Xue Yuantong was so angry with Jiang Ning last night that she rolled around in bed, but later, too tired to stay up, she went to sleep "early."
Compared to her usual late-night routine of staying up until one or two a.m., midnight indeed counted as an early bedtime.
This morning, to avoid cooking and to get back at Jiang Ning, she had secretly agreed with Chuchu to have breakfast together.
Xue Yuantong was awakened on time by her alarm clock; with immense determination, she rolled out of her cozy bed.
Pushing open the door, she washed her face quickly, brushed her teeth, and ran next door to find Chuchu.
In the early morning, the air was fresh; the elderly who lived in the row of bungalows woke up rather early, sitting at their doorsteps eating and chatting with their bowls and dishes.
A grandpa threw out a bone, and a little yellow dog zipped out, caught it in one bite, just like a dog catching a Frisbee on TV.
The front door of Xue Chuchu’s house was ajar.
Aunt Hua had gone out early to the company; even though it was Saturday, she was working especially hard recently to repay relatives for help with buying a house, resting only one day each month.
Aunt Hua had worked in factories and entered restaurants before, accustomed to manual labor; having one day off per month wasn’t too hard for her.
Xue Chuchu wasn’t going to school today, she was cracking eggs into a spoon with a graceful and nimble posture.
Seeing Tongtong arrive, she softly said, "It’ll be ready soon, I was just about to call you."
Her hair was damp, her skin moist and radiant, her cheeks flushed enticingly, she had obviously just showered.
Chuchu held the spoon, letting the boiling water scald it; soon after, the egg solidified, and she poured the sunny-side-up egg into the pan.
For breakfast, they still had spinach egg noodles, considering there was more than just her, Chuchu also stir-fried a plate of lotus root.
While she was busy at work, Yuantong wasn’t idle either; she exerted herself dragging over the table since the cool morning temperature made eating in the small courtyard closer to nature.
While moving the table, she thought how nice it would be if Jiang Ning were there; even if she sat on the table, he could easily move it.
Unfortunately, she was upset with him from yesterday.
Today, Xue Yuantong would make him go without food, to demonstrate her supreme authority.
After arranging the table, Xue Yuantong also moved over two stools.
Chuchu’s noodles were ready.
A figure appeared at the gate, Jiang Ning leisurely making his entrance.
Seeing him, Xue Yuantong immediately demanded, "You dare to come for breakfast after making a mistake last night!"
Jiang Ning replied, "If you don’t do your homework, why dare you go to school?"
Yuantong huffed, "Because I get full marks."
Jiang Ning said, "Because Chuchu made food for me."
At these words, Xue Yuantong was astonished, and she quickly turned to look at Chuchu in the kitchen, in disbelief:
"Chuchu, you made him breakfast?"
Her tone was flustered, finally finding a way to punish Jiang Ning, could it be nullified?
Chuchu hesitated for a moment; she had already agreed last night after Tongtong found her.
However, before bedtime, Jiang Ning had sent her a message, asking her to make an extra portion.
Chuchu owed Jiang Ning favors, having eaten the fish and crabs he caught, even the Jade Pendant around her neck; she got from Tongtong, who took it from him.
Owing him so much, how could she refuse his first request?
Her eyes, like a serene pool, revealed a hint of apology, explaining, "The food’s already made, it’s no trouble to add one more person."
Yuantong glared at Jiang Ning, she guessed he must have coerced Chuchu, how despicable.
Soon, the table was set with utensils, spinach egg noodles, stir-fried lotus root, and Chuchu’s homemade chicken and sunflower seed kernel soybean sauce.
Jiang Ning picked up a piece of lotus root; it was stir-fried with green and red peppers, a crisp and refreshing bite early in the morning.
Chuchu’s cooking skills were much weaker than Tongtong’s, but compared to ordinary people, it was still superior.
During the meal, without touching the noodles in his bowl yet, Chuchu stood up and went to the kitchen to fetch some sesame oil, pulling out the stopper:
Jiang Ning stated, "I’ll do it myself."
Aunt Hua brought sesame oil from her hometown; pouring a bit over the noodles made them incredibly fragrant.
Previously, each time Jiang Ning made instant noodles, he would surely add some, greatly enhancing the aroma of the noodles.
He took the sesame oil bottle and casually poured some into Tongtong’s bowl, and immediately, a rich scent wafted out.
Xue Yuantong sat sullenly at the table, she had long been disapproving of Jiang Ning, who had tricked her with fruit last night, despite her trust in him, she was toyed with repeatedly.
This morning, he had even threatened Chuchu to cook.
Lately, he was getting increasingly disobedient, if she didn’t teach him a lesson, he’d start thinking he ran the place.
How could she continue to be the one in charge in the future?
She would let Jiang Ning understand right now who ruled the river dam!
Xue Yuantong first sniffed quietly through her delicate nostrils, taking in a deep breath of the sesame oil aroma stealthily; it was truly divine.
She then complained, "You don’t even ask if I like sesame oil before you pour it!"
Jiang Ning paused with the bottle of sesame oil in hand for an instant, as they had been eating together for nearly a year and understood each other’s tastes very well.
Didn’t he know full well whether she liked sesame oil or not?
Convinced she was just picking a fight, Jiang Ning calmly put down the bottle of sesame oil:
Xue Yuantong was relentless, finally seizing her chance, she immediately said, "Hmph, and how will you make it up to me?"
Before she could finish her sentence, she saw Jiang Ning switch her bowl for another.
Jiang Ning ended up with the bowl of egg noodles that had sesame oil.
Jiang Ning took a taste and praised, "The sesame oil really does make it fragrant and the noodles slipperier."
Yuantong looked down to see the bowl before her, the one without the sesame oil, and she nearly cried.
She really wanted to pour some sesame oil, but that would mean losing face after her declaration.
At the breakfast table, Xue Chuchu found the bickering between the two amusing.
She enjoyed it, unlike before when her mother went to work, and she would be the only one eating alone sad and lonely.
After breakfast, it wasn’t yet 8 a.m.
Xue Yuantong helped to wash the dishes, as always, never freeloading.