Pursuing Her Best Friend after Confession Failed-Chapter 96 - 84: The Most Beautiful Little Cook in the Universe, A Passionate Kiss Seals a Lifetime (Subscribe Please)
In the spacious and clean kitchen, Xia Zhijin shyly washed vegetables like chili peppers and garlic sprouts, while Li Yuan watched from the side, trying to suppress a smile.
It had to be said that Xia Zhijin looked incredibly attractive while cooking, exuding the charm of a beautiful and virtuous homemaker. She was a perfect match for his ideal partner.
Xia Zhijin was proficient in cooking. Under her knife, the vegetables were swiftly and neatly chopped, showcasing impressive skill. The pieces of pork belly were all perfectly uniform in size.
"Zhijin, are you making twice-cooked pork? With all that broad bean paste and chili, the smell alone is making my mouth water."
Xia Zhijin flipped the contents of the wok. Due to the heat in the kitchen, beads of sweat had formed on her forehead, and Li Yuan considerately wiped them away with a tissue.
"I... I’m making Sichuan-style twice-cooked pork," she stammered. "My grandma taught me. Back in my hometown, she used to make this with a special fermented bean paste made from soybeans, watermelon, and red chili peppers. It’s delicious..."
As Li Yuan inhaled the savory aroma of the twice-cooked pork, he couldn’t help but swallow. How wonderful would it be to spend the rest of my life like this? I wouldn’t have to think about getting revenge on my two-faced first love, Bai Weixi. I wouldn’t need to flirt ambiguously with Little Fish, the singer. I wouldn’t have to stay up late making small talk with Zhong Tingyue just to maintain my ’senior’ image... There would be no future battlegrounds forcing me to become a master of time management. Just this... staying quietly with this gentle, treasured girl right in front of me, this girl who’s like an Immortal from the Moon Palace. We could just shop together, cook together, live together... One couple, for one lifetime; living life half-drunk and half-aware. Is being a playboy really that interesting? Li Yuan was completely lost in his thoughts.
Seeing Li Yuan staring blankly at her, Xia Zhijin’s cheeks flushed red. She reminded him in a small voice, "The twice-cooked pork is ready. Would you like to try some first?"
Li Yuan snapped back to reality and saw Xia Zhijin looking at him with anticipation. An intense warmth and sweetness filled his heart. This feeling is so comforting. It’s so relaxing, without a single worry, as if the world itself has gone quiet just for us... 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
He took a pair of chopsticks and, under Xia Zhijin’s hopeful gaze, picked up a piece of the twice-cooked pork and put it in his mouth.
The flavor was spicy yet fragrant, making Li Yuan’s taste buds explode.
He couldn’t help but stare at Xia Zhijin in her apron. Although he had guessed her cooking would be delicious, he hadn’t expected the twice-cooked pork to taste this good. It was incredibly authentic—even better than the version served at Daxia University’s second cafeteria.
"Li Yuan, how’s the taste?" Xia Zhijin asked nervously.
Li Yuan picked up another piece, savoring it immensely. He gave her a thumbs-up, thinking that the sight of the most beautiful little chef in the universe before him was truly the most beautiful scenery in the world.
"Zhijin, if my startup ever fails and I go bankrupt, with your cooking skills, we could open a rustic Sichuan restaurant in Modu. We’d definitely make a fortune and live comfortably."
Xia Zhijin giggled softly, a rare, playful look appearing on her face. "Sure. If that day ever comes, I’ll support you."
Li Yuan immediately agreed. "It’s a deal then," he chuckled. "For the rest of my life, I’ll just cling to your leg, Zhijin. I’ll rely on you and let you support me."
Xia Zhijin shyly lowered her head. She placed the twice-cooked pork on the stove and whispered, "Li Yuan, are you going to eat now? I’ll get you some rice."
"How can I eat alone? Of course, I’m waiting for you."
Li Yuan brandished the kitchen knife in one hand and picked up a large potato with the other.
"Most beautiful little chef in the universe, now it’s my turn to show you my specialty—hot and sour shredded potatoes and scrambled eggs with tomato and chili."
Li Yuan was actually quite a good cook. His knife skills and culinary abilities were impressive for a guy his age. Under Xia Zhijin’s expectant gaze, he deftly sliced the large potato into thin sheets and then into fine shreds. He chopped some dried red chilies, peeled garlic, and fresh green and red chilies. In no time, the ingredients for the hot and sour shredded potatoes were ready.
"Zhijin, now it’s my turn to perform."
Seeing Li Yuan put on an apron, Xia Zhijin tried to hide a smile. In that moment, Li Yuan seemed incredibly real, like an ordinary person in her life, not the domineering yet gentle, rich, and handsome man...
Li Yuan took a ladle and poured soybean oil into the wok. Once the oil was hot, he tossed in the dried red chilies, followed by the garlic. After they became fragrant, he added the fresh chilies and onion segments, then threw in the shredded potatoes to stir-fry over high heat. He seasoned the dish with salt, cooking wine, vinegar, and a splash of light soy sauce. In just a few moments, a steaming plate of freshly made hot and sour shredded potatoes was placed in front of Xia Zhijin.
"Zhijin, give it a try. What do you think?" Li Yuan waited nervously and eagerly for her reaction. To think, in his past life, he’d been a devoted admirer for seven years and had never once cooked for Bai Weixi.
Smiling, Xia Zhijin picked up some of the hot and sour shredded potatoes and put them in her mouth. Her eyes lit up with surprise.
"Wow, Li Yuan, these hot and sour shredded potatoes you made are really, really fantastic!"
Li Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. "Of course," he replied narcissistically. "I’ve known how to make this dish since the third grade."
Xia Zhijin’s beautiful eyes were fixed on Li Yuan. She suddenly felt that he was truly perfect in every way.
"Zhijin, wait just a little longer. I’ll make the scrambled eggs with tomato and chili next. It’s my own unique recipe, you know."
