Zhao Muyan thought for a moment before replying, “Add a little sugar. It enhances the flavor and balances out the acidity of the tomatoes. Just a little though, don’t overdo it.”
Su Qinghe nodded, her eyes bright with interest.
“Got it, I’ll try that next time.”
Listening from the side, Liu Yinuo laughed.
“Are you two cooking, or conducting a class?”
Su Qinghe answered without hesitation, “It’s not every day that I get to watch a master chef cook right in front of me. Of course I have to secretly learn a few tricks. There’s no end to learning.”
Liu Yinuo chuckled.
Even Zhao Muyan grew embarrassed from all the praise.
“No, no, I’m really not worthy of being called a master chef.”
Su Qinghe grinned.
“Chef Zhao, don’t be so modest.”
Zhao Muyan scratched his head and smiled sheepishly.
As the three of them chatted back and forth, the atmosphere remained perfectly harmonious.
Sitting alone in the courtyard, Lu Zhiheng looked through the glass doors and saw the three of them laughing together so happily. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly before his expression quickly returned to its usual calm.
The stir fried celtuce was soon finished as well, while the pork rib soup continued simmering gently in the pot.
Checking the time, Zhao Muyan said, “Another twenty minutes should do it. Let’s set the table first.”
In the courtyard, the dining table had been arranged beneath the large Chinese scholar tree, surrounded by seven bamboo chairs.
One dish after another was brought out. A large bowl of pork rib soup steamed invitingly, a plate of tomato scrambled eggs gleamed with vibrant color, and a dish of stir fried celtuce retained its crisp green freshness. There was also a large bowl of seaweed and egg drop soup.
Zhou Yichen was the first to sit down. He picked up his chopsticks, then put them back down again, waiting for everyone else to arrive.
Jiang Nian came downstairs after changing into more casual clothes, looking gentle and comfortable.
As she approached the table, she remarked softly, “It smells amazing.”
The tips of Zhao Muyan’s ears reddened slightly.
“I just threw together a few simple dishes. I hope they suit everyone’s tastes.”
Jiang Nian smiled at him.
“They already look delicious.”
Lu Zhiheng was the last person to emerge. He took the remaining seat, which happened to be directly across from Su Qinghe.
Su Qinghe lowered her head to look at the dishes, pretending not to notice.
Liu Yinuo picked up a bite of tomato scrambled eggs, and her eyes lit up.
“Muyan, these tomato scrambled eggs are incredible. They’re better than any I’ve ever had.”
Zhao Muyan smiled shyly.
“There’s no secret to it. I just cook the eggs and tomatoes separately.”
Su Qinghe took a bite as well. The moment the food entered her mouth, she paused.
It really was delicious.
The eggs were tender and silky, the tomatoes soft and flavorful, while the sauce was rich and perfectly balanced between savory and sweet.
She remembered the disastrous, blackened version she had once made herself and silently sighed.
Noticing her expression, Zhao Muyan laughed.
“I saw that cooking fail video of yours. Honestly, you didn’t do too badly. The eggs were just a bit overcooked. Next time, try it the way I suggested.”
Su Qinghe nodded earnestly.
“I definitely will.”
Curious, Zhou Yichen asked, “What cooking fail video?”
With a blank expression, Su Qinghe replied, “My masterpiece.”
Liu Yinuo laughed so hard she nearly lost control.
Dinner Table Conversations
As everyone settled into their seats, they chatted while eating.
Gnawing on a pork rib, Zhou Yichen asked, “Brother Muyan, who taught you how to cook?”
“My grandmother,” Zhao Muyan answered. “My parents were always busy when I was little, so I grew up with her. She was an excellent cook, and I learned by watching her. Later, I played a chef in a drama and underwent several months of specialized training, where I picked up quite a few additional skills.”
Shen Ci laughed. “So now you’re actually a real chef?”
Zhao Muyan smiled. “An amateur one, but I enjoy it.”
Jiang Nian said gently, “Being able to develop something you love to this extent is already impressive.”
Once again, Zhao Muyan’s ears turned red. Lowering his head, he focused on drinking his soup without responding.
Watching from the side, Su Qinghe thought to herself, This straightforward guy blushes every time Jiang Nian praises him. It’s far too obvious.
Yet Jiang Nian either failed to notice, or noticed and simply didn’t care. She quickly steered the conversation in another direction.
Su Qinghe continued eating, choosing not to involve herself.
Dishwashing Time! After dinner, Jiang Nian spoke first.
“I’ll wash the dishes. Everyone worked hard tonight.”
Setting down his chopsticks, Zhou Yichen let out a satisfied burp.
“That was amazing.”
Liu Yinuo immediately replied, “Then you can wash the dishes.”
Zhou Yichen’s expression collapsed.
“Huh? Me?”
Liu Yinuo nodded. “Who told you to eat the most?”
Just as Zhou Yichen was about to protest, Zhao Muyan stood up.
