Trending Again – Chapter 31

Win over the little fanboy

After much hesitation, Xiao Yino finally decided to overcome his fear. He pinched his nose tightly and walked into the kitchen, preventing the foul smell from entering his nostrils. Tugging at Sister Si Meng’s sleeve, he whispered, “Si Meng, don’t cook. You’re injured.”

Si Meng tapped his head and smiled, “If I don’t cook, what will you eat? Look at you, you’ve become so thin.”

Xiao Yino fell silent. Since his mother passed away, no one had cared whether he had eaten or not. His father and brother were always busy with business, his grandfather had a bad temper, and he didn’t even have anyone to talk to. He thought being mischievous and causing trouble would get everyone’s attention, but instead, he was treated as a nuisance.

“Actually, you don’t need to bother about me. Someone like me, a disliked child, doesn’t deserve anyone’s affection.” Xiao Yino clenched his fists, suppressing his tears. He was already a big kid; he wouldn’t cry.

“What nonsense are you talking about? Every child is a parent’s angel. How can you be disliked?” Si Meng picked up a ladle and gently tapped his head, stopping his tears.

“Moreover, you’re not that detestable,” Lin Hanyue said as she washed vegetables on the side.

Xiao Yino wiped away his tears, bowed to both of them, and earnestly said, “Sister Hanyue, Sister Si Meng, it was my fault before. I shouldn’t have intentionally teased you. Let me help you now.”

The two exchanged glances, forgiving the little troublemaker. Si Meng teased, “Aren’t you afraid of the smell?”

“It’s okay, I’m fully equipped.” Xiao Yino took out a gas mask from his pocket and put it on his face.

Si Meng wanted to stir-fry vegetables, and Xiao Yino came over to help. When Si Meng wanted to prepare a dipping sauce, Xiao Yino also joined in. Like Si Meng’s little shadow, he followed her closely.

Si Meng didn’t feel that he was in the way at all; instead, she patiently taught him. Xiao Yino learned quickly, understanding everything after a basic explanation, and he had good hands-on skills too.

“It smells so good. Is it almost ready?” Xiao Yino, through his mask, could sense the delicious aroma.

“Guess how cooked it is.”

“Seventy-five percent cooked.” Xiao Yino confidently replied, and Si Meng raised an eyebrow. It turned out he was right.

In no time, five home-cooked dishes were ready, all of them vegetarian. Xiao Yino was puzzled; he distinctly remembered washing meat.

Old Master Xiao was also drawn in by the fragrance, but Lin Hanyue sent him off to wash his hands. Unable to resist, Xiao Yino picked up his chopsticks. It smelled like vegetarian dishes, and indeed, it tasted like vegetarian dishes. Where did the meat go?

“How about it? I bet you can’t tell this is meat.” Si Meng picked up a nearby dish and savored it.

“How did you do it? That’s so cool. I want to learn.” Xiao Yino’s eyes instantly turned admiring.

“You won’t be able to learn. You can’t endure the hardships of culinary training. Learning to cook is tough, and you better honestly continue being a young master.” Si Meng wasn’t looking down on him; it’s just that becoming a chef was a challenging path. Few could withstand the loneliness and complete the journey through this path filled with the scent of cooking oil.

Along the way, Si Meng had seen too many people give up their dreams because they weren’t as talented, couldn’t endure the hardships, or gradually lost themselves for various reasons. Some left, some stayed, new people came, and new people left.

“Hey, I can learn, and I can endure hardships. Just teach me, Master Si Meng. I don’t care,” Xiao Yino acted spoiled. As long as Si Meng softened a bit, she would teach him.

But this time, Si Meng was unusually resolute, with no room for compromise. Xiao Yino had no choice but to pester Si Meng to cook for him next time, and Si Meng readily agreed.

Old Master Xiao warmly invited Si Meng and Lin Hanyue to stay at the Xiao residence for a few days, until Xiao Yino’s situation improved. Reluctantly, the two agreed.

After these few days of being together, the relationship between the four of them progressed rapidly. Si Meng suddenly felt that Old Master Xiao and Xiao Yino were quite pitiable, somewhat like elderly people left behind and left-behind children. There was already a generation gap between them, and they often engaged in playful banter.

Si Meng played chess with Old Master Xiao, winning effortlessly in three moves, which irritated him to the point of insisting on playing another five hundred rounds. Lin Hanyue, on the other hand, accompanied Xiao Yino in practicing the piano. After hearing Lin Hanyue play a piece, Xiao Yino imitated it quite well. Just as he felt proud, Lin Hanyue played an even more challenging piece, causing him to fumble around in confusion.

Si Meng stretched lazily and went to cook. Upon hearing her, Xiao Yino ran over to sneakily observe, self-proclaiming the noble title of an assistant. Si Meng, seeing his enthusiasm, occasionally offered a few pointers, but she didn’t admit to being his master. Xiao Yino, however, didn’t care and shamelessly called her master.

“Use your right hand to lift the wok, like this, and stir-fry repeatedly,” Si Meng guided from the side, correcting his wok-holding technique.

But Xiao Yino was still a child, and his strength wasn’t considerable. After a few minutes, he became discouraged. Si Meng showed an expression that said, “See, I knew you couldn’t do it.” Xiao Yino was deeply affected, gritted his teeth, and continued to persevere.

Si Meng observed it all, choosing not to say anything. Kids, without praise, let’s test him a bit more.

Back in the room, Lin Hanyue was leaning against the bed reading a book. As Si Meng approached, Lin Hanyue immediately wrapped around her, treating Si Meng like a human pillow. Lin Hanyue hugged Si Meng’s waist and refused to let go. Si Meng struggled a bit, but unable to break free, she half-pushed and half-let Lin Hanyue continue.

Lin Hanyue lifted Si Meng onto the bed, planted a gentle kiss on Si Meng’s rosy lips. Slowly, that kiss became more intense and urgent. Si Meng couldn’t help but let out a soft moan, her eyes carrying a hint of affection. Those captivating peach blossom eyes seemed to silently say, ‘I want.’

Lin Hanyue kissed those beautiful peach blossom eyes, and Si Meng squinted slightly, appearing to enjoy it. Si Meng was the type of woman who, despite saying ‘no’ with her mouth, was very honest with her body. She transformed from being passive to taking the initiative, wrapping her legs around Lin Hanyue’s slender waist and embracing her delicate neck with both hands.

Actively responding to Lin Hanyue’s dominant kiss, Lin Hanyue’s right hand explored Si Meng’s sensitive spots, teasing her desires. Si Meng felt a wave of heat surging through her body as those warm hands wandered over her, penetrating her clothes, gradually moving downward.

Si Meng caught the wandering hand, turned Lin Hanyue’s face towards her, and made her face Si Meng directly. With slightly parted lips, she said, “Lin Hanyue, do you really like me? Our act doesn’t include kissing and hugging.”

Lin Hanyue, with a playful glint in her eyes, as if mocking the realization of this little fool, laughed and said, “Si Meng, I like you. I liked you before, I like you now, and I will keep liking you in the future.”

“What were you saying… mmm.” Si Meng wanted to say something more but was silenced by Lin Hanyue.

“Silly girl, do you know the difference between playacting and reality? We are legally married now. You can forget about escaping for the rest of your life.”

Si Meng smiled, blossoming like a flower. In reality, from the moment she fell for Lin Hanyue, she never thought about escaping. Whether it was love at first sight, as everyone said, or the affection that grew through constant companionship, as long as it was Lin Hanyue, she was willingly devoted.