The lunch that day was unusually abundant. All the dormitory staff gathered in the first-floor hall.
Four large baking trays were laid out on the rectangular table.
Each tray emitted an irresistible mix of sweet and meaty aroma—flavors they had never experienced before.
By the end, the dish even vaguely resembled pizza.
Everyone marveled at Ruan Tao, praising her culinary skills.
Several young girls squeezed forward, asking how she made it. Ruan Tao scratched the back of her head and said humbly, “I just fumbled around. Normally I wouldn’t be able to do this—it’s the tools and ingredients here that make it possible.”
“The ingredients are easy to get.”
The man who had helped carry the enormous rooster stood shirtless, a makeshift cloth “towel” draped around his neck.
Wiping sweat, he laughed and grabbed a piece of potato.
The potato was roasted golden at the bottom, oiled, and infused with the aroma of meat. Above it were meat sauce, bacon, and a chip.
He swallowed the entire piece in one bite.
The thick potato base was crispy, the middle soft like mashed potato, with sweet minced meat and mushrooms, and half the chip still crispy—layers of flavor, rich and complex.
Everyone dug large scoops into their bowls, eating with great satisfaction.
“If this girl cooks for us every day, we’ll hunt for you every day,” the man said, swallowing, with a hearty tone.
Someone added, “Too bad this good food will only last five more days.”
Ruan Tao froze.
Beside her, one of the men who had carried the wild boar immediately teased, “Ah Zhao, didn’t you say you liked this girl? Go get her to cook for you!”
Another man bumped him with his shoulder. “Aren’t you just trying to mooch off Ah Zhao’s food?”
Caught, he shrugged without embarrassment. “So what! Does it mean I get less?”
The two men started playfully squabbling.
Cheers erupted around them. The so-called Ah Zhao was tall and muscular, shirtless, clearly one of the strongest men in the group.
Yet he seemed shy, blushing.
Amid the pushing, Ah Zhao sat beside Ruan Tao. Nervously, he glanced at her bowl for a moment and lowered his voice: “Miss Xiaoxi, you…”
His words trailed off.
Suddenly, a door creaked open, attracting everyone’s attention.
Two girls in sailor uniforms pushed the door open from either side. Between them, a man in a black military uniform stepped inside.
The first-floor hall was large because half of it was built as a semi-underground level.
From outside, there was a small platform with stairs on either side. Descending the stairs led into the main hall.
The man didn’t descend.
He stood on the platform, expressionless, his cold gaze sweeping over everyone.
Then, with a slight curl of his lips, he said casually, “Quite lively?”
Ruan Tao: “…………”
This was truly a case of luck—an unexpected turn bringing hope.
The blonde auntie in charge of the dormitory area, who had been eating with everyone, quickly stood up, smiling politely: “Mr. Bo.”
Her tone was neither flattering nor servile, yet it conveyed respect, making Ruan Tao feel oddly pleased.
If the blonde auntie hadn’t looked nearly forty, Ruan Tao might have considered her a hidden rival.
But Bo Yutong was, after all, Bo Yutong.
He could make what ordinary people considered “difficult” seem effortless.
Even in a situation that could make anyone “happy,” he appeared… somehow… rather unhappy.
He ignored the auntie, scanning the hall again, stopping briefly on Ah Zhao beside Ruan Tao.
“Who made this?” he asked.
Ah Zhao stepped forward fearlessly, ready to answer, when suddenly he felt a soft, small hand grab his arm.
He tried to pull back but could not move.
The little girl stepped in front of him, tilting her head upward toward the man on the platform, smiling brightly: “First… Mr. Bo. I made the food. All ingredients are usable, and it was done during break time. No rules were broken.”
The tilt of her head revealed a long neck. Dressed plainly, with unremarkable features that one would usually forget, she now appeared inexplicably… beautiful and noble, like a little swan.
Bo Yutong lowered his gaze to the girl in the hall, then after a moment, smiled and asked, “Can you make anything else?”
Ruan Tao scratched the back of her head: “Yes, as long as I have ingredients and tools.”
Bo Yutong nodded: “Follow me.”
He turned and walked out.
Ruan Tao hadn’t reacted yet when the blonde auntie beside her urged with a smile: “Silly girl, go quickly. The gentleman is—”
She paused, ensuring everyone around was her own people, then whispered into Ruan Tao’s ear: “He came following the aroma. He likes the lunch you made.”
Ruan Tao: “……”
He likes… your… lunch.
If only the auntie had exaggerated her breathing, she could have enjoyed the first four words for a full two seconds.
Ruan Tao smiled, waved at everyone, and without tidying up, immediately followed Bo Yutong.
Blessing in disguise. Fate unavoidable.
Bo Yutong had delivered himself on a silver platter—she wouldn’t be polite.
Ruan Tao rolled up her sleeves… and continued bustling in the kitchen.
Luckily, her “human duration” had recently been extended; now a day lasted about three hours, or she would have had to revert mid-lunch—a truly frustrating situation.
Bo Yutong had more and finer ingredients.
However, Ruan Tao had known him for a long time, never seen him eat, and didn’t know his taste preferences.
She began preparing dishes according to her own tastes.
Bo Yutong stayed, leaning against the kitchen doorway, watching her.
Ruan Tao grew tense, nearly cutting her hand while chopping.
He came closer, murmuring with a smile: “Clumsy.”
…Seemingly a scold, but clearly flirtatious.
His voice was low, resonant, chest vibrations apparent. As he spoke, a gentle breeze took the knife from her hand.
Bo Yutong lightly sliced the vegetables on the board, finishing them exactly as Ruan Tao had started.
Blushing, she whispered, “I-I still need to cut them once more.”
Bo Yutong’s fingers adjusted again.
He finished effortlessly, and Ruan Tao grabbed a handful of vegetables to wash.
“Mr. Bo,” she asked while washing, “what do you like to eat?”
He withdrew his hand: “Anything.”
Ruan Tao: “…Sweet or spicy?”
Bo Yutong: “Anything.”
Ruan Tao: “Vegetables or meat?”
Bo Yutong: “Anything.”
Ruan Tao: “Peaches or watermelon?”
Bo Yutong: “……”
Ruan Tao: “…What a stupid question.”
She couldn’t help it; seeing him treat “Xia Xiaoxi” so well made her jealous… she was being possessive.
Bo Yutong glanced at her, motion unchanged: “Peaches.”
Ruan Tao was satisfied: “Ohh.”
With the “strongest assistant” present, she cooked quickly, producing three dishes and a soup in minutes.
Bo Yutong sat at the table: “From now on, come here every noon.”
Ruan Tao’s eyes lit up, nodding eagerly: “Yes, sir.”
He put down his chopsticks and looked at her: “Sit and eat together?”
Still aware of her identity, she waved her hands: “No, no, I can’t.”
Bo Yutong propped his chin on one hand: “Then why are you still standing here?”
“…Oh.” Ruan Tao realized, quickly walked toward the door, and held it open for him: “Please enjoy, sir.”
Bo Yutong’s smile softened slightly.
Only slightly.
His smile hadn’t disappeared when the door, not fully closed, was pushed open again.
A little head peeked in. Ruan Tao’s eyes followed from the three dishes and soup to his face.
She swallowed, whispering: “Sir, if you go back now, there probably won’t be anything to eat.”
Bo Yutong: “Hm?”
Her voice grew lighter, sounding pitiful: “I…I’m still hungry…”