Chapter 35 Put Down That Country Bumpkin, Let Me Do It 11

Chapter 35: Step Aside, Let Me Handle That Country Boy 11

Although the knife work in Luo Shuisheng's cooking was a bit rough, the taste was actually quite good.

Yan Bai seemed ravenous, eating two large steamed buns, a lot of meat, and plenty of vegetables.

Out of the corner of his eye, Luo Shuisheng saw Yan Bai eating with relish, which filled him with quiet pleasure, and a slight smile touched his lips.

After finishing his meal, Yan Bai rubbed his round belly and sprawled out on the large kang, looking as lazy as a cat.

"Luo Shuisheng, your cooking is too delicious, way better than Gu Xiangdong's cooking back at the Educated Youth settlement.

I give him so much grain and meat coupons every month, but I rarely get to eat any meat.

Can I run something by you? How about I give you my rations and coupons, and I eat here?"

Luo Shuisheng's heart trembled, a surge of unexpected joy rising within him, but he kept his composure.

"You can come every day. You don't need to give me grain or meat coupons. This meat is from rabbits I caught in the mountains—no cost, no coupons needed."

Yan Bai raised an eyebrow and looked at him, feigning hesitation.

"I'm not your better half, how can I eat your food for nothing?"

Luo Shuisheng's heart skipped a beat. He quickly glanced up at Yan Bai, the tips of his ears tinged pink, his voice a bit husky.

"You gave me medicine and gave us sugar. Call it an even trade."

"In that case, I won't hold back. I'll come every day from now on.

But trekking over here three times a day is a hassle. Do you have any spare rooms? Maybe I should just move in."

"Demon Lord, isn't it a bit inappropriate to ask to live together on the first day we meet?"

Yan Bai replied,

"A man who's so presentable in the parlor and handy in the kitchen—if I don't snap him up early, should I really leave him for that reborn idiot?

Besides, if I have to share a room with Gu Xiangdong every day, I'll end up killing him sooner or later—tearing him limb from limb, that kind."

"Good heavens, that's gruesome! Couldn't the Demon Lord's killing methods be a bit more elegant?"

This broken system seems to have warped morals just like me, and its focus is so weird.

Hearing this, Luo Shuisheng was clearly even more nervous, momentarily at a loss for words.

Xiao Tao'er, however, jumped up excitedly, cheering.

"Does that mean Brother Yan can tell us stories every day from now on? We have several empty rooms at home. Will you come soon, please?"

"If your brother agrees, of course I can read stories to you every day."

Luo Shuisheng looked at Yan Bai, his heart pounding like a drum, his gaze dangerously intense.

"There are empty rooms."

Yan Bai had seen enough of Luo Shuisheng's slightly nervous demeanor and didn't dare to continue joking, afraid of scaring him. Wooing a husband takes a slow and steady approach.

"Then I'll go ask later if there are any procedures needed to move here. Once I find out, I'll come."

Luo Shuisheng's voice was thick with emotion.

Shi An was also overjoyed.

"Brother Yan, can you share a room with me?"

Luo Shuisheng's expression tightened slightly.

"Shi An, don't be silly. Off to bed for a nap with you. More sleep helps you recover faster."

Yan Bai glanced sideways at Luo Shuisheng and played along, saying to Shi An,

"Rest is indeed good for your condition. Go take a nap.

Luo Shuisheng, let me explain this medicine. If Shi An spikes a fever again tonight, give him one tablet. Only if he has a fever.

Remember, don't make the kang he sleeps on too hot. He'll be better in a few days. If his condition changes, come find me."

Luo Shuisheng took the medicine box.

"Are you going back?"

Yan Bai spoke up, unable to resist being cheeky again.

"Why, you gonna miss me? But I have things to do back there. How about I come early for dinner?"

Luo Shuisheng's ears quickly flushed red again. He had noticed that Yan Bai sometimes deliberately spoke ambiguously.

Luo Shuisheng couldn't quite figure out his intentions but quickly adapted to his conversational rhythm, only able to stare at him, speechless.

"I was thinking of helping you carry your luggage back."

Yan Bai let out a seemingly disappointed "oh," then turned to pack his luggage, leaving only a lingering echo that unsettled someone's heart.

Luo Shuisheng watched Yan Bai's back and couldn't help but follow him.

