TSA Chapter 73

“It’s nothing. They’re just bored.” After giving that reckless bunch a good scolding, Han Xiao returned to the kitchen to comfort his shy little lover.

Ran Qi’s face was still flushed red. Being caught twice in a row was an indescribable kind of embarrassment.

Hearing Han Xiao’s words, he blinked and chuckled. “Since they have nothing to do, let’s give them some work.”

The task Ran Qi was referring to, of course, was skewering the ingredients for the barbecue.

The meat and vegetables had been cut, but they still needed to be threaded onto skewers. Ran Qi had originally planned to do it himself, but now he had changed his mind.

Preparing skewers for so many people was no small task. Han Xiao didn’t want him to tire himself out, so he immediately agreed and, without hesitation, assigned the job to the idlers outside.

The group groaned in protest, but their hands moved swiftly. If they weren’t completely hopeless in the kitchen and afraid of making things worse, they would have eagerly helped Ran Qi with the grilling, just like Han Xiao.

With so many hands at work, efficiency soared, and the atmosphere became lively.

Before long, an impressive stack of skewers piled up on the table.

For vegetables, Ran Qi had prepared potatoes, eggplant, mushrooms, and chives. As for meat, there was no shortage of chicken, beef, lamb, pork, and fish. In addition, there were seafood options like scallops, shrimp, and octopus, making the spread incredibly rich.

In the interstellar era, cooking methods mainly revolved around grilling, steaming, boiling, and pan-frying. Fortunately, they had a smokeless electric grill, making the process both convenient and safe.

Once the skewers were ready, Ran Qi demonstrated the grilling technique. He placed the skewers on the grill and sprinkled them with pepper, chili powder, and sesame seeds. The sizzling sound filled the air, releasing an irresistible aroma that spread throughout the room, making everyone’s mouths water.

The group quickly got the hang of it and started grilling on their own, eating as they cooked—an absolute delight.

It was just a pity that they didn’t have cumin. If they did, the skewers would have been even better.

Aside from the skewers, Ran Qi also provided a griddle for everyone to cook thinly sliced meats and vegetables, dipping them in sauce for extra flavor.

Ran Qi’s homemade sauces were an instant hit, especially the simple salsa and garlic chili sauce. The salsa, made from tomatoes, onions, bell peppers, and lemon, was fresh, tangy, and sweet—perfect for pairing with grilled meat. The garlic chili sauce, on the other hand, was made by pouring hot oil over finely chopped garlic and chili, releasing an intoxicatingly spicy aroma.

For most of the group, it was their first time eating something this spicy. They coughed and gasped for air, but once they got used to it, they found themselves addicted to the bold flavor, eating more and more.

“Ranran, stop running around and come eat!” Watching Ran Qi shuttle back and forth between the kitchen and living room, Han Xiao pulled him over and placed a few freshly grilled skewers in his hands.

“Alright then,” Ran Qi murmured, his face slightly red as he shyly sat down next to Han Xiao.

The others kept sneaking glances at the two of them, itching to ask questions but too afraid to speak up with Han Xiao around.

Besides the simple skewers, Ran Qi had also prepared more complex, heavyweight barbecue dishes, such as black pepper honey-glazed pig trotters, garlic-roasted pork liver, and scallion-grilled beef.

The black pepper honey-glazed pig trotters were first boiled until tender, then coated with honey, cut into smaller pieces, and seasoned with black pepper, sesame seeds, and a bit of chili powder. After mixing everything evenly, they were placed in the grill. In just ten minutes, the trotters turned a beautiful shade of red. Since they had been pre-cooked, the inside remained soft and tender, while the outside crisped up into a fragrant, golden crust—absolutely mouthwatering.

The garlic-roasted pork liver was surprisingly popular. To prepare it, Ran Qi first soaked the liver in milk for ten minutes to remove any gamey taste and enhance its tenderness. After rinsing it clean, he marinated it with minced garlic, black pepper, and soy sauce before grilling it and finishing it with a sprinkle of chopped scallions. The result was a rich, flavorful dish that left people craving more.

