“This really was just an accident.” Yan Chi said helplessly, feeling like he couldn't explain himself. “I’ve never fished before, and I don’t know how to fish. I don’t know what happened to this fish. Please don’t overthink it.”
Besides, Yan Chi didn’t have the special ability to make a fish bite a willow branch and jump ashore.
Lin Heng abruptly packed up his entire fishing gear, picked up the bucket containing only one fish, gave Yan Chi a deep look, and turned to leave this place that had caused him so much heartache.
From his retreating figure, Yan Chi saw a deep sense of despair, as if the fish at Yan Chi’s feet wasn’t a fish, but his wife.
Yan Chi opened his mouth, but didn’t know how to comfort Lin Heng. After thinking for a moment, he kept silent.
What if things got worse?
Looking at the grass carp on the ground, Yan Chi picked it up. He could have an extra dish tonight.
Halfway there, the fish, which had been behaving itself peacefully, suddenly began to struggle and desperately thrashed its tail. Yan Chi had no choice but to put it down, pick up a stone from the ground, and smash it on the fish's head until it was stunned.
"Could this fish really be sick?" Yan Chi thought.
"One minute it's deathly still, the next it's having an epileptic seizure. Is it even edible?"
"Should I simmer it a little longer before cooking?"
Just then, a familiar voice called out.
"Teacher."
Not far away, Shen Chang Le walked towards Yan Chi. He seemed to have been waiting for him, taking the fish and meat from his hands. "Come to my house for dinner tonight. My uncle can cook now."
"That's great. You won't have to go hungry anymore." Yan Chi smiled, but shook his head at their dinner invitation. "But no need, I've already bought groceries."
Shen Chang Le followed closely behind. "Teacher, let's eat together, it'll be more lively. Eating only with Uncle is too boring."
Yan Chi immediately saw through him. "But Chang Le, aren't you the type to dislike lively gatherings?"
These were naturally words Shen Mingsu had taught Shen Chang Le to say, just in case Shen Chang Le was bad at greeting Yan Chi. Shen Chang Le knew his little thoughts wouldn't escape Yan Chi's notice, so he simply told the truth, "Yes, but your visit to our house isn't a lively affair for guests, it's a natural interaction like family, so I don't dislike it."
Looking at Yan Chi, his light green eyes were full of expectation, and his young voice was full of sincerity, "Teacher, come to our house for dinner, eating alone is too lonely."
Yes… he vaguely remembered that his childhood dream was to no longer eat alone and to have many friends. Why was he hesitant now that it was almost a reality?
Yan Chi nodded, the small mole at the corner of his eye slightly upturned, "Okay, I'll join you."
Perhaps Shen Mingsu had started preparing early, because Yan Chi smelled the rich aroma of food as soon as he entered the living room, "It seems your uncle has quite a talent for cooking."
Shen Chang Le commented, "It's just so-so."
These days, Shen Mingsu had gone crazy for some reason, spending all his time in the kitchen figuring out how to cook. His culinary talent was terrible, yet he was exceptionally confident.
With his lousy cooking skills—he could even burn fried rice—he dared to try making pickled fish and tomato beef brisket right off the bat. The result was predictable: if the players ate it, they'd be dead without the players even lifting a finger.
As Shen Mingsu's nephew, Shen Chang Le was tasked with tasting the food. He always brought Sethia along, secretly feeding him everything from his own bowl.
Fortunately, Sethia accepted everything, allowing Shen Chang Le a few days of comfort. However, Shen Mingsu deemed Sethia's opinions on food unreliable and told him to stop coming.
The culinary curse fell on Shen Chang Le again. He'd eaten countless bizarre dishes, and every mealtime he'd sigh and groan.
Through this daily torment of his nephew, Shen Mingsu's cooking skills finally improved. Today, he could finally show off his skills in front of Yan Chi!
Wearing an apron, Shen Mingsu came out carrying dishes and warmly greeted Yan Chi, "Teacher Chi, please sit down, the food will be ready soon."
