Chapter 96

Chapter 96

Shen Siqin took out the dessert list he had written today.

When Lin Shengjin came out of the bathroom after his shower, he saw Shen Siqin sitting at the desk, scribbling something.

Lin Shengjin walked to the table, still wiping his dripping hair with a towel.

"What are you looking at?" Lin Shengjin asked in confusion.

"It's a recipe for low-sugar desserts that taste good," Shen Siqin said, putting down his pen and getting up to make room for Lin Shengjin.

"Sit down." Shen Siqin pulled over another stool and sat down.

"There's no need to go through so much trouble. Just give me the recipe, and I'll do it," Lin Shengjin said as he sat down.

He had wanted to tell Shen Siqin this during lunch.

But since Sanlin was there, he didn't say anything.

"If you do it, it would seem like I'm not sincere. Besides, low-sugar desserts can be hard to make and might not taste good," Shen Siqin admitted. He had only written down three types of desserts: lotus leaf pastries, mung bean cakes, and imperial cookies.

"Then you make one, and I'll make one for the teacher," Lin Shengjin said, draping the towel on his head to press down his damp hair. He paused for a moment, gently rubbing the corner of the notebook with his fingertips.

"Why?" Shen Siqin didn't quite understand.

"Your cooking is definitely good, but if I do it, the teachers will know how difficult these are to make."

He wanted the teachers to know that Boss Xiao Shen was very caring and attentive to him.

But he also didn't want Boss Xiao Shen to tire himself too much. He wasn't sure about the teachers' attitudes and worried that Boss Xiao Shen might have a hard time.

In any case, after thinking about it for a while, he decided it would be better if he did it himself, making it easier for the teachers to accept.

It's always easier when two people work together than when one person tries to please the teachers alone.

Besides...

"This one needs to be flaky, right?"

Lin Shengjin pointed at the words "lotus leaf pastry."

"The steps are all written down; pork for the flaky texture."

Just reading those four words, Lin Shengjin could imagine how challenging the pastry would be to make.

"Oh, and you need to teach me how to make a few more soups. When my senior brothers and sisters come back for the New Year, I can cook for them. In the past, we always ordered food from outside because it's hard to buy ready-made dishes during the holiday, which cost us a lot of money."

Lin Shengjin certainly wasn't short of money, but now he felt it was a bit wasteful.

Shen Siqin gently rubbed his half-dry hair.

"Okay," he said warmly.

Shen Siqin never minded putting in effort; the question was whether it was worth it.

And every time he treated Teacher Lin sincerely, Teacher Lin responded positively.

So it was worth it.

"I'll make one first and give it to Professor Liu as a gift. Then you can find an opportunity to make it for them. If they don't like these three, we can try others," Shen Siqin said, continuing to dry his hair.

"Okay, sounds good," Lin Shengjin agreed.

He stretched slightly, his lean back tensing and then relaxing quickly.

Like an elegant cat stretching its body.

"No need to rub anymore. I'll sit by the fire, and my hair will dry soon." Lin Shengjin shook his head slightly, and Shen Siqin stopped, hanging the towel on the radiator.

Shen Siqin carefully tore the recipe page out of the notebook.

"Take a look at it first and get familiar with it. When we have time, I'll prepare the ingredients and teach you how to make them." Shen Siqin handed the paper to Lin Shengjin, but actually folded it carefully and put it in Lin Shengjin's briefcase.

"Are the ingredients hard to prepare?" Lin Shengjin sat closer to the stove, gently combing his hair with one hand, hoping it would dry faster.

"Don't worry. The ingredients for Chinese desserts are easy to get. I just want to make a few different fillings." Shen Siqin found a clean set of clothes.

"I'll take a shower first. Otherwise, my hair won't dry." Shen Siqin added, "If you're bored, you can watch TV."

Lin Shengjin, sitting by the fire with a flushed face, lazily waved his hand, signaling that Shen Siqin could go ahead and shower without worrying about him.

Shen Siqin took a shower.

When he came out, he found the TV was on, but Lin Shengjin had fallen asleep on the bed.

Shen Siqin first placed his hands on the radiator to dry them and warm them up. Then he slowly squatted down beside the bed and gently touched Lin Shengjin's soft hair roots.

Feeling that they were dry, Shen Siqin finally relaxed.

But before he could withdraw his hand, Lin Shengjin murmured softly and opened his eyes slightly.

His usually clear eyes were now hazy.

Under the light, those eyes seemed to still glisten with moisture.

"Are you going to sleep?" Lin Shengjin gently moved his head, rubbing his fair forehead against Shen Siqin's palm.

Shen Siqin's already warm palm grew even warmer.

His voice was slightly hoarse but also soft as he said, "Go to sleep. I'll be over in a bit."

Lin Shengjin nodded drowsily and then closed his eyes in perfect obedience, completely unguarded around Shen Siqin.

Shen Siqin's hand, still resting on Lin Shengjin's forehead, curled slightly before slowly withdrawing.

He walked to the stove, first checking the fire, then went to the window to ensure it had a small gap for ventilation. After confirming everything was fine, he returned to the stove to dry off the dampness from his body and waited for his hair to dry thoroughly.

After finishing these tasks, he quietly turned off the TV.

Only then did he turn off the lights and climb into bed.

Lying beside Lin Shengjin, Shen Siqin let out a long sigh.

He suppressed the heat within him and finally managed to cultivate a little bit of sleepiness.

The next day.

Shen Siqin woke up early.

Looking out the window, he suddenly remembered that he had forgotten to ask how much the sausage order would cost.

