Chapter 55 – The Husband’s Praise
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Han Yan walked over slowly.
Seeing Lin Xin standing there absentmindedly, his gaze seemingly drifting somewhere far away, he raised his hand and lightly tapped the tip of his smooth nose.
"What are you thinking about?" Han Yan asked with a teasing smile.
"The food is already getting cold."
At the same time, his other hand reached down and picked up the weak-looking black cat that had been neglected nearby.
The moment the cat was lifted, its golden eyes widened.
"Human, you dare..."
Before it could finish speaking, Han Yan had already carried it away from the table.
The little black cat struggled furiously, its paws waving in the air as it glared at him with deep hatred.
"Put this ancestor down! This ancestor is a noble spirit beast, not something you can casually carry around, put me down!"
However, Han Yan completely ignored its protests.
Lin Xin, who had been lost in his thoughts, did not notice the little exchange between the man and the cat.
The only thing he noticed was the warmth of Han Yan’s finger against his nose.
Zhi Zun looked at him with undisguised disdain.
Tch.
The brat he had painstakingly raised only had eyes for his husband now.
Truly, raising children was a losing business.
Completely unaware of the thoughts running through Zhi Zun’s mind, Lin Xin remained lost in his own little bubble.
His fair cheeks immediately reddened, a soft blush blooming across his delicate features.
His long lashes trembled slightly as he continued looking at Han Yan, a hint of embarrassment hidden within his green eyes.
"Umm..."
After a moment, he softly replied.
"I-I was just looking at the sky" Lin Xin said hastily, quickly finding an excuse.
Unable to continue meeting Han Yan’s eyes, Lin Xin hurriedly lowered his gaze to the table. Seizing the chance to divert the conversation, he quickly added,
"Let’s eat before the food gets cold."
Without waiting for Han Yan to respond, he swiftly turned toward Dong Hai and called out.
"Hai’er, come wash your hands. It’s time to eat."
The little boy stopped poking the listless cat.
"Coming!"
Dong Hai immediately ran over.
After carefully washing his small hands, he returned and happily sat down beside them.
Soon, the small courtyard became filled with the warmth of a family meal.
The dishes on the wooden table were not extravagant, but each one was carefully prepared by Lin Xin with the help of Dong Hai.
The moment the bamboo lid covering the rice basket was lifted, a cloud of white steam slowly drifted upward.
The fragrance of freshly cooked fine rice spread through the courtyard.
The bowl of rice was filled with plump, fragrant grains.
Although the dishes on the table were simple, for people like them, who had once been accustomed to coarse grains and meals that barely filled their stomachs, this was already more than they could have hoped for.
Back then, having enough to eat was considered a blessing.
Merely smelling the warm fragrance was enough to whet one’s appetite.
Beside the rice was the main dish of the meal...
Braised pork belly with soy sauce.
The pieces of pork belly had been carefully cut into neat squares before being slowly simmered over a low flame.
The oil from the pork belly had slowly melted during the cooking process, blending with the sweet soy sauce and fragrant spices.
The rich flavors seeped into the tender meat, making every piece even more savory and fragrant.
Looking at the braised pork belly on the table, Lin Xin suddenly remembered the amount of oil he had used while preparing it.
At the time, his heart had ached as he felt he had been too wasteful.
However, he soon recalled Han Yan’s words.
They were no longer living in the Han household.
There was no need to keep living with such careful calculations, denying themselves better things just to save a little more.
If using better ingredients could help improve their health, then it was worth it.
Thinking of this, Lin Xin quietly relaxed.
The pork belly before them was coated in a thick, glossy sauce, its rich reddish-brown color shining faintly.
As the family ate, the fragrant aroma of the dish slowly spread through the courtyard, wrapping the small home in a comforting warmth.
The fragrant scent did not stay confined to their small courtyard for long.
Carried away by the evening breeze, the savory fragrance drifted into the nearby courtyards.
Several neighbors who were preparing their own meals could not help but pause, their noses catching the irresistible aroma of the braised pork.
Even the children playing outside were drawn in by the smell.
"Mother, I want to eat that too. The meat smells so good..." one child cried out, tugging at his mother’s sleeve.
"If you want to eat it so badly, go ask your father to buy it for you. Stop bothering me!"
Seeing that his mother refused, the child immediately began rolling on the ground, crying out pitifully.
A few little ones gathered around their mothers, unable to hide the longing in their eyes as they looked toward Han Yan’s courtyard.