Yan Chi found a seat and saw Shen Mingsu bring out tomato beef brisket, then sauerkraut fish, followed by beer duck, mixed mushroom stew, Mapo tofu…
Seeing that the dishes were endless, Yan Chi hurriedly called for a stop, "Isn't this too much? There are only three of us…"
Shen Mingsu glanced at the seven dishes: "Is it too much? What if it's not enough?"
"I think there won't be a problem for the three of us," Yan Chi said tactfully, "After all, Sethia isn't here."
Given Sethia's appetite, with him around, he might have been able to finish all the dishes, but now it was just the three of them, whose appetites weren't very strong; they'd probably struggle to finish even three dishes.
Shen Mingsu thought about it and agreed, naturally sitting down next to Yan Chi. "Alright, then I won't cook. You must be hungry too, let's eat."
So Yan Chi was squeezed between Shen Mingsu and Shen Chang Le. He felt quite awkward at first, but as the atmosphere gradually warmed up, he felt less uncomfortable.
Shen Mingsu was a very good cook, and Yan Chi enjoyed every dish. Seeing him eating happily, Shen Mingsu suggested, "Why don't you come eat here from now on?"
Yan Chi paused in his chewing, his round, amber eyes fixed on Shen Mingsu.
Shen Chang Le silently raised his head, looking at his uncle strangely, then shifted his gaze to Yan Chi. Considering Shen Mingsu's unusual behavior recently, he already had a guess in his mind.
Yan Chi put down his chopsticks and refused without hesitation, "No need, it's too much trouble for you."
"It won't be a problem." Shen Mingsu placed a piece of beef brisket drizzled with tomato sauce on his plate. "Anyway, I'm idle all day, unlike you who has to work. Why don't I cook three meals a day? It'll be making the most of my resources, right?"
His words sounded so natural that Yan Chi subconsciously thought it made perfect sense. Wait! He quickly stopped that dangerous thought. He had hands and feet; how could he come to Shen Mingsu's place to eat for free?
Seeing that Yan Chi still wouldn't agree, Shen Mingsu lowered his eyes. Despite being tall and strong, he looked like an abandoned puppy, radiating pitifulness.
"Is it because my cooking isn't good?" Shen Mingsu's voice was low. "I know I'm not as capable as you, and my cooking isn't as good as yours. You and Chang Le don't like it..."
Shen Chang Le silently put down the chicken leg he had picked up and ate it in silence.
"I didn't mean that!" Yan Chi hurriedly explained, "Your cooking is delicious. I... I'm just not used to eating at other people's houses every meal. I'm sorry..."
Yan Chi was like a little snail; he could occasionally go out to visit friends, but when the time came, he had to return to his safe and comfortable shell.
"Then how about we occasionally drop by and bring each other food?" Shen Mingsu immediately changed his suggestion. "You're always the one bringing us food. Now that I've learned to cook, I can bring you some too."
"We're neighbors, and we're friends. Is that not allowed?" Shen Mingsu looked downcast, heartbroken at being betrayed, and asked Yan Chi, "Don't you consider me a friend?"
Yan Chi glanced at Shen Mingsu, then awkwardly turned his head away, his voice soft, "...No, I already consider you a friend."
Shen Mingsu instantly smiled again, "That's good."
Yan Chi wasn't lying. He'd been in Yunzhou for a while now, and whether it was Shen Mingsu, who had always looked after him, or Xi Chang, with whom he was close, Yan Chi had silently categorized them as friends.
However, he simply couldn't treat Shen Mingsu the same way he treated Xi Chang. Even the most ordinary actions made Yan Chi feel awkward, even wanting to avoid him.
Yan Chi looked at Shen Mingsu's handsome yet somewhat menacing features, wondering if it was because he looked too fierce? In an instant, the image of Shen Mingsu wearing an apron and cooking in the kitchen flashed through his mind.
The apron was a one-size-fits-all, noticeably too small for the man, outlining Shen Mingsu's lean and strong waist...
Wait, stop!
Yan Chi picked up his water glass and took a sip, suppressing his rapidly beating heart. His fair, jade-like ears flushed a deep crimson.
Although Shen Mingsu's physique was indeed excellent, how could he possibly lust after him in front of him! What difference was there between him and those frivolous, ill-mannered, low-class men?!
