Talent Show
After lunch, Wen Lingyi watched Zhou Jianxing clearing the dishes, thinking about how she had gone out to buy things early in the morning, and then she had to mix the stuffing and make dumplings, busying herself non-stop. A rare sense of guilt welled up in her heart.
"Let me wash the dishes." Wen Lingyi stood up and asked tentatively.
She rarely did these chores normally, but today seemed different.
Zhou Jianxing was neatly stacking the dishes. Upon hearing this, she looked up and smiled, her eyes curved, with a warm feeling of home life: "No need, Sister Wen, I do this all the time at home, it's just something that comes naturally."
As she spoke, she quickly cleared the table and carried the dishes into the kitchen.
Wen Lingyi looked at her skilled back and did not insist any more. She just leaned against the kitchen door frame and followed her gaze.
After washing the dishes and placing them on the drain rack, they returned to the polished island counter to continue their morning's unfinished "dumpling project." The afternoon sun streamed in through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, gilding the kitchen with a warm golden hue.
As she was wrapping, Zhou Jianxing suddenly spoke, her voice casual and chatty: "Sister Wen, do you usually...cook for yourself? What dishes can you make?"
This question was like a small stone, gently dropped into Wen Lingyi's seemingly calm heart, causing ripples of bitterness.
Her fingers pinching the dumpling wrapper paused slightly.
Cooking? Her memory was instantly pulled back to a long time ago, when she was just as clumsy but full of enthusiasm.
For an unworthy person, she once tied an apron and worked frantically in an unfamiliar kitchen, but the dishes she carefully prepared were met with the other person's unconcealable disgust in his eyes.
Silent denial is more hurtful than any words.
It turns out that the difference between love and not love is so clear.
Why didn't she see it earlier?
Thinking of Zhu Yang, my heart felt like it was pierced by a needle, and there was a sharp pain.
Since then, she has completely bid farewell to the kitchen and no longer has the heart to cook a meal for herself.
Her gaze fell on Zhou Jianxing, who was wrapping dumplings in front of her. Her head lowered, her fingers deftly moving, each plump, delicate dumpling was born. Wen Lingyi's heart trembled slightly, as if she saw a younger, more vibrant, and resilient version of herself.
However, Zhou Jianxing is obviously much more capable and... much luckier than she was back then?
"No." Wen Lingyi lowered her eyes, her voice calm, suppressing the surging emotions, and picked up another dumpling wrapper, "Not interested."
Zhou Jianxing keenly caught the coldness in her tone and tactfully didn't ask any further questions. He just lowered his voice and said flatteringly, "It's okay. I'll cook for you from now on."
Here it comes again. Wen Lingyi did not respond.
·
Time passed by at our fingertips, and when the last batch of dumplings were neatly stacked into the freezer, the sunset outside the window was already melting into gold.
Wen Lingyi looked at the two frozen drawers that were stuffed to the brim, feeling a bit amused and helpless: "How long will it take to finish all this?"
"Eat slowly. It's available whenever you want. How convenient." Zhou Jianxing didn't think it was too much. She cleaned the island counter neatly, turned around, opened the refrigerator, and took out the ingredients for dinner.
A fresh black fish prepared by the enthusiastic stall owner, emerald green loofah, plump green beans, tender water spinach, a box of crystal clear shrimps and a few eggs.
It's dinner time.
The kitchen became Zhou Jianxing's home ground. Her long chestnut curly hair was neatly tied behind her head. She stood in front of the stove with an apron on her head, looking focused.
She prepared the fish fillets first, coating them with egg white, starch, and cooking wine. Heat oil in a wok and sauté ginger, garlic, and pickled peppers until fragrant. Add the chopped sauerkraut and stir-fry until a rich, sour aroma is achieved. Then, add the pre-cooked broth and bring to a boil.
