8 – Chapter 8
Catching a Man Through His Stomach?
Si Nian first removed the heads from several large prawns and placed them in a pan along with a few pieces of fatty pork to fry for prawn oil. Instantly, a fragrant aroma filled the air.
Lin Yulan couldn’t help but glance back a few times.
Once the prawn heads changed color, she added water to the pan and brought it to a boil. Afterward, she removed the prawn heads and impurities, transferring the rich, aromatic broth into a clay pot. She added rinsed rice, and once the water boiled again, she gradually added prepared crab, clams, fresh prawns, and appropriate seasonings.
While the porridge simmered, Si Nian also sliced cucumbers into strips, salted them to draw out moisture, and then tossed them with chili, garlic slices, light soy sauce, a bit of vinegar, salt, and sugar. Finally, she drizzled hot oil over the mixture to create a refreshing and crispy pickled cucumber dish.
With time to spare, she also whipped up a quick scrambled eggs with scallions.
A little past 7 a.m., the guests began to wake up one after another. As they discussed what to have for breakfast, they spotted Si Nian bustling in the kitchen wearing an apron. Their footsteps halted, and varying degrees of astonishment appeared on their faces.
[Friendly reminder: this is not a still frame.]
[The guests’ expressions are so genuine.]
[Oh, look at Zhi! He rubbed his eyes—probably thought he was dreaming! So handsome and adorable!]
[Wait, so Si Nian’s whole performance looks impressive, but is it actually edible? Will it taste good?]
[I’m skeptical. The sandwiches made by the campus belle next to her seem much more reliable.]
Finally, Qin Zishuang broke the silence: “Si Nian, are you making porridge?”
“Yes, and there’s cucumber and eggs too. It’s almost ready—come and eat.”
Lin Yulan chimed in from the side: “I’m not as skilled as Sister Si Nian, so I just made eight sandwiches. Let’s all try them.”
Qin Zishuang helped serve the porridge, offering the first bowl to Bai Yanlin. Unexpectedly, Bai Yanlin frowned, waved his hand dismissively, and said with clear distaste, “I’ll just have a sandwich.”
Lin Yulan’s tense posture relaxed instantly. It seemed the seafood porridge didn’t look appealing enough to be so scorned…
But when she saw it for herself, she couldn’t quite manage a smile…
It was fragrant, vibrant in color, and could easily rival porridge from professional shops.
Eventually, all the guests took their seats. Si Nian brought the last bowl of porridge to Xie Zhi, then removed her apron and sat down beside him.
After shooting Qin Zishuang a grateful glance for saving the spot, she turned to Xie Zhi, tilting her chin up slightly. “I saved this especially for you. It has more ingredients than anyone else’s.”
The production team was rather stingy—only ten prawns, two crabs, and some clams for eight people. Yet Xie Zhi’s bowl contained four prawns and two pieces of crab…
Such blatant favoritism was truly unmatched.
None of the other guests commented, though. They were already grateful for such delicious porridge—what did it matter if Si Nian gave a little extra to someone she liked?
Still, a few male guests felt a twinge of envy.
Xie Zhi was already surprised that Si Nian could cook. Now, staring at his bowl filled mostly with ingredients, he was momentarily stunned. “What about you? Aren’t you having any prawns or crab?”
“I’m on a diet… Go on, try it! I made it just for you.”
Xie Zhi picked up his spoon, took a bite, and savored it. The flavor was savory and rich, the rice grains soft and melting on the tongue, leaving behind a lingering sweetness from the seafood…
“How is it?” Si Nian asked again.Xie Zhi looked at Si Nian’s slightly raised chin and her somewhat proud little expression seeking praise, which suddenly reminded him of the cat in his apartment.
Whenever it begged for food, it acted exactly like this.
Clearly asking for his favor, rubbing against his legs, yet always lifting its chin with an air of tsundere pride.
“It’s delicious,” Xie Zhi said sincerely.
Soon, Si Nian’s eyebrows lifted, making her resemble his cat even more.
Apart from Xie Zhi, the others were also full of praise.
“You really made this? It tastes better than what five-star hotel chefs prepare!” Liu Yu gave a thumbs up, quickly finishing his entire bowl with lingering satisfaction.
Si Nian: “If I’m not mistaken, the audience in the livestream must have seen me cooking the porridge. They can vouch for me.”
Qin Zishuang let out a relieved sigh. “After being exhausted all day yesterday, drinking such delicious porridge is incredibly refreshing. But…” She changed her tone, winking at Si Nian, “Besides thanking Si Nian, we should also thank Xie Zhi. Without him, we wouldn’t have been fortunate enough to taste this young lady’s handmade porridge.”
Everyone began teasing Si Nian and Xie Zhi, while Lin Yulan’s sandwiches were completely forgotten.
Xie Zhi’s feelings were somewhat complicated at that moment.
When he was young, he had lived with the Bai family for a period. Due to his status, he was never treated well—forget about favoritism, he didn’t even receive fair treatment. In front of Bai Yanlin, he was completely inferior.
Now, at this small dining table, it seemed he had become the one being favored.
Even the woman who used to chase after Bai Yanlin was now showing him kindness and goodwill.
Not wanting to dwell too deeply on the reasons behind it, Xie Zhi was in a rather good mood and politely finished all his porridge.
Xie Zhi took twenty minutes to finish his bowl of porridge, and Si Nian spent those twenty minutes resting her chin on her hand, watching him.
“Here, wipe your mouth.” She handed him a tissue.
“Thank you…”
“No need to be so polite with me.” Si Nian blinked her almond-shaped eyes, then whispered after turning off her mic, “When we get home, I’ll make more nourishing food for you.”
[Wuwuwu, am I really shipping them? Si Nian’s obvious affection is so dazzling. And her cooking skills have suddenly improved—if they get together, Xie Zhi will be well-fed!]
[I’m stunned, she actually knows how to cook? That porridge looks amazing, my mouth is watering…]
[Is this the legendary tactic of capturing a man through his stomach? Xie Zhi, you must stay strong!!]
[They kind of look like a young married couple.]
[Hey, have you all gone crazy? Xie Zhi is an award-winning actor with a bright future ahead—how can someone like Si Nian, with her pile of scandals, be worthy of him!]
[Seriously, getting won over by just a bowl of porridge? Chasing someone isn’t that simple, this is laughable.]