As he thought, Huo Chen casually reached out and flicked Xu Ying’s forehead with his finger.
“Ah—!” Xu Ying immediately covered her forehead, glaring at him. “Huo Chen, what was that for?”
Only then did Huo Chen realize what he’d done. His hand paused midair, and a flicker of guilt flashed across his face. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to.”
Xu Ying gave him a fierce look but said nothing more. She turned on her heel and marched straight into the kitchen. The sleeves of her top were swiftly rolled up as she got to work.
“You! Come cut this hare into pieces!” she barked without looking up.
Still feeling guilty, Huo Chen obediently followed behind her, picked up the cleaver, and with a few practiced motions, diced up the four-to-five-kilogram hare like it was nothing. The blade danced in his hands, and within seconds, it was done.
He looked over at her cautiously. “Anything else you need me to do?”
“Light the fire.”
Without missing a beat, Huo Chen struck a match and kindled the stove’s flame.
Xu Ying placed a pot on top. As the oil heated and began to bubble, she threw in spices and seasonings one by one with practiced ease. Soon, the rabbit meat hit the hot oil with a sizzle, and a pungent wave of chili aroma rushed out.
“Achoo! Achoo! Achoo!” Huo Chen staggered back, sneezing nonstop, face turning red from the strong scent.
He looked over at Xu Ying in disbelief. “You’re not choking on this?”
She grinned, her eyes twinkling. “Don’t forget what I do.”
Huo Chen was confused. Even chefs got choked by chili. But Xu Ying stood there like she didn’t smell a thing.
Of course, she had a little secret—the system’s barrier mode was on. No trace of spice could pass through her invisible shield.
Huo Chen, however, wasn’t so lucky. He kept sneezing, nose red, cheeks flushed. Xu Ying watched this with great satisfaction.
Just then, the aroma drifted out of the kitchen and curled down the hallway like a siren’s call. A groggy voice sounded from the bedroom.
“Huo Chen, what are you cooking? It smells so good!”
Grandma Huo emerged, her grey hair slightly disheveled, clearly having just woken from a nap. But her eyes sparkled as she followed the scent.
Xu Ying chuckled. This old lady’s sense of smell could rival a dog’s. She couldn’t even sleep because of the aroma!
Huo Chen muttered under his breath, not daring to comment on his grandmother’s gluttony.
“Eh? Aren’t you the captain’s daughter?” Grandma Huo blinked at Xu Ying. “What are you doing here?”
Xu Ying looked at her with soft, watery eyes. “You’re awake, Grandma Huo. Are you feeling okay?”
Grandma Huo chuckled warmly, waving her hand. “It’s nothing serious—just a small cold. This rascal insisted on dragging me to see a doctor, tsk. What a waste of money. But—” she beamed proudly at her grandson, “—he’s a filial boy, that one.”
Her eyes held a subtle glint as she recalled the past.
When she first brought Huo Chen home, the entire village mocked her. “Raising a wolf cub,” they called it. “This boy’s been raised by wolves; he’s bound to bite back.” They said he would never be grateful, never warm.
But now, look at him.
Grandma Huo couldn’t help the pride rising in her chest. This boy was far more filial than her own sons.
Xu Ying noticed the bragging look but didn’t blame her. Huo Chen was a good grandson.
“He’s truly a good kid,” Xu Ying agreed. “No one in our village is willing to spend on doctors. But he didn’t hesitate. That shows how much he cares.”
Pleased, Grandma Huo’s grin widened. She looked at Xu Ying with newfound warmth. “So, girl, what brings you here?”
“Huo Chen saved me once,” Xu Ying replied. “I heard you were sick today and figured you wouldn’t have time to cook, so I came to help.”
Grandma Huo gave a knowing nod, eyes crinkling kindly as she glanced toward her grandson, whose ears had turned a shade redder under the stove light.
When Xu Ying announced that dinner was ready, she stepped forward to bring out the dishes. Huo Chen reached at the same time. Their fingers brushed.
In an instant, both recoiled like they’d touched hot iron.
“I’ll let you take it,” Xu Ying mumbled awkwardly.
Huo Chen gave a small nod, his ears now flushed to the tips.
Grandma Huo, of course, missed nothing. She hummed happily as she received the steaming plate of rabbit meat. “Oh my, now this is spicy! Just the way I like it!”
Xu Ying quickly stopped her. “You’re still recovering. Better to have chicken soup instead.”
She had originally planned to make mandarin duck chicken, but thinking of Grandma Huo’s cold, she decided to boil nourishing soup instead.
“Hmph, what’s the harm in eating a little?” Grandma Huo grumbled, already reaching for the rabbit meat.
Huo Chen caught her wrist with ease. “Grandma, soup.”
Grandma Huo clicked her tongue in frustration. “I may not get another chance to eat rabbit cooked like this!”
As the two bickered lightly, Xu Ying couldn’t help but laugh. “Alright, alright, I promise to cook it for you again next time. Let’s not rush.”
Grandma Huo finally relented, taking the bowl of chicken soup and sipping with satisfaction. “Ahhh… This is delicious. Yingying, your cooking is truly a blessing. I didn’t think I’d get to taste something so good in this lifetime.”
She sighed deeply. “People outside sure talk a lot of nonsense. They say you’re lazy and useless, but I think you’re diligent and skilled!”
Xu Ying froze, guilt tightening in her chest. Because they weren’t wrong about the old me…
Still, she smiled and shrugged. “People just love to gossip. Sure, my parents pampered me a little, but I still cook at home.”
“Exactly!” Grandma Huo clapped. “And don’t they say bad things about my grandson too? Bah! But look at him—filial, capable, and not one bit scary.”
Xu Ying nodded firmly. “I agree. Huo Chen’s a good man. Not scary at all.”
“Oh, if only it weren’t for me… poor boy gets blamed for everything.”
Xu Ying nodded firmly. “I agree. Huo Chen’s a good man. Not scary at all.”
“Oh, if only it weren’t for me… poor boy gets blamed for everything.”
“Grandma Huo, you’re wrong.” Xu Ying shook her head. “I think what Huo Chen did was absolutely right.”
Huo Chen, who had been quietly chewing his food, suddenly stilled.
Xu Ying’s voice grew stronger. “If it were me, I’d do the same. Who just stands by while the people they care about get bullied? Only cowards, or those who don’t care. Huo Chen isn’t either.”
Across the table, Huo Chen’s eyes widened. For the first time in a long while, someone other than his grandmother had told him he wasn’t wrong.
He had never regretted what he did. Being a “good” person at the cost of letting his loved ones suffer—what was the point?
So, he chose to be “bad” in their eyes. But tonight, someone finally understood.
“Thank you… Xu Ying,” he said softly.
Before she could even ask why he was thanking her, the system’s voice rang in her ears:
【Favorability +10】
【Favorability +10】
Her eyes nearly popped out. Twenty points!?
She almost leapt in joy. If cooking earns this much, I should just start a banquet!
【Unknown reason. Current system level too low to detect cause.】
Useless!
She mentally cursed the system, while the interface shimmered briefly before vanishing.
When she turned to look at Huo Chen again, it was like seeing a treasure chest. Her eyes sparkled as she stared at him.
Huo Chen, completely overwhelmed by the gaze, fumbled with his chopsticks and accidentally dropped a piece of rabbit meat with a loud clatter.
Xu Ying leaned over with a sweet smile, picked up a piece, and placed it in his bowl.
“Oh dear, you’re too clumsy. Eat slowly. I’ll make it again next time.”
In that moment, a spark reignited inside Huo Chen’s heart—like dry tinder catching flame under a sudden breeze.