Chapter 18: I Like You, Nothing Else

In the kitchen, Ruan Xiaotang, with an apron tied around her waist, pressed a five- kilograms piece of pork against the cutting board. With swift movements, she chopped the pork belly into even, mahjong-tile-sized pieces.

The iron wok was heated until scorching hot, and the entire bowl of pork belly was poured in.

Instantly, the meat in the wok sizzled.

Oil splattered everywhere.

After the steam subsided,

holding the iron spatula, she quickly stirred the meat to prevent it from sticking to the wok.

As the temperature gradually increased, the fat in the meat was slowly rendered out.

Ruan Xiaotang’s hands moved non-stop, quickly scooping the sizzling, oil-rich pork belly.

The oil accumulated at the bottom of the wok.

She scooped some out with a spoon, ladling it into a nearby jar for lard.

A handful of white sugar was tossed into the wok; the boiling hot oil instantly melted the sugar into a clear syrup.

She stirred quickly with the spoon.

The transparent syrup gradually turned amber.

The large bubbles gradually transformed into thick foam.

The pork belly, which had been pan-fried until golden brown at the edges, was quickly pushed into the cooked sugar color with a spoon and stirred rapidly.

Each piece of pork belly was evenly coated with an attractive amber color.

The aroma of the meat filled the air.

Scallions, ginger, dried chilies, Sichuan peppercorns, star anise, and salt were added.

She continued to stir.

Finally, she added the “source of life” (water).

Covering the wok, she let it simmer over high heat until tender.

“I didn’t expect you to be such a good cook. It seems I’ll have a feast from now on.”

Zhou Xingze sat by the stove, tending the fire while admiring the efficient and capable girl.

His affection for her rose several levels.

A man’s greatest dream, without exception, is to marry a virtuous wife, to have a warm home with his wife and children, and to live a peaceful life.

“Not from now on, you can eat it today.”

The aroma of the meat permeated the entire room.

Ruan Xiaohai, overcome by hunger, rushed in.

He didn’t care about being a third wheel.

His hunger was unbearable.

“Sister, is the meat cooked?”

“It just went into the pot, it won’t be ready that quickly!”

Ruan Xiaohai looked disappointed, leaning against the doorframe, eyes fixed on the steaming pot.

Zhou Xingze pulled a wooden stool from behind him and placed it at Ruan Xiaotang’s feet.

“Sit down and rest.”

Ruan Xiaotang slowly bent down, sat on the stool, and stretched her sore right arm.

Zhou Xingze had already noticed the discomfort in her arm, but he couldn’t show too much concern with Ruan Xiaohai present.

“In half an hour, we can eat. Wait patiently.”

“Yes, brother-in-law!”

Ruan Xiaotang playfully saluted Zhou Xingze with a slightly unconventional military salute.

She chuckled, lifted the curtain, and ran out.

“Xiaohai is still a child, don’t mind him.”

Ruan Xiaotang shyly lowered her head, staring at her toes.

“Why do you always act like a downtrodden little wife in front of me? People might think I’m bullying you. It’s not a good look for me.”

“You’re so annoying! When did I become your wife?”

Ruan Xiaotang suddenly raised her head, pointed her index finger at his nose, and protested in a delicate and soft voice.

Her voice was soft and gentle, her playful pout making her look incredibly cute.

Zhou Xingze was amused, the corners of his lips curving upwards.

He indulged her scolding with a face full of affection.

The tenderness in his eyes could melt the person in front of him.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

So lecherously.

Ruan Xiaotang noticed the look and quickly retracted her finger from his nose.

Her gaze shifted to the roaring fire in the stove.

They say that love in this era is the purest and most beautiful.

But seeing this in real life, it’s so different from what’s described!

He’s always so direct, so passionate, so open about his feelings.

He never hides them.

He lacks the shyness associated with love in this era.

His straightforwardness is like that of a modern person.

Is it his preference for me, or is he just boundaryless with everyone?

Once a girl’s mind becomes sensitive, it won’t stop.

“You’re so good at taking care of girls, you must have dated a lot, right?”

Testing him?

Zhou Xingze chuckled softly and replied, “I haven’t dated. I’ve been introduced to many, but my standards are high. I’d rather be alone than settle.”

What a “rather be alone than settle,” she liked that.

Ruan Xiaotang’s heart softened; those baseless suspicions vanished with a single sentence.

She blushed and smiled shyly.

She still didn’t dare to look up at him.

“Milk candy, eat one when you miss me.”

A package wrapped in brown paper suddenly appeared between her legs.

It felt heavy.

He was teasing her again.

Ruan Xiaotang couldn’t help but look up. She said, both fiercely and softly, “Your mouth is so smooth, you’re so unserious.”

She added, “You’ve seen what my family is like. It’s not too late to regret this. Don’t force yourself.”

Zhou Xingze looked around at the sparsely furnished house, without any hesitation, “I like you as a person. Your background doesn’t matter at all. Your mother is kind, your brother is sensible, your family of three is so happy. It’s my family that doesn’t get along well. You’ll have to be patient with them.”

She thought his words were exaggerated.

But on her first visit to his home,

Ruan Xiaotang learned that his mother was a meddlesome old woman, his sister-in-law was a nagging mother-in-law, and his youngest sister was a nitpicker.

His deceased brother’s wife was the only one with a gentle personality and easy to get along with.

However, these were problems they would face after marriage.

For now, it was just the beginning.

The meat in the pot simmered, its aroma filling the air.

Ruan Xiaotang mixed the pre-prepared vegetables with corn flour, quickly forming small balls and sticking them around the edge of the iron wok.

“Lower the fire, otherwise, it’ll burn.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

She replaced the wooden lid.

She tightly covered the edges of the lid with a white cloth.

Ten minutes later, it would be ready to eat.

“Are you hungry?”

Ruan Xiaotang asked with concern.

He had been driving for a long time, and the bumpy road was tiring.

“I’m really looking forward to your cooking.”

Zhou Xingze was about to take her hand,

when an unexpected visitor burst in.

“Sister, Mom said the meat is cooked. Serve a bowl for Grandpa San.”

“Okay, go set the table and get the bowls and chopsticks. We’ll eat soon.”

“Yes, ma’am!”

Ruan Xiaotang picked up the fire poker, tilted her head, and used the poker to spread the burning red branches evenly in the stove to ensure even heating and prevent burning.

“Grandpa San, he brought you to the city, right?”

“Yes, he did.”

Gratitude.

Parental teachings.

Children raised in such a family wouldn’t be bad.