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The sounds of frying and stir-frying filled the kitchen, and the aroma of food wafted through the air like a light veil. Cai Wenchuan smiled, sniffed the air, and said to Ye Wenyu, "It smells like childhood." His face was full of warmth and happiness.
Ye Wenyu smiled too, feeling warm and sweet inside. Time seemed to flow backward, instantly taking them back to their childhood.
Cai Wenchuan seemed lost in memories of the past, and slowly said, "Back then, my nose was incredibly sensitive. As soon as it was time to cook, I could tell what your mother was making just by smelling it. If there was the aroma of ginger, I knew your mother was making chicken soup; if there was the smell of sugar, I knew your mother was making braised pork; and if there was a sour smell of vinegar in the air, I knew your mother was making stir-fried shredded potatoes with vinegar—" His voice was like that of a midnight radio station, full of warmth and magnetism, deep and resonant, making one feel attached to him.
Ye Wenyu burst into laughter and said to him, "Your nose is so sensitive!"
To prove he wasn't lying, Cai Wenchuan took a deep sniff and smiled at her, saying, "We'll have stir-fried green beans with pork for lunch today. I can smell the fresh aroma of the green beans."
Ye Wenyu gave him a thumbs up, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons with a smile. Her mother's cheerful laughter echoed from the kitchen; her voice preceded her arrival: "Wenchuan is truly remarkable; he can even smell that!"
At this moment, Ye Wenyu felt warm and sweet inside. She thought to herself, "It's so good to break up with Lin Tingfeng. I'm finally free and relaxed. I don't feel guilty anymore. I can live my life with dignity now."
Before, when she saw Brother Wen, she was overwhelmed by guilt and remorse, and couldn't lift her head. Now, she can face him with composure.
She was very grateful to Cai Wenchuan for giving her advice, and also very grateful for her mother's support. She was also grateful for her own decision and for Lin Tingfeng's forgiveness.
The room was very quiet, like a silent valley, with no other sounds except for the sizzling and cooking noises.
The warm sunlight streaming into the room seemed to fall quietly, and the old clock on the wall ticked by itself, the hour hand pointing to twelve o'clock, the minute hand to six, it was 12:30.
The daffodil in the living room seemed to have bloomed because of the warmth; it had white petals, yellow stamens, and a fragrance as sweet as water.
Everything was so happy and perfect.
Cai Wenchuan looked at Ye Wenyu and suddenly lowered his voice to ask with concern, "Is everything alright?"
His face was etched with worry. He assumed her mother was unaware of what had happened. He was trying to protect her pride and dignity.
Seeing how much he cared about her, Ye Wenyu felt a warmth in her heart and blushed slightly. She nodded and said softly, "It's settled."
She thought to herself that Cai Wenchuan lowered his voice because he didn't want her mother to hear. In fact, he didn't need to do that, because her mother already knew about her situation.
My mother knew everything from beginning to end.
Cai Wenchuan asked softly, "Didn't he make things difficult for you?" There was tension in his large eyes.
Ye Wenyu shook her head. To put his mind at ease, she gave him a bright smile. Cai Wenchuan finally breathed a sigh of relief, slowly pulled himself back, leaned back in his chair, and smiled at her, saying, "Then I'm relieved."
At that moment, Zhang Susu called out from the kitchen, "Xiaoyu, come and serve the dishes, it's time to eat." The voice was just like before; when they were about ten years old, Zhang Susu had called her that too.
Cai Wenchuan smiled and said to Wenyu, "Auntie, you haven't aged at all, and your voice hasn't aged either."
Zhang Susu burst into another burst of cheerful laughter.
Ye Wenyu smiled at Cai Wenchuan, stood up to prepare the meal, and Cai Wenchuan also stood up to help.
Two young people entered the cramped kitchen. Because Cai Wenchuan was there, Zhang Susu, who had originally planned to cook only two dishes, ended up taking out all the food in the refrigerator and making five dishes: stir-fried green beans with sliced pork, tomato and egg soup, twice-cooked pork, steamed fish, and stir-fried pickled vegetables with eggs. In short, the reds and greens were very vibrant and pleasing to the eye.
While the two young people were serving the dishes, Zhang Susu took the opportunity to run downstairs to the convenience store, bought two bottles of wine and two bags of cooked food.
So when the three of them sat down, the table was laden with food. Zhang Susu poured wine for Cai Wenchuan, who said gratefully, "Auntie, you've prepared drinks for me. You're too kind."
Zhang Susu smiled and said, "I'm happy today!"
The sunlight shone through the clear glass, making it sparkle like a diamond. Just one glance was enough to lift one's spirits.
Ye Wenyu reminded Cai Wenchuan, "Did you drive here today? If you did, don't drink alcohol. Just have some yogurt."
Cai Wenchuan laughed and said, "I drove here, but it's no problem. I'll find a designated driver later. Like Auntie said, we're happy today, so we must have a drink."
Zhang Susu burst into laughter again, glanced at Cai Wenchuan, clapped her hands, and shouted, "Yes, we must have a drink!"
Seeing that the two of them insisted on drinking, Ye Wenyu had no choice but to agree.
The three of them filled their glasses with drinks, then clinked them together. Cai Wenchuan said with a smile, "Come on, let's congratulate Xiaoyu on starting her new life."
Zhang Susu was stunned. She glanced at Cai Wenchuan, and then a thought flashed through her mind. All her previous concerns vanished completely. If this child knew everything and was still so good to her daughter, it could only mean that he didn't hold grudges. So she smiled and said loudly, "Yes, come on, congratulations to Xiaoyu on starting her new life!"
Ye Wenyu blushed, her small face as red as an autumn apple, but she was filled with joy. She smiled and said, "Thank you, that's right, congratulations on starting a new life."
The three people clinked their glasses, and the crisp clinking of the glasses in mid-air was delightful, like beautiful music.
Everyone drank their wine, and Cai Wenchuan tasted every dish. He exclaimed, "This fish is so fresh it'll make your eyebrows fall off!" "This stir-fried green beans with pork is so delicious it'll melt your tongue!" He was so eloquent that he made Zhang Susu beam with joy. She then ate three bowls of rice, saying that every dish tasted like her childhood.
For the cook, the greatest reward is when guests eat a lot and eat well. Therefore, Zhang Susu was overjoyed and grew increasingly fond of Cai Wenchuan.
When Cai Wenchuan had finished his meal and the phone rang, reminding him that he had to go back, he stood up and said goodbye to Zhang Susu.
Zhang Susu then asked Ye Wenyu to escort him down, creating an opportunity for the two of them.
Ye Wenyu thought about how much Cai Wenchuan had helped her these past few days. Although it had been a long time since they had met, he still treated her with the same care and attention he had shown when they were children. The warmth he gave her was like springtime, which filled her with gratitude.
Therefore, she agreed and happily saw Cai Wenchuan off.
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