Once the soup was boiling, she lowered the heat to medium-low and slid the fish slices in, one by one. The fish quickly curled and turned white in the scalding broth, resembling blooming magnolias. Finally, she sprinkled in chopped green onions, minced garlic, dried chili peppers, and Sichuan peppercorns. Then, with a sizzling splash of boiling oil, a mouthwatering aroma erupted, instantly unleashing a complex, tangy aroma. A white mist rose, and the sour, spicy, and fresh aroma filled the air.
The other wok was also busy. Peel and dice the loofah, blanch the green beans, and set aside. Once the oil is hot, sauté the sliced garlic until fragrant. Add the loofah and stir-fry quickly until cooked through. Add the bright green beans, a little oyster sauce, and water, then cover and simmer for a while.
When the lid was opened, the loofah had become green and soft, the green beans were still plump and bright, and the soup was clear, exuding a refreshing summer scent.
Garlic water spinach requires a quick, high-heat cooking. Deep-fry the minced garlic in boiling oil until golden and crispy. Immediately add the washed and drained water spinach stems and stir-fry over high heat. The leaves quickly soften and change color under the heat, becoming a juicy emerald green. Finally, sprinkle in the garlic leaves and quickly stir-fry for a few seconds. Drizzle with a little light soy sauce for a crisp and refreshing taste.
The last dish is the shrimp omelet. Because it has a strong fishy smell after being left to cool, it is fried last. Marinate the shrimp briefly with salt and pepper. Beat the eggs and add a little water starch to mix well.
Heat the oil in a pan, pour in the egg liquid, and when the egg liquid is half solidified, quickly pour in the shrimps. Use a spatula to gently stir-fry, allowing the egg liquid to gently wrap the shrimps. When the egg liquid is completely solidified and the shrimps change color and curl up, remove from the pan immediately.
The golden egg pieces are as tender and smooth as tofu, and the pink shrimps dotted in between are fresh and tempting.
Wen Lingyi stood at the kitchen door, smiling as she watched Zhou Jianxing skillfully switch between the two stoves. His movements were orderly, like a commander with everything under control.
The muscles in his arms flow smoothly when he flips the wok, and his movements are steady and powerful when he lifts the heavy wok to flip the scrambled eggs.
Zhou Jianxing's focused expression and slightly flushed cheeks illuminated by the fire made him exude a down-to-earth and reassuring charm.
Wen Lingyi even felt a surge of...admiration in her heart. It turned out that devoting so much attention to a meal could be so moving.
·
The three dishes and soup were finally served. The timing was perfect: the shrimp and egg omelet and pickled fish were piping hot, while the water spinach and loofah and green beans were just the right temperature to eat.
The simple aroma of home-cooked meals filled the air, bringing with it a warmth and a down-to-earth feeling that could never be replicated in a fine dining restaurant outside.
Wen Lingyi looked at the tempting dishes in front of her and forgot how long it had been since she had sat at home and eaten a real home-cooked meal.
Her daily meals are filled with cold Western salads, exquisite cold dishes, or dishes from high-end Chinese restaurants that are exquisitely presented, made with fine ingredients, and complicated craftsmanship, but always have a sense of distance.
It is the atmosphere of daily life that soothes the hearts of ordinary people the most.
Under Zhou Jianxing's expectant, even nervous, gaze, Wen Lingyi reached out her chopsticks and scooped up a piece of scrambled egg and shrimp. The tenderness of the egg and the sweetness of the shrimp blended perfectly on her tongue.
She also tried a piece of pickled fish. The fish was tender and boneless, sour and spicy, and the soup was rich and appetizing.
The sweet and soft loofah, the crisp and refreshing water spinach... every flavor is just right, soothing her taste buds and quietly smoothing out the wrinkles in her heart.
A long-lost feeling of warmth and satisfaction from food filled my whole body.
The corners of Wen Lingyi's mouth involuntarily curled up, revealing a genuine and relaxed smile, and she praised sincerely: "It's delicious."
Delicious food makes people feel good.
Zhou Jianxing's tense shoulders relaxed, a bright smile of relief bloomed on his face, and his eyes were shining with pure happiness.
