How could there be such a good thing

Shen Nian hadn't gone home. After lunch, he spent the whole afternoon at Xia Yanchun's place, studying using her materials.

Only by flipping through Xia Yanchun's materials did he understand why she could score so highly on exams.

The materials were worn and tattered from use. The exercise books piled in the corner were all filled to the brim with writing.

Fun fact: Xia Yanchun would only read extracurricular books like "Youth Digest" to gather material after she had finished all her exercise books.

That rock-solid score, good enough to rank in the top fifty of the province, definitely wasn't achieved by talent alone.

How does that saying go? Talent determines your ceiling, but hard work raises your floor.

Shen Nian suspected that if he weren't there, Xia Yanchun would really study for half a day straight. It was kinda scary.

That's my beloved Chun Bao, straight up surpassing (in grades).

It wasn't until 4 p.m. that Xia Yanchun finally couldn't help but stretch, her upper body, which had been propped against the headboard, slumping down softly. She lay on her side and glanced at Shen Nian sitting on the chair.

"Done studying?" Shen Nian asked, looking at her sideways.

"I'm tired."

"If you're tired, take a break."

"Aren't you tired?"

"Not really." Shen Nian leaned back against the chair. "What do you usually do when I'm not at your place?"

"Read books or look at my phone," Xia Yanchun blinked and retorted, "What about you?"

"Play games, of course."

"I knew it."

"What's wrong? Haven't you studied enough at school? Can't I even play when I get home? Don't be such a grind, babe."

Xia Yanchun didn't think there was anything wrong with playing games. It's just that last semester, Shen Nian's grades were really quite poor.

Knowing his grades couldn't keep up but still playing games felt a bit like giving up to her, like being content with the status quo.

Not that it's completely unacceptable, but it just meant he wouldn't be able to go to a university locally.

If it was too far away, it would mean she and Shen Nian could only see each other during National Day, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Spring Festival. They probably wouldn't even come home for holidays like Tomb-Sweeping Day.

Even though they bickered all the time, the thought made her quite reluctant. No matter how annoying a little brother is, he's still your little brother. That's why she would always nag Shen Nian to study hard whenever she got the chance.

Obviously, Shen Nian in his second year of high school completely ignored her words. Thankfully, he started buckling down in his third year.

A slight smile touched Xia Yanchun's lips. She pushed herself up. "It's about time, aren't you supposed to cook?"

"Oh right, cooking."

Shen Nian patted his pants and got up, heading to the kitchen to get the ingredients from the fridge.

He tested the water—still pretty cold—so he washed the vegetables himself to save Xia Yanchun from getting chilblains again.

Meanwhile, Haki Chun went to rinse the rice without slacking off at all.

Shen Nian didn't say anything. At most, he'd just hold Chun Bao's hand again tonight to "warm" it up for her.

"You even bought beef? Do you know how to cook it? I'll take charge. You just be my assistant." Xia Yanchun tied an apron on herself. It had a pink cat face print, a bit tacky.

She wasn't very tall to begin with, and with that 'step aside, you can't do it' expression, Shen Nian looked down and thought, whose cute little kitchen helper is this?

Oh haha, she's mine. Sorry for not keeping a better eye on her, folks.

"You don't believe me, huh? My cooking skills are legit, bro. You just prep the ginger, garlic, and scallions, then go wait to eat."

"Are you really capable? Have you ever cooked before? Do you really know when to add what seasoning?"

The triple whammy left Shen Nian speechless.

Xia Yanchun sighed. "And you said you could do it?"

"I have to try, right? Everyone learns gradually."

"That's true. Then I'll guide you from the side. Don't move..."

Xia Yanchun reached behind her back, untied her own apron, walked behind Shen Nian, looped it over his neck, and tied the strings for him with her small hands.

"Chun Bao, it's a bit tight."

"If it's tight, just bear with it."

"..."

Shen Nian had nothing to say and went to slice the beef.

He rarely chopped ingredients, so the beef slices ended up all weird shapes. It was Xia Yanchun who reminded him to cut against the grain and to use the knuckle of his thumb to press against the blade to avoid cutting his fingers. Only then did his slicing speed pick up.

Sorry for having barely cooked a few times in all my years.

"Ah, my mom used up all the ginger when she came over to cook. I've been too lazy to cook so I never bought more..." Xia Yanchun only brought out half a bulb of garlic, pouting in frustration. "Remember to add cooking wine later."

"Okay."

He poured light soy sauce, salt, and pepper over the beef, mixed it well with chopsticks, covered it with plastic wrap, and let it marinate for half an hour...

While waiting, he went to wash the water spinach, stir-fried it quickly, and almost forgot the salt, earning him some pressure from Xia Yanchun.

The beef wasn't done marinating yet. Shen Nian took a moment to loosen the apron, then took Xia Yanchun's two small hands in his. "Why are your hands so cold again?"

"The weather's cold," Xia Yanchun said softly, a faint pink coloring her cheeks.

"It's fine. I'll warm them up for you after dinner." Shen Nian smiled lightly and leaned his forehead against the girl's.

"Again... already?"

The moment Shen Nian pressed his forehead against hers, Xia Yanchun knew what he wanted to do.

He had already indulged him once this morning, and now he wanted to again...

Only when Shen Nian started leaning in did she widen her eyes slightly, lean back, turn her face away from his, and pull her hands free.

