Translator: Lynn
Ji Kai had a hunch that the invitation might have been mere politeness, but hunger prevailed, especially after over an hour past lunch, with his stomach audibly protesting.
Besides, anyone who’s had the pleasure of sukiyaki knows the magical allure those three syllables hold.
Of course, Ji Kai was aware that this situation wasn’t entirely right. Zhu Ling was still sleeping in the passenger seat, and Ye Yin had locked himself in, refusing to come out. Both he and Li Wei were in an uncomfortable position, their dissatisfaction with each other lingering in the air, rendering conversation impossible.
Until the food arrived, the opulent living room, adorned with exquisite wooden décor, was steeped in an uncomfortable tension and awkwardness.
One peculiar feature that seemed at odds with the décor was the entire wall covered in an assortment of bizarre cups—a truly eccentric choice of decoration.
Nevertheless, this day turned out to be full of surprises.
The clattering of pots and pans filled the room as the overbearing CEO donned a gray apron, busy in the open kitchen—an unexpected sight, both out of character and strangely endearing.
His movements were deft, the aroma of sizzling beef wafted through the air, teasing their senses.
Anticipation gradually replaced their earlier unease, transitioning into the eagerness to savor every bite.
The hot pot arrived promptly.
The bubbling broth, concocted from kombu and bonito flakes, carried a subtle sweetness. The tender slices of beef dipped into the fresh raw egg mixture tantalized their taste buds. White, silky tofu and Chinese cabbage soaked up the rich flavors, complemented by shiitake mushrooms and shredded konjac.
Ji Kai, unable to contain his excitement, couldn’t sit still. His eyes gleamed like a hungry wolf as his chopsticks danced like a whirlwind. The contents of the pot dwindled exponentially, and he savored every drop of the fragrant broth, leaving the bottom of the pot glistening.
“…Excellent!”
It was on par with the culinary skills of a five-star restaurant’s chef!
After devouring what felt like several kilograms of food, Ji Kai finally let loose and let out a contented sigh. He slumped into the plush leather sofa, gently rubbing his satisfied stomach. “Life is complete now. Just a bit of wine, and it would be perfect!” he exclaimed.
“We do have some plum wine, but perhaps you should wait a while. I still have to drive,” Li Weidu replied.
The thought of not having to drive next time startled him. No, there couldn’t be a next time, of course.
…
The house remained eerily quiet, with the afternoon sunlight casting shadows of the tranquil trees outside the floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
Ye Yin’s door, as closed as a ghost’s dwelling, maintained its silence.
This was ostensibly the “home” of both individuals. However, at some point, Li Weidu had noticed that they had reached an unspoken agreement never to say “let’s go home” again.
Instead, they used the vague phrase “let’s go back.”
It was as if they both understood that “home” should be a warm and inviting place, filled with love and tolerance, rather than an icy cave that stifled the breath out of them, causing laughter to fade and silence to become more and more unbearable.
Li Weidu had contemplated selling the house, convinced that something was amiss with its design and lighting, perpetually casting a gloomy pallor. It felt empty, cold, and oppressively uncomfortable. Even though the floor-to-ceiling windows allowed ample sunlight, the room’s atmosphere remained perpetually chilly.
However, in this moment, with a living person lounging on the sofa, having eaten and enjoyed the sun’s warmth, he suddenly realized that the sunlight pouring onto his shoulders through the glass wasn’t just warm—it was a touch scorching.
So there he sat, a man who should have been bewildered, despondent, and on edge due to Ye Yin’s indifference, watching quietly from across the sofa as someone else ate.
He watched for a full half-hour without growing bored for even a second.
As the Zhu Ling family savored their meal, the entire scene appeared incredibly appetizing and joyful.
It was a simple pot of sukiyaki, yet he devoured it with the illusion of it being the most delicious thing he had ever tasted. Even someone like Li Weidu, who was nursing a stomachache, found himself feeling a bit hungry because of Ji Kai’s enthusiasm.
What’s more, it was genuinely delectable.
This sukiyaki pot was meant for two people. Normally, when Li Weidu and Ye Yin had it, there would always be leftovers.
But this time, Ji Kai managed to finish it all, even down to the last drop of soup, leaving behind only a table full of empty eggshells.
…It could be considered a compliment, right?
After all, nobody had ever consumed his cooking with such gusto and anticipation. After the meal, he couldn’t help but gaze at the open kitchen counter, already contemplating his next culinary endeavor.
How much had this man suffered following Zhu Ling? How many times had Zhu Ling deprived him?
Why did he always act like a starving ghost who had been famished for a lifetime?
…
Ji Kai rubbed his hands together, sneaking glances at the kitchen. He secretly hoped that Li Weidu could miraculously conjure another delectable meal for him to take away.
After all, this might be his only chance to savor such a delicious pot of sukiyaki. Regretfully, there might not be a “next time” to look forward to. It was just that good!
Thinking about it, Ye Yin was really missing out.
So what if he had some mental quirks? In life, there were only two essential things: good food and sound sleep.
The food prepared by Li Weidu was so exquisite that Ji Kai almost shed tears with the first bite. Even if he were a poor and unattractive lunatic, if he encountered Ji Kai before getting married, he would seriously consider bringing him home.
What if the man was a handsome and wealthy eccentric?
“Haha, Mr. Li, your culinary skills are truly exceptional. They surpass even the super-expensive restaurant I tried in Japan,” Ji Kai praised. “If you ever decide to quit acting in movies and TV shows and open a restaurant to showcase your talent, it would surely earn a spot on the Michelin list!”
As Ji Kai wiped his mouth, he couldn’t help but recall how his compliments about Li Weidu’s good looks had earned him this delicious sukiyaki. Maybe, if he continued to heap on the praise, Mr. Li might just decide to unveil that massive silver-gray double-door refrigerator that seemed fit for a wealthy tycoon.
Who knows how many culinary delights it might hold?
…
Li Weidu didn’t open the refrigerator as Ji Kai had hoped. Instead, he remained seated on the sofa, his gaze lowered, an air of unease mixed with a hint of green in his expression, and a slow, gentle smile gracing his lips.
In his simple white shirt, with his hair undone, he appeared surprisingly youthful at that moment. When he suddenly smiled in the bright sunshine streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, he seemed to be enveloped in a halo of white and golden light, resembling a youthful god from a Nordic mural.
In Ji Kai’s mind, he silently muttered, “Well, this is unexpected.”
It was quite the transformation from the typically arrogant and sarcastic CEO with a penchant for eye-rolling. In his home mode, clad in an apron and sporting a genuine smile, he was a completely different person.
Such a stark contrast left Ji Kai with the feeling that having one boyfriend was akin to having two. It was like gaining something for nothing.
It felt like a squandering of natural resources! How could someone like Li Weidu, who was so exemplary, be with Ye Yin?
As the saying goes, a good man often ends up with a less deserving partner. It made him think of the idea that old friends tend to be the most honest. Ji Kai contemplated the notion but decided not to let it unnerve him. After all, Zhu Ling, who was handsome, romantic, considerate, and had a great physique, was also strangely favored by him.
The only caveat was the “suspected cheating” incident.
He couldn’t help but wonder, should this matter be allowed to slide by? He felt a sudden urge to ask Mr. Li in front of him about the high likelihood of infidelity in his relationship. Would he simply turn a blind eye and let it pass?
Considering Li Weidu’s previous advice to “go back and take care of Zhu Ling” and his efforts to coax Ye Yin to return home, it seemed he had no intention of delving deeper into the matter. This left Ji Kai with a perplexing question—were all wealthy individuals these days so noble and honorable?
But when Li Weidu smiled, looking genuinely pleasant, Ji Kai didn’t want to spoil the atmosphere, so he suppressed his inner criticisms and didn’t inquire further. After all, everyone had their own principles and ways of living.
Perhaps this affluent CEO had simply fallen for a wild spirit and didn’t mind the uncharted territories. He might appreciate the diversity of relationships and wholeheartedly respect others’ choices.
However, Ji Kai knew himself too well. Matters of the heart were black and white to him. He could never accept deceit, concealment, or the gray areas of ambiguity. There was no room for compromise in his view.
He couldn’t help but wonder about the situation between Zhu Ling and Ye Yin. He resolved to get to the bottom of it when he returned home, even if he had to hold a knife to Zhu Ling’s throat. Self-deception and glossing over things like an ostrich were not in his character.
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