Cooking Together

In the end, they didn’t actually end up sleeping in the living room.

Watching Hu Yuying lying on the bed, Long Aotian got up from the makeshift bed on the floor and leaned against the edge of the bed, saying, "Isn’t this a bit like burying our heads in the sand?"

Hu Yuying rolled over on the bed, propped her chin in her hands, and looked at Long Aotian seriously before nodding. "It really is, isn’t it?"

They were already in the same room—whether he slept on the floor or not, to outsiders, it would still look like they were sharing a room.

Hearing her response, Long Aotian chuckled and stood up.

Then, Hu Yuying promptly sent him off to the living room.

After laying out the bedding for Long Aotian, she patted the sofa and said, "Then you’ll be sleeping here tonight, Long Aotian."

"That’s not what I meant," he protested.

Hu Yuying tilted her chin slightly and glanced toward Old Han’s room, as if to say, "Then what did you mean?"

With a sigh, Long Aotian lay down on the sofa. "At least keep me company for a while, then."

"Okay." It was still early.

During the holidays, especially on the days Long Aotian had come to visit her, they had stayed up late often. Going to bed this early would make it hard to fall asleep.

Long Aotian told Hu Yuying about Shen Mengjie temporarily staying at the courtyard house.

After listening, Hu Yuying frowned slightly. "Did something happen to her?"

Long Aotian shook his head. "Not sure yet."

"Actually, I was thinking today about whether we should head back to the capital early."

Hu Yuying nodded. "That’s fine."

There weren’t many days left before school started.

Going back earlier would give them time to tidy up the place. Besides, there wasn’t much left to do at home.

Her grandparents had been overjoyed by Long Aotian’s visit this year.

The money she’d earned from her online store was enough to cover their daily expenses, so she didn’t have any lingering worries about them.

"Alright, then. Spend the next couple of days chatting with Old Han, and we’ll leave on the evening of the Lantern Festival."

Mentioning Old Han, Hu Yuying couldn’t help but scoot closer to Long Aotian. "Does your dad have any issues with me?"

"What issues could he have? Seeing you today made him happier than ever."

Hearing this, Hu Yuying covered her mouth with a light laugh, feeling pleased. "Get some sleep. I’m going back to the room."

"Won’t you stay and talk a bit longer? Can you even fall asleep this early?"

"Long Aotian, if you’re just talking, then talk—but don’t think about following me back to the room."

Faced with the sound of the door closing, Long Aotian rubbed his nose. This girl was getting harder and harder to coax!

Resigned, he lay back on the sofa, played with his phone for a while, and soon drifted off.

Early the next morning, Long Aotian thought he heard voices.

Bleary-eyed, he saw Hu Yuying brushing her teeth in the bathroom.

"Yuying, were you just talking?"

"Yeah, your dad bought me some toiletries," Hu Yuying replied softly from the bathroom.

"Where’s Old Han?" Not seeing him around, Long Aotian asked again.

"He went out to get some things. Said he’d make something delicious for lunch."

Hu Yuying chuckled. "When he gets back, I’ll cook. I’d like to show him what I can do."

Soon enough, Old Han returned with groceries—mostly different kinds of meat.

"Uncle, let me handle the cooking today," Hu Yuying said, wanting to make a good impression before leaving for the capital.

"I’ll help." Long Aotian took the meat from Old Han and followed Hu Yuying into the kitchen.

Watching the two of them sticking together even while cooking, Old Han couldn’t have been more satisfied.

If they weren’t still so young, he’d have gone straight to Hu Yuying’s family with a betrothal gift.

Back in the capital, when it was just the two of them, Long Aotian and Hu Yuying had often cooked together.

Their teamwork wasn’t flawless, but they had a good rhythm.

"Long Aotian, taste this—is it too bland?" Hu Yuying scooped a bit of the rib soup and held it to his lips.

Leaning down slightly, Long Aotian let her feed him the soup.

"Perfect," he said.

This was her first time cooking for Old Han, so she wasn’t sure about his preferences.

But with Long Aotian’s reassurance, she felt more at ease.

"Let’s eat!"

Long Aotian called out, carrying the rib soup to the table first.

The aroma filled the air as dish after dish was brought out. Old Han sat at the table, his smile never fading.

His own marriage hadn’t been happy, but looking at this spread and the two still bustling in the kitchen, he was certain his son would have a better life.

At the table, Old Han poured himself a drink.

Then, for the first time, he poured one for Long Aotian too.

"You little rascal."

His expression turned serious as he addressed his son.

"You and Yuying have met each other’s families. The fact that hers let her come here shows they approve."

"I’m your father, but today, let’s get a few things straight."

Hearing this, Hu Yuying tensed slightly.

Long Aotian nodded—he understood what Old Han meant.

Her grandparents allowing her to visit was a sign of their approval.

Old Han wasn’t trying to make things difficult for her; he just wanted to make his stance clear in front of her.

"If you ever treat Yuying poorly, I won’t take your side." Then, turning to Hu Yuying, his stern face softened into warmth. "Yuying, if this brat ever dares to bully you, you come tell me. I may not have many skills, but I’ve got a strong arm for disciplining my own son!"

Hu Yuying, who had been nervous moments ago, blushed lightly and nodded. "Uncle, Long Aotian has always been really good to me."

"That’s good, that’s good." Old Han looked at his son with satisfaction and raised his glass.

Long Aotian quickly lifted his own, lowering it slightly in respect. "I’ll cherish Yuying. If I don’t, you can break my legs."

"A man’s word is his bond. Remember what you said today." With that, Old Han downed his drink in one go.

From the moment he poured Long Aotian that drink, in Old Han’s eyes, his son was no longer a child.

With a girlfriend—and such a good one—he had to take care of her properly.

The meal was warm and full of laughter. Before Hu Yuying, there had never been a woman in the house, and Old Han had shouldered everything alone, even neglecting Long Aotian at times.

But now, thank goodness, this rascal had found his little teacher.

With her keeping him in line, Old Han couldn’t be happier.

After dinner, Old Han made an excuse about meeting a friend for drinks and left the house.

Though rough around the edges, he knew his presence might make Hu Yuying uncomfortable. So, he decided to give the two some space...