AAWOMAHI Chapter14

On the phone screen, a finger wrapped in a bandage showed faint traces of blood seeping through.

 

Lu Shiran felt a little guilty. “Does it hurt?” It seemed like his continuous talking with Lu Xingmian had distracted him.

 

“No, it doesn’t hurt.” Lu Xingmian bent his finger. “It’s fine, just a superficial wound.”

 

Lu Shiran hummed, “Be careful.”

 

Despite the small mishap, Lu Xingmian successfully cut the beef.

 

He deliberately brought the cut beef cubes closer to the camera. “Lu Ge, look.”

 

Then Lu Xingmian heard his Lu Ge praise his cutting skills, and receiving Brother Lu’s praise made Lu Xingmian incredibly happy.

 

It seemed that the video call was quite good; Lu Ge could directly see what he was doing, which should significantly reduce his chances of failure.

 

After cutting the beef, he put it in cold water to blanch it. While waiting, Lu Shiran told Lu Xingmian to prepare ginger slices, large green onion sections, and a few dried chili peppers.

 

Lu Shiran: “Can you eat spicy food? If not, there’s no need to add chili.”

 

Lu Xingmian blurted out, “I can eat chili, I ate spicy instant noodles last night…”

 

Lu Shiran: ……

 

Lu Xingmian: ……

 

Lu Xingmian quickly realized his mistake and chuckled twice to cover up the awkward situation.

 

Because yesterday, Lu Xingmian had told Lu Ge that he had eaten the stir-fried tomatoes with eggs that he had taught him for dinner.

 

“Um…” Lu Xingmian said, “I just wanted to say, I can eat spicy food.”

 

Then Lu Xingmian seemed to hear Lu Ge’s soft sigh from the phone. Lu Ge didn’t say anything; a young person’s pride is fragile. He told Lu Xingmian to boil a pot of hot water for later use.

 

As the water in the pot came to a boil and blood foam rose to the surface while blanching the beef, Lu Shiran instructed him to skim off the foam.

 

Once there was no more blood foam, he could turn off the heat, scoop out all the beef, and rinse it clean with hot water.

 

Worried that Lu Xingmian might injure himself again, Lu Shiran reminded him, “Be careful, don’t get burned, take your time, and don’t get the wound wet either.”

 

Lu Ge’s voice was truly pleasant, especially when he spoke in a caring tone; it sounded even better.

 

Lu Xingmian felt a little embarrassed. “Got it.”

 

He had just been distracted because he suddenly heard Lu Ge laugh; luckily, Lu Ge hadn’t noticed and thought he was just being clumsy.

 

After rinsing the blanched beef with hot water, Lu Shiran told Lu Xingmian to use kitchen paper to drain the water from the beef so it wouldn’t splatter oil and burn him when it went into the pan later.

 

Lu Xingmian paused, “Lu Ge, I didn’t prepare kitchen paper.”

 

Lu Shiran chuckled again. “It’s okay if you don’t have it, it won’t affect anything.” At the same time, he told Lu Xingmian not to be so nervous; cooking was simple, and being so smart, he would definitely do well.

 

After heating the clean pan, Lu Xingmian poured in the oil, then pointed the camera at the pan and asked Lu Shiran, “Lu Ge, is this enough oil?”

 

Lu Shiran: “Yes, once the oil is hot, add the green onion and ginger to stir-fry, then add the beef and stir-fry together.”

 

Lu Xingmian was a bit uncertain. “Lu Ge, how long do I stir-fry before adding the beef?”

 

Lu Ge was teaching very seriously and meticulously, so Lu Xingmian was worried about failing.

 

Lu Xingmian stirred twenty times as Lu Shiran instructed, then poured in the blanched beef and continued to stir-fry.

 

Through the camera, Lu Shiran and Lu Xingmian had the same view, watching the beef slowly change color.

 

Lu Shiran: “Lu Xingmian, you can add cooking wine, light soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and oyster sauce in order now.”

 

Lu Xingmian fumbled to grab the condiments beside him and was about to pour them into the pot when Lu Shiran’s low voice came through his earphones to Lu Xingmian’s ear.

 

“Don’t rush, take your time.”

 

Lu Xingmian’s hand holding the spatula trembled, and he picked up another bottle of seasoning next to him.

 

“Wait, Lu Xingmian, first check what you’re holding.” Lu Shiran’s voice was unhurried.

 

Lu Xingmian looked and saw he was holding aged vinegar. He hadn’t looked closely, and the color was quite similar.

 

He nearly made the wrong pour, Lu Xingmian thought. Luckily, Lu Ge noticed; otherwise, he really would have added the wrong seasoning, and it was easy to imagine the beef wouldn’t have tasted good in the end.

 

The beef was almost done stir-frying. Lu Xingmian followed Lu Shiran’s instructions and began pouring the previously boiled hot water into the pot, just enough to cover the beef. Then he added salt, a few rock candies, a few chilies, and several large spices.

 

After bringing it to a boil over high heat, he reduced it to a low flame for simmering, a process that would take about forty to fifty minutes.

 

In the video, Lu Xingmian’s voice sounded very happy: “Lu Ge, it seems like it’s a success! It smells really good.”

 

Lu Shiran also smiled and encouraged Lu Xingmian: “You’re doing great.”

 

Just as Lu Shiran praised his cooking, Xiao Youzi came to find her uncle: “Uncle, Xiao Youzi is ready, let’s go out now.”

 

There was a Lu clan dinner that evening. Lu Shiran told Xiao Youzi to play by herself for a bit, and he would take her out after he finished his task. Xiao Youzi played for a while and still didn’t see her uncle come to find her, so she went to find him herself, only to find him seemingly playing on his phone.

