I Am Your Reward

"Holy crap?" Su Yang was stunned again. He never expected Zhuang Mengli to say something like that.

"What, is there a problem with what I said?"

"Not really a problem, but what if I don't want to?"

"Then we'll talk about it later. But if you're never going to be willing, I'll definitely have to leave. I can't just revolve around you forever."

"You've got a pretty good mindset!"

"That's just how I am. Whatever happens, happens. If it doesn't work out, then forget it."

"Alright, alright, let's stop talking about this for now. What do you want to eat tonight?" Su Yang changed the subject.

Speaking of food, Zhuang Mengli tilted her head up, thought for a moment, and said, "You said you know how to cook. So, what's your specialty?"

"I'm good at everything."

"Really?"

"Yeah, just name it. As long as you can name the dish, I can basically make it for you."

"That impressive?"

"Stop nagging and order."

"Let me think. Can we have cold-tossed fish mint?" Zhuang Mengli turned to look at Su Yang with a smile.

"What? A girl from Shanghai like you can eat fish mint?"

"I can eat it! I actually like it quite a bit. I went to Lincheng once before, tried it, and thought it was pretty good."

"Damn, that stuff is simple, but I don't have any here..."

"Didn't you say you could make any dish I could name?"

"I can. I'll just go out and buy some later, or order it on a grocery delivery app. Keep going."

"OK." Zhuang Mengli agreed, thought for a bit, then quickly snapped her fingers and added, "Let's also have spicy tadpoles."

"Spicy... what now?" Su Yang frowned and asked.

"You've never had spicy tadpoles?"

"I... could you order something within the realm of normal cuisine? I've genuinely never had spicy tadpoles..."

"I don't care, I want to eat that."

"Fine, I'll go check the supermarket later. Tadpoles... wait, the supermarket probably doesn't sell those, right?"

"We'll see if they don't have them. I'm just ordering it first," Zhuang Mengli said, swinging her legs.

Su Yang let out a breath and rubbed his forehead. "Alright, continue. Please don't order any more dark cuisine, okay?"

"Okay, okay. Are embryonic eggs considered normal?"

"Embryonic..." Su Yang pursed his lips. "They count. At the very least, I can actually buy those."

"That's good. You figure out the rest. I can't think of anything else at the moment."

"I really couldn't tell that you liked these kinds of bizarre specialty dishes."

"I just like eating things I don't get to eat often."

"Alright, no problem. I guarantee you'll get to eat the fish mint and the embryonic eggs tonight. But as for those tadpoles, I really might not be able to buy them."

"If you can't buy them, then forget it."

"Okay, what time is it?"

"Ten past five," Zhuang Mengli said, glancing at the Audemars Piguet rose gold women's watch on her wrist.

"It's getting late. I'm going out to the supermarket now. Are you waiting for me at home or coming with me?"

"I won't go. I just sat down not too long ago, I want to lie down for a bit."

"Alright then, you rest." Su Yang said, getting up, grabbing his car keys, and heading out.

Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, it was six-thirty.

Su Yang bought the groceries and returned to the villa.

As soon as he walked in the door, Zhuang Mengli put on her slippers and quickly ran over to ask, "How did it go? Did you buy the tadpoles?"

Su Yang shook his head. "No. You have to catch those things in a pond yourself. You can buy them online, but it would take a few days."

"Alright then, never mind."

Su Yang carried two bags into the kitchen and started preparing the meal.

Zhuang Mengli followed him and watched from the side, but she talked way too much, constantly chattering until Su Yang's head went numb.

"I say, could you go watch TV in the living room? You really talk too much, my head hurts."

"I was just thinking about helping you do something."

"No need, no need. Just going and sitting down would be helping me, okay?"

"Alright then, but hurry up, I'm so hungry."

"OK, OK, go on."

"Okay." After Zhuang Mengli left, the kitchen finally quieted down.

"Good lord, I surrender. I've never met a woman who could chatter so much!"

After muttering a complaint, Su Yang started heating up the wok and oil...

About two hours later, five dishes and one soup were all finished.

Cold-tossed fish mint, pan-fried embryonic eggs, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, braised prawns, braised beef short ribs, and a three-delicacy soup.

Zhuang Mengli came jogging over, following the smell.

"Smells so good! Is it time to eat?"

