“I haven’t done this in a long time.” Zhou Yanshen handed the kitchen knife to Lin Kanglu and wanted to slack off for a while “Why don’t you teach me?”
“Don’t get smart with me.” Lin Kanglu was not fooled at all.
He knocked the chopping board and warned, “Scrape it clean. If I find one fish scale later on, you are done for.”
Zhou Yanshen did not dare to have any objections.
He used the tip of the knife to scale the fish and was much more careful in doing his job than before. “Then when I’m done scaling it, can you cook it?”
“That works.” Lin Kanglu placed his hands behind his back and walked out of the kitchen leisurely.
Zhou Yanshen nodded and focused on cleaning the fish.
He threw the fish scale into the trash can at the side and looked at it several times before putting down the kitchen knife.
“Are you done plucking?”
“Yep.”
“Then I’ll go get the old man.” He wiped his hands dry on his apron and strode out.
Pei Zhi stretched his arms.
He originally wanted to help Zhou Yanshen, but Lin Kanglu didn’t allow it. He could only follow Lin Jiao to the courtyard to drink tea.
“Uncle, are you tired?”
“Not at all.”
Seeing that he indeed was not tired, Lin Jiao was slightly relieved.
She pointed at the chicken blood on the corner of his shirt. “I’m afraid you can’t wear this shirt anymore.”
“It’s fine.” Pei Zhi smiled.
He looked in the direction of the smoke billowing from the kitchen chimneys and suddenly said, “Yanshen is quite happy here.”
“Yes.” Lin Jiao rested her chin on her hand. “His grandmother passed away early, and his parents were too busy with work to care about him, so he has a deep love for his grandfather. In front of him, he’s like a child.”
“I can tell.” Pei Zhi looked away and picked up the teapot to refill her tea. “Did he live with you when he was young?”
“No, he only comes over during the winter and summer holidays.”
Lin Jiao blew on the teacup twice.
Before she could drink it, she was called to the kitchen by Zhou Yanshen who was holding two dishes in both hands.
She and Pei Zhi helped set up the table and scoop rice for everyone. Their overlapping shadows on the ground gave off an indescribable warmth.
Seeing them walk side by side towards the dining table, Lin Kanglu took off his apron and pondered for a long time.
After lunch, he said to Lin Jiao and Zhou Yanshen, “Go to the fields and pick some cucumbers and cabbages.”
“How many do you want?”
“A basketful will do.”
Zhou Yanshen picked up the basket in the corner.
He knew why the old man asked the two of them out to pick veggies, so before crossing the threshold, he gave Pei Zhi a look that said, “Stay safe.”
Pei Zhi did not look panicked at all.
He put the dishes to the side and looked into the old man’s eyes, waiting for him to speak.
Lin Kanglu was not someone who liked to beat around the bush, so he asked directly, “Do you like Jiaojiao?”
“Yes.”
Pei Zhi answered without hesitation.
He took two sips of white wine and, for the first time, expressed his feelings in front of someone other than his close friends. “I’ve liked her for many years.”
Lin Kanglu raised an eyebrow. “She has a boyfriend.”
“They’ve already broken up.”
“When did this happen?”
“A while ago.” Pei Zhi was afraid that he would worry, so he did not tell him the truth. “They’re not compatible.”
Lin Kanglu looked into Pei Zhi’s eyes and tapped the table with his calloused hand, seemingly in thought.
Pei Zhi felt uneasy under his gaze.
After a long silence, he promised sincerely, “Don’t worry, I’ll definitely treat her well and never let her down.”
“It’s too early to promise.”
Seeing that he was speechless, Lin Kanglu coughed to suppress his laughter. “Whether you can win her heart or not is the most important matter.”