Jiang Cheng knew Qiu Yihe was secretly cursing him in her heart right now.
At this moment, Uncle Lin had come up carrying two bowls of millet porridge and sugar cakes.
He placed the two bowls of millet porridge on the table between Jiang Cheng and Qiu Yihe, then put the sugar cakes between them as well.
There was almost no sound as the bowls and chopsticks were set down.
Addressing Jiang Cheng, his tone was more respectful than usual: "Young Master, the Old Master personally watched over the pot to simmer this porridge this morning. The ingredients were all grown in the backyard. Please have a taste."
After speaking, he said to Qiu Yihe, "Miss Qiu, you should try some too."
Qiu Yihe had originally come after eating, but her eyes lit up the moment she heard the words 'personally simmered.'
Thinking about the elderly man sitting across from her, who had once held the world in his hands, she immediately swallowed her words of refusal.
She picked up the bowl with both hands, her movements unconsciously softening, and took a small sip.
The soft, glutinous texture of the rice mixed with a