Arriving at the nearby store, it was even more deserted.
Customers were greeted with alcohol spray and ear thermometers. Only after confirming normal temperatures were they allowed entry by security.
They walked to the fresh produce section, and Cen Jin lifted her chin: “Here’s your battlefield, pick whatever you want, and I’ll pay.”
Li Wu’s gaze quickly scanned around, and he pushed a shopping cart over.
Cen Jin followed leisurely.
She rarely saw Li Wu from this angle, and today suddenly noticed that the young man’s shoulders were very broad, making his gray coat look extremely crisp. Not wearing his school uniform during the break, just looking at his back, he didn’t look like a high school student at all.
She was good at choosing clothes.
Cen Jin silently affirmed.
Li Wu tilted his head slightly, carefully selecting items, turning back to ask Cen Jin if she would eat each thing he picked up.
Cen Jin, annoyed, gave a once-and-for-all answer: “I’m not picky.”
The young man’s clear eyes above his mask widened: “Then why do you eat so little?”
Cen Jin pursed her lips: “Mind your own business. Pick for yourself.”
“Oh.”
Li Wu was very detailed in selecting ingredients, checking freshness, and comparing prices, but his efficiency didn’t decrease. Soon, the bottom of the cart was filled with a complete variety of meat and vegetables.
As they walked toward the checkout counter, they passed a large children’s toy section, dazzling with cars, guns, dinosaurs, and robots—favorites of many boys.
Cen Jin watched attentively, asking casually: “Do you want a Transformer?”
Li Wu choked slightly: “…No.”
Cen Jin glanced at him, walked around him, reached up to get a huge LEGO set from the shelf, and put it in their shopping cart.
Li Wu looked down—it was a Disney castle. He asked, “Are you going to build it?”
“It’s for you to play with.”
“?”
“Work and rest should be balanced, don’t just bury yourself in studies all day,” her index finger pointed at the ’16+’ marked on the box: “It’s perfect for your age.”
“Mm.”
…
On the way home, the sun had emerged from the clouds. Although the light was cold, there was still some warmth, and the wind was tempered, no longer as biting as when they came.
After getting home, Li Wu immediately took off his coat and sweater, rolled up his sleeves, and headed straight for the kitchen, looking ready to show his skills.
Cen Jin found a bag of Wuchang rice at the bottom of the cabinet, checking the expiration date: “My dad brought this in June, haven’t even opened it.”
Li Wu gave her a complex look: “Do you just eat takeout at home?”
Cen Jin caught his tone and shot him a glare: “Is that not allowed?”
Li Wu fell silent, turning back to look for the strainer.
The rice weighed about twenty jin, and Cen Jin tried to lift it with both hands, struggling somewhat.
Seeing this, Li Wu quickly bent down to take it, instinctively saying: “Let me, you go to the side.”
Cen Jin was silent for a few seconds, dusting off her hands as she stood straight: “Getting cocky, huh? Think I’m in the way?”
“…” Li Wu hurriedly explained: “No, it’s too heavy, I’m afraid you’ll hurt yourself.”
Afraid Cen Jin would start arguing with him about this, he took the initiative, lifting the rice bag into his hands with one arm. The young man’s movement was so quick it took just a blink, looking casual and effortless. Cen Jin was stunned—if she hadn’t noticed the slight muscles and veins standing out on his forearm from the effort, she would have thought he was just lifting a bag of cotton.
Cen Jin looked up again, slowly nodding, giving neutral encouragement: “Alright, do your best, I’ll go to the living room.”
After the woman left the limited space of the kitchen, the surroundings cooled down. Li Wu also calmed himself, tied on the newly bought apron, and began familiarizing himself with the kitchen tools and appliances.
First were the cutting boards and knives in the corner. There were three wooden cutting boards, each different in size and thickness. The number of knives was even more extreme, with various shapes, making the prep counter look as precise and serious as an operating room.
Next was the stove. Li Wu tried to light it once but failed. He recalled how the cafeteria staff at Nongxi used to light the stove, pressed and turned it, and a small blue ring of flame burst forth.
He smiled as if successful in an experiment, then looked up at the range hood.
Li Wu turned it on, listened to the whooshing sound for several seconds, then turned it off and on again, adjusting the suction power. Soon, he discovered it had a hand-wave control function, and stood there solemnly, facing the range hood as if greeting it, having great fun operating it.
These were all things he never had at home before, things he didn’t dare to even imagine.
He had underestimated the sophistication and functionality of city people’s kitchens.
Cen Jin sat sideways on the sofa, chin propped on one hand, pretending to look at her phone but paying attention to his movements. She bit her lower lip for a while, finally unable to resist scolding him: “Are you playing around?”
Li Wu glanced at her, like a child caught daydreaming in class, quickly turned off the range hood, and obediently turned on the tap to wash rice and vegetables.
The kitchen instantly went quiet, and Cen Jin’s gaze returned to her screen, her lips curving up uncontrollably.
…
Li Wu had always been efficient at work, with strong comprehension and quick adaptation. Soon, the kitchen was filled with rich, fragrant aromas.
Cen Jin’s appetite was stimulated. She put down her laptop and went to check on the results.
“Is this braised pork?” She stopped at the same stove.
The glass lid above the cast iron pot was covered in condensation, but the dish inside was still vaguely visible.
Li Wu made an “mm” sound, lifted the lid, and used chopsticks to pick up a piece that was richly colored, glistening with oil, and had a good balance of lean and fat meat, offering it to Cen Jin.
Cen Jin didn’t think much of it and was about to stretch her neck to taste it.
Li Wu realized he seemed to be feeding her, which felt inappropriate. His head buzzed, and his entire face suddenly felt like it was over the stove. His hand moved lightning-fast, stuffing the meat into his mouth instead.
Cen Jin’s face temperature dropped dramatically, incredulous: “Are you messing with me?”
“No,” Li Wu was anxiously sweating, explaining with difficulty: “This piece wasn’t good enough…”
Before he finished speaking, Cen Jin had already impatiently grabbed the chopsticks from his hand to try for herself. She picked up a piece, blew on it twice, and put it in her mouth.
The meat was still simmering in the pot, sauce bubbling, fragrance permeating everywhere.
Cen Jin carefully chewed and tasted—the meat was completely tender and well-seasoned, rich but not greasy, lean but not dry, leaving a delicious taste in her mouth.
She was greatly surprised, her eyes curving as she gave the highest praise: “This is so good, really delicious.” Then she picked up another piece to eat.
Seeing her satisfaction, Li Wu’s emotions settled, and he smiled too: “I’m glad you like it.”
Cen Jin went to look at another covered soup pot, “What’s in here, let me help you serve it?”
“Tomato and egg soup.”
“I love that.”
“Really…?”
“Yes, I used to make it often in my dorm when I was studying abroad, but yours already looks more appetizing than what I made back then.”
Cen Jin looked around like a cat searching for food: “Is there anything else?”
“There’s also a plate of asparagus with meat and shredded potatoes, keeping warm in the rice cooker’s steamer tray.”
“You’re so talented, Li Wu――” Cen Jin turned to admire the dishes in the rice cooker, her tone growing admiring: “If I had known you were this skilled, why did we suffer through takeout?”
The young man felt elated from the praise, glancing at the back of Cen Jin’s head, his smile growing deeper. After several failed attempts to suppress it, he diverted his attention, took out his phone from the apron pocket, lowered his eyes to look at the recipe app on it, then cleared it away, pretending to be modest: “It’s just average.”