She picked up the chopsticks, but didn't pick up much food for herself. Instead, she focused on helping Wen Lingyi pick the bones out of the pickled fish.
She carefully separated the sauerkraut and bean sprouts, picked up the fish meat carefully with chopsticks, and made sure that there was not a single bone left before putting it into the small bowl next to Wen Lingyi.
Wen Lingyi ate quietly, her stomach filled with delicious food, and her heart quietly warmed by this meticulous consideration.
The only sounds left in the restaurant were the gentle clinking of dishes and the sounds of chewing, and the atmosphere was peaceful and warm.
After dinner, Wen Lingyi resolutely took over the task of washing dishes, despite Zhou Jianxing's objections. "You've been busy all day, take a break."
Zhou Jianxing couldn't persuade her, so he had to stand by the sink and "supervise." Watching Wen Lingyi's unfamiliar movements—the water flow was too strong, too much detergent was squeezed in, and the dishes were rinsed again and again under the faucet—Zhou Jianxing frowned with heartache.
She wanted to lend a hand several times, but held back, like a worried housekeeper, and couldn't help but mutter under her breath: "Sister Wen...turn the water down a bit...this is such a waste...this isn't how you wash dishes, it won't rinse away the detergent..."
Wen Lingyi was finally a little embarrassed by the nagging, turned around and glared at her angrily: "Master Zhou, be quiet."
Zhou Jianxing immediately shut his mouth wisely, but his eyes were still fixed on the water, and his face was still full of heartache.
·
After finishing their work, the two sat down on the spacious sofa. Zhou Jianxing had been working non-stop from morning till night, and his body was indeed a little tired. He leaned against the soft sofa, and his eyelids began to droop.
Wen Lingyi looked at her slightly tired profile, and her heart moved slightly. This little fool had been busying around for her today, working so hard. Shouldn't she be given a "reward"?
She stood up and stretched out her hand to Zhou Jianxing: "Come on, I'll take you somewhere."
Zhou Jianxing followed her doubtfully and came to the well-sounded audio-visual room deep inside the villa.
Wen Lingyi gestured for her to sit on the sofa, and she walked to the beautiful grand piano in the middle of the room and elegantly opened the lid.
The soft overhead light outlines her graceful figure. Her fingertips touch the piano keys, and the melody of "Autumn Leaves" with a hint of melancholy and nostalgia flows from her fingers like a stream under the moonlight, filling the entire space.
At the same time, Wen Lingyi's low, slightly hoarse voice was also heard, lazy and sexy, blending perfectly with the sound of the piano.
The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold...
The fatigue of the day seems to be gently washed and smoothed out by the wonderful sound waves.
Zhou Jianxing leaned on the sofa, his eyes obsessed, unable to move away from the figure in front of the piano.
Wen Lingyi lowered her head slightly, a few strands of hair slid down her cheeks, and her whole body was shrouded in a soft halo, and every strand of hair was glowing.
Zhou Jianxing also plays the erhu and has an instinctive sensitivity to pitch and rhythm. Ever since she last heard this song at Wen Lingyi's house, she has added it to her playlist, accompanying her on countless nights when she missed Wen Lingyi.
At this moment, she could hear that Wen Lingyi's playing skills were sophisticated, her pitch was accurate, her rhythm was just right, and her emotional involvement was deep and moving.
Since you went away the days grow long
And soon I'll hear old winter's song
But I miss you most of all, my darling
When autumn leaves start to fall...
Wen Lingyi's voice seems to be born for this song. The unique hoarse texture perfectly interprets the longing and melancholy in the lyrics, even adding a more soul-piercing power than her favorite Nat King Cole version.
Zhou Jianxing was mesmerized by the song, as if through the melody and singing, he briefly touched the deepest corner of Wen Lingyi's soul.
The last note slowly faded in the air, its lingering sound lingering. Wen Lingyi put down the piano cover, walked back to the sofa, and sat down next to Zhou Jianxing.
