Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
âI havenât done this in a long time.â Zhou Yanshen handed the kitchen knife to Lin Kanglu and wanted to slack off for a while âWhy donât you teach me?â
âDonât get smart with me.â Lin Kanglu was not fooled at all.
He knocked the chopping board and warned, âScrape it clean. If I find one fish scale later on, you are done for.â
Zhou Yanshen did not dare to have any objections.
He used the tip of the knife to scale the fish and was much more careful in doing his job than before. âThen when Iâm done scaling it, can you cook it?â
âThat works.â Lin Kanglu placed his hands behind his back and walked out of the kitchen leisurely.
Zhou Yanshen nodded and focused on cleaning the fish.
He threw the fish scale into the trash can at the side and looked at it several times before putting down the kitchen knife.
âAre you done plucking?â
âYep.â
âThen Iâll go get the old man.â He wiped his hands dry on his apron and strode out.
Pei Zhi stretched his arms.
He originally wanted to help Zhou Yanshen, but Lin Kanglu didnât allow it. He could only follow Lin Jiao to the courtyard to drink tea.
âUncle, are you tired?â
âNot at all.â
Seeing that he indeed was not tired, Lin Jiao was slightly relieved.
She pointed at the chicken blood on the corner of his shirt. âIâm afraid you canât wear this shirt anymore.â
âItâs fine.â Pei Zhi smiled.
He looked in the direction of the smoke billowing from the kitchen chimneys and suddenly said, âYanshen is quite happy here.â
âYes.â Lin Jiao rested her chin on her hand. âHis grandmother passed away early, and his parents were too busy with work to care about him, so he has a deep love for his grandfather. In front of him, heâs like a child.â
âI can tell.â Pei Zhi looked away and picked up the teapot to refill her tea. âDid he live with you when he was young?â
âNo, he only comes over during the winter and summer holidays.â
Lin Jiao blew on the teacup twice.
Before she could drink it, she was called to the kitchen by Zhou Yanshen who was holding two dishes in both hands.
She and Pei Zhi helped set up the table and scoop rice for everyone. Their overlapping shadows on the ground gave off an indescribable warmth.
Seeing them walk side by side towards the dining table, Lin Kanglu took off his apron and pondered for a long time.
After lunch, he said to Lin Jiao and Zhou Yanshen, âGo to the fields and pick some cucumbers and cabbages.â
âHow many do you want?â
âA basketful will do.â
Zhou Yanshen picked up the basket in the corner.
He knew why the old man asked the two of them out to pick veggies, so before crossing the threshold, he gave Pei Zhi a look that said, âStay safe.â
Pei Zhi did not look panicked at all.
He put the dishes to the side and looked into the old manâs eyes, waiting for him to speak.
Lin Kanglu was not someone who liked to beat around the bush, so he asked directly, âDo you like Jiaojiao?â
âYes.â
Pei Zhi answered without hesitation.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
He took two sips of white wine and, for the first time, expressed his feelings in front of someone other than his close friends. âIâve liked her for many years.â
Lin Kanglu raised an eyebrow. âShe has a boyfriend.â
âTheyâve already broken up.â
âWhen did this happen?â
âA while ago.â Pei Zhi was afraid that he would worry, so he did not tell him the truth. âTheyâre not compatible.â
Lin Kanglu looked into Pei Zhiâs eyes and tapped the table with his calloused hand, seemingly in thought.
Pei Zhi felt uneasy under his gaze.
After a long silence, he promised sincerely, âDonât worry, Iâll definitely treat her well and never let her down.â
âItâs too early to promise.â
Seeing that he was speechless, Lin Kanglu coughed to suppress his laughter. âWhether you can win her heart or not is the most important matter.â