She rolled up her sleeves and began cleaning with brisk efficiency.
The kitchen didn’t have many seasonings, but it was well-stocked with rice, flour, grains, and oil, which instantly filled Sang Sang with a sense of security.
Nothing was more important than being able to fill one’s stomach.
While there was plenty of rice and flour in the kitchen, there were few vegetables or meat. The vegetable garden in front of the courtyard had more weeds than crops, leaving Sang Sang wondering what to cook for dinner.
Just as she was fretting, Shen Yan walked in from outside, carrying two large fish that had already been cleaned.
Sang Sang’s face immediately lit up with joy. “Benefactor, how about we make fish head soup and ginger-braised fish with bamboo shoots tonight?”
Shen Yan’s brow twitched slightly.
His cooking skills were average, and he usually grilled most of his food.
Grilled fish, grilled rabbit, grilled chicken…
What she had just suggested sounded like an entirely new way of cooking.
He nodded impassively. “As you wish.”
The kitchen was already cramped, and his tall frame made it feel even more confined. His presence inexplicably added to Sang Sang’s nervousness, so he tactfully took his leave.
He hadn’t held out much hope, but before long, a tantalizing aroma wafted from the kitchen.
A short while later, Sang Sang carried out a steaming bowl of fish soup, her eyes crinkling into crescents as she called out to Shen Yan, “Benefactor, dinner is ready.”
Shen Yan’s gaze lingered on her expression for a moment before quickly shifting away.
He didn’t know how she had done it, but the fish soup had been simmered into an enticing milky white. The aroma of the fish filled the air, enhanced by a sprinkle of cilantro, making it even more fragrant.
The fish pieces in the ginger-braised dish were pan-fried until golden brown on both sides, emitting a rich, savory scent. The sauce was thick and flavorful, with the freshness of bamboo shoots complementing the crispy fish. Slightly spicy and richly aromatic, the dish was a delightful blend of tastes.
For the first time, Shen Yan realized that fish could be cooked so deliciously.
Seeing him eat with such gusto, Sang Sang felt a quiet joy and was greatly encouraged.
She ventured to ask for his opinion, “Benefactor, how about we have wontons for breakfast tomorrow?”
Shen Yan nodded. “You can decide.”
Sang Sang’s eyes lit up with another smile.
When it came to food, she couldn’t help but talk more.
“There are dried shiitake mushrooms, dried wood ear mushrooms, and some small dried shrimp in the kitchen—perfect for wonton filling.
Actually, fresh shrimp and pork would be even better. The shrimp would be springy, and the minced pork would have a nice chew, making the flavor absolutely wonderful.
But it’s fine if we don’t have them. I can still make delicious wontons with these ingredients.”
Shen Yan’s brow twitched again involuntarily.
It did sound quite appealing.
Even though he had just eaten, he found himself craving more.
That night, Sang Sang slept in the same room as before, while Shen Yan took the smaller room.
That room was covered in cobwebs, clearly unused for a long time. Even after cleaning, it still carried a dusty, stale smell. Sang Sang felt a pang of guilt, as if she had taken over someone else’s nest.
She whispered a suggestion, “Maybe I should sleep in the smaller room instead.”
Shen Yan replied, “Sleep where you’re told. No more talk.”
Sang Sang murmured, “…Okay.”
Lying on the spacious, clean bed, Sang Sang hugged the rough cotton blanket and rolled over twice, her heart bubbling with happiness.
She would no longer be squeezed so tightly that she could barely breathe, and the lingering, nauseating stench that had haunted her nostrils was finally gone.
It felt wonderful.
A night without dreams.
The next day, as dawn broke, Sang Sang rose from bed.
She changed into the clothes she had washed the day before, which had dried completely after hanging overnight.
Shen Yan’s clothes were simply too large, making it inconvenient to move around.
After tidying up briefly, she entered the kitchen and began preparing breakfast.
She had kneaded the dough the night before, and it had already risen by now. Sang Sang deftly kneaded the dough, rolled it out, and soon produced sheets of dough as thin as cicada wings.
Immediately after, she began preparing the filling with ingredients like shiitake mushrooms and wood ear fungus.
Just then, a tall figure walked in, carrying a net bag of live creatures.
“Here, the fresh shrimp you wanted.”
Sang Sang looked closely and saw that it was indeed a bag of lively, jumping shrimp!
Had he gone out to catch shrimp first thing in the morning?
A look of pleasant surprise appeared on Sang Sang’s face.
“How should I prepare them?”
Sang Sang quickly replied, “I can handle it myself.”
Shen Yan spoke in a dismissive tone, “Too slow.”
Seeing this, Sang Sang had no choice but to let him help prepare the shrimp.
One by one, the shrimp were peeled, washed, and deodorized. Then, they began wrapping the wontons.
Sang Sang’s movements were extremely skilled, as if she had done this countless times before—scooping the filling, placing the shrimp, shaping the wontons. With a flick of her fingers, dozens of plump, ingot-shaped wontons were neatly arranged on the cutting board, looking proud and spirited, a delightful sight.
She boiled water and tossed all the wontons into the pot at once.
After rolling in the hot water a few times, the plump wontons eagerly floated to the surface, jostling against one another. The pink filling gradually showed through the thin wrappers, looking especially tempting.
Sang Sang served herself only ten wontons, while the rest went to Shen Yan, filling a large bowl to the brim.
It had been a long time since Sang Sang had eaten wontons. With a light bite, the broth burst forth, and the shrimp filling was fresh and delicious—utterly delightful.
After finishing one wonton, her taste buds were deeply satisfied. It was truly wonderful.
Initially, Sang Sang worried that she might have cooked too much and that Shen Yan wouldn’t finish it, but she soon realized her concern was unnecessary.
She had just finished her ten wontons when she looked up to find Shen Yan’s bowl already empty.
Sang Sang…
He ate so quickly!
But this also meant her wontons were quite good, which greatly encouraged Sang Sang once again.
After breakfast, Shen Yan wiped his mouth and stood up. “Tidy up and come with me.”
Though Sang Sang didn’t know where they were going, she quickly cleaned the kitchen and followed him out.
“Benefactor…”
“Shen Yan.”
Sang Sang was taken aback. “What?”
Shen Yan said calmly, “I have a name.”
Sang Sang hesitated. “But calling you by your name directly feels too disrespectful…”
Shen Yan gave her a light glance, and Sang Sang immediately backed down. “Oh… I’ll change how I address you from now on.”
Shen Yan chuckled softly. What a timid little thing.
The timid little thing was quick to catch on and promptly introduced herself.
“I… I’m Sang Sang, though I’m not sure if that’s really my name. I don’t remember anything from before.”
As the two syllables rolled off his tongue, Shen Yan felt a faint, inexplicable stir in his heart.
He gave a simple “Mm” in response.
Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a shadow of gloom fall over Sang Sang’s face. He had intended to say no more, yet somehow, the words slipped out.
“You’ll remember.”
Hearing this, the gloom on Sang Sang’s face vanished instantly, replaced by a bright smile.
“Yes, I’ll do my best to remember! I’ll find a way to locate my family, so they won’t have to worry about me anymore.”
Shen Yan gave another “mm” in response, but for some reason, a faint sense of heaviness settled in his heart.
She would search for her family and eventually return to them, while he was destined to remain forever alone.
He was Tiansha Guxing, never meant to hope for companionship. Perhaps it was for the best that she would leave.