Chapter 111: Staying Up All Year Round
The kitchen is filled with the warm smell of home.
Pei's mother and Pei Song worked in perfect harmony, one busy at the stove while the other cut ingredients on the chopping board, their movements smooth and flowing.
Shi Yanchen stood aside, a little embarrassed: "How can I help?"
"Do you remember the dishes I taught you to cook in Country D?" Pei Song raised his eyebrows.
Shi Yanchen shook his head.
Pei Song laughed and took out two tomatoes and some eggs: "How about scrambled eggs with tomatoes? This is easier to make."
Mother Pei couldn't help laughing as she watched her son stewing soup while teaching Shi Yanchen.
"First, wash and cut the tomatoes into pieces, beat the eggs and add some salt."
Shi Yanchen followed the instructions carefully, and although his movements were clumsy, he quickly prepared the ingredients.
"Preheat the pan and add oil first." Pei Song instructed, "When the oil is heated up, fry the eggs first."
Shi Yanchen carefully poured the egg liquid into the pot, and couldn't help feeling excited as he watched the golden egg flowers taking shape in the pot.
"It's almost cooked, take out the eggs." Pei Song said, "Remember to scrape the pot clean."
"Then what"
"Add the tomatoes and stir-fry over low heat." Pei Song said as he adjusted the heat of the soup, "Wait until the tomatoes are soft before adding the eggs back into the pan."
Shi Yanchen did as he was told, and the tomatoes sizzled in the pot, giving off an enticing aroma.
"Have you added salt?" asked Pei's mother.
"Not yet..." Shi Yanchen was about to get the salt.
"Wait," Pei Song stopped him, "taste the sweetness of the tomato first."
Only then did Shi Yanchen realize that there were so many details to pay attention to when cooking.
Finally, add the eggs and stir-fry. The delicious tomato scrambled eggs is ready.
"Not bad." Pei's mother took a bite and said with a smile, "It's so good even though I made it for the first time."
Shi Yanchen looked at his work, his eyes full of a sense of accomplishment.
Although the shape is not perfect, it is indeed a dish he personally contributed to the New Year's Eve dinner.
Pei Song gave him a gentle smile behind him and turned around to continue working on other dishes.
The kitchen is filled with various aromas, and the air is filled with the strong flavor of the New Year.
After eating the New Year’s Eve dinner, the three of them sat in front of the TV and stayed up together watching the Spring Festival Gala.
MAX dozed off at Pei Song's feet, occasionally looking up at the lively scene.
"Mom, which show do you like?" Pei Song handed his mother an orange.
"All the skits were good," Pei's mother said with a smile, "but I liked the magic trick just now the most. I really don't understand how he performed it."
Shi Yanchen was about to explain the principles of magic when Pei Song kicked him lightly under the table.
He immediately understood and said, "Yes, the magician's trick is really clever."
The hour hand slowly points to twelve o'clock, and the Spring Festival Gala enters the final countdown.
Mother Pei stood up and walked to the cabinet, taking out two red envelopes that she had prepared in advance.
"Here, here are your New Year red envelopes." She handed them to the two of them with a smile.
Pei Song quickly took it with both hands: "Thank you, Mom."
"Auntie, I have one too..." Shi Yanchen felt a little embarrassed.
"They are all my children, keep them." Pei's mother said gently.
When Shi Yanchen heard the words "my child", his eyes became a little hot.
He secretly glanced at Pei's mother and found that her eyes were full of love.
The TV started counting down: "10, 9, 8..."
"Happy New Year!" the three said in unison.
MAX seemed to feel the festive atmosphere as well, wagging its tail happily.
It rubbed back and forth between Pei Song and Shi Yanchen, sweeping its tail across their legs, as if to say "I want a red envelope too."
"MAX also has a gift, it's in the kitchen." Pei's mother said with a smile.
"It's getting late," Shi Yanchen stood up, "I should go back now. Let Songsong stay here with you."
"Why are you going back so late?" Pei's mother said quickly, "It's so cold outside, just stay here for one night."
Shi Yanchen hesitated: "Will this be too much of a bother?"
"Sorry to bother you," Pei's mother said with a smile, "I have already cleaned up your rooms."
Pei Song and Shi Yanchen looked at each other, their heartbeats unconsciously quickening.
"Xiao Shi lives in the innermost room," Pei's mother continued, "I have cleaned it and the bedding is new."
Hearing the words "innermost", Pei Song felt inexplicably lost.
But on second thought, this arrangement is indeed more appropriate at my mother's home.
After washing up and lying on the bed, Pei Song tossed and turned and couldn't fall asleep.
He picked up his phone and sent a message to Shi Yanchen: "Are you asleep?"
"Not yet," Shi Yanchen replied quickly, "It's a bit cold."
"Is the air conditioner broken? Or are there not enough quilts?" Pei Song sat up immediately.
There was silence for a while, and no response.
Pei Song got out of bed quietly and wanted to check out what was going on.
As soon as I walked to the door, before I could knock, the door was opened.
Shi Yanchen pulled him into the room and gently pushed him behind the door.
The moonlight filtered through the curtains, outlining his handsome features.
When our eyes met, a familiar yet unfamiliar feeling surged in my heart.
Shi Yanchen slowly approached, and his warm breath sprayed on Pei Song's face.
The kiss was affectionate and gentle.
The tip of his tongue gently traced the shape of Pei Song's lips, as if touching a soft petal.
Pei Song opened his lips slightly, allowing his breath to fill his mouth.
Their breathing gradually intertwined, and the sound of their heartbeats was particularly clear in the silent room.
Shi Yanchen ran his fingers through his hair, making the kiss deeper.
She stroked his back with her hands, letting him soften into her arms.
After an unknown amount of time, Shi Yanchen's hand unconsciously reached under the hem of her pajamas and touched her warm skin.
"Wait," Pei Song held his hand, his voice trembling, "This is at my mother's house..."
Shi Yanchen rested his forehead on his shoulder and took a deep breath: "I'm sorry, I can't control myself."
Pei Song's ears felt hot because of his low and hoarse voice: "Be good, we'll talk when we get home."
"Then talk to me for a while," Shi Yanchen rubbed his neck.
The two sat on the bed and chatted quietly in the moonlight.
"Did you live here when you were a child?" Shi Yanchen asked, holding his hand.
"Well, this is the yard that my mother's grandparents gave her before she got married. My mother said that when I want to come back, there will always be a place for me to stay."
"Auntie is so nice."
"Yes, since I was a child, she has always respected my choices." Pei Song leaned on his shoulder.
MAX's voice suddenly came from downstairs.
"It probably wants to go to the toilet," Pei Song stood up, "I'll go check it out."
"I'll keep you company."
Under the moonlight, the camphor trees in the courtyard swayed gently, and a faint floral scent floated in the air.
MAX walked around the yard a few times and found a suitable place.
MAX walked in from the door, and Shi Yanchen took the opportunity to hug Pei Song from behind, rubbing his chin gently against his cheek: "Stay with me for a while, just a little while."
Pei Song turned around and looked at Shi Yanchen's slightly aggrieved expression in the moonlight. He couldn't help but stand on tiptoe and gently touched his lips: "Go to bed early, you still have to wish your mother a happy new year tomorrow."