50. Cooking
News reports indicate that Europe experiences flu outbreaks during the winter. During these times, cities with large influxes of people entering and leaving the country become hotbeds of cross-infection.
Fortunately, Deng Shilang has been exercising and has received flu shots in Hong Kong, so his immunity is relatively strong, so his symptoms were very mild. He was sick for only one morning at most and then he was fine. Yao Ling gradually got better after taking the medicine and will recover with a little more rest.
Yao Ling slept through the night, not fully awake until noon the next day. Nearing awake, her consciousness teetering between dream and reality, she leaned over and placed her hand on the edge of the bed, feeling the empty space. It was cold, with no sign of a dent.
She gradually opened her eyes and found that the man was gone. She didn't know where he had gone.
The kitchen was emitting the aroma of cooking, which was extremely unfamiliar to her, who was used to living alone. She put on a coat, got out of bed, found her long-unused slippers, slipped on them, and went to the kitchen, where she saw Deng Shilang cooking.
Deng Shilang was able to find her nutritional essentials within moments of her arrival. The ingredients in the cupboards were clearly visible. Living comfortably on her own, she kept her supplies organized. The bottom shelf contained Italian seasonings like pepper, balsamic vinegar, chopped basil, parsley slices, and olive oil, while the top shelf held healthy foods she'd bought from the supermarket: red dates, goji berries, barley, rice, and egg noodles.
He opened the refrigerator again and found some fresh spinach leaves and lean meat, which were just right for making light porridge.
After cooking for a while, the porridge boiled. He added the washed spinach and stirred it very attentively. Suddenly, a pair of hands reached out and wrapped around his waist, and his face pressed against his back. It turned out to be her, wearing a coat, leaning against him, feeling warm.
Deng Shilang realized that she was awake. He gently covered the back of her palm with his left hand, while his right hand was still stirring. "Don't lie in bed."
"I slept too long." Yao Ling said.
He lowered the heat, put the spoon aside, turned around and hugged her, coaxing her: "Sit down first, I'll cook it for you. You haven't recovered yet, and standing will make you tired."
"Carry me." She nestled in his arms, looked up at him, and rested her chin on his chest.
He rarely saw her so dependent. The moment she looked up, she seemed to be acting coquettishly. Even though her face still had her usual cold expression, it made his heart move. He couldn't help but peck her cheek, picked her up horizontally, and carried her to the sofa in the living room.
When Yao Ling was put down, he asked, "Aren't you sick?"
"Yes, but you were sleeping at that time. It's okay now." Deng Shilang picked up a blanket to cover her body, went into her room to get a thermometer, and tucked it under her armpit to measure.
He had already taken his own temperature and it was normal, but she needed to be tested again to see if her fever was really gone. A few minutes later, the thermometer read 37°C, her fever was gone.
The porridge was ready, and he divided it into two bowls and brought them to her. She had barely eaten in two days, and the bones on the back of her hand were clearly visible. He told her to eat more even if she had no appetite.
Yao Ling took a mouthful of porridge. It was very hot and tasted slightly light, with a hint of the original fragrance of the ingredients.
This was the first time he cooked for her since they broke up.
When she visited him, he'd cooked for her, seemingly knowing everything. He explained that his family was busy and didn't have time for him, and unlike his family in Hong Kong, they didn't have a Filipino maid to take care of him since he was born. So, he often fend for himself while he was in school. She was in a similar situation. Occasionally, when her parents were working and she was home alone, she'd secretly let him come over so she could cook for him.
Halfway through the meal, Deng Shilang happened to receive an incoming call from Hong Kong. He took a look and saw it was Jiang Si's call. He answered the call in front of Yao Ling and put it on speakerphone.
"Hayden, I made red wine beef today. When will you be back?" Sunday came again. Jiang Si thought he would go home for dinner as usual, so he asked as usual.
"I'm in Milan and won't go back for dinner." Deng Shilang replied.
Yao Ling held the bowl and glanced at him after hearing their conversation.
Jiang Si was a little surprised, "Going on a business trip to Milan?"
"No, I came to see Rosalie. She's sick."
