Chapter 87 That bright future was thus ruined.
Xu Zhian cheered and eagerly picked up his chopsticks. He carefully picked up the fattest one, puffed out his cheeks, blew on it, and then took a big bite.
The scalding hot gravy burst in his mouth, making him hiss and gasp for breath, his little face scrunched up, but he couldn't bear to spit it out, stamping his feet in frustration.
While mumbling and expressing immense satisfaction, she exclaimed, "Ouch! Hot! So hot!... But! So delicious! Sister's meatballs are the best! The best in the world!"
Under the warm orange glow of the oil lamp, Xu Zhili watched her younger brother wolf down his food, wincing from the burn but also looking completely satisfied. A gentle smile spread across her face, a smile brimming with doting affection and reassurance.
"Eat slowly, silly girl. No one's going to take it from you. There's plenty more in the pot," she said softly, picking up a meatball herself and blowing on it gently.
The dim light cast the silhouettes of the siblings nestled together gently onto the wall. The aroma of food, the brother's satisfied chewing, and the soft crackling of the stove fire intertwined to create the most ordinary yet touching melody in this mountain courtyard, gently shutting out all the daytime's thrills from outside the door.
The tranquility and warmth of this moment are enough to soothe everything.
The setting sun cast a warm glow, gilding the fence and clothes drying in the courtyard.
The air was filled with the distinctive smoky aroma of a wood-fired stove, mixed with a faint, almost imperceptible fragrance of food.
Xie Yunze appeared at the courtyard gate at that moment, carrying a heavy piece of fresh, well-processed wolf meat with distinct muscles and tendons.
"elder sister!"
He called out loudly, his voice carrying the clear tone unique to a young man and a hint of barely perceptible joy.
He strode into the courtyard, his steps light and quick, as if even the heavy wolf meat had become lighter.
The golden afterglow fell on his slightly sweaty forehead and straight nose. His bright eyes were filled with pure joy, and a big smile spread across his face, revealing a set of neat white teeth. He looked like a young poplar tree bathed in sunlight, full of vigor and vitality.
"Sister, I just got this piece of the best meat. I thought you were too busy to collect it, so I rushed over to bring it to you. I could smell the aroma as soon as I got to the door. I knew you must be a great cook. The dishes you make are so fragrant that they'll make you want to swallow your tongue!"
When Xu Zhili saw Xie Yunze and the wolf meat in his hand, a hint of surprise flashed across her eyes, which was then replaced by a gentle smile.
She wiped her hands with her apron and straightened up.
Looking at his bright smile and those clear eyes without a trace of gloom, Xu Zhili felt a pang of indescribable regret.
She had heard the rumors about Xiangyang Brigade: this agile young man who could hunt wolves alone was not a real fifteen-year-old boy, but a soldier who had lost his memory due to injury and was forced to retire.
Such a bright future... was it really ruined by an accident and that blank memory?
She subconsciously rubbed her fingertips, and a thought quietly surfaced: the Fruit of Life in her space was said to have all sorts of miraculous effects, and she wondered if it might have any chance of repairing her memories...
But she suppressed the thought as soon as it arose.
She and he had only met a few times and were not even acquainted.
It would be too abrupt and presumptuous to pry into someone's most private pain.
Xu Zhili pondered to herself, a hint of consideration flashing in her clear eyes.
Perhaps... we should spend more time with him first, let him lower his guard, and wait until the relationship is more familiar and natural before finding a natural opportunity to subtly and carefully hint at it.
We can also learn about his life before he lost his memory...
A thousand thoughts raced through my mind, yet they all vanished in an instant.
Xu Zhili still had a gentle smile on her face. She pointed towards the kitchen, where an even richer aroma of food was wafting out: "Xie Yunce, you've come at the right time. We're having dinner. Have you eaten yet?"
Her voice was soft and gentle, with a natural warmth, "If you haven't eaten yet, why don't you stay and try my cooking? You can also try my meatballs to see if they're any good."
Xie Yunze's smile froze for a fraction of a second.
He had indeed eaten at home that evening.
But the words "Stay and try your sister's cooking" were like a sweet-smelling hook, instantly capturing his entire attention.
The thought of spending more time with her, even just quietly watching her busy figure in the kitchen and smelling the tempting aroma of the food, overwhelmed everything else.
He shook his head almost immediately, his eyes darting away slightly, revealing a clumsiness and eagerness typical of a young man, but his tone was resolute: "No! Sister, I haven't eaten yet!"
As if afraid she wouldn't believe him, Xie Yunze quickly added, "Really! I'm just waiting... just waiting to see what delicious food my sister will make!"
A faint blush crept onto her ears.
Xu Zhili did not notice his subtle abnormality, assuming that it was just a time when young people are growing and easily get hungry.
Her eyes crinkled into a smile, making her smile even more genuine: "That's good. Sit down in the courtyard and rest for a while, have some water," she said, pointing to the mint water drying on the stone bench next to her. "I'm quick, the food will be ready in no time."
After saying that, she deftly picked up the wolf's leg, turned around, and disappeared into the kitchen.
There's a new person in the family, and the food we just prepared wasn't enough. The boy has a big appetite, so we need to add more dishes when cooking.
Soon, the small kitchen was filled with the rhythmic sound of chopping vegetables, the crisp sound of spatulas hitting the iron pot, and the sizzling sound of oil hitting the heat.
An even richer and more complex aroma eagerly wafted out, filling the entire courtyard. The evening breeze, carrying the fragrance of food and the freshness of grass and trees, brushed against my cheeks. Only the symphony of pots and pans and the faint calls of birds returning home remained in the courtyard.
An indescribable, almost comforting warmth, accompanied by the enticing aroma of cooking, seeped into Xie Yunce's heart.
The corners of his mouth unconsciously curved upwards as he leaned back lazily, his long legs crossed, seemingly unsure where to place them.
As dusk deepened, it appeared exceptionally quiet and content.
Xu Zhian tilted her little face up, her clear eyes looking straight at Xie Yunce, and asked in a clear voice, "Big brother, who are you?"
Although he was a little shy about the sudden arrival of a stranger, he also felt that it would be impolite of his family not to greet the visitor. So he mustered up his courage and tried to greet the young man.
Xie Yunze was slightly taken aback, not expecting the child to ask this question.
He crouched down, trying to appear as gentle as possible, and said softly, "My name is Xie Yunze, I'm a friend of your sister, and I've come to visit you."
After a while, he whispered, "Oh, then you can have some water, little brother."
Xu Zhian picked up a glass of clear, emerald-green mint water from the stone table. "My sister said it tastes refreshing and can invigorate the mind. It's very comfortable to drink in the summer."
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