Chapter 39

“Niangniang didn’t know what you like to eat, so I just made something randomly. If you don’t like it, just tell me, and I’ll buy something you like in the afternoon.”

“No, no, I like all of these!” Lin Nanzhi waved her hands repeatedly.

She wasn’t picky about food, except for a few things she didn’t eat. Fortunately, everything that Mother Wen made was to her liking.

“That’s good. Try some.” Mother Wen picked up some food and placed it on Lin Nanzhi’s plate.

Lin Nanzhi eagerly took a bite and found that it was indeed delicious. She couldn’t help but give a thumbs-up. “So good! Just like a professional chef!”

This praise made Mother Wen beam with joy, but before she could bask in the compliment, Wen Jiunian’s next words brought her back down.

“There’s no need to exaggerate. It’s actually just average. My dad’s cooking is way better.”

Mother Wen: “…”

“If you don’t like it, then don’t eat it.”

Wen Jiunian immediately shut his mouth, quickly shoveling rice into his mouth, not even daring to pick up any dishes.

Lin Nanzhi found this scene very heartwarming. Even though they bickered, Wen Jiunian’s naturally gentle personality and the way he could talk back to his parents so freely showed that the Wen family had a great relationship and a happy home.

They had a delightful meal together. Lin Nanzhi offered to help clean up, but Mother Wen pulled her to watch TV instead, while Wen Jiunian skillfully cleaned up the table and washed the dishes in the kitchen.

—-

In the afternoon, Mother Wen didn’t go shopping as planned. Instead, she continued watching TV with Lin Nanzhi, while Wen Jiunian and his father went to buy groceries.

That evening, Father Wen took charge of cooking, with Wen Jiunian assisting by his side.

“Niangniang, are you sure we shouldn’t go help?”

“No need, no need. The kitchen is their territory, we don’t have a say. Just stay here and watch TV with me. This Princess Pearl is a new series, and it’s quite good. Poor Ziwei…”

Lin Nanzhi looked at Mother Wen, who was engrossed in the drama, then glanced at the two busy figures in the kitchen. Her gaze happened to meet Wen Jiunian’s, who gave her a small smile. Lin Nanzhi could only smile back.

She turned her attention back to the TV. The scene where Ziwei was beaten while trying to stop the royal procession was playing—it was truly heartbreaking. With Mother Wen’s narration adding to the drama, Lin Nanzhi got completely absorbed in the show, only snapping out of it when Wen Jiunian called for dinner.

“Dinner’s ready.”

Mother Wen immediately put down the remote and eagerly pulled Lin Nanzhi to the table.

The table was filled with dishes: Mapo tofu, spicy boiled pork slices, braised fish, braised ribs, corn and loofah soup, two stir-fried vegetables, and a plate of cold marinated fish mint.

“Wow, this looks amazing!”

“Xiaonian said you can handle spicy food, and since our family likes spicy food too, we made a few spicy dishes. Try them!”

Mother Wen placed a piece of spicy boiled pork on Lin Nanzhi’s plate. After thanking her, Lin Nanzhi took a bite under everyone’s watchful eyes. She didn’t hesitate to give Father Wen a thumbs-up. “Wow, Uncle Wen, this is amazing! The best spicy boiled pork I’ve ever had!”

“Right? This is his specialty dish. Eat as much as you like!”

Lin Nanzhi nodded eagerly. With each dish she tasted, she sincerely praised it. Father Wen, delighted by the compliments, kept piling food onto her plate. The meal was filled with laughter, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

—-

After dinner, Lin Nanzhi was once again pulled aside and not allowed to help clean up. Wen Jiunian and his father handled the kitchen cleanup themselves.

That night, she was assigned a guest room on the second floor since the only bedroom on the first floor belonged to Father and Mother Wen.

As she and Wen Jiunian walked upstairs together, he glanced at her. The petite girl barely reached his chest and had her head lowered, lost in thought.

“Sorry about today,” he suddenly said.

Lin Nanzhi looked up at him, puzzled at first, but when she saw the apologetic look in his eyes, she remembered why she had ended up visiting the Wen family in the first place.

Realizing this, she smiled and shook her head.

“I don’t think there’s anything to apologize for.”

It was just a misunderstanding. Besides, Wen Jiunian was the one who had suffered from it, not her. Although she had been startled when they suddenly appeared, at first thinking she was about to be kidnapped and ready to call the police.

“Your parents are adorable.”

“Don’t take what they said too seriously.”

“Mm.”

The conversation ended, and an awkward silence fell between them. Neither knew what to say next. Just then, they reached the guest room. Wen Jiunian opened the door and said, “Get some rest. Good night.”

Lin Nanzhi stepped inside before turning back to say goodnight.

Once inside, she closed the door and took in the room.

It wasn’t very big—around 30 square meters. In the center was a 180×200 cm bed, a double-door wardrobe, and a small bedside table about 50 cm wide. To the left of the bed was a window, the curtains left open, revealing the city lights twinkling outside.

—-

In the corner sat her suitcase.

She grabbed some clothes from it when a knock came at the door. Tossing her clothes onto the bed, she went to open it.

It was Wen Jiunian.

“The second-floor bedrooms don’t have private bathrooms. The shared one is the second door on the left outside. I’m in the room next to yours, so if you need anything, just call me.”

That was the downside of city apartments—they weren’t custom-built, just purchased as-is. The layout was predetermined.

Their house had two floors. The first floor had a living room, one bedroom, a kitchen, two bathrooms, and a balcony. The second floor had four bedrooms and two shared bathrooms, but none inside the bedrooms.

In the end, houses in the capital maximized space usage, whether the design was reasonable or not.

“Okay.”

“Alright, go wash up then.” Wen Jiunian turned and went back to his room.

Lin Nanzhi picked up her clothes and stepped out. As she passed Wen Jiunian’s room, she noted that it was right next to hers, separated by just a wall.

She quickly entered the bathroom, which had a combined toilet and shower design.

Locking the door behind her, she placed her clothes down and began her nighttime routine.

By the time she finished, half an hour had passed. As she walked back to her room, drying her hair with a towel, she felt something fluffy rubbing against her leg.

Looking down, she saw Nutmeg, the cat.

“Nutmeg, why aren’t you asleep yet?”

“Meow~”

The soft, sweet meow melted Lin Nanzhi’s heart. She picked up the cat and kissed it before bringing it into her room. However, by the time she finished drying her hair, Nutmeg had already run off.

Not minding it, she grabbed her laptop and got onto the bed, continuing to write. She typed about 6,000 words before rubbing her eyes and checking the time—it was 10 PM. Putting her laptop away, she turned off the lights and lay down.

Lying in a strange bed, she found it hard to sleep at first, staring at the dark ceiling in a daze. Eventually, she slowly drifted off.

Meanwhile, Wen Jiunian, who had been busy until late at night, finally got ready for bed. As he stepped out of his room, he instinctively glanced at Lin Nanzhi’s door. Seeing that her lights were off, he assumed she was already asleep.

Retracting his gaze, he grabbed his clothes and entered the bathroom. After a quick wash, he dried his hair and threw himself onto the bed, soon falling into a deep sleep.