Shen Siqin slowly got out of the blankets.

The stove had cooled down by morning, but Shen Siqin quickly reignited it.

The bedroom, which had grown cold, warmed up once again.

Lin Shengjin, who had been curled up in the blankets, gradually stretched out and slept soundly.

Shen Siqin glanced at the clock; it was only six o'clock.

Professor Lin's work yesterday morning must have been exhausting.

He washed up first, then closed the bedroom door and went to the kitchen to boil a pot of water. He then added the slightly hard thin noodles to the winter melon and pork rib soup from the previous day, cooking them simply to create a nutritious and delicious breakfast.

The aroma acted like tiny hooks, fully waking Lin Shengjin from his half-sleeping state.

He sat up, taking a deep breath.

Yes, it was the scent of winter melon and pork rib soup.

Lin Shengjin got out of bed, quickly folded the bedding, and hurried to wash up.

Hearing the rustling sounds, Shen Siqin knew without opening the bedroom door that Professor Lin had woken up.

He hummed an off-key tune as he served the noodles into two bowls.

Shen Siqin opened the bedroom door and placed the bowls on the desk.

This desk served as their dining table too.

Neither he nor Lin Shengjin minded.

"The winter melon and pork rib soup was a bit salty yesterday, but now with the noodles, it's just right. Go ahead and eat." Shen Siqin pulled another chair over so they could sit side by side.

"Mmm, it smells wonderful," Lin Shengjin said, picking up his chopsticks and lifting a strand of noodles.

Each noodle was distinct and perfectly cooked, smooth and flavorful, infused with the soup's essence, neither too salty nor lacking in taste, carrying the sweetness of the meat and broth.

"This is delicious. It's better than any noodles I've ever had." Lin Shengjin generously gave Shen Siqin a thumbs-up.

He was gradually learning that it was good to occasionally say sweet things to his partner.

Life would be more harmonious this way.

Shen Siqin loved how openly affectionate Professor Lin was.

"Then eat more." Shen Siqin added, "There's still soup left, so we can add more noodles if needed."

"No need for so much." Lin Shengjin blushed, realizing he couldn't hide how much he could eat.

He lowered his gaze and focused on eating the noodles.

Avoiding eye contact with Shen Siqin.

Hmm, these noodles look really nice, strand by strand.

Shen Siqin picked up his chopsticks and tasted the noodles.

Eating a warm bowl of noodles on a winter morning was indeed a pleasure.

Especially when your partner was right there, making it even more enjoyable.

"By the way, did you go to the butcher shop yesterday? How much did it cost? I can reimburse you or buy something else for you." Shen Siqin knew they didn't need to be overly clear about finances.

But not being clear didn't mean ignoring it or taking it for granted.

"It cost about a hundred dollars for the sausages. You don't need to give me the money. Instead, buy ingredients for making pastries and soups. I'm not picky, and when I bring the ingredients, I can spend time chatting with the teachers and make pastries and soups together. They will be happy."

After having that dream, Lin Shengjin felt he had spent too little time with the teachers.

If it can't be changed, then enjoy the present moment so that there won't be too much regret later.

Shen Siqin nodded, thinking this arrangement was quite good.

After breakfast, the two went for their morning exercise.

After the morning exercise, Shen Siqin and Lin Shengjin parted ways to do their own things.

Shen Siqin returned to the convenience store to open up and do business.

Around ten o'clock, Shen Siqin picked up his phone to send a message to Yan Jihan.

Today, he planned to make a classic braised pork belly.

The ingredients were simple, but the flavor was strong.

Yesterday's dishes were light, so today they should be more intense.

This way, alternating between light and rich dishes, adjusting flexibly with the seasons.

Pork belly was always available at the stir-fry shop.

Yan Jihan quickly brought over the ingredients.

"Little brother, don't worry about not having the ingredients you need. If you want to try new dishes, just go ahead. I'll get the ingredients for you. I'm getting some free time now," Yan Jihan said, "I'll find someone to deliver the ingredients for you. Don't worry about me being tired."

"Rest assured, I won't be polite with you, Sister-in-law." Shen Siqin took the fresh pork belly, knowing that Yan Jihan had many connections and could get better quality ingredients even if she bought them on the spot.

But, he didn't usually need any special ingredients for cooking.

And wasn't braised pork belly delicious?!

It was hard to make well.

"But... why are you getting free time? Aren't they opening a new store? How can you possibly have free time?" Shen Siqin asked in confusion.

"I plan to promote Chai Jiancheng as the deputy manager. He will handle the money and savings from now on. I've also hired a server, so I'll be free. It's still half a month before their store opens, so I have some free time now." Yan Jihan lowered her voice.

"Did my brother find out about the opening in half a month?" Shen Siqin understood that Yan Jihan had already gathered all the information.

"Yes." Yan Jihan smiled, "Now I know what kind of person he is. He runs a fast-food restaurant and does good business. He's planning to open a store here, targeting our customers."

Shen Siqin said understandingly, "Then, Sister-in-law, you won't be free for long."

Hearing this, Yan Jihan laughed.

"Hey, I'm planning to talk to Ning Shanan today about setting up a promotional event. We should prepare early. When they open, we'll run our promotion."

"Also, you often give Chu Ning Shan pointers, right? You don't need to come up with new ideas. Just use what you taught him before; it's enough to change the menu. I think I should talk to him about it soon."

"When I say I'm not busy, I mean I don't have to do the accounting anymore. But when I say I'm busy, I really am a bit busy."

Shen Siqin was taken aback, then realized that this was going to be a serious competition.