Chapter 22: Why Does It Smell So Good?

“Damn it!”

Ye Xin Ran sighed inwardly.

Why was she always at a disadvantage when they met?

And yet, with such a handsome man standing before her, she didn’t even get to enjoy any of the benefits!

“Why are you back so early?” Ye Xin Ran asked calmly, now dressed in another proper skirt.

Xiao Huai’an stood outside the door, gazing at the moon, trying hard to dispel the image of her snowy-white figure from his mind.

But the pale moonlight was too reminiscent of what he had just seen, making his thoughts even more chaotic.

When Ye Xin Ran spoke, he finally turned his gaze away, his voice regaining its usual coldness.

“My apologies. I didn’t know you were in the room. I came back early because I happened to catch a big prey.”

He had also wanted to check if the children were affected by the wedding situation.

Before pushing the door open, he never expected Ye Xin Ran to still be here.

Though she was now neatly dressed, Xiao Huai’an thought her unadorned face, slim waist, and long, flowing hair made her look even more enchanting. Her fair skin seemed to glow against the dark night, like an ethereal being stepping out of the shadows, captivating and other worldly.

Wasn’t she the one who swore she wouldn’t marry him? Why hadn’t she left?

“The poison in your system should be cured by now. Why are you still here?” Xiao Huai’an asked coldly.

Ye Xin Ran stepped closer and replied calmly, “That’s an odd question. I was carried here in a bridal sedan as your legitimate wife. If I don’t stay here, where else should I go?”

The man, returning late at night, carried with him the cool scent of dew and fresh grass. His cold, sharp features and probing gaze made him seem even more mysterious.

For some reason, Ye Xin Ran was reminded of the time he bumped his forehead, and she felt an urge to tease him.

“Besides,” she added with a smirk, “you’ve taken advantage of me multiple times now. I haven’t even repaid the favor, how could I possibly leave so soon?”

Xiao Huai’an was stunned that she brought up the matter again. The memories of that day and what he had just seen blurred together in his mind, making his expression even colder.

“If you don’t mind staying here, then you may. This room will be yours. I’ll move to another room with the children.”

“Much appreciated,” Ye Xin Ran replied, unfazed. With that, she clasped her hands together and, with a loud “slam”, shut the door in Xiao Huai’an’s face.

---

At dawn, the villagers began their daily chores.

Ye Xin Ran woke up early as well, but by the time she got up, Xiao Huai’an was already in the kitchen.

As was customary, whenever Xiao Huai’an returned, Aunt Zhang wouldn’t come over to cook that day. He had already lit the fire and was attempting to cook some plain porridge.

When Ye Xin Ran stepped outside, she was greeted by a strong smell of burning.

Chang Ping had just woken up as well. Catching a whiff of the familiar burnt odor and seeing Ye Xin Ran frozen in the courtyard, a sudden realization struck him.

“It’s Second Uncle! Second Uncle is back!”

With that, he dashed off. Sure enough, he found Xiao Huai’an in the kitchen, attempting to cook.

Xiao Huai’an, with his tall and athletic build, seemed to dominate the small kitchen space with his long arms and legs. However, his expression was anything but confident. When he saw Chang Ping enter, his usually stoic eyes held a hint of guilt.

“You smelled it too?” Xiao Huai’an asked, looking at Chang Ping. “I think I burnt the porridge again.”

“It’s okay, Second Uncle. We’re used to it by now,” Chang Ping replied, trying to comfort him, though his words seemed to have the opposite effect.

“Forget it. You all can eat less today. I’ll head to the market and bring back some meat buns for you,” Xiao Huai’an offered, now attempting to console Chang Ping in return.

Normally, the mention of meat buns would have the children jumping with joy, but this time, Chang Ping remained unusually calm.

Glancing around, he leaned in and whispered, “Second Uncle, there’s no need to buy meat buns. Auntie makes really delicious food.”

Just then, Ye Xin Ran entered the kitchen.

Her gaze swept over the chaotic state of the kitchen, and she frowned. The porridge in the pot had turned yellow, she could only imagine how long Xiao Huai’an had left the fire burning for it to reach this state.

“Next time you cook porridge, add more water. That way, it won’t burn,” she advised kindly.

Chang Ping tugged at her sleeve and whispered, “Auntie, adding more water doesn’t work either. Last time, Second Uncle added too much water, and we ended up drinking porridge all day.”

Ye Xin Ran imagined the scene and couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“Cooking porridge doesn’t mean making rice tea! Filling half the pot with water is just asking for a watery disaster.”

Clearly, Xiao Huai’an had no talent for cooking.

Seeing her laugh, Xiao Huai’an’s tense demeanor softened, as though he had resigned himself to his fate.

“I’m really no good at this. If you’re willing to take over, I’d be grateful,” he said.

“No problem,” Ye Xin Ran replied, rolling up her sleeves as she stepped into the kitchen.

“First, empty the pot and clean it. Then adjust the fire in the stove to make it smaller,” she instructed while reaching for some flour.

Xiao Huai’an didn’t argue. He obediently followed her directions and began tidying up.

Chang Ping stood outside, utterly dumb founded.

This was their Second Uncle!

The same Second Uncle who once struck fear into their enemies!

And now, he was willingly assisting someone in the kitchen?

But why did it seem like the two of them were working so well together?

Chang Ping immediately ran back to the house, pulling a still sleepy Chang An and a book absorbed Chang Sheng outside.

“Big Brother! Chang An! Come quick and see this!”

Chang An rubbed his sleepy eyes, confused. “See what?”

Chang Sheng looked equally puzzled. “What are you up to so early in the morning?”

“Ugh, it’s too hard to explain. Just come look for yourselves!”

Chang Ping dragged his two brothers to the kitchen door. The three little heads lined up in a row as they peeked inside.

There they saw their normally stern and aloof Second Uncle sitting by the stove, watching the fire, while their petite aunt stood beside the stove, sticking dough to the inside of the pot to make flat breads.

“Did you see that?” Chang Ping whispered to his brothers.

Chang Sheng nodded silently. “I saw it!”

Chang An, however, grinned and turned to his brothers. “I told you! Auntie wouldn’t leave. Auntie likes Second Uncle the most!”

Ye Xin Ran was making scallion pancakes that morning. The counter where she rolled the dough was two steps away from the stove, so after pressing a pancake, she would toss it directly into the pan.

But when she overheard Chang An declaring that she liked Xiao Huai’an, she suddenly felt a wave of nervousness. Her aim faltered, and the pancake she tossed flew straight toward Xiao Huai’an’s face.

Xiao Huai’an, quick-eyed and sharp, instinctively raised his hand to block it. However, the soft pancake only partially stopped, with the rest landing squarely on his head and face.

The three children were startled.

Ye Xin Ran, thoroughly embarrassed, rushed forward to peel the sticky dough off Xiao Huai’an’s face.

“Sorry, sorry! My hand slipped.”

“No problem,” Xiao Huai’an replied, his expression as stoic as ever as he stood up. “I’ll wash it off myself.”

Without another word, he turned and walked out.

At the door, he glanced at the three children, who immediately averted their eyes, looking guilty as they stood silently.

Once Xiao Huai’an was out of sight, Chang An let out a loud sigh of relief.

He then scampered up to Ye Xin Ran, his chubby face full of curiosity. “Auntie, what are you making today? It smells so good!”