"Rosalie, Yao Ling?" Jiang Si was very impressed by the name. He had changed for this girl after graduating from high school. She asked, "Are you guys back together now, or are you still in the ambiguous stage?"
"Get back together." Deng Shilang replied.
Jiang Si knew he'd cheated, but she hadn't heard they'd gotten back together. Not only had he not told them about the reunion, but he'd also acted without their permission, flying directly to Milan. She'd first heard about her son's infidelity from Chen Li'er, and she'd called and scolded him. After that, Chen Li'er hadn't contacted them again, a polite gesture that she felt had been unfair.
However, she did not dislike Yao Ling. It was said that the girl broke up with him in order to immigrate. If she were in his shoes, she would do the same.
"You'd better be serious. If you're not, don't blame me and your father. Don't do something like cheating again. I don't want you to hurt Gigi and then hurt other people, okay. Also, how are you going to handle your work, remote work or ask for leave? It's best not to delay work for dating." Jiang Si's tone became half stern and half gentle. The sternness came from his dissatisfaction with his son putting his work on hold, and the gentleness came from his relief that he was considerate of his girlfriend.
Yao Ling smiled softly at the side. She admired his mother, who was successful in her career, well-versed in human relations, had a character that was both strong and gentle, and was understanding. She had taught him well.
Deng Shilang didn't mince words in response to the barrage of questions. "I'm serious, otherwise I wouldn't be in such a hurry to come here. I plan to work here until Christmas break, and then I'll return to Hong Kong."
She liked his frankness and wanted to tease him as she had done when they were talking on the phone, so she put down the bowl, crawled over, sat on him and kissed him. Her legs wrapped around his waist, her hands climbed onto his shoulders, her lips slid from his nose to his chin, and then to the tip of his chin. She sucked, making a soft "bo" sound, making his Adam's apple slide.
Jiang Si had no idea what was going on over there and was at a loss as to what to do with his son's decision. "Then you won't spend Christmas with us?"
"No." Deng Shilang endured Yao Ling's slightly sticky sucking and pretended to be calm.
Jiang Si had no choice but to agree, "Okay, remember to tell your father that you're getting back together with her."
Deng Shilang agreed: "I'll tell you later."
"Is she next to you? Let me say a few words to her." Jiang Si asked again.
"She is not feeling well." Yao Ling kissed him so hard that he couldn't help but pinch the soft flesh on her waist. He turned off the hands-free mode and planned to end the topic there.
Yao Ling shook her head, released his chin in time, took his phone, turned on speakerphone again, and said into the microphone, "Aunty, I'm listening."
Deng Shilang paused, then laughed, looking forward to how she would talk.
Jiang Si on the other end of the phone didn't expect her to answer the call on her own initiative. Deep down, he still had some feelings for her and asked gently, "How are you?"
"Fortunately, he took care of me and cooked porridge for me."
"Eat more and let him cook. He's a pretty good cook." Jiang Si had something to say, and his tone was also a mixture of kindness and authority: "Rosalie, if you are willing to accept him now, then I believe you have thought it through. You two should try to give each other time and slowly adjust to each other. If you really can't, then part ways as soon as possible. Don't look back after this breakup. Once is enough. There is no point in doing it a second time."
Yao Ling felt that this was very pertinent and effective, and hummed in agreement, "I understand what you mean."
Deng Shilang put his arm around her waist and said, "Okay, she just got sick, don't say too much. I understand what you mean."
Jiang Sixiao, knowing they were going to talk about love, didn't interrupt them. "Okay, take your time. I'll hang up first. Come to our house for dinner next time you come back to Hong Kong."
Yao Ling agreed, "Okay."
Seeing her agree so naturally, Deng Shilang smiled faintly, hung up the phone, and pulled her into his arms to continue kissing. After the kiss, the bowl of porridge was completely cold, so he went to the kitchen to get another bowl of hot porridge.
She ate slowly, not in a hurry at all. He watched her eat, then cleaned up and washed the dishes after she finished. Afterward, he returned to the sofa and let her rest on his lap. He retrieved his phone and sent a WhatsApp message to Deng Yonglian, but then stopped reading and spent some time with her.
It is Sunday in both Milan and Hong Kong now, so they can put down their work for a while and spend time with each other.
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