As Yan Chi mentally berated himself, Shen Mingsu caught a glimpse of his flushed earlobes and slowly revealed a smug smile of successful seduction. Good looks should be used for good!
Feeling guilty, Yan Chi said goodbye to Shen Mingsu after finishing his meal and hurriedly left.
Shen Mingsu stood at the door, almost as if he wanted to toss a handkerchief in the air and say, "My lord, please come often in the future."
Only after watching Yan Chi go home and close the door did he smugly recline on the sofa, the image of Yan Chi's blushing, shy face lingering in his mind.
He pulled out a mirror from somewhere and looked at himself. "This face isn't wasted."
As he walked past, Shen Chang Le, hearing this exclamation, fell silent again.
"Uncle."
Shen Chang Le stood quite seriously next to Shen Mingsu, his brows furrowed, his face displaying a maturity beyond his years. "Tell me the truth, do you have any designs on Teacher Xiaochi?"
"Is that even a question?" Shen Mingsu crossed his long legs, one hand casually resting on the back of the sofa. "Yes, I like him. Isn't it obvious to everyone? Little Chang Le, don't tell me you're only just realizing you want your Teacher Xiaochi to be your aunt."
Shen Chang Le had mentally prepared himself before asking, but clearly, his preparation wasn't sufficient.
"You...you..." Shen Chang Le was severely shocked. A crack finally appeared on his usually calm face as he vehemently condemned Shen Mingsu, "How could you do this! How can I ever face Teacher Xiaochi again!"
He seemed like a rational younger brother who knew perfectly well his older brother was a scoundrel, yet shamelessly pursued a rich heiress.
Shen Chang Le: "You're not good enough for Teacher Xiaochi."
"Why am I not good enough?" Shen Mingsu retorted proudly, refusing to compromise, "We're a perfect match! He loves my looks, my face, and my figure!"
Shen Chang Le: "..."
How shameless!
Shen Mingsu ignored his opinion, giving him a disdainful glance. "Besides, what do you know, you little brat? Mind your own business. Go upstairs, drink your milk, and go to sleep."
Shen Chang Le, unable to argue, angrily stormed upstairs and slammed the door shut.
...
These past few days, Yan Chi keenly sensed that Shen Chang Le's attitude towards him was off. Previously, if they bumped into each other in the morning, Shen Chang Le would go to class with him.
But now, Shen Chang Le would turn and run away as soon as he saw him from afar, and during class, he would look at him with a guilty and pitying gaze, which gave Yan Chi goosebumps.
On Friday afternoon, after the last class, Yan Chi couldn't help but call Shen Chang Le to his office, pour him a glass of water, and asked, "Chang Le, do you have a problem with me?"
"No," Shen Chang Le immediately denied. He glanced at Yan Chi's gentle eyes, then lowered his head. "Teacher, I wanted to ask you, what do you think of my uncle?"
"Your uncle is very good," Yan Chi listed Shen Mingsu's good points, "Approachable, good-tempered, and a good cook..."
"Do you think he's good-looking?"
Yan Chi didn't hesitate at all, "Good-looking!"
Shen Chang Le pursed his lips. He realized that Yan Chi liked good-looking people. His uncle's face was indeed quite presentable, and looking at it this way, they seemed quite well-matched.
Yan Chi looked at the silent, head-down Shen Chang Le, wondering if the boy was jealous. Shen Chang Le's change started from that meal. Was he worried that his uncle would neglect him if he made close friends? This guess was a bit far-fetched, but Shen Chang Le was just a child, so it was understandable that he would think this way.
Yan Chi held Shen Chang Le's hand, "Chang Le, you must know that no matter what, your uncle is your family, and he will never abandon you."
Shen Chang Le was stunned, not understanding why Yan Chi would suddenly say this. After leaving the office in a daze, he went to ask Xingluo, the only one who knew the truth.
"Why would the teacher say that?" Xingluo thought for a moment, "I understand. The teacher means that after he and the principal get together, they will both be your elders, protect you together, and never abandon you."
Shen Chang Le was suspicious, "Really?"
Xingluo was convinced, "Of course!"
Shen Chang Le was confused. They would protect him together? It sounded pretty good.
He instantly felt relieved.
So, when are they getting married?
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