Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
âLet Grandpa and the others eat first.â Bai Zhun held Ajiuâs hand and walked into the kitchen without looking back.
The kitchen was semi-open. From the dining table in the living room, one could see the movement inside.
Master Bai smiled as he called out to the Gu family. âCome, come, come. Letâs eat first. That Kid is also fast at stir-frying noodles. Rou Rou, Xiaocheng, you all sit down. Donât always stand there.â
âIâve always wanted to try sister Wangâs cooking.â Old Master Gu was the first to sit down, so he wasnât clear about the undercurrent between the children.
The two old men hadnât seen each other for a long time, so they were very happy. The white wine was fully served, along with a plate of peanut beans and some stewed beef. It was no different from when they were young.
When older people got together, they liked to tell stories from the past.
The two old men were talking happily.
On the other side, Bai Zhun had already washed the cucumber and carrot. He was lowering his head and cutting them into very even dices.
The reason why Master Bai could cook now was all because of Ajiu.
There was one year when Auntie Wang had a gallstone. After the surgery, she had to stay in the hospital for at least half a month to recuperate.
There was no one to cook at home. Ajiu was not picky about food, and the hospital also had a canteen.
However, in summer, children would have indigestion once they ate the greasy and heavy dishes outside.
Ajiu had never been sick when she was in the temple.
Seeing that the childâs round little face had become sharp, Bai Zhun was anxious. The only grandson of the Bai family, who never touched the sun, surfed the Internet to search for recipes and prepare his own dishes.
The first meal was prepared by the two of them together.
Ajiu loved to eat white rice.
Bai Zhun first checked the instructions and steamed the rice in the rice cooker. Then he opened the refrigerator and took out the vegetables inside. At first, he wanted to make some simple dishes.
At that time, Ajiu was still young. He would give him whatever he wanted. The child also knew how to crack eggs, but there was always something on his little face. It was so cute that people liked it.
Ever since that day...
Every Sunday, Bai Zhun would cook a meal for Ajiu.This habit did not change even after Auntie Wang was discharged from the hospital.
âLittle brother, do you need to put eggs in? Iâll help you crack them.â Now, Ajiuâs height could already surpass that of a kitchen counter. However, her cute and silly expression did not change much. Her eyes were wide open as she looked at Bai Zhun who was cutting vegetables at the side.
Bai Zhun smiled and put the vegetables into a glass bowl. âNo need, but I really need Ajiuâs help with something.â
âWhat is it?âAjiu had always liked to help her little brother.
Bai Zhun lowered his eyes and beat the egg into another bowl. Without raising his head, he said, âHelp me tie my apron.â
Tie an apron?
This seemed to be the first time that her little brother had asked her for help.
Ajiu nodded solemnly. With a small face, she seriously took off the apron hanging at the side and said to Bai Zhun, âLittle brother, turn around, or I wonât be able to tie it.â
âOkay.â Bai Zhun was wearing a disposable transparent glove, and in his left hand was a white bowl, which was filled with egg liquid. He had a smile on the corner of his mouth. He casually raised his two arms and let Ajiu, who was much shorter than him, put on the apron for him.
He had to put it on the front before he could tie it on the back.
Ajiu was very careful. Bai Zhun could smell her hair when he lowered his head.
Sometimes, some things would never change. For example, the gentleness in Bai Zhunâs eyes when he looked at Ajiu.
He might feel that it was nothing, but it was not the case when others looked at it.
Lord Bai also could not control himself. He lowered his head and his thin lips landed on Ajiuâs head.
Ajiu looked up at him and reached out to touch her head. She was extremely cute.
âWhat happened after that? Youâre not tying it anymore?â Bai Zhun raised his eyebrows and asked her.
Ajiu raised the apron in her hand and brought it over. âOf course Iâm tying it! Little Brother, you have to stay still instead of moving around randomly. You have to cooperate with me.â
âHow could I cooperate with you?â Bai Zhun was amused. He used his free hand to encircle Ajiu as he was not in a hurry to make anything.
Ajiu was standing in front of Bai Zhun. In addition, Bai Zhunâs legs were very long. It looked as if her entire body was in his embrace.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
The child was just about to speak.
A gentle smile came from the other side. âGrandpa Bai wants Laba vinegar. Bai Zhun, you...â
Upon seeing what happened in the kitchen, Gu Rou was stunned for a moment.
Bai Zhun reacted very quickly and circled Ajiu with one hand. He put down the porcelain bowl in his hand and asked indifferently, âWhatâs the matter?â
âOh, Iâm here to pick up something.â Gu Rou was indeed grandfather Guâs favorite granddaughter. Even though she felt that there was something wrong with the situation in front of her, she did not say it out loud. Instead, she clasped her hands behind her back and walked over very nimbly. âI feel that youâre very good at cooking. You cut it so beautifully. Do you want to try your cooking skills in the future?â
Bai Zhun did not answer. Instead, he asked in a flat tone, âWhat do you want?â
âLaba vinegar!â Gu Rou was not affected by his attitude at all. Instead, her smile became even wider. âGrandpa Bai said that this is the Bai Familyâs favorite food.â
Bai Zhun did not say anything else. Instead, he lowered his head and took out a small jar from the kitchen cabinet and handed it to Gu Rou.
Gu Rou took it and turned her head to look at Ajiu, who was beside her, and said, âAjiu, do you want to go with me? Gu Cheng is still waiting for you there.â
âIâm waiting for little brother,âAjiu said as she helped Bai Zhun put on his apron. She tilted her head and asked, âIs it tight?â
âI canât help it.â Bai Zhun rubbed her head. The affection in his eyes was obvious. âDo you want me to teach you how to cook?â
Ajiuâs eyes lit up and she nodded her little head heavily.
In the future, if little brother was sick, she could take care of him too.
Bai Zhun had always been patient in dealing with Ajiu. First, he let Ajiu stand in front of the kitchen utensils. Then, a hand came from behind Ajiu, bringing with it the smell of fresh grass. His voice was pleasant. âLight the fire first. But in the future, when Iâm not around, you canât light the fire yourself.â
âI can do it myself.â Ajiu felt that she had been underestimated.
Bai Zhun bent down and rested his chin on her shoulder. He smiled softly. âHave you forgotten the last time you went into the kitchen and burned out Auntie Wangâs beloved electric rice cooker?â
âLittle brother, Buddha said that we can still be friends even if we see through it and donât say it out loud!â Ajiu clenched her small fists and said, âDonât always bring up my dark history.â
Bai Zhun smiled again. He held Ajiuâs hand from behind his back and taught the child how to make fried noodles bit by bit. âFirst put in the oil, then put in the eggs. Make sure thereâs no water in the oil cooker. Slowly put it in...â
Gu Rou did not leave after taking the jar. She just stood there and looked at the side of Bai Zhunâs face.
She had heard too many rumors about Bai Zhun. Every single one of them said that he was cold and unapproachable.
But when he was facing his sister, he was simply a different person.
Even if they were brother and sister, wouldnât this kind of behavior be a little too intimate?