Chapter 52: If You’re Scared, Just Tell Me

After a whole day of busy work, the best reward is to enjoy a hot and delicious meal.

Xia Li made a pot of spicy chicken, simmering the chicken bones to make the broth.

True to its nature as a free-range chicken from the mountains, the meat was firm yet tender, with a layer of golden chicken fat floating on the surface of the soup, filling the air with a rich aroma. A few mountain mushrooms were added, and with simple seasoning, it was incredibly fresh.

Especially when hungry, the enticing smell wafting out could make someone lose their senses.

The spicy chicken involved stir-frying the chicken with Sichuan pepper, small chili peppers, scallions, ginger, garlic, and star anise until fragrant, then adding water celery and mushrooms, cooking on low heat to let the flavors deepen.

She also made some simple noodles, drenching them in the spicy broth from the chicken, which made them chewy and full of texture.

The noodles absorbed the rich aroma of the chicken, and the sinful carbohydrates combined with the tender chicken…

Tsk tsk, the rooster was sacrificed at the altar, dying a glorious and dignified death.

In this small mountain village, it wasn’t easy to have such a meal. One chicken served two dishes, enough for two people to fill up, and there was still half a pot of chicken soup left, perfect for making chicken noodle soup tomorrow.

Jiang Chenyi looked at his little wife with sparkling eyes, his cold and deep facial features softened by the dim light, his dark brows and eyes resembling distant mountains.

When he remained silent, his chiseled face resembled a deeply carved statue.

Xia Li always felt that this man looked young, but not so inexperienced.

About twenty-six? He surely wouldn’t be over twenty-eight or twenty-nine.

His body bore many old scars, yet it was strong and fit. Each muscle was like a work of art, powerful and fluid.

Occasionally, his gaze and aura made her feel strange and distant.

Like weapons that had been meticulously honed, he was composed and seasoned, drawing attention like a blade.

Having eaten her fill, Xia Li withdrew her gaze from the man and leisurely went to grab a pear.

Her knife skills were excellent; the not-so-sharp kitchen knife was deftly held in her hand as she peeled the pear, cutting it into evenly sized wedges and placing them in a ceramic jar. She then carved the pear skin into flower and leaf shapes to decorate it.

The simplest food, in her hands, could also be a delight to the eyes.

The man focused intently on his little wife’s movements under the light.

He liked the way she had looked at him with those gentle eyes earlier, and he enjoyed watching her concentrate meticulously on a task, her eyelashes slightly lowered, her profile as picturesque as a painting.

Her delicate features were surrounded by soft shadows, and as her slender, white fingers moved nimbly, they transformed simple ingredients into a dish he thought was quite impressive.

He loved watching her and could do so for a very long time.

After a moment of silence, the man stood up, the Adam’s apple in his throat bobbing twice.

In the quiet hall, he suddenly spoke, “Wife, your face is flushed.”

Xia Li looked up in surprise, “Huh?”

Jiang Chenyi’s face was serious. “Just now, when you heard the scoundrel’s voice, your face turned very red, and you deliberately turned your back on me when you came back.”

Xia Li quickly touched her face, feeling awkward between her brows. “…No, I was just hot because I was in a hurry.”

“You must have been scared, right?”

The man’s expression was stern, his gaze deep and unwavering. “Don’t worry, with me around, I will definitely not let any scoundrel come near you by even half a step.”

“From now on, if you’re scared, just tell me. I won’t laugh at you, so don’t avoid me.” His deep voice carried a hint of tenderness.

The sight of his little wife’s rosy cheeks was so lovely, like a layer of blush, with her long eyelashes fluttering rapidly in fear and her eyes shining like a little deer.

He felt a pang of pity; how could he bear to laugh at her?

Jiang Chenyi thought that she was avoiding him after coming back because she was afraid he would make fun of her.

Xia Li blinked her almond-shaped eyes, stuffed a piece of pear into his hand, and turned to leave, mumbling, “Got it.”

Day by day, this was too stimulating.

…Maybe it was better for him to move out sooner.