Many even began to cry, unable to resist the temptation of such a delicious scent.
Their mothers hurriedly pulled them back and lightly scolded them.
"Stop making trouble. That is someone else’s dinner."
Although they said this, they could not help but glance toward the source of the fragrance, secretly wondering what kind of dish could produce such an enticing smell.
At the same time, some villagers whispered among themselves, feeling that Han Yan was being wasteful and merely showing off by preparing such a luxurious meal.
Meanwhile, inside the courtyard, Han Yan and the others continued enjoying their meal, completely unaware that a simple plate of braised pork belly had already caused quite a stir among the neighbors.
On the table, the braised pork belly remained the center of attention.
When a piece was picked up with chopsticks, the thick sauce clinging to the meat slowly slid down, leaving behind a glossy sheen that made it even more tempting.
The aroma of the pork mixed with the sweetness of sugar and the deep flavor of soybean paste filled the entire courtyard.
The taste was truly rich and fragrant, leaving a lingering aftertaste with every bite.
Han Yan silently looked at the food before him, then his gaze unconsciously drifted toward Lin Xin.
His wife.
The thought appeared in his mind so naturally that Han Yan was slightly stunned.
Only after a moment did he realize what he had just thought. Somehow, the word no longer felt unfamiliar or distant. It came so naturally that he did not even notice when he had started seeing Lin Xin this way.
Han Yan was silent for a moment before quickly finding an excuse for himself.
It must have been because the food was too delicious and distracted him.
With that thought, he shifted his attention back to the dishes on the table.
He had to admit that Lin Xin’s cooking skills were far beyond what he had expected.
With such talent, Lin Xin’s hands could almost be called the hands of a master chef. Who would have thought that the gentle person beside him could create such delicious dishes?
The rich fragrance alone was enough to make one’s appetite stir, making it difficult to stop salivating.
Next to the braised pork belly was a plate of garlic stir-fried mountain vegetables.
The fresh green vegetables still retained their natural crispness after being quickly stir-fried in oil.
The fragrance of minced garlic clung to every leaf, while the faint sheen from the oil made the simple dish appear even more appetizing.
It carried the refreshing taste of the mountains, perfectly balancing the richness of the meat.
There was also a bowl of steamed egg custard.
The surface was smooth and delicate, trembling slightly like soft jade whenever the bowl was moved.
A few drops of sesame oil rested on top, releasing a gentle fragrance. With each spoonful, the egg was tender enough to melt in the mouth, carrying a warm and comforting taste.
Lin Xin had also prepared sweet and sour cucumber slices mixed with garlic and chili.
The cucumbers were crisp and refreshing, the slight sourness awakening the appetite while the faint spiciness left a pleasant aftertaste.
Finally, there were several freshly steamed buns placed in a bamboo basket.
Their white, fluffy appearance and warm fragrance made even a simple meal feel complete.
Although these dishes were ordinary village food, the table looked incredibly satisfying.
Every dish carried the effort of the person who prepared it.
The warmth of the rice, the rich and savory fragrance of the braised pork, the crisp freshness of the mountain vegetables, and the soft tenderness of the egg custard all blended together, creating a meal filled with simple yet satisfying flavors.
For Han Yan, this was the taste of a true home.
Dong Hai stared at the dishes on the table with shining eyes as he continued eating.
Before long, his small cheeks slowly puffed up, making him look like a little squirrel storing food.
"Lin-ge", everything looks so delicious and tasty."
Seeing Dong Hai eat happily, Lin Xin could not help but smile softly. A faint sense of pride rose in his heart.
"Hai’er helped too, so naturally it became even more delicious."
Hearing this, Dong Hai immediately sat straighter.
"I only helped wash the vegetables.
How could that make the food become so delicious?" the little boy said honestly, his face filled with confusion.
Han Yan looked at the cheerful little boy before turning his gaze toward Lin Xin.
Only then did Han Yan realize that Lin Xin had been quietly watching him all this time.
When Dong Hai had praised his cooking earlier, Han Yan had only remained silent.
Although Lin Xin did not say anything, he could not help feeling a little nervous.
He had spent so much effort preparing the meal, naturally he wanted to know whether Han Yan liked it.
Noticing the faint expectation hidden in Lin Xin’s eager eyes, Han Yan paused for a moment, unsure of what to say.
Praising others was not something he was good at. After thinking for a while, he finally said seriously.
"Your cooking is very good."
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