For the scallion-grilled beef, the meat was sliced and marinated with onion strips, ginger, black pepper, and soy sauce for ten minutes to fully absorb the flavors. Before grilling, Ran Qi poked small holes in the meat with skewers to allow the seasoning to penetrate more deeply and ensure even cooking. Wrapped in foil and grilled to perfection, the beef turned out incredibly juicy and fragrant.

As soon as the foil was unwrapped, an irresistible aroma filled the air. The sauce-coated beef had a rich, enticing color that made everyone’s mouth water just by looking at it.

The moment the grilled meat was served, everyone dug in ravenously, chopsticks and forks clashing as they fought for every last bite. In the end, they almost came to blows over the final piece.

“This is too good! After eating what Brother Ran cooked, I can’t even stomach my own grilling anymore…” Lin Han said bitterly.

“No kidding. Do you really think your cooking can compare to my family’s Ranran?” Gu Le lifted his chin proudly. “You’d better eat your fill today because once we go back, you won’t get another chance! Only I get to enjoy this every day!”

“Hey, keep showing off like that, and you’re asking for a beating!” Lin Han raised his fist in mock threat, looking fierce.

“Brother, I was wrong, I was wrong…” Knowing when to back down, Gu Le immediately surrendered.

Their antics had everyone laughing.

“Don’t just eat the meat. Have some vegetables too,” Ran Qi reminded them, making sure they had a balanced diet. He moved the grilled mushrooms and chives closer to the center of the table.

But these guys were all die-hard carnivores, completely focused on the meat, ignoring the vegetables. Only Han Xiao, giving Ran Qi face, ate everything he was handed without complaint.

Ran Qi thought for a moment and then headed back to the kitchen. He diced the mushrooms and chives, beat an egg, and mixed them together. Then he wrapped the mixture in thin slices of beef, rolling them up neatly before placing them on the grill.

The cooked beef rolls had a beautiful sauce-glazed color. When bitten into, they revealed layers of golden egg, vibrant green chives, and rich brown mushroom bits. The flavors and textures combined into an irresistible treat, and suddenly, all eyes were on the beef rolls.

Seeing his little lover getting busy again, Han Xiao let out a helpless sigh. He picked up his chopsticks and joined the battle, stealing food from the ‘hungry wolves’ to feed Ran Qi.

“You eat. I’m fine,” Ran Qi murmured, feeling a little embarrassed.

“I’ve already eaten plenty, but you barely had anything,” Han Xiao said as he peeled a bright red grilled shrimp and held it up to Ran Qi’s lips. “Look at Yan Ruo and Xiao Si.”

Shen Ruoyan and Shi Qiuyan, another couple, sat together at the end of the table, leaning against each other. A plate full of grilled meat sat in front of them. While Shen Ruoyan munched happily on skewers, Shi Qiuyan quietly peeled shrimp and shelled scallops, feeding them to her. In return, Shen Ruoyan held up the half-eaten skewer in her hand for Shi Qiuyan to take a bite. Shi Qiuyan smiled and accepted it without hesitation.

Their gestures weren’t overly flashy, but there was an undeniable sweetness in their every move.

That was what normal couples did. Sharing food, feeding each other—it was completely natural.

Ran Qi and Han Xiao were also a couple now, and given that everyone had already seen what happened earlier… there really wasn’t a need to hide anymore. Fighting down his shyness, Ran Qi opened his mouth and ate the shrimp, no longer resisting Han Xiao’s feeding.

Han Xiao thoroughly enjoyed the process, watching as Ran Qi’s lips became glossy from the oil, tinged with a faint flush. His throat moved in a way that hinted at something else.

But considering the group of ‘third wheels’ surrounding them, Han Xiao decided to save that thought for when they had some alone time.

To wrap up the meal, Ran Qi prepared a large pitcher of honey lemon tea, which was both refreshing and helped cut through the greasiness. The barbecue feast had been an absolute success. Everyone was stuffed and completely satisfied, slumping onto the sofas, unwilling to move.