leave it to you, Dad.”
Ye Dazhi nodded, but once she returned to the kitchen, his expression turned troubled again. He did not know anyone in town, so how could he recruit people? He began pacing anxiously.
When Shen Wanru came down, he immediately told her about it.
She frowned. “That won’t do. We’re opening tomorrow, we must find people today.” She quickly grabbed paper and a brush and wrote two large words: “Hiring.”
Then she and Ye Dazhi hurried out.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Ye Qiuling placed the grass carp she had bought into the sink and cleaned it, slicing open its belly.
This step was crucial. She carefully removed all the internal organs, making sure not to rupture the gallbladder, which would make the fish taste bitter.
She then scraped off the black membrane inside and rinsed it thoroughly. She made several cuts on both sides of the fish to help it cook evenly.
After patting the fish dry with paper towels, including the inside, she moved on to preparing the other ingredients.
She washed the potatoes, onions, enoki mushrooms, and green and red peppers. The potatoes and onions were sliced into thin strips and set aside in bowls, while the enoki mushrooms were separated into small bundles.
She removed the seeds from the peppers to reduce the spiciness, knowing her parents might not tolerate too much heat.
She planned to make three fish, two spicy and one non-spicy.
Two would be eaten now, and one saved for dinner when Ye Feng returned.
Spicy grilled fish, hot and steaming, with sweat running down your face, was especially satisfying.
She mixed the marinade thoroughly and evenly spread it over the fish, including inside the cuts and belly.
Wrapping the fish in plastic wrap, she placed it in the fridge to marinate for half an hour.
The refrigerator had also been taken from the Gourmet Recipe System. She had already explained it when introducing the rice cooker, and her family believed in the “master” behind it.
While waiting, she took out a large bunch of lettuce from the system, washed it, and set it aside.
After some time, she took the fish out, preheated the oven to 200°C with top and bottom heat, ensuring the surface would not collapse during baking.
Ye Qi, who had been playing games in the system space, came out of boredom and complained, “Why is it taking so long? I’m hungry.”
Ye Qiuling rolled her eyes. “How could it be fast? You were the one who suggested grilled fish. Don’t you know how complicated it is? Or do you want to do it?” She handed him the fish.
Ye Qi immediately waved his hands. “I’m still a kid. Besides, it just smells too good.”
“Nonsense! Go peel garlic, I’m making garlic lettuce later,” she ordered.
Ye Qi dared not argue and obediently went to peel garlic.
After peeling a small bowl’s worth, Ye Qiuling washed the garlic, crushed it, and set it aside.
She turned on the induction stove, boiled water, and blanched the greens before draining them.
Then she heated oil, added garlic, soy sauce, and dark soy sauce, and poured it over the greens. The garlic lettuce was done.
After placing the dish outside, she went upstairs to Chen Xuanmo’s room, her eyes glinting mischievously.
She quietly opened the curtains, letting sunlight fall onto his face.
Chen Xuanmo had already woken when he heard her enter, but he kept his eyes closed, curious about what she would do.
When the sunlight hit his eyes, he realized this girl was being a little naughty, but he still pretended to sleep.
He felt the bed dip slightly, likely from Ye Qiuling sitting down.
Indeed, she sat beside him, studying his face, his long eyelashes, and his rosy lips that looked like soft jelly.
Supporting herself on the bed, she leaned down as if possessed.
Sensing the shadow, Chen Xuanmo opened his eyes.
Startled, Ye Qiuling’s hand slipped, and she fell forward, landing directly on top of him, her lips—