An Moxue drank alcohol for lunch and then went to sleep.
When Wu Sicheng returned after clearing the dishes, he saw An Moxue lying on her side asleep. She looked different from usual; she had lost her sharp edge and was as peaceful and quiet as a girl next door. She was a bit rounder than a few months ago and no longer looked frail.
Seeing her sleeping so unguarded, he climbed onto the kang (a heated brick bed), lay down on his side with his face towards her, and just looked at her.
He felt like a voyeur, his secret thoughts, which couldn't be brought to light, were utterly despicable and made him ashamed in the face of her frankness and openness.
Therefore, he told himself that upholding the bottom line was the last vestige of tolerance for himself and respect for her. Of course, his upbringing also prevented him from doing anything that would cross the line with her.
Just watching him quietly made him feel content. He always felt that he could watch him like this for a lifetime and never get enough.
Wu Sicheng lay on his side on the kang, looking at An Moxue's peaceful sleeping face, lost in thought, and fell asleep without realizing it.
When he woke up again, it was already dark, and there were faint sounds coming from the kitchen.
An Moxue was busy at the stove. The dim light made her look somewhat unreal, like a female ghost who had stepped out of a ghost story. She was so beautiful that she could steal one's soul and bewitch one's mind.
Wu Sicheng leaned against the door frame, looking at her, shaking off the unrealistic thoughts in his mind.
An Moxue noticed something was wrong, looked up, and saw Wu Sicheng staring intently at her.
She thought that she was always more tolerant of good-looking people, but if an average-looking person looked at her like that, she would have punched them long ago.
"You're awake!" An Moxue's soft voice rang out, pulling Wu Sicheng back from his dazed state of mind.
An Moxue noticed his state and was somewhat satisfied. That's right, it's better to keep a low profile.
"Hmm, what time did you wake up? Why didn't you wake me?" The man leaning against the door looked like a down-on-his-luck nobleman who had mistakenly fallen into the mortal world, quite out of place in this dilapidated house.
"You just woke up not long ago. The side dishes are all prepared, so it only needs a little cooking. I'll start making the braised chicken with chestnuts; the rest isn't urgent. It's rare to see you so relaxed, so please get some rest!"
"Then I'll cook the fish first. Tofu can be stewed a thousand times, but fish will be stewed ten thousand times. The longer the fish is stewed, the more flavorful it will be."
And so, the two of them, one cooking chicken and the other cooking fish, kept busy.
"The dishes you made this time are much tastier than before. How did you do that?" An Moxue asked curiously.
"It's a secret." Wu Sicheng smiled mysteriously, not answering An Moxue's question. This was his secret weapon for getting closer to her, and he was still learning how to use it. How could he tell her?
"What? It's not like I necessarily need to know. How much longer until it's ready? I'm getting ready to make dumplings, do you know how?"
"Sure, we'll wrap them together in a bit. Then I'll cook the rest, and you can just wait to eat. But after you eat, please give me your feedback so I can keep up the good work and improve!"
"Do you have to go to such lengths? It's just cooking a dish, is it really necessary?"
"As for it." I'll take it all in stride when it comes to your affairs.
Wu Sicheng stewed the fish in a pot, and when he entered the house, An Moxue had already prepared to make dumplings.
"Chives, eggs, and shrimp filling. Where did you get the chives? I'll roll out the dough."
"Sure! You do it. Sprinkle some soil in the flowerpot, bury some chive roots, and put it in a warm place. What's so difficult about that? Not only that, you can also grow garlic sprouts! Don't underestimate the wisdom of old farmers."
Wu Sicheng took the rolling pin and rolled out the dough while saying, "I don't farm, so I really don't know. Does that mean we can eat leafy greens even in winter?"
"No, first of all, the house has to be warm enough, and secondly, there has to be enough space. Starting a fire is a huge undertaking. This little bit of chives I have is the result of a whole winter of careful tending! It's just enough for this one meal."