"It's ready. Bring them out."

"Okay, okay."

Soon, the two of them brought all six dishes to the dining table. Then Su Yang walked over to the wine cabinet and asked, "What are we drinking?"

"Baijiu."

"Oh? Don't you dislike baijiu?"

"I want to drink some white liquor today."

"Alright." Su Yang took down a bottle of fifteen-year Moutai from the left side of the wine cabinet and returned to sit at the table.

"Will this do?"

"Yes, yes!"

"Alright, sit down. Let's eat."

"Should we light a candle? What about the candlelight dinner we agreed on?" Zhuang Mengli said with a beaming smile, resting her chin on her hands.

"Alright, I'll satisfy your request."

Su Yang quickly lit a uniquely shaped candle and placed it on the dining table. Then he turned on the home audio system and played some soothing background music.

He also turned off the living room lights and adjusted the dining room lights to an ambient mode. Instantly, the vibe of a high-end restaurant candlelight dinner was created.

Zhuang Mengli clapped her hands in applause. "Not bad! The atmosphere is perfect!"

"Ask and you shall receive!"

"Not bad at all, your performance is quite excellent."

"Is that so? Then is there a reward?" Su Yang blurted out with a laugh.

"A reward?" Zhuang Mengli paused for a moment, then gave a charming smile. "I am your reward."

Su Yang swallowed hard and sat down at the table. "You're playing at a pretty high level."

"It's alright, just a bit behind you."

"Don't be modest, I'm nowhere near as good as you."

"Hehe, let's eat."

"Let's toast first before eating." Su Yang poured two glasses of wine, clinked glasses with Zhuang Mengli, and tossed it back.

"Good wine! Let's dig in!"

"Okay." Zhuang Mengli was already getting impatient.

She picked up her chopsticks, grabbed a large prawn, and put it in her mouth. After chewing twice, she stood up with a look of absolute shock. "Holy crap!! This is so good!!"

Su Yang was already used to this kind of reaction. He smiled faintly. "If it's good, eat more. Hurry and sit down."

"Wait, I have to reward you." Zhuang Mengli said, walking over to Su Yang. Before he could react, she brushed her hair aside, leaned down, and planted a kiss right on his cheek.

"Whoa!" Su Yang touched his cheek, his hand immediately coming away with a mixture of grease and lipstick.

"So greasy. Couldn't you wipe your mouth first?"

"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. You're lucky I even kissed you, and you want me to wipe my mouth? No time." Zhuang Mengli said, sitting back down and burying her head in her food.

Su Yang couldn't be bothered to argue with her. He grabbed a tissue, wiped his face, and started eating as well.

The two ate and drank, and soon, the whole table of food was practically wiped clean, and not a single drop of wine was left.

By now, Zhuang Mengli's face was flushed red. Baijiu was still baijiu, after all, and the alcohol content was high.

Zhuang Mengli leaned back in her chair and rubbed her belly. "I'm so stuffed! But this meal is the best I've ever had in my entire life. So satisfying!"

"Thanks for the compliment."

"I'm serious. With your cooking skills, you could make at least fifty thousand a month working as a chef out there. Have you ever considered it?"

Su Yang pursed his lips into a smile. "Are you wishing me ill or something?"

"What do you mean?"

"With fifty thousand a month, I wouldn't be able to afford a villa this big."

"Oh, right, hahaha, I completely forgot."

Su Yang shook his head and stood up. "Let's go sit on the sofa."

"Alright," Zhuang Mengli said as she stood up, though she swayed a little on her feet.

She reached a hand out to Su Yang. "Help me! You really don't know how to treat a lady."

Su Yang rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright, I've got you."

He walked over to Zhuang Mengli's side and supported her as they made their way to the sofa.

Just as they reached it, Zhuang Mengli suddenly spun around and fell back onto the cushions. As she went down, she gave a hard pull, using her momentum to drag Su Yang down on top of her. The two of them collapsed onto the sofa together.

Su Yang propped himself up with both hands. Just as he was about to speak, Zhuang Mengli placed an index finger over his lips. Looking at him with eyes full of deep affection, she murmured, "Don't speak. Didn't you want a reward?"

"Didn't I already get a reward just now?"

"That was just a small reward... Now it's time for the real, big reward."

......