Yan Bai opened his luggage. Inside was a small bag containing some money and various coupons, which Yan Bai put away. He then took out all the food items.

There was bagged milk powder, malted milk powder, some imported chocolates, and snacks.

He also took out some beef jerky his mother had made herself and some pickled vegetables, handing them all over to Luo Shuisheng in one go.

Items like milk powder and malted milk powder were currently scarce goods. Even the county supply and marketing cooperatives didn't always have them, and when they did, they were considered high-end products that ordinary people rarely bought.

"Here, you take these. Since I'll be eating at your house from now on, we can share these together."

Luo Shuisheng spoke up.

"I'll tidy up a room for you first. Put these precious things in your room. We're not used to eating such fancy stuff."

Yan Bai couldn't help but glare at him.

"Are you being polite with me? Then should I be polite when eating at your house too, not even daring to pick up meat?"

Luo Shuisheng grew anxious.

"That's not what I meant."

Yan Bai smiled, straightforward and generous.

"I'm telling you, don't do to others what you wouldn't want done to yourself. If you want me to feel at home here, don't be so particular with me. Anyway, I'm the one taking advantage."

"Shi An is weak right now, so this milk powder and malted milk powder are perfect for the two kids. Mix some up for them today, and let them eat whatever snacks they like."

"Put the beef outside to freeze, and we'll slice some tonight to try my mom's recipe together."

"Finish it quickly; I'm afraid it might spoil if kept too long, which would be a waste."

"Also, I won't take the other things in the package; I'll leave it all here with you. I'll be moving in soon anyway."

Luo Shuisheng looked at the remaining items in the package—mainly some bedsheets, sweaters, thermal underwear, all of high quality, along with a few books and a pile of medicine.

Few people trusted him so much, not only sharing food with him but also leaving so many belongings in his care.

Luo Shuisheng's heart swelled, full with a sense of being valued and trusted.

Though they'd just met that day, his long-empty heart suddenly felt full, emotions threatening to spill over.

Remembering Yan Bai's words, Luo Shuisheng stopped being distant and formal.

Yan Bai picked out two imported chocolates and tossed them to Xiao Tao'er and Shi An.

"This is chocolate. It's bitter but delicious. Try it, and if you like it, come get more from here."

Yan Bai also unwrapped a gold foil wrapper, revealing a dark slab of chocolate. He took a bite from one corner, savoring its rich, smooth flavor—truly delicious.

His eyes gleamed as he held the bitten chocolate up to Luo Shuisheng.

"Try a bite. It's really good."

Luo Shuisheng froze, staring at the missing corner of the rectangular chocolate, where two faint, delicate tooth marks were visible—small and utterly charming.

As if bewitched, Luo Shuisheng took a bite from the same spot. The dark chocolate melted in his mouth, bitter with a hint of lingering sweetness, much like his life.

Yan Bai was taken aback, then smiled.

Nine-Tailed Fox thought he was going blind. The Celestial Emperor seemed so serious and even a bit honest in this world, but who knew he was secretly such a flirt.

After giving a meaningful smile, Yan Bai stared intently at Luo Shuisheng, took the chocolate back, and bit into the same spot again. Then, his pink tongue lightly licked his upper lip in a seductive gesture.

Luo Shuisheng's gaze fixed on Yan Bai's lips, forgetting to chew.

Yan Bai curled his lips into a smile, his eyes like hooks.

"I'll head back now and come again tonight."

With that, Yan Bai left, leaving behind a bittersweet scent. Luo Shuisheng stood there, dazed and unsure what to do.

Shi An and Xiao Tao'er sat to the side, carefully examining their chocolates, oblivious to what had just happened.

After a long while, Luo Shuisheng finally caught his breath, only to discover something even more shocking: his "good brother," quiet for twenty-two years, was now stirring.

Since his teenage years, when his "good brother" first awakened in a dream, this was only the second time it had reacted.

Luo Shuisheng fled in panic, retreating to his room and closing the door. Leaning against it, his mind buzzed with images of Yan Bai licking his lips. He felt like he was about to explode.

For the first time in his life, Luo Shuisheng experienced such overwhelming emotions, fierce enough to feel world-shattering.

Having grown up wild and untamed, with little regard for societal morals and seeing ordinary social rules as bullshit, he now felt something he had never known before: a desire to possess someone. His mind raced with countless thoughts.

After sorting through many things, he finally calmed down.