Chapter 47 Xiao Xie Has Ripe

Chapter 47: Xiao Xie Gets Cooked

Cut an English muffin in half, toast it in the oven until the edges are slightly browned. Remove, spread with butter, and top with a few slices of smoked salmon. Place a poached egg on the salmon, gently pressing with a spoon—the yolk quivers beneath the egg white. Finally, drizzle the sauce on top; the golden sauce flows slowly down, enveloping the poached egg, seeping into the salmon while also soaking into the muffin’s pores.

Kaelen carried the plates to the dining table and poured two glasses of orange juice.

Xie Fengshi cut into the egg with his dinner knife, and the yolk flowed out onto the salmon and muffin, mixing with the Hollandaise sauce. He picked up a piece and put it into his mouth—the muffin was crispy, the salmon savory, the poached egg tender, and the Hollandaise rich; four textures layered on his tongue.

The two finished breakfast in silence. Xie Fengshi patted his stomach and let out a satisfied sigh.

Kaelen put the plates into the dishwasher and came out to find Xie Fengshi curled up in a chair, soaking up the sun. He walked over and sat down opposite Xie Fengshi. "Does it still hurt?"

Xie Fengshi knew what he was asking. Thinking of the previous night, his ears involuntarily turned red. "It doesn't hurt anymore."

"Really?"

"Really. Just a little sore."

Kaelen reached out and pressed on his sore spot. "What about here?"

"It's fine."

Kaelen moved his hand to the small of his back and gently kneaded. "Here?"

Xie Fengshi's body went limp under the touch. Kaelen's hand was warm and firm, easing the sore muscles. Xie Fengshi's eyelids began to droop again with comfort.

"How are you so good at this?" Xie Fengshi asked vaguely.

"I used to play polo and once twisted my waist. The physiotherapist taught me a little."

Xie Fengshi opened one eye. "You can play polo?"

Kaelen kept working his hands. "A little. I haven't played in a long time. The last time I got on a horse was last summer, for a friendly match with a business partner."

"Did you win?"

"I won."

Xie Fengshi gave a soft hum. "It seems like you never lose at anything."

Kaelen's hand traced a mischievous circle around Xie Fengshi's waist. Xie Fengshi was so ticklish he tried to shrink back, but Kaelen held him steady. "I've lost before."

"When?"

"The moment I met you."

Xie Fengshi turned red again at his words. The only way to stop Kaelen from saying things that made him blush was to cup his face. Xie Fengshi's hand came to rest on Kaelen's lips, his thumb pressing down on the lower lip to reveal the neat row of teeth beneath.

Kaelen turned his head and bit down on Xie Fengshi's fingertip, the tips of his teeth gently scraping the thin skin. The ticklish sensation traveled from his fingertip straight to Xie Fengshi's heart.

Xie Fengshi tried to pull his hand back, but Kaelen caught it first and gently licked the pad of his finger.

"Kaelen." Xie Fengshi's voice changed pitch.

Kaelen released his hand and trapped Xie Fengshi in the chair. What followed was a flurry of kisses, from his forehead all the way to the corner of his lips. Xie Fengshi's breathing grew ragged from the kisses. His hand slid from the back of Kaelen's neck to his chest, his fingers gripping the collar of the crewneck, deeply wrinkling the soft cotton.

Kaelen's hands found his waist again, kneading it. Xie Fengshi felt his waist go weak.

"Kaelen—" Xie Fengshi called his name in between breaths, his voice broken by kisses, hoarse and pleading.

"Feng Shi, you know what I want to do."

"I know. I wasn't planning to stop you."

The restraint in the blue eyes was crumbling layer by layer, underneath was a surging, undisguised desire.

Xie Fengshi looped his arms around Kaelen's neck and let himself hang. Kaelen tightened his arms and lifted him steadily from the chair, until Xie Fengshi landed on the mattress.

The sheets were crumpled into a mess. One pillow had fallen to the floor; the other was clutched in Xie Fengshi's hands, clutched for a long time before letting go.

...

The next day, when Xie Fengshi arrived at Lu Shiyan's house, Lu Shiyan had already been curled up on the sofa waiting for him for a while.

He was wearing a ginger-yellow sweater, with two fuzzy bear ears on the hood. He was nestled into the cushions, with several food magazines spread out in front of him and a cup of cold tea beside him.

Xie Fengshi entered, changed his shoes, and placed the shopping bag he'd brought by the entrance. "Why are you sitting on the sofa daydreaming?"

"Contemplating life," Lu Shiyan replied weakly, but his eyes locked onto Xie Fengshi the moment he walked in.

Xie Fengshi didn't notice. He walked straight to the kitchen and started taking things out.

Lu Shiyan scrambled off the sofa and followed Xie Fengshi into the kitchen like a little tail. He leaned on the kitchen island, chin resting on his crossed arms, his round eyes darting all over as he scrutinized Xie Fengshi.

