IRDFPFCIW Chapter 50

Jiang Tang was unaware of how Wei Ke’s heart was broken and then quickly rebuilt. He nodded politely to Wei Ke before getting out of the car.

Wen Renyuan personally escorted Jiang Tang to the Imperial Capital Academy of Sciences.

Standing outside the car, Jiang Tang turned to Wen Renyuan and smiled. “Thank you, Marshal. We’ll head in now.”

Wen Renyuan nodded.

Then he got out of the car, stood next to Jiang Tang, and naturally took his luggage into his own hands again.

“Let’s go.”

Jiang Tang: ???

Oh, he’s coming in with me? Marshal is so idle, doesn’t he have own things to do?

However, Jiang Tang only silently grumbled. He was too timid to say it out loud.

The group entered the Academy where a row of researchers in white lab coats stood waiting. Upon seeing Jiang Tang, they suddenly erupted into excited applause.

“Welcome! Welcome! Warm Welcome!”

Jiang Tang: !!!

As soon as he stepped through the door, the unexpected applause startled him. He stumbled and stepped on empty air. He moved his body back, but his mind raced with thoughts: No way, not on the first meeting. Falling in front of so many people would be so embarrassing!

Jiang Tang instinctively closed his eyes, but just then a hand gripped his waist. A strong arm caught him just in time. Jiang Tang found himself pressed against the chest of the person behind him, making it look like Wen Renyuan had trapped him in his arms.

“Ah!” Jiang Tang gasped softly, looking up to see Wen Renyuan’s perfect jawline.

Jiang Tang stared blankly at Wen Renyuan’s chin, while everyone else in the room froze at the scene. Their applause abruptly stopped, with their hands still hanging. The atmosphere became a bit awkward for a while. Once Jiang Tang regained his composure, he quickly straightened up and stepped out of Wen Renyuan’s embrace. He had seen similar dog-blood scene in TV dramas and often mocked them. He never imagined that it would happen to him one day.

Seeing Jiang Tang’s dazed expression as he looked at him, Wen Renyuan couldn’t help but smile faintly.

“Thank… Thank you.”

Jiang Tang came back to his senses and thanked Wen Renyuan embarrassedly. He was distracted just now. It must be because the Marshal’s face was just too captivating.

His ears turned slightly red.

Turning around, Jiang Tang finally noticed the row of researchers in front of him. They were wide-eyed as if they had witnessed a shocking event.

Jiang Tang: …

His mind buzzed, and his ears turned completely red from pink.

Seeing the young man’s ears turn as red as blood, Wen Renyuan felt an inexplicable joy. He discreetly cleared his throat to remind the group to settle down.

“Oh! Welcome, Tang Tang!”

“Welcome, welcome!”

“Mr. Jiang, you’ve finally arrived…”

Jiang Tang stepped forward to shake hands and greet them. “Thank you, hello. Just call me Jiang Tang.”

The researchers had seen Jiang Tang’s live streams, but they were surprised to find him even more attractive in person. His personality was just as kind… If this was a game, they could almost hear the sound of everyone’s favorability increasing with each of Jiang Tang’s smiles.

Jiang Tang smoothly completed the entry procedures. Since today was just for familiarizing himself with the environment, he followed several young researchers around the Academy. He listened to their chatter and smiled. He didn’t expect these geniuses to have such a lively personality.

But… out of the corner of his eye, Jiang Tang stole a glance at the Marshal beside him. Why is he still following him?

The main reason was that the Marshal’s presence was too strong. A person like him with a strong aura was hard to ignore. Jiang Tang sighed inwardly.

Since Jiang Tang had just arrived at the Imperial Capital Star, the Academy kindly arranged for him to rest at his residence first.

“Ah, we can go on our own, so you don’t have to trouble the Marshal.” Jiang Tang touched his nose and tried to refuse Wen Renyuan’s offer to take him back.

Wen Renyuan glanced at Jiang Tang and said, “It’s no trouble. The military is responsible for your safety since you’re new to the Imperial Capital Star.”

Jiang Tang: … Okay.

Jiang Tang lowered his head and obediently followed Wen Renyuan to the car.

In his heart, he gave Wen Renyuan a good guy card: the Marshal is such a kind-hearted person!

The residence assigned to Jiang Tang by the Academy was a high-end apartment on a high floor, a spacious open-plan design with exquisite decor. Jiang Tang was astonished upon entering. The style of the decor was somewhat similar to his villa on the barren planet! It was the style he liked.

The Academy was thoughtful. Jiang Tang felt warm inside. How they knew his preference, perhaps they had watched his live streams.

Wen Renyuan followed Jiang Tang into the apartment and quietly observed his reaction. Seeing the surprise in Jiang Tang’s eyes and that he seemed to like the apartment very much, he felt relieved.

Qin Fei was captivated too. He had never seen such a high-tech room filled with warmth. He excitedly dashed around like a puppy, finally running up to Jiang Tang. “Brother! Are we really going to live here?”

Jiang Tang nodded with a smile.

“This apartment originally belonged to the military, but it’s now under your name as a thank-you gift from us.”

Jiang Tang was taken aback by such a grand “gift”. He looked at Wen Renyuan in surprise. “Ah? The military? Thank you?”

