Chapter 0458

The ingredients were indeed limited. For instance, Lin Ran originally wanted to make a Northeastern dish called "di san xian," but he realized there were no potatoes here, so he settled for a homestyle dish of stir-fried eggplant with green peppers.

Lin Ran knew Luo Yao well—his wife had a sensitive stomach and even suffered from a loss of appetite.

But my wife isn’t picky at all; she’ll eat anything.

And as long as it’s a meal he prepares, she’ll finish it all.

Hadn’t he noticed that his wife had gained a little weight lately? Well… maybe it wasn’t that obvious.

Back in the house, Lin Ran placed the vegetables in the kitchen and only then noticed that there were also meat and eggs among the ingredients. It seemed the production team wasn’t planning to make them live like rabbits.

If he’d known the crew would be this considerate, he would’ve brought some specialty mushrooms from home—perfect for treating them to a little extra something.

“A-Ran, let me help you.”

Lin Ran understood that Luo Yao simply enjoyed doing things together with him. After a moment’s thought, he agreed, as long as she didn’t have to handle the ingredients directly.

Luckily, this was an old-fashioned stove, so Luo Yao could just tend to the fire.

“Yao Yao, you’ve never used one of these before, right? Let me show you—put the firewood in this pit, light it, then slowly add more… Yes, exactly. Leave some gaps to help it burn.”

How did Lin Ran know this? Because he’d once worked part-time cooking for a village banquet.

Following his instructions, Luo Yao easily got the fire going.

Truthfully, she knew how to light a fire—she’d done it often as a child, with even cruder equipment. Just a simple stack of firewood with a pot hanging above it, boiling whatever scraps they had into a meal. The thick black smoke wasn’t just irritating—it was harmful.

But doing this with Lin Ran now? It felt enjoyable.

Seeing how effortlessly Luo Yao managed it, Lin Ran froze for a second.

Right. How could someone with Luo Yao’s past not know how to light a fire and cook? He’d overlooked something so important—this might bring back unpleasant memories for her.

“Yao Yao, I—”

“No need to say anything. I understand. Doing these things with A-Ran… I love it.”

Luo Yao didn’t see her past as tragic. Instead, Lin Ran’s presence had always given her the hope and motivation to keep living.

Her biggest dream since childhood had been to one day hold onto Lin Ran and never let go.

Now that this dream had basically come true, how could anyone say she’d suffered?

How many people muddle through decades of life only to look back and realize none of their dreams ever came true?

[Fireproof, Theftproof, Anti-A3]: Huh? How can Lin Ran explain this in such detail? Even if he was mistreated by the Lin family, would they really make him cook over a fire? Did the Lin household not even have gas?

[Little Yellow Duck]: I’m not surprised Lin Ran knows how to do this. Given his rough upbringing, there’s nothing he hasn’t done. What’s strange is Luo Yao being so skilled at it. Oh, I get it—the Luo family didn’t have gas either.

[Steel Wings]: Seriously? Such a sweet moment and you’re debating whether they had gas or not?

Lin Ran quickly prepped the dishes while the fire burned steadily. He turned on the blower, the low hum adding to the rustic atmosphere.

Lin Ran thought to himself, Just lighting a fire shouldn’t be a problem, right? It won’t kill anyone, will it?

Then it was time for his real work.

He made stir-fried eggplant with green peppers, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, spicy fried lamb, and finally, a simple boiled cabbage.

Watching Lin Ran’s practiced movements, the live-stream audience was stunned. The last time he cooked at the manor, they’d only thought he was skilled.

But now, seeing him handle a wood-fired stove with such ease? He had the flair of a professional chef!

Meanwhile, Luo Yao played the role of fire-tender perfectly. The stove was well-designed, so no smoke escaped.

With each dish, Lin Ran took a small taste to check the flavor.

Luo Yao saw right through his little habit but said nothing, her lips curling into another faint smile.

[Emotional Support Woman]: Huh? Sure, Lin Ran cooks well, but tasting every single dish like that is such a bad habit! It’s like everyone’s eating together, but you’re the only one picking at the food.

[Limbs of Rudeness]: They’re not feeding you, so why complain? Luo Yao doesn’t even mind—didn’t you see her struggling to hide her smile? Honestly, she’s smiled so much this livestream. She’s gorgeous when she smiles… and terrifying when she’s cold.

[Conscience Writer @Tom Without Fur]: When I cook, I taste my food too. Not just while cooking—I even pick at dishes at home. If I don’t like something, I’ll throw it away. What’s it to you? Even five-star chefs taste their own dishes. It’s a normal habit.

Once everything was ready, the two returned to the dining area to eat.

Lin Ran invited the director, “Care to join us?”

The director immediately shook his head. “No, no, I’m quite full already.”

Lin Ran didn’t press. He’d just wanted the director to test the food first. If he refused, fine—Lin Ran had already tasted everything. It should be safe.

“Yao Yao, try it. Tell me if it’s good.” Lin Ran began feeding her, completely indifferent to what others thought.

By the time Luo Yao was full, Lin Ran was only halfway satisfied, so he ate a bit more before finishing.

[Oath-Loving Foodie]: Haters, come out and talk now! See? Lin Ran feeds his wife first before eating himself.

[My Mom Says I’m Marriage Material]: Aaaah, I want Lin Ran as my husband! So caring, so gentle, such a good cook—and a handsome sweetheart to boot. What good deed did Luo Yao do in her past life to deserve him?

[Eating Sugar Cane While Injecting Insulin]: Give me a wife like Luo Yao, and I’d spoil her just as much!

After the meal, Liu Yishou reappeared, having just finished the crew’s boxed lunch.

“You two, we—” Before she could finish, Lin Ran cut her off.

“Yao Yao and I need to rest. Whatever it is, we’ll talk after we’ve rested.”

Liu Yishou blinked.

You think you can just decide when to rest? Even if the show gives you leeway, there’s still a process to follow. Who do you think you are?

“…Alright.”

The moment she agreed, she wanted to slap herself.

Luo Yao’s sharp glare had been downright chilling.

Lin Ran and Luo Yao went to take their afternoon nap. Their bedroom had no cameras, so once the door was locked, they could do whatever they wanted—however they wanted.

“A-Ran, we’ve never done it in a countryside…”

“Shh! I know. But even if it’s exciting, we’ll have to keep it down. Wouldn’t want outsiders to hear, right?”

Luo Yao nodded. She didn’t care if others heard—even if the whole world knew, she’d still claim Lin Ran as hers.

And if he minded? She’d just silence anyone who heard.

With Lin Ran and Luo Yao gone from the livestream, the viewers grew restless.

Wasn’t the show supposed to broadcast everything except when they slept? The stream was still live, but with no guests, what was there to watch?

The host?