Chapter 167 Perhaps
"Haha, Grandpa's not going to say anything more."
Grandpa Zhou laughed heartily: "You, let that brat worry about it."
"Come on, Grandpa will try the diet meal you mentioned."
"Uh-huh."
Zhong Wan smiled and nodded, her nose twitching slightly, and said expectantly, "I think I can smell the fragrance?"
"Haha, Wanwan's nose is really sharp. Come and eat!"
As Uncle Zhao placed the dishes on the table, he smiled and called out, "Come and try my specialty dishes."
"Okay, no problem."
Zhong Wan happily agreed.
Lin Yanan followed quietly behind her, his deep gaze falling on her with affection, feeling both proud and a little heartache.
Everyone sat down around the table one by one.
Lin Yan'an looked at the braised pork in front of him, which was darker in color than before, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.
But after hearing Old Master Zhou's words the next second, a sense of understanding flashed through his mind.
"Come on, Wanwan, try this. Grandpa knows you like strong flavors, so I added some extra seasoning."
With a smile, Grandpa Zhou picked up a trembling piece of braised pork and placed it in front of Zhong Wan: "Try it?"
"Thank you, Grandpa."
Zhong Wan happily thanked him, and just as she was about to taste it,
Uncle Zhao chuckled and complained, "The old man actually secretly put salt into the dishes I had prepared when I wasn't looking! If Xiao Fang hadn't seen it, I wouldn't have known."
After saying that, he looked at Zhong Wan and added apologetically, "I'm sorry to have troubled you this time, Wanwan. Next time I'll remember to close the kitchen door and make you a more authentic one."
"Okay, then I look forward to Uncle Zhao cooking next time."
Zhong Wan smiled and agreed, then lowered her head and took a bite.
The moment the meat entered her mouth, she could clearly feel the tender and juicy texture of the pork belly, with its perfect balance of fat and lean meat, and even taste a subtle savory flavor.
The sense of taste is diminished, but having no taste at all is the same as not having taste at all.
Grandpa Zhou's accidental actions allowed her to experience the rich aroma of braised pork.
A hint of surprise flashed in Zhong Wan's eyes, and her smile deepened. She raised her hand and gave Uncle Zhao a thumbs-up: "Uncle Zhao, you've worked hard. The taste is superb!"
Uncle Zhao grinned from ear to ear: "Alright, alright, eat as much as you like..."
He paused for a moment, then added hesitantly, "Just taste it. This time, the old man caused trouble, so it's a bit too salty."
"snort."
Upon hearing this, Grandpa Zhou gave a haughty snort, glanced at Zhao Jun, and complained, "I wonder who it is that makes all the dishes bland!"
"I just want something with a strong flavor! So what!"
The moment he finished speaking, he picked up a piece of meat and took a big bite.
But the moment I tasted it on my tongue, I was completely dumbfounded.
His gray eyebrows furrowed instantly, and he hurriedly swallowed the meat.
He quickly grabbed his water glass and took a big gulp.
This relieved the slightly salty and bitter taste in my mouth.
Even its usual soft and chewy texture has become firmer.
Seeing this, Uncle Zhao quickly handed him two pieces of cucumber from the table: "Grandpa, eat some quickly, and don't cause me any more trouble next time."
Upon hearing this, Old Master Zhou grunted and picked up his food, giving Zhong Wan a strange look.
Lin Yan'an also ate a piece, chewing calmly: "Hmm, it's alright."
"It is a bit salty, but it doesn't have a big impact."
Upon hearing this, both Grandpa Zhou and Uncle Zhao's expressions became even more peculiar.
The two looked at each other but said nothing.
Old Master Zhou is a shrewd and experienced man; although he still doesn't quite understand the current situation...
But looking at Lin Yan'an's overly meticulous actions, and then at Zhong Wan...
I suddenly realized something.
Her complexion had long since returned to normal, and she looked perfectly fine.
However, Lin Yan'an, who had finally managed to relax a bit these past two days, has now reverted to the tense state that Zhong Wan had before, with her pale face.
It seems that perhaps her body has not fully recovered yet?
Old Master Zhou lowered his eyes, eating and thinking at the same time.
Seeing Lin Yan'an's cautious demeanor, he felt as if he had found the answer in an instant.
They didn't say anything, and he didn't bring it up himself.
The suspicion in my mind was instantly answered during dinner that evening.
At dinner, without his "troublemaking," the dishes on the table returned to normal.
Old Master Zhou observed silently.
He saw Lin Yan'an taste the steamed fish first, and then naturally picked up a piece of the freshest fish belly meat, carefully removed the bones, and put it into Zhong Wan's bowl, saying gently, "Wanwan, try this, it's very fresh."
"Uh-huh."
Zhong Wan nodded with a smile, took a bite, and praised sincerely, "Mmm, it's really good, delicious."
Whether it tasted good or not, Grandpa Zhou didn't care.
Anyway, he's gotten used to this taste.
However, after the meal, his suspicions became even more certain.
After dinner, Zhong went upstairs to rest.
Grandpa Zhou called out to Lin Yan'an, who was about to go up with him, "Yan'an, wait a moment."
His tone was normal, seemingly no different from usual.
But vaguely...
Lin Yan'an, however, sensed an undercurrent of undeniable authority.
He paused, looked at Old Master Zhou and nodded silently, then walked up to him.
He stepped forward and reached out to support Old Master Zhou's arm.
On late August evenings, the breeze in the courtyard carried a slight chill.
The two walked slowly, and neither spoke for a long time.
Grandpa Zhou stepped onto the pavilion and sat down on the stone bench.
Lin Yan'an walked over and sat down opposite him.
Grandpa Zhou picked up a chess set from the stone table and casually said, "That girl Wanwan..."
"Is there something wrong with your sense of taste?"
His words seemed somewhat doubtful, but they were full of certainty.
Lin Yan'an stiffened upon hearing this, remained silent, and quietly looked down at the chessboard in front of him.
Grandpa Zhou didn't need his answer, and continued muttering to himself, "No wonder..."
Many thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant, but in the end only the phantom image of Mr. Du remained, along with Zhong Wan's weakened state after Mr. Du appeared. He couldn't help but ponder, "Is it because of Mr. Du?"
Lin Yan'an's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, his hand holding the chess piece paused, and he looked up to meet Old Master Zhou's sharp eyes, saying in a hoarse voice, "Perhaps."
"On the afternoon that Mr. Du appeared, Wanwan also saw Ruirui."
"Rui Rui?"
Upon hearing this, a hint of doubt flashed in Old Master Zhou's eyes, and he looked at Lin Yan'an with a puzzled expression.
He sighed softly and explained, "It's Wanwan's child."
"Grandpa, don't worry, it will be fine in a while."
His words were ambiguous, but Old Master Zhou instantly sensed something was amiss.
His face darkened, and he didn't ask any further questions.
Instead, she asked with concern, "After a while? How long will it take for Wanwan to return to normal?"
"Seven days."
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