“There are many people in the military who suffer from mental trauma or breakdowns each year.” Wen Renyuan saw Jiang Tang’s wide-eyed expression, which was so cute. He suppressed the urge to ruffle his hair. “So your participation in the Academy’s project is very important to the military. I hope you can accept this small gesture of appreciation.”

Jiang Tang looked at the spacious apartment. Small… small gesture? Well, okay…

“Thank you…” Jiang Tang started to express his gratitude but was interrupted by Wen Renyuan.

Wen Renyuan chuckled. “Since we met, you seem to have been thanking me constantly.”

Jiang Tang: …

Jiang Tang smiled awkwardly.

Wen Renyuan lowered his head and looked into Jiang Tang’s eyes. “Please don’t be so formal with me. If possible, I hope you can consider me your friend.”

It would be even better if you can consider me as your boyfriend, Wen Renyuan silently added.

This was a line he had learned from a collection of romantic phrases, and it seemed effective because Jiang Tang’s eyes moved slightly. He was obviously touched.

“Okay.” Jiang Tang smiled at Wen Renyuan. “Then I won’t keep thanking you. How about I treat you to a meal? Marshal, would you like to stay and try my cooking?”

“Then I’ll graciously accept.”

Jiang Tang and Wen Renyuan exchanged smiles, and the distance between them seemed to shorten a lot in this smile.

Lying on the sofa, Lin Yucang watched the two. A hint of unhappiness flashed through his heart. Was this really the low EQ Wen Renyuan? How did he become so perceptive so quickly? It seemed he needed to take action soon.

The suitcase that Jiang Tang brought was foldable and very practical, expanding to several dozen cubic meters when unfolded completely. So even with Wen Renyuan’s help, they spent a long time while organizing everything.

Jiang Tang felt a bit embarrassed. He increasingly felt how approachable this Marshal Wen Renyuan was.

He placed the dried fruits he had prepared earlier on the small coffee table in the living room. He invited Wen Renyuan to sit down and rest while he went to the kitchen.

The kitchen of the apartment was semi-open, and Wen Renyuan’s position allowed him to see Jiang Tang moving around in the kitchen. He suddenly felt as if they were already entering a married life.

Jiang Tang thought for a moment and decided to start a live stream.

[First!]

[Tang Tang, I’m here!]

[Huh? Why did the live stream change location today?]

[This new kitchen looks good!]

“Yes, from now on, I’ll be live streaming from here.” Jiang Tang quickly showed the new environment with the camera.

But the keen-eyed viewers noticed something—

[What a big floor-to-ceiling window!]

[Wait, in the distance of the floor-to-ceiling window… I think I see the palace…]

[Has the streamer arrived at the Imperial Capital Star?!]

[??? The palace? Am I not worthy…]

[The streamer needs to protect their privacy!]

Jiang Tang frowned slightly. He realized he had been careless. “Thank you everyone, I will protect my privacy.”

Fortunately, the comments quickly moved on.

[What a big house! I’m so jealous!]

[I didn’t expect our Tang Tang to be so rich! So impressive!]

[I thought Tang Tang was just a small local tycoon, but turns out he’s a millionaire!]

[Wake up, the streamer has never lacked natural food. Those who understand this kind of family conditions will know!]

Seeing the comments beginning to get off track again, Jiang Tang quickly pulled them back, “Okay, let’s stop! It’s just an ordinary family! Today, we’re going to make a simple version of Mao Xue Wang[mfn]máo xuè wàng (毛血旺), is a popular and savory Chinese hot pot dish. It is duck’s blood and beef tripe in spicy soup[/mfn]~”

“The name sounds a bit strange, but it’s really delicious.” While processing the ingredients, Jiang Tang looked at the comments. “Mao is a dialect which means rough or sloppy.”

“Previously, a butcher with the surname Wang would sell leftover scraps of meat at low prices every day. His wife thought it was a pity, so she set up a stall on the street selling soup made from those scraps. One day, she accidentally added fresh pig blood into the offal soup and found that the blood became more tender and fresher the longer it cooked. This dish is made to be eaten freshly boiled, so it was named Mao Xue Wang.”

[I feel like I understand, but also feel confused.]

[Even though I don’t understand, it sounds impressive…]

[+1 It seems Tang Tang knows a lot.]

Jiang Tang looked at the comments while quickly stir-frying the ingredients in the pot.

After the oil heated, he added scallions, ginger, and garlic to sauté, then added vegetables like bean sprouts with hot pot base sauce, and finally added water and ingredients like tripe and shrimp and other meat dishes to cook.

Due to the limited ingredients, Jiang Tang couldn’t make a completely authentic Mao Xue Wang, but it was enough to satisfy his cravings.

He poured the cooked dish into a bowl, added minced garlic and cilantro on top, and the final step was to drizzle with hot oil.

Hot oil was the soul of the dish.

Jiang Tang started heating the oil in a pan, waiting for the surface to emit wisps of smoke.

“Do you need help?”

A magnetic voice rang out, and Jiang Tang turned to look. Wen Renyuan was leaning on the wine cabinet with one hand and a faint smile on his face, looking at Jiang Tang intently.

Jiang Tang: …How coquettish.jpg

Jiang Tang didn’t know what to say for a moment, staring at the oil in the pot. Little did he know that his live stream room exploded like water droplets hitting hot oil due to the sudden sound and the presence of this tall man.