"Three-delicacy filling, pork and cabbage, it's all the taste of Kyoto. I haven't had authentic Kyoto-style dumplings in many years," Wu Sicheng said with some nostalgia.
"Eat more tonight."
Soon, the two of them finished making dumplings.
"Wu Sicheng, I never expected this! You rolled the dough so round, and the dumplings look so beautiful. These little ingots are so pretty!" An Moxue exclaimed in admiration as she looked at the finished dumplings on the curtain.
"There was no other way! My mom is a perfectionist, and my dad dotes on his wife. The food not only has to taste good, but it also has to look good. It's just that I, the extra child, have to be good at everything. I can't do anything if my handiwork isn't up to par. But slowly, I got used to it." His life was once filled with helplessness. Who could understand?
"That's a good habit! Keep it up."
Wu Sicheng finally understood that this person was a perfectionist, just like her mother, and there was no room for argument.
It seems he needs to be more meticulous in his work in the future.
Alas! The road ahead is long and arduous!
He glanced at his watch and said, "Mo Xue, it's almost ten o'clock. What time would you like to have our New Year's Eve dinner?"
"Let's eat as soon as it's ready! It's probably past eleven o'clock by now."
"Almost there. I'll go outside and start a fire to roast the venison chops. Once they're done, I'll stir-fry a couple of dishes, and then we can have dinner."
An Moxue tidied up the house briefly, and when she went out, Wu Sicheng had already set up a fire in the yard, and the venison was already grilling over the fire.
"Mo Xue, you should wear more clothes when you go out, don't catch a cold," Wu Sicheng said while flipping through the venison chops in his hand.
"It's alright, not cold. This marinated venison ribs must be delicious."
"Have you always been this picky about food?" Wu Sicheng looked up at her, then looked down at the venison chops in his hand.
"In this life, all we need is food and clothing. Why should we mistreat ourselves? Isn't it better to treat ourselves well?" An Moxue said calmly.
"Your argument is contrary to the current trend of advocating a simple and frugal lifestyle. Be more careful about what you say in front of others in the future."
"What about you? You also think my point of view is wrong?" An Moxue was a little curious about what he was thinking.
"No, I think that whatever kind of life a person wants to live, as long as it doesn't harm others and is within their own economic means, should be allowed, instead of being suppressed and denied."
He truly believed this, but as a person of low status, he couldn't change many things even if he disagreed with them. He could only try his best to be himself and not follow the crowd.
“Sometimes I don’t understand. We work hard so that we can have a better life. But look at some people, when they see that others are doing a little better, they start to say this and that, and even criticize them. I think they are completely inferior to others. It’s just that narrow-minded jealousy at work.”
"You're right, so sometimes it's necessary to keep a low profile to avoid unnecessary trouble."
"Yes, you're right. I have a question for you. Aunt Qing is looking for someone named Qian Weiyong, do you know him?"
"I know! Aunt Qing came here to find Uncle Qian. But things are a bit complicated."
"Do you know where Qian Weiyong is?" An Moxue added two pieces of firewood to the fire.
"Did Aunt Qian ask you to help find someone?"
"No, I just heard her mention it and was curious to ask you about it."
"Don't get involved in this, and don't ask any questions. Just listen to it. For the two of them, this is the only way things can be. If it gets broken, it won't be good for either of them, and nobody knows what the consequences will be. Next time you see her and the topic comes up, just say there's no future for them."
"So, Aunt Qing suspects you really do know Qian Weiyong's whereabouts. Why don't you tell her?"
"I'm only saying this much because I'm entrusted with this task. Remember, don't say anything recklessly. You've just met Aunt Qing and don't understand her stubbornness. You might say something that you think is for her own good, but it could end up costing two lives, or even two families. Remember that."
Is it that serious?
"Yes, I've been investigating this matter, but I don't think it's just what I've found out. There's more to it than that. Uncle Qian is a very important scientist. His case involves not only himself, but also the country, and possibly even several countries."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com