Zhou Jianxing finally woke up from his dream, his eyes flashing with undisguised amazement and admiration: "It sounds so beautiful..."
She was a little at a loss for words and could only clumsily express her most direct feelings: "Really... the playing is amazing, and the singing is even more flavorful than Nat King Cole's version."
"Oh?" Wen Lingyi raised her eyebrows in surprise.
Nat King Cole's version was considered a niche song in this era, but Zhou Jianxing unexpectedly liked it the most. This resonance made her feel a subtle sense of joy.
Listening to Zhou Jianxing's sincere praise over and over again, Wen Lingyi's mood became very good.
She enjoyed the feeling of being admired and cherished.
She suddenly remembered that Zhou Jianxing mentioned that he could play the erhu, so she casually said, "Don't you play the erhu too? Play it for me next time."
Zhou Jianxing was stunned, a bit embarrassed on his face, and scratched his head subconsciously: "Okay, what song do you want to listen to?"
Wen Lingyi knew very little about erhu music, and the only most famous one that came to her mind was "Erquan Yingyue", but it always reminded her of the image of A Bing.
She pondered and said, "Let's just... this song 'Autumn Leaves'."
"Okay!" Zhou Jianxing's eyes lit up and she nodded vigorously. "I'll go back and practice hard." She paused, then asked with a hint of cautious anticipation, "When I'm done practicing... can I play with you?"
How can the erhu and the piano not be considered a harmonious combination?
Wen Lingyi didn't think much about the metaphor behind this, she just thought the suggestion was quite fresh, so she casually responded, "Okay."
Feeling somewhat flattered by Zhou Jianxing's clumsy compliments, Wen Lingyi sat back on the piano stool, her fingertips dancing across the keys as she played a brilliant Chopin etude. The smooth notes echoed in the studio like pearls falling on a jade plate.
When the last passionate note fell, the audio-visual room fell into complete silence. Zhou Jianxing then realized that it was already dark outside the window.
Wen Lingyi stood up and walked over to sit next to Zhou Jianxing again. With a hint of teasing, her fingertips gently touched Zhou Jianxing's lower abdomen, drawing ambiguous circles. Her voice was lazy and seductive: "Tonight... do you want to stay?"
Zhou Jianxing's heartbeat accelerated instantly, and the blood seemed to rush to his cheeks.
This time, Wen Lingyi invited her, and she really wanted to stay.
However, reason quickly returned.
"I...I really want to stay." She lowered her head, "But...I drove my dad's car here today. He has to go to work early tomorrow morning, so the car needs to go back."
The anticipation in Wen Lingyi's eyes cooled, turning into a hint of disappointment. She nodded and didn't force it any further: "Well, be careful on the road then."
After seeing off the reluctant Zhou Jianxing, the huge villa was once again filled with silence.
Wen Lingyi washed off the smell of fireworks and returned to the cold bed. As soon as she lay down, her phone screen lit up.
Xingxing: "Sister Wen, I'm home."
Xingxing: "Today is also a super, super happy day."
Star: "Good night, sweet dreams."
Wen Lingyi looked at the two "super happy" people on the screen and felt a little amused.
On a perfectly good day off, he came to his own house to do hard labor all day, was so tired he almost fell asleep on the sofa, and yet he was still "super, super happy"? This little fool...
But when she thought of Zhou Jianxing's big, bright eyes, the helplessness in Wen Lingyi's heart turned into soft warmth.
She tapped the screen with her fingertips, and for the first time, used the other person's slightly childish but extremely sincere way of expression:
Shuiyue Gallery - Wen Lingyi: "I'm super, super happy too. Good night."
After replying, she placed her phone screen face down on the bedside table, pulled up the quilt, and closed her eyes.
Perhaps it was because of the fatigue of the whole day and the final comfort of music, or perhaps it was the subtle peace of mind brought by the words "I am super happy too", she soon fell into a sound sleep.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
