Chen Hai's Invitation

"Would you like to have some soup tonight?" Seeing Bai Yuyou eyeing the couples around them with eager curiosity, Ye Shuang quickly changed the subject.

"Soup..."

"Yeah, what kind would you like?" Noticing the little foodie's attention shift to the mention of food, Ye Shuang smiled.

Bai Yuyou thought for a moment before lowering her eyes. "I... haven't had any before."

"Never?"

"Mmm." Bai Yuyou seemed to recall something. "I've had instant noodle broth. It was salty and spicy."

"That doesn’t count," Ye Shuang said gently. "In that case, let’s make corn and carrot pork rib soup—our province’s signature soup."

"Signature soup?"

"Yep."

"What’s a signature soup?"

"Uh..."

After buying some fresh ribs at the nearby market, Ye Shuang and Bai Yuyou headed straight to the kitchen as soon as they got home.

"Bai Yuyou, slice some ginger for me," Ye Shuang said, rinsing the ribs before pulling out the soup pot they’d bought.

"Okay."

Bai Yuyou had learned how to chop vegetables by now—at least she no longer raised the knife high and hacked down with all her might. That kind of technique would’ve left her with no fingers to spare.

Ye Shuang placed the ribs in cold water, added a few slices of ginger Bai Yuyou had prepared, and turned on the heat to blanch them.

"You did a great job with the slicing," Ye Shuang praised, never missing a chance to encourage her.

Though Bai Yuyou’s expression remained neutral, the slight sway of her ahoge betrayed her delight at the compliment.

"Someone from our province should know how to make soup," Ye Shuang said, smiling at her. "Pay close attention so you can make it for yourself someday."

Bai Yuyou suddenly looked up, tilting her head. "For myself... Won’t you drink it with me, Ye Shuang?"

Ye Shuang paused, surprised by her sensitivity. "Of course I will. I just meant I’d like to taste the soup you make."

"Oh." Bai Yuyou nodded, watching as bubbles began to rise in the pot.

"The first step in making rib soup is blanching the ribs," Ye Shuang explained. "It removes impurities and scum, so you have to start with cold water."

"Why cold water?" Bai Yuyou asked.

"If you use hot water, the blood and fat will coagulate and stay trapped inside the meat. Cold water lets it release slowly as it heats up."

Ye Shuang went into detail, wanting Bai Yuyou to learn properly so she could take care of herself.

The next steps were simple—skim off the foam, then add carrots and corn for a homestyle corn and carrot pork rib soup.

"Add some salt." When the soup was nearly done, Ye Shuang seasoned it. "Oh, and always add salt just before serving. If you add it too early, the ribs will toughen up, and the flavor won’t come through as well."

Bai Yuyou nodded.

"Taste’s about right." Ye Shuang ladled some into a bowl and handed it to Bai Yuyou. "Try it."

Bai Yuyou took a small sip of the clear, fragrant broth—

"It’s delicious..." A faint blush spread across her pale cheeks as the sweet, savory warmth of the soup filled her body.

"Right?" Ye Shuang grinned.

But then Bai Yuyou held out the bowl, leaving just a sip inside. "Ye Shuang, you drink too... It’s really good."

Ye Shuang looked at the bowl in her hands and sighed. "No."

"Why?"

"Because you shouldn’t share a bowl you’ve already drunk from," he said.

Bai Yuyou didn’t understand, but she nodded anyway.

Ye Shuang stir-fried a couple of side dishes and tried teaching Bai Yuyou how to fry an egg. When she produced a charred, unidentifiable lump, he realized this girl might have zero talent for cooking.

Dinner ended around seven. This time, Bai Yuyou didn’t pester Ye Shuang to bathe with her—he’d made it clear she had to choose between bathing together or sleeping together.

After some thought, Bai Yuyou decided sleeping together was better.

Bathing only lasted a little while, but sleeping meant she could stay close to Ye Shuang for much longer.

Once Bai Yuyou headed to the shower, Ye Shuang pulled out his phone to browse the news, only to see several new messages from Chen Hai.

Chen Hai: You free? Let’s grab tea!

Ye Shuang called him right away.

The line connected after a few rings. "Hey."

"Why the sudden invite for tea?" Ye Shuang asked.

"Uh..." For some reason, Chen Hai’s voice sounded strained. After a pause, he said, "Just felt like hanging out. You free?"

Ye Shuang didn’t pick up on the odd tone and agreed. "Sure, I just finished dinner. Where?"

"You’ve eaten? Never mind then, just rest up." Chen Hai abruptly backtracked.

Now Ye Shuang sensed something off. "What’s going on with you? You’re acting weird."

"It’s nothing... I’ll send you the address."

"Alright."

After hanging up, Ye Shuang glanced toward the bathroom and called out,

"Bai Yuyou, I’m heading out to meet a friend. Once you’re done showering, stay home and behave."

The bathroom door flew open instantly—Bai Yuyou stepped out, completely naked. "Going out?"

"You dummy, don’t run around like that!" Ye Shuang immediately pushed her back inside. About a minute later, Bai Yuyou reappeared, her clothes clinging wetly to her skin.

Ye Shuang: "..."

He regretted not waiting until she’d finished showering.

"Why the rush?" Ye Shuang grabbed a large towel and started drying her hair. "Arms up."

Bai Yuyou obediently raised her hands, letting him peel off her soaked, semi-transparent clothes before wrapping her snugly in the towel.

"I don’t want to be apart from you," she murmured.

Ye Shuang suddenly realized just how clingy this girl was, despite their short time together.

But considering Bai Yuyou’s past, it made sense for someone who’d once had no one to rely on to latch onto him like this.

After a moment’s thought, Ye Shuang figured it wouldn’t hurt to bring her along—Chen Hai had met her before, and he could just give her some snacks to keep her quietly occupied.

"Fine, I’ll take you with me."

"Okay."

"Don’t hug me like that—the towel’s slipping!"

Following the address Chen Hai had sent, Ye Shuang rode his motorcycle with Bai Yuyou to their destination—one of Chen Hai’s apartments.

After reaching the 20th floor, Ye Shuang rang the doorbell.

"Chen Hai."

The door opened—but instead of Chen Hai, a tall, beautiful woman with wavy hair stood there.

"Ye Shuang!"

"Chen Qin?"