Xie Fengshi, puzzled by the stare, checked his clothes. "What's wrong? Is there something on me?"

Lu Shiyan shook his head. His gaze lingered on Xie Fengshi's face for a few seconds, then moved to his neck, paused, then moved away, then came back, then moved away again.

Xie Fengshi had already started washing vegetables. The tap was running loudly as he bent over to clean the greens. After staring for a while, Lu Shiyan couldn't hold back anymore. "Xie Fengshi, is there something different about you?"

Xie Fengshi turned off the water, placed the greens in a colander, shook the water off his hands, and looked at Lu Shiyan, confused. "What's different?"

"I can't quite put my finger on it." Lu Shiyan frowned. "But I just feel like you've changed, though I can't say how. Your complexion… it seems more radiant than a few days ago. But that doesn't capture it either. You're just… different."

Xie Fengshi turned around to grab a tomato. The knife fell on the cutting board. "You're seeing things. I look like this every day."

"No, I'm not." Lu Shiyan said firmly. He came around the island and leaned close to Xie Fengshi, looking him up and down. "You've been so busy these past few days, working from morning till night. I feel tired just looking at all your orders. Logically, you should be more and more haggard, but instead you're getting more and more… more and more…"

Lu Shiyan couldn't find the right word for a moment, and in his frustration, he gestured wildly with his hands. Finally, he blurted out one word: "Glowing."

Xie Fengshi almost cut his finger. "What? That's your adjective?"

Lu Shiyan stepped back and folded his arms. "I'm serious. You were fair before too, but nowhere near as luminous as now. And your eyes—they're so sparkling, like they're holding water. What have you been eating lately? Or did you switch skincare products?"

Xie Fengshi focused on his cutting, his lashes lowering to hide his guilty conscience. "Nothing. I've just been sleeping more recently."

Lu Shiyan didn't believe him. "Anyway, you're different."

After a moment, Lu Shiyan watched Xie Fengshi slicing potatoes and suddenly spoke up. "What's that on the back of your neck, behind your collar?"

Xie Fengshi paused. "What?"

"Behind your collar. There's a red mark."

Xie Fengshi instinctively reached back to touch it, but halfway there he remembered what it was. His hand froze in midair, then he calmly continued cutting the potatoes. "Probably a mosquito bite."

"Mosquitoes this time of year?"

"The heat's up too high. The mosquitoes think spring has come."

Lu Shiyan looked as if he had suddenly realized something, but let out a drawn-out "Oh—" that slid from a high tone to a falling tone, his round eyes clearly said "I get it."

Xie Fengshi raised his cleaver expressionlessly. "Lu Shiyan, what kind of expression is that?"

Lu Shiyan immediately raised his hands in surrender. "Nothing, nothing, I didn't say anything. Keep cutting, it looks good. These potatoes are cut so evenly, it's the height of culinary artistry."

Xie Fengshi was both irritated and amused, and lowered his head to continue his work.

Lu Shiyan behaved himself for a few minutes, but when Xie Fengshi started stir-frying, he came over again. This time, instead of leaning on the island counter, he stood beside Xie Fengshi, pretending to help—handing him seasonings and bowls, while actually sneaking glances all the time.

Xie Fengshi was making twice-cooked pork at the moment. He had sliced the pork belly into thin pieces, stir-fried them in the wok until the fat rendered out, the edges curled up like little lamps, turning a beautiful golden brown. He moved the meat to one side, added doubanjiang, and the chili oil bloomed in the hot oil, filling the entire kitchen with a complex aroma of savory, spicy, and slightly pungent notes.

Lu Shiyan sniffed. "Smells great."

Xie Fengshi stirred the meat slices and bean paste evenly, added garlic chive sections, and stir-fried over high heat. The spiciness of the garlic chives was released by the hot oil and blended with the savory saltiness of the bean paste. He lifted his arm, flipping the contents of the wok in one smooth motion.

"Do you have some kind of genetic talent for cooking?" Lu Shiyan marveled. "Other people follow recipes step by step when learning to cook, but you just do whatever you feel like. Whatever you think of, you make, and it's all delicious."

Xie Fengshi plated the twice-cooked pork, the chili oil at the bottom of the wok trickled down the side. He set the wok back on the stove, turned up the heat, and added oil, preparing for the next dish.

"Everyone where I'm from knows how to cook. Maybe I just picked it up from watching as a kid."

Lu Shiyan believed him. He rested his chin on his hand and watched Xie Fengshi busily working, his gaze once again unconsciously falling on Xie Fengshi's face.

Xie Fengshi's skin today was really good—white and rosy, like a just-ripened peach that would burst with juice if you pinched it lightly.