"Just focus on cooking, don't get any ideas..."

"Haki Chun, you little...!"

"What? What? Hmph." Xia Yanchun turned her face away and left the kitchen, even closing the kitchen door behind her, leaving him to his own devices.

'Chun Bao' when he needs something, 'Haki Chun' when he doesn't. Look how spoiled he's become, really thinking he can do whatever he wants just because he's 'number one best' for the day.

If she lets him kiss her now, he'll definitely want to again tonight.

Once a day is enough. Does he think he can just have it whenever he wants? Things aren't that good.

The meat was almost done marinating, and the burning heat on the tips of her ears had gradually faded. Only then did she re-enter the kitchen to resume her pointing and instructing.

"Heat the wok, add oil, then..."

Shen Nian interrupted, "Then add the garlic, stir-fry until fragrant, add the meat, quick-fry, add the bell peppers when the beef turns white, right?"

"Mhm, seems you're not completely clueless." Xia Yanchun nodded her little head.

"I may not have cooked it myself, but haven't I watched tutorials?"

The high rating for bell pepper beef was purely because it's delicious, no special effects.

Although he really wanted to warm Xia Yanchun up, they didn't even have ginger. Surely bell pepper beef couldn't have warming properties, could it?

One meat dish and one vegetable dish were served. This time, the presentation was pretty good, thanks in no small part to Xia Yanchun's guidance. Otherwise, Shen Nian might not have thought to add dark soy sauce for color.

Some dishes taste the same with dark soy sauce, but they really do look much more appetizing.

Shen Nian went home to call Shen Yue. The three of them rarely gathered around the same table for a meal.

"This beef is really good. Did Little Chun cook it?"

"I cooked it!" Shen Nian puffed out his chest. "Seriously, isn't cooking just something you can do as long as you have hands?"

"Subtly insulting me, are you?"

"Hey, I didn't say anything. Don't put yourself in that category, sis."

Shen Yue gritted her teeth in frustration, but for the sake of Shen Nian having cooked, she let it slide this time.

Xia Yanchun's eyes curved into happy crescents as she listened to the biological siblings bicker, feeling wonderful.

Shen Yue was rather lazy and used the disposable bowls and chopsticks from Xia Yanchun's house. She finished eating and made a quick exit.

"Hehe, washing the dishes is all yours now."

"Alright, the dirty and tiring work is on me." Shen Nian grinned, flashing his teeth.

He hadn't planned on letting Chun Bao do the dishes anyway.

There weren't many dishes, and Shen Nian finished washing them in no time. After the meal, his whole body felt warm, and he didn't feel cold even though he was only draped in a jacket.

After finishing the dishes, Shen Nian slipped into Xia Yanchun's house, snuggling against her soft body.

He had already spent quite a long time at Xia Yanchun's place today. Once she went to take a shower, it would be about time for him to head back.

Xia Yanchun hummed and whined softly, letting Shen Nian hold her for a while.

"I'm sitting on the bed now."

"Mmm..."

Only after getting her agreement did Shen Nian plop down on the bed. His large hands encircled the girl's slender waist, gently massaging her little belly that was full from the meal.

"My cooking skills aren't bad, right?"

"Average. Can't compare to mine."

"Uh, hey, I just started learning."

Xia Yanchun hummed. Her waist and abdomen were sensitive to begin with, and she was wearing pajamas. With Shen Nian rubbing them like this, her cheeks quickly flushed with color.

After cuddling for a good while, Xia Yanchun's soft little hands grabbed Shen Nian's fingers to stop his wandering touches. Her tone was light and airy. "That's enough from you, okay? I'm going to take a shower."

"You can't shower by yourself?"

"Go to hell!" Xia Yanchun couldn't hold back and flung his hand away. "Who said anything about showering with you? Get lost."

"Oh, I thought you wanted me to join you." Shen Nian grinned and stood up. "Then I'm heading back. Goodnight in advance, Chun Bao."

"...Hmph!"

Watching Shen Nian leave, the room fell quiet again.

Xia Yanchun sat there in a daze for a moment, cupping her face, before her feet finally found her slippers. She then picked out the clothes she would wear tomorrow.

...

When Shen Nian got home, his mind kept turning things over.

Earlier, when he was holding Xia Yanchun, he had even taken off his shoes on purpose to rub against her feet.

Her skin was delicate and felt warm to the touch. It wasn't just her feet; Xia Yanchun's hands were warm too.

The green peppers he bought weren't spicy, and there was no ginger. Could a simple plate of green pepper beef really warm the body like that?

It seemed a bit far-fetched.

It seemed like [Cooking Mastery] really did impart some effects that shouldn't logically exist...

Could this thing be... idealistic? Granting effects based on intention?

Test, test, test!

At ten o'clock at night, Shen Nian took out the leftover chicken from the morning and stir-fried it again, tossing in some noodles as well.

Does cooking noodles not count as cooking?

No particular reason, just wanted to see the limits of [Cooking Mastery].

What do you think, folks? Can I create a dish that boosts intelligence by 50% after eating it?

Well, it's safe to say Shen Nian was being wildly imaginative.

Even if he went to solve problems immediately after the meal, his speed and efficiency showed no real change.

A 50% intelligence boost was still too detached from reality.

Yan Xi reminds you: Due to Tomato's request for over three million daily visits causing excessive server pressure, it is now recommended that you use sources from other esteemed creators.