 

On the other end of the phone, Lu Xingmian suddenly heard a child’s clear voice. The child called Lu Ge “uncle,” and the child’s name was Xiao Youzi.

 

From Xiao Youzi’s words, Lu Xingmian realized that Lu Ge was heading out for dinner and that he had likely held him up.

 

Unsure of the situation on Lu Ge’s end, Lu Xingmian didn’t speak.

 

Then he heard Lu Ge coaxing the child.

 

“Xiao Youzi, be good, go find Mommy and Daddy first, Uncle will be there in a moment.”

 

So, Lu Ge was just as gentle when coaxing a child.

 

After Xiao Youzi left, Lu Shiran spoke to Lu Xingmian: “Lu Xingmian, are you listening?”

 

Lu Xingmian quickly replied, “Lu Ge, I’m listening. You go ahead and get busy.” He hadn’t known Lu Ge had plans for the evening; if he had, he wouldn’t have asked him to teach him how to cook.

 

Lu Shiran said, “En, if you have any questions, you can call me anytime.”

 

“There shouldn’t be any more questions.” Lu Xingmian asked him, “Lu Ge, when do I add the potatoes?”

 

Lu Shiran thought for a moment, “You can add the potatoes when there’s still some sauce left in the pot. You can add a little cilantro when it’s done.”

 

Lu Xingmian quietly mumbled, “I don’t like cilantro.”

 

Lu Shiran didn’t hear clearly. “What did you just say?”

 

“Nothing,” Lu Xingmian said, “Got it. Thank you, Lu Ge. Goodbye.”

 

After hanging up the video call, Lu Xingmian looked at the soup in the pot; there was still a lot, probably needing another thirty to forty minutes of simmering. In the meantime, he decided to do his homework.

 

After finishing two problems, Lu Xingmian suddenly realized something. Lu Ge had a little niece, so why did Lu Ge say he didn’t have a partner or anyone to give the VIP tickets to Universal Studios last time?

 

But didn’t Lu Ge have a little niece? Why didn’t Lu Ge give it to his niece’s family so they could go as a family of three? Why did he say he had no one to give it to?

 

Not only did Lu Xingmian think of this, but he also thought of something very important: he hadn’t cooked the rice yet! Lu Xingmian quickly went to the kitchen to wash rice and start cooking. Half a cup of rice was enough for just himself.

 

Forty minutes later, Lu Xingmian went to check on the beef in the pot. There was still some sauce left, so it should be time to add the potatoes.

 

He instinctively wanted to ask Lu Ge, then remembered that Lu Ge was probably having dinner with his family now.

 

Just as Lu Xingmian was about to add the potatoes, he received a WeChat message from Lu Shiran.

 

Lu Shiran, who was dining with his family, was still thinking about Lu Xingmian and worried that he might get too absorbed in his homework and forget about the beef in the kitchen.

 

After all, he was a high school student who could mistake aged vinegar for light soy sauce, so Lu Shiran kept track of the time and reminded Lu Xingmian when it was almost ready.

 

Lu Shiran: [Don’t forget the beef in the pot.]

 

Upon receiving Lu Ge’s WeChat message, Lu Xingmian suddenly felt happy. He had thought that Lu Ge wouldn’t bother anymore, but unexpectedly, Lu Ge still remembered; his matters were being remembered.

 

Lu Shiran: [You can probably add the potatoes now. Put the potatoes in, then cover and simmer for another ten minutes.]

 

Lu Xingmian took a photo and sent it to Lu Shiran.

 

Lu Xingmian: [Lu Ge, there’s this much sauce left, can I add the potatoes now?]

 

Lu Shiran: [Yes, you can add them.]

 

After adding the potatoes, Lu Xingmian thought for a moment.

 

Lu Xingmian: [Lu Ge, are you still going to lull me to sleep tonight?]

 

Lu Xingmian thought, Lu Ge was with his family, so he probably wouldn’t have time.

 

Lu Shiran: [Of course, you’re my biggest client now, my only client.]

 

Lu Xingmian chuckled, thinking he should have bought more of Lu Ge’s time.

 

Soon, the stewed beef with potatoes was ready. Lu Xingmian tasted a bite; it was delicious, with no hint of gamey smell. The beef chunks were soft and tender and easy to eat, and both the beef and potatoes were tasty.

 

Lu Xingmian served the beef onto a plate, took a photo, and sent it to Lu Ge, telling him that the stewed beef with potatoes was a success and not only successful but also exceptionally delicious.

 

On the other side, Lu Shiran smiled when he saw the photo Lu Xingmian sent him.

 

It looked very appetizing.

 

Lu Shiran praised Lu Xingmian, as children always need encouragement.

 

Not far from Lu Shiran, Xiao Youzi came over and pulled at him: “Uncle, I brought several more storybooks, they’re all super good. I’ll give them all to you.”

 

Uncle said he needed to tell stories to lull a “big brother” to sleep, and that “big brother” could only fall asleep listening to his stories. So Xiao Youzi gave her bedtime storybooks to her uncle; she had plenty anyway.

 

Upon hearing this, Lu Yu looked at Lu Shiran and Xiao Youzi. The big one and the small one were getting along quite well. He remembered Xiao Youzi previously saying that her uncle had to tell stories to someone, who was also Lu Shiran’s “creditor.”

 

Why would he need Xiao Youzi’s storybooks?

 

Could it be that the person was around Xiao Youzi’s age?

 

“Creditor” and “children’s bedtime storybooks”—these factors were too obvious.

 

Lu Yu came to a startling conclusion.

 

He pulled Lu Shiran aside.

 

“Lu Shiran, do you have a child?”