“I’ll do it. I cooked, so handling the cleanup is only natural.”
As he spoke, he headed toward the kitchen, his gaze unconsciously drifting toward Jiang Nian.
Jiang Nian was lowering her head to wipe her mouth and didn’t notice him.
Zhao Muyan withdrew his gaze and continued walking.
Suddenly, Zhou Yichen leapt to his feet and rushed over to stop him.
“No, no, no!”
Caught off guard, Zhao Muyan stared at him in confusion.
“What’s wrong?”
With righteous conviction, Zhou Yichen declared, “Brother, you already cooked dinner tonight. How can we make you cook and wash dishes too? That would practically be daylight robbery!”
Zhao Muyan fell silent.
Zhou Yichen pushed him back toward his seat.
“You sit down and rest. I’ll wash them.”
Zhao Muyan hurriedly objected.
“No need, really. You…”
He glanced toward Jiang Nian before stopping himself.
By then, Zhou Yichen had already rolled up his sleeves and marched into the kitchen.
“It’s settled! You cooked, I’ll wash the dishes. Clear division of labor!”
Zhao Muyan stood where he was, staring first at Zhou Yichen’s retreating figure and then at Jiang Nian.
Jiang Nian had already risen to her feet. Walking to the kitchen entrance, she said softly, “I’ll help you wash them.”
From inside the kitchen, Zhou Yichen called out, “No, no! Sister Jiang Nian, you should rest too. I can handle it myself!”
Jiang Nian smiled and entered the kitchen anyway.
Standing in the courtyard, Zhao Muyan wore a conflicted expression.
Su Qinghe’s Perspective
Remaining seated, Su Qinghe had observed the entire situation with perfect clarity.
Zhao Muyan had volunteered to wash the dishes because he wanted a chance to be alone with Jiang Nian. Anyone with eyes could see it.
Zhou Yichen had insisted on washing them simply because he was genuinely kindhearted and didn’t want the person who cooked to become too exhausted. The poor guy truly hadn’t noticed Zhao Muyan’s feelings at all.
Then Jiang Nian followed Zhou Yichen into the kitchen. Zhou Yichen had awkwardly refused her help twice before finally allowing her to stay.
Now Zhao Muyan stood frozen in the courtyard, uncertain whether he should go in or remain outside.
Su Qinghe couldn’t help sighing inwardly.
Zhou Yichen, Zhou Yichen, you really are…
A smile escaped her lips.
In a low voice, Liu Yinuo asked from beside her, “What are you laughing about?”
Su Qinghe shook her head.
“Nothing, I just think Yichen is rather adorable.”
Liu Yinuo looked toward Zhao Muyan standing in the courtyard, then toward the kitchen, as though she had suddenly pieced everything together.
She smiled as well.
“He’s just a kid.”
Su Qinghe nodded. “Isn’t he?”
From the kitchen came Zhou Yichen’s voice.
“Sister Jiang Nian, just leave it to me. You can stand there. Ah, let me wash this bowl. Sister Jiang Nian, you really don’t have to…”
Jiang Nian’s gentle voice responded, “It’s alright. I’ll help you.”
Zhou Yichen hesitated.
“Then… you can help me rinse them. I’ll wash, you rinse. Teamwork!”
Listening from outside, Su Qinghe laughed so hard that her shoulders trembled.
Zhou Yichen really was astonishingly straightforward.
Straightforward to a touching degree.
Night gradually deepened.
When they had first sat down to dinner, the sky had still been bright. Now, darkness had completely settled over the courtyard.
Su Qinghe stood up and stretched lazily.
Liu Yinuo looked at her.
“Heading back to your room?”
Su Qinghe nodded. “Yeah, I’m tired.”
As she walked toward the staircase, she passed through the courtyard and noticed that Zhao Muyan was still standing there, gazing in the direction of the kitchen.
After a brief moment of thought, she decided against saying anything.
This wasn’t the sort of situation outsiders could help with.
Silently, she made her way upstairs and returned to her room.
Pushing open the window, she allowed the cool night breeze, tinged with the lingering moisture from the reservoir, to drift inside.
The kitchen light remained on. Through the window, she could make out Zhou Yichen and Jiang Nian moving about.
Zhou Yichen seemed to say something. Jiang Nian smiled before lowering her head to continue rinsing the dishes.
After watching for a few moments, Su Qinghe withdrew her gaze.
Tonight, Zhou Yichen had probably disrupted a potential opportunity for Zhao Muyan and Jiang Nian to spend time alone.
Yet he remained completely unaware of it.
Maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing.
People with simple hearts tended to live more easily.
Just as she was about to close the window, she suddenly noticed someone standing in the corner of the courtyard.
Lu Zhiheng.
He stood beneath the scholar tree with his phone in hand, as though waiting for something. Yet from that exact position, he had a clear view of the kitchen window.
Su Qinghe froze for a moment.
What was he looking at?
Was he watching Jiang Nian?