Although Lu Shiyan thought Xie Fengshi had looked good before, that kind of handsomeness was the type that made you want to protect him—fragile beauty. If he had to describe it, it was like an exquisite piece of porcelain that would shatter at the slightest touch.

Now his good looks were full of vitality. The porcelain had turned into a living flower, growing from the soil, bathed in sunlight and rain, blooming wildly and exuberantly.

Lu Shiyan racked his brains, and suddenly an idea popped into his head, but he really didn't dare say it out loud—he was afraid Xie Fengshi would hit him with the spatula.

He confirmed it to himself several times, and the more he thought about it, the more sense it made. So he cleared his throat and tried to make his tone not sound too gossipy. "Comrade Xiao Xie, have you been enjoying being in love recently?"

Xie Fengshi glanced at Lu Shiyan and didn't answer the question, but the smile at the corners of his eyes and brows had already given away the answer. Lu Shiyan could tell—they were in the honeymoon phase.

He had pre-salted the eggplants, squeezed them dry, and then stir-fried them in the wok. The skin wrinkled up in the hot oil, absorbing the sauce to become soft, tender, and flavorful. Finally, he added a bit of minced meat to boost the savory flavor, and before serving, he sprinkled a handful of minced garlic and chopped green onions. The garlic aroma burst forth in the steam, blending with the eggplant's softness and the savory saltiness of the sauce.

Lu Shiyan couldn't stop salivating. His attention was completely captured by Xie Fengshi, and he had already forgotten what he wanted to ask.

Tomatoes were cut into small pieces and stir-fried until they released their juice. Boiling water was added, and after it came to a boil, enoki mushrooms torn into small pieces and cubed silken tofu were added. The tofu swirled in the soup, its surface dyed a light orange-red by the tomato juice. Simmered over low heat for a few minutes, seasoned with salt, and finally sprinkled with chopped green onions.

Red, yellow, white, and green—clean and refreshing.

By the time the dishes were on the table, Lu Shiyan was already seated properly. He looked up and saw Xie Fengshi untying his apron.

Lu Shiyan asked warily, "What are you doing?"

Xie Fengshi folded the apron and placed it on the island counter, picked up his jacket from the back of the chair, and said with a hint of apology, "I'm going to head out now."

Lu Shiyan looked at the steaming dishes on the table, then at Xie Fengshi who had already put one arm through his jacket sleeve. His round eyes were wide with disbelief. "You're not eating with me?"

Xie Fengshi zipped up his jacket and smiled apologetically. "I really can't today."

Lu Shiyan instantly understood. "He's here?"

"Mm, he arrived the day before yesterday."

Lu Shiyan finally understood where that strange feeling earlier had come from. He used to think that the idea of being "nourished by love" was all nonsense, but now looking at Xie Fengshi, he felt those words were absolutely right.

When someone is being loved well, their whole demeanor can't be faked.

"Alright, alright, go ahead." Lu Shiyan waved him off. "You haven't seen each other for a week, and you act like it's a tragic farewell. I, a lonely bachelor, won't hold you up."

Xie Fengshi felt embarrassed by his teasing, but his steps didn't slow down at all. "Take your time eating. If you can't finish, put it in the fridge and just reheat it tomorrow."

"I know, I know." Lu Shiyan stood up and walked him to the door. "Go on, don't keep him waiting."

Lu Shiyan returned to the dining table and sighed at the full spread of dishes. Eating alone was no fun. As he chewed a bite of meat, he wondered if he should also find a partner.

But the thought only lasted three seconds before he dismissed it himself. It was too much trouble—he couldn't even take care of himself, let alone be in a relationship.

Forget it, he'd just eat.

When Xie Fengshi came out, Kaelen's car was already parked by the roadside.

The car window was half open. Kaelen heard the footsteps and turned his head. The moment he saw Xie Fengshi, his eyes lit up. He didn't rush to get out; instead, he leaned back in his seat, tilting his head to watch Xie Fengshi approach, a smile curling on his lips, like a content big dog lying beside its kennel waiting for its owner to return.

As Xie Fengshi got close, he saw a hand reaching out to him. He placed his hand against it, and the moment they held hands, warmth spread from their touching skin. Xie Fengshi tried to open the car door, but Kaelen didn't let go. Confused, he asked, "What? Not letting me in?"

Kaelen pulled Xie Fengshi's hand to him, lowered his head, and kissed his fingertips. His lips brushed against his cool fingertips, kissing from his fingertips to the base of his fingers. Xie Fengshi's ears instantly reddened. He instinctively looked around—luckily, the street was mostly empty, with only an old woman walking her dog in the distance, not looking their way at all.

But Xie Fengshi still felt embarrassed. He lowered his voice and said, "What are you doing out on the street?"

"I'm kissing my boyfriend, what's wrong with that?" Kaelen said, and then kissed the base of his ring finger once more.