IWHBDR Chapter 30

Looking at the boy in front of him, whose eyes suddenly widened at his words, Shen Huaixiu’s mood lifted as he asked, “So surprised?”

Rong Shu stepped forward and grabbed his sleeve. “You can cook?”

“Is that strange?” Shen Huaixiu lowered his gaze to him, his usually cold black eyes softening with warmth even he hadn’t noticed.

“Well, I just never thought about it. It’s so sudden. Can I watch you cook? I won’t disturb you. I could help wash the vegetables or something.” Rong Shu’s heart pounded in his chest, the excitement he felt impossible to contain. His beautiful peach blossom eyes were practically glowing.

“There’s smoke in the kitchen. It’s not good for your throat since you’re still recovering.” Shen Huaixiu let him pull at his sleeve, patiently explaining.

Rong Shu’s cat ears twitched with excitement. “I’ll just wash the vegetables! I’ll wash them and then leave, okay? I can’t just sit and wait to eat—it doesn’t feel right!”

“Alright, let’s go.” Shen Huaixiu found that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t maintain his usual cold demeanor around Rong Shu.

Rong Shu eagerly followed him into the kitchen, still holding onto his sleeve.

The kitchen in the boxing gym wasn’t very big, but it was spotlessly clean as if it wasn’t used very often.

The cooking utensils were all in place. The fridge was fully stocked with various ingredients and fruits.

Rong Shu stood at the door, watching as Shen Huaixiu opened the fridge to pick ingredients. “Do you want some salmon?”

“Are we eating it raw?”

“You’re still sick, so I’ll sear it?”

“That sounds great!” Being cared for felt amazing—especially when the person taking care of you was someone you liked. It was like floating on a cloud!

“What else do you want?” Shen Huaixiu pointed to the green vegetables in the fridge, letting him choose.

“Minced pork stir-fried with bok choy?”

Rong Shu tentatively finished speaking and saw Shen Huaixiu reach into the fridge to pull out a bag of bok choy. “For the cold dish, do you prefer a sweet and sour taste or a salty one?”

“Sweet and sour!”

“How about tomato egg drop soup?”

“Sounds good!”

Four dishes, a perfect balance of meat and vegetables—fantastic!

Rong Shu rolled up his sleeves, ready to tackle the task. Shen Huaixiu opened a cabinet, pulled out a basin, and handed it to him. “Do you know how to wash them?”

“Yes!” It’s just washing vegetables, how hard could it be?

The bok choy was a vibrant green, each bundle about the size of an adult’s palm, with a total of three bundles. Shen Huaixiu reminded him as he tossed the bok choy into the basin, “The hot water is on the left.”

“Got it.” Rong Shu placed the basin into the sink. Shen Huaixiu ignored him for now, turning his attention to the rice cooker to start steaming the rice.

Suddenly, Rong Shu called out, “Ah!”

Shen Huaixiu instinctively turned around to see the boy with his hand shielding his face, turning to the side, “No, it’s nothing. The water just splashed all over my face!”

Shen Huaixiu couldn’t help but smile. “Be careful. There aren’t any spare clothes here for you.”

At the mention of clothes, Rong Shu’s cat ears twitched involuntarily.

He pursed his lips, choosing not to respond.

The thought of having made himself sick while trying to flirt was still a painful memory.

Originally, Rong Shu thought washing vegetables was quite simple, but once he started, he realized that while the outer leaves of the bok choy were easy to clean, the ones inside were a different story.

“Bok choy needs to be separated and washed leaf by leaf,” Shen Huaixiu said softly as he walked over to offer a reminder.

Rong Shu felt a pang of embarrassment and his cheeks flushed slightly. Trying to stay calm, he said, “I’m just rinsing the outside first and getting ready to separate them!”

“I know,” Shen Huaixiu said kindly, not pressing the issue.

As Rong Shu was separating the leaves, Shen Huaixiu started preparing the meat.

The bok choy was very fresh, each leaf a vibrant green, immersed in the water like fine jade, translucent and sparkling. Rong Shu washed the leaves carefully, treating them like rare treasures rather than ordinary vegetables.

Suddenly, a hand reached over his head. Shen Huaixiu’s deep voice came from beside him, “Look down, I need that plate.”

The cat ears on Rong Shu’s head twitched lightly, brushing against Shen Huaixiu’s chin, causing a tickling sensation.

“Looks like it’s about done.”

“Is this enough?” Nervous from Shen Huaixiu’s sudden proximity, Rong Shu instinctively looked up, but his head bumped into the partially open cabinet door. Fortunately, Shen Huaixiu reacted quickly and caught him.

“Are you alright?” Rong Shu, realizing the situation, hurriedly checked Shen Huaixiu’s hand. Seeing that he was using the injured hand, Rong Shu became even more anxious, “Is it bleeding again?”

“It’s fine. It doesn’t hurt much; it’ll be okay soon.”

Shen Huaixiu, not wanting him to feel guilty, nonchalantly pulled his hand back.

Rong Shu’s eyes were reddened with worry: “If it’s bleeding, it can’t not hurt. Stop what you’re doing for now. Where’s the first aid kit? Let me help you with the medicine.”

Shen Huaixiu’s heart softened at the sight of Rong Shu’s concern. He unwrapped the bandage from his hand and held it out to Rong Shu, “It really isn’t serious, and it’ll heal quickly. Alpha’s healing ability is quite strong. Aren’t you the same?”

“Whether an Alpha’s healing ability is strong or not, how would I know… Yes, Alpha’s healing ability is indeed strong, haha, I forgot. Being concerned makes one flustered, being concerned makes one flustered!”… Almost gave himself away!

Rong Shu forced a natural smile, turned his attention away from Shen Huaixiu’s injury, and began fishing the bok choy leaves out of the water. “Do we need to wash the tomatoes too? You shouldn’t get your injured hand wet.”

“Alright.” Seeing that Rong Shu’s focus was diverted, Shen Huaixiu sighed in relief. The thought of “being concerned makes one flustered” brought a sweet feeling to his heart.

Rong Shu scrubbed the tomatoes while occasionally glancing at Shen Huaixiu, who was cracking eggs. He was anxious to see if Shen Huaixiu had noticed anything. He really wanted to tell Shen Huaixiu that he was an Omega, but he wasn’t sure how to say it. Just suddenly running over and revealing it felt a bit foolish!

Moreover, he was curious about how Shen Huaixiu would react if he found out Rong Shu wasn’t an Alpha. Would he be surprised?

After placing the round, red tomatoes on a plate and pouring out the water from the basin, Rong Shu announced, “Ahem, I’m done washing!”

“Thanks. You can go sit down for a while. I need to start cooking,” Shen Huaixiu said with a slight smile.

“Can I watch you cook from the door?” Rong Shu didn’t want to sit idly by. Since it was the first time Shen Huaixiu was cooking for him, he felt he should stay and watch the whole process.

His pleading tone made Shen Huaixiu think that if he refused, Rong Shu might actually cry.

“Alright, but if it gets smoky, stand back.”

“Okay!”

Shen Huaixiu remained concerned for Rong Shu’s health. Even with the range hood, he opened the other window.

Rong Shu peered in from the doorway, his head barely visible, intently watching Shen Huaixiu’s back.

What should he do? Shen Huaixiu seemed like a radiant figure to him. Now, as he earnestly cooked, he looked like the most expensive highlighter, dazzlingly drawing him in!

Rong Shu leaned against the door frame, his mind racing.

Maybe he should just confess now!

 

Author’s note:

Chen Jing: Don’t be scared. Just go for it!

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