Chapter 14.2

The chicken soup was simmering on low heat while Wen Yue started preparing the potatoes for the stew.

Without a rice cooker, it was inconvenient. Two pots weren’t enough, and there was no place to cook the rice.

She had to stir-fry the dishes first, then cook the rice afterward.

The kitchen was filled with the aroma of chicken soup, soon mingling with the fragrance of potato chicken stew. The different scents wafted out, drawing people back from the fields as they passed by the Zhou family.

“What smells so good?”

“Must be stewing chicken. This smell, it has to be chicken stew!”

“Are they eating so well?”

“It’s definitely that kid Zhou Yao. He’s got money; he could eat chicken every day! A thousand yuan, he can eat whatever he wants!”

People whispered among themselves, full of envy.

But some also sneered.

“That brat Zhou Yao, always running around, he’ll blow through that thousand yuan soon enough!”

“He’s just lucky to have a good father. Otherwise, he’d be starving by now!”

“Exactly, just wait, with his habits, he’ll be a pauper in no time…”

Wen Yue poured out the dishwater and saw a crowd gathered outside their courtyard, pointing and talking about their home. She was puzzled, “Zhou Yao, why are these people standing outside our courtyard?”

Zhou Yao raised an eyebrow in confusion, got up, and took a couple of steps to the door to take a look.

“Ignore them, they’re just bored.”

He lost interest and sat back down, hands in his pockets.

“Alright.” Wen Yue, taking his word for it, went back to stir-frying.

Soon, there was the sound of pots and pans from next door, and the rice was cooked.

Wen Yue ladled the slow-simmered chicken soup into a bowl and directed Zhou Yao to bring it out. They quickly set the table with their dishes.

Once the table was set, without needing a reminder from Wen Yue, Zhou Yao dutifully went back to the kitchen to wash his hands, dried them with a towel hanging under the eaves, and returned to sit at the table.

Wen Yue smiled brightly, “You remember to wash your hands before eating, so clean!”

Zhou Yao responded with a perfunctory smile, “You taught me well.”

Wen Yue gave a thumbs-up, “Comrade Zhou Yao, keep it up. The organization appreciates and praises you.”

Zhou Yao didn’t say anything, he just scooped two bowls of soup, pushing one toward Wen Yue, his tone casual, “Even when eating, you can’t stop talking.”

The chicken soup was delicious, and the potato chicken stew was equally flavorful.

The potatoes had absorbed the broth, making them soft and tasty, and the chicken was tender and not dry. Both dishes were great with rice, and Zhou Yao ate two large bowls.

Even Wen Yue had a full bowl.

The potato chicken stew was completely finished, with only some chicken soup left.

Wen Yue patted her slightly protruding belly and covered her mouth as she burped, “We can save this chicken soup to make noodles in the morning. If you wake up early tomorrow, cook some noodles before you leave.”

She couldn’t wake up that early.

Zhou Yao agreed, getting up to clear the dishes.

He ladled the remaining chicken soup from the pot, cleaned it, and started boiling water for a bath.

This time, Wen Yue was the one adding firewood to the stove.

She propped her chin on her hand, her gaze focused on the fire, using tongs to stir it occasionally. “Will you be back late tomorrow?”

Zhou Yao responded, “It takes three to four hours to come back from the city, so yes, I won’t be back early.”

Wen Yue nodded, “Do you need me to save you some food for the night?”

Zhou Yao glanced up, his dark, bright eyes looking over, “Up to you, if you want to save some, go ahead, if not, forget it.”

Wen Yue: “?”

“Okay.” Seeing the water in the pot boiling, she stood up to get a wooden bucket, muttering, “Then I won’t save any.”

Wen Yue filled the bucket with water until it was full and heavy.

She turned to Zhou Yao, speaking softly, “Zhou Yao, can you help me carry it in? It’s too heavy for me.”

Zhou Yao smirked, “Carry it yourself, I haven’t eaten, I have no strength.”

Wen Yue widened her eyes, “Are you a stingy ghost?”

“Yes.” Zhou Yao flicked the water off his hands and walked over, easily lifting the bucket into the small room, “Alright, go take a bath.”

Wen Yue gave him a coquettish glance and went into the small room with her clothes.

Her eyes sparkled, and her gaze was lively.

Zhou Yao was stunned for a moment, his heartbeat quickening and his body temperature rising.

He touched his forehead, puzzled.

A fever?