Soup

"Durian candy, durian cake, durian chips..."

While at the car trunk, Ye Shuang accidentally opened a suitcase and found it packed with various durian products.

"Hmm..."

It was a durian convention. If fresh durian weren't unavailable, Bai Yuyou probably would have brought even more back.

After closing the trunk, Ye Shuang returned to the driver's seat. Bai Yuyou sat in the passenger seat, seemingly lost in thought.

"What's wrong? Still thinking about changing your name?" Ye Shuang asked.

Regarding Bai Yuyou changing her name, he had always been supportive. After all, she shouldn't share a surname with the human trafficker—though Bai Yuyou herself might not care about that.

"Does Ye Shuang also think it would be better for me to change my name?" Bai Yuyou turned her head, her eyes filled with unreadable emotion.

"Well... I think, even though everyone is used to calling you Yuyou now, a new name would be better," Ye Shuang said with a smile.

"Why would it be better?"

"First, the man who abducted you... it's just not good to share a surname with a trafficker," Ye Shuang continued.

"Second..."

"Doesn't it feel like a rebirth?"

"A new name, a new beginning, a new life... That's why I've always supported you changing your name."

Bai Yuyou seemed to understand, yet not completely. Still, she could grasp the idea—since Ye Shuang said so, she wouldn't refuse, even though she really liked hearing him call her name. Those memories of their time together held a special place in the girl's heart.

"You don't want to change it?"

"..." Bai Yuyou didn't answer. Seeing this, Ye Shuang decided to discuss it further with Aunt Xian later.

Driving away from Yinshan Academy, they soon saw Aunt Xian waiting by the roadside. She wore a simple trench coat and sunglasses, accessorized with minimalist yet elegant jewelry, looking every bit like a wealthy lady.

"Shuangzai, Rou Nv." Seeing Ye Shuang and Bai Yuyou, Aunt Xian smiled.

"Aunt Xian, get in the car first."

"Okay."

As soon as she got in, Aunt Xian started chatting with Bai Yuyou. The girl seemed in low spirits, so she didn't say much.

"What's wrong?" Aunt Xian, sensing Bai Yuyou had something on her mind, asked.

Ye Shuang chimed in, "This child, Yuyou, seems a bit reluctant to change her name."

"Why? Isn't changing to a good name better?" Aunt Xian looked puzzled. A new name meant a fresh start.

"I... like everyone calling me by my name. I'm used to it," Bai Yuyou explained softly. She didn't quite know what she was holding onto, only that this name felt important.

"I see," Aunt Xian looked at Bai Yuyou, thought for a moment, then suddenly turned to Ye Shuang.

"Shuangzai, forget it. Let's not change the name!"

Ye Shuang was taken aback. "Not change it?"

"No, we won't change it. Since A'Nv is unhappy, then we won't," Aunt Xian said. "We can just keep calling her by her name."

Ye Shuang looked away, smiled, and didn't say more. It seemed Aunt Xian was now starting to consider Bai Yuyou's feelings. Perhaps she was finally realizing how to be a mother to Bai Yuyou.

Since the mood had shifted, the name change matter was set aside for now.

"Rou Nv, do you feel better now?" Aunt Xian asked Bai Yuyou with a smile. "I didn't know you didn't want to change your name. Don't blame your mother."

Hearing this, Bai Yuyou seemed to stare blankly at Aunt Xian for a moment before saying, "No... blame..."

"I... wasn't mentally prepared yet."

"Then we'll wait until you are ready. Anytime is fine, no rush!" Aunt Xian said immediately.

"Mm." Bai Yuyou nodded repeatedly.

Ye Shuang changed the navigation and asked, "Shall we go buy groceries directly, or eat out?"

"Let's buy groceries. I'll show off my skills for you today."

"Aunt Xian is cooking?"

"The culinary queen of Hong Kong, watch and learn."

"Alright, alright, alright."

Ye Shuang didn't invite Tang Keke and the others over this time. After all, it wasn't a bad thing to let Aunt Xian and Bai Yuyou have some more time together occasionally.

After buying ingredients, the three returned home.

Just then, Ye Shuang got a work call and stepped onto the balcony to answer it.

Aunt Xian and Bai Yuyou stayed in the kitchen preparing the ingredients.

"Thud, thud, thud." Bai Yuyou held a kitchen knife, skillfully handling the ingredients with practiced ease, even using a cleaver with a rhythmic sound.

Aunt Xian, peeling garlic beside her, watched with gentle eyes. "Rou Nv, you never ate your mother's cooking before... I never thought you'd already know how to cook."

"Ye Shuang taught me," Bai Yuyou said softly.

After a pause, the girl suddenly added,

"Thank you, Mother."

Aunt Xian was stunned for a second, realizing Bai Yuyou was referring to the earlier matter. She also smiled. "I understand now. I need to care more about how you feel. Before, I was a bit selfish..."

"..."

She rubbed the corner of her eye with the back of her hand. "Ah, this garlic is a bit eye-watering today."

Seeing this, Bai Yuyou rinsed her hands with clean water, then pulled out a kitchen towel and handed it to Aunt Xian.

"It's nothing."

Soon, Ye Shuang finished his call. Noticing the mother and daughter standing together, chatting and laughing, he smiled slightly and chose to pick up his phone and return to the balcony, not disturbing them.

In the evening, the mother and daughter brought the dishes to the table.

"Here we go, Wild Mushroom and Star Grouper Thick Soup. Eat it while it's hot."

"Roast Goose with Ho Fun."

"Steamed Scallops with Vermicelli."

"And curry, blanched vegetables."

Aunt Xian seemed not to have cooked for a long time, but her words were full of confidence. "When I was young, I worked in a big hotel and learned a lot."

"It really does look delicious."

As soon as Ye Shuang sat down, Bai Yuyou beside him handed him a pair of chopsticks.

"Try the taste first." Aunt Xian served soup for both of them.

"Okay."

Ye Shuang took a sip of the thick soup and found it quite tasty, though personally, he preferred clear soup over thick soup.

"Is it good?"

After Bai Yuyou took a sip, Aunt Xian looked at her curiously.

"Plop."

A tear fell onto the dining table. Both Aunt Xian and Ye Shuang were stunned. Clear tears traced down Bai Yuyou's face like broken pearls, uncontrollable. The girl lowered her head, silent.

"W-why are you crying?"

Bai Yuyou didn't understand either. She instinctively touched her own face and said softly, "Because... the soup is very good."

"This taste..."

Ye Shuang seemed to understand. He reached out and gently stroked the girl's head. "It is, after all, made by your mother."

Aunt Xian also understood now, her face full of emotion, her own eyes turning red.

The two of them comforted Bai Yuyou, stroking her head for a good while.

The soup was very good.