Toward dinner time, Gu Xiaofeng suddenly felt inspired and decided to cook a meal for herself. Back in her student days, she had eaten her best friend’s mother’s braised pork and thought it was delicious. Since she had time today, she decided to give it a try.
She took out the organic black pork Xiao Yuan had bought yesterday, thawed it, and started stewing. Once the meat was on the stove, the Best Actress elegantly washed her greasy hands and went upstairs to do yoga.
After her session, she returned to the kitchen with great anticipation to turn off the heat, ready to savor a piece of her handmade braised pork.
The moment she lifted the lid, a pungent smell of burnt carbon hit her face. Not only had the meat turned into black charcoal, but even the non-stick pan was ruined.
Gu Xiaofeng sighed. She simply couldn’t understand it—she had followed the online tutorial exactly.
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang. Gu Xiaofeng put down the pan and went to open the door. She expected Xiao Yuan, but instead, it was the Little Fox of Tushan, Tu Yiyi, peeking around outside.
The moment the door opened, Yiyi’s first words were, “What happened to your house? Is something burning?
Gu Xiaofeng’s face stiffened instantly. She braced herself. No… nothing.
How can it be nothing? I can smell it!
Seeing Yiyi about to rush in, Xiaofeng instinctively tried to block her. She didn’t have the face to let anyone see her “masterpiece.” But Yiyi was like a gust of wind, darting past her blocking arm with lightning speed.
What is this thing?! Yiyi’s horrified and shocked voice came from the kitchen. “Heavens! Is this… is this pork? Who did this?! What a waste of pork! Do you know how hard it is for a pig to grow up?
Gu Xiaofeng stopped in her tracks and stiffly raised her hand to cover her face.
Half an hour later, the kitchen was clean and tidy again. A pot of meat was simmering on low heat. The aroma of black pork finally began to fill the air as it should.
Cao-cao, what do you want to eat tonight?
Tu Yiyi held a kitchen knife, the blade gleaming coldly. She smiled at Gu Xiaofeng, her white teeth flashing. With that knife in her hand, the smile looked rather chilling.
Gu Xiaofeng took an inconspicuous step back toward the door. Anything… thank you… maybe call Zhuo Jin over?
Realizing Zhuo Jin was bathing—and usually didn’t emerge for two hours—Yiyi said, I’ll make you a bowl of noodles. I’m not as good at formal dishes as Zhuo Jin.
Xiaofeng figured a bowl of noodles would be quick. She nodded. Noodles are fine. Sorry to trouble you.
However, what followed left Gu Xiaofeng stunned
Yiyi pulled a beef bone from the fridge. With a sharp crack, she chopped the long bone in two and started a stock. Then she pulled out corn, carrots, shiitake mushrooms, and green vegetables, processing them all with expert speed.
Marinated eggs would be best, but you don’t have enough pots. I’ll fry a poached egg for you, okay?
Gu Xiaofeng said quickly, That’s fine. It doesn’t need to be so complicated, just something simple…
Yiyi scratched her head. “But this is simple.”
Gu Xiaofeng:
Then, Yiyi began to knead dough. She turned to the dumbfounded Xiaofeng. Cao-cao, do you like pulled noodles, hand-rolled noodles, or shaved noodles?
Pul… pulled noodles…
Got it. Pulled noodles.
Immediately, Yiyi transformed into a master pastry chef. Her arms stretched wide, pulling and folding the dough just like a professional. The noodles seemed to come to life, becoming thinner and thinner.
Finally, a steaming, fragrant bowl of noodles was placed before Gu Xiaofeng. It featured a golden fried egg, corn kernels, red carrots, green vegetables, and neatly arranged mushrooms, accompanied by a plate of glossy, red-braised pork.
It was a feast for the eyes!
Gu Xiaofeng tasted the soup—it was fresh and rich. She tried the pork—it was tender but not greasy, melting in her mouth. It was delicious. This was likely the best bowl of noodles she had ever eaten.
Yiyi peeked at her while she ate. Beautiful! Cao-cao is so beautiful, even while eating! Too bad she’s so slow. If she were in Tushan Village, she’d only manage one sip of soup before someone snatched the whole bowl.
While Gu Xiaofeng ate, Yiyi toured the house. There was really nothing to see. Take that messy thing hanging on the wall—how did she have the nerve to display that? She had no idea the “trash” she was looking at was a critically acclaimed masterpiece Xiaofeng had bought at an Italian gallery.
The cabinets were filled with Xiaofeng’s photos—cast photos, opening ceremonies, award ceremonies… Finally, Yiyi’s gaze landed on a photo in a glass frame.
Gu Xiaofeng didn’t need to look to know which one it was. It was a still from the unedited version of Mountain and Sea. The scene had been cut significantly, but Xiaofeng liked one specific shot so much she asked the director for it.
Beneath a peach blossom tree at the foot of a cliff, “Fang Cao,” dressed in white, turns back and smiles at the sound of her lover’s voice. That moment had to capture purity, shyness, surprise, and restrained joy. Xiaofeng had needed four takes to get it right.
Yiyi stared at the photo for a long time. Suddenly, a crystal-clear tear dropped onto the frame.
Tu Yiyi was crying.
Gu Xiaofeng was startled. She walked over. “Tu Yiyi, what’s wrong? Are you okay?
The frame was gently taken away. Yiyi snapped out of it. “I… I’m fine.” Realizing she was crying, she hurriedly wiped her eyes and forced a smile. I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened.
Yiyi looked profoundly sad. Gu Xiaofeng handed her a tissue. “Did you remember something bad?
As soon as she said it, Xiaofeng felt it was an odd question. They weren’t that close; what could Yiyi “remember by looking at a photo of her?
Yiyi took the tissue. I don’t know. I just felt a sudden pang of sadness. Ever since I woke up, I sometimes feel this sudden ache in my heart, like something is empty.
Empty?
Mhm, Yiyi’s sadness faded, replaced by her usual sweet smile. Like I’ve forgotten something very important.
Gu Xiaofeng looked at her reddened nose and pale, soft cheeks. She looked like a glutinous rice ball dusted with pink powder. Soft and sweet. Xiaofeng resisted the urge to reach out and touch her.
She changed the subject. Do you like Fang Cao that much?
Yiyi nodded. “I love her!
Xiaofeng paused. You know Fang Cao is just a character in a movie, right? She isn’t a real person who can stand in front of you.
I know. But I love her because you played her.
Gu Xiaofeng’s face turned red instantly.
This… I’ll give this to you,” Xiaofeng said, looking away slightly as she handed over the frame. “Since you like her so much.
Thank you! Thank you!” Yiyi took the frame with both hands, moved to tears again. “Cao-cao, you are too good! To part with your treasure for me… I can never repay this kindness…
Fearful Yiyi would say something like “I’ll be your servant in the next life” or “I’ll marry you,” Xiaofeng interrupted her. “It’s not ‘parting with a treasure.’ As you can see, I have many photos.
Yiyi nodded, wiping her eyes. “You humans are so generous!” With that, she clutched the frame and scurried away.
Wait? She took the gift and just left?
Gu Xiaofeng blinked, looking at her half-finished noodles. She walked back to the table slowly. For some reason, the noodles didn’t taste as fresh anymore. She poked at them irritably.
Suddenly, Yiyi ran back like a whirlwind, carrying a chicken in each hand. Living chickens.
For you! Eat chicken!
The two poor hens were squawking in terror, feathers flying and landing on Xiaofeng’s pristine white floor tiles. Before Xiaofeng could react, a splat sound echoed. A fresh pile of chicken droppings landed on the floor.
Gu Xiaofeng: “…”
Tu Yiyi: Do you have a cage? Or a yard? They might be too scared; I think the other one is about to lose control of its bowels too.
Gu Xiaofeng blinked. Um… thank you. Why don’t you keep them at your place for now? I’ll ask you for them when I’m ready to eat chicken.
Yiyi thought about it. Okay! Hens lay eggs, eggs hatch into chicks, chicks grow up and lay more eggs… Tell you what, I’ll give you all the descendants of these two chickens to eat.
Gu Xiaofeng: “…”
Am I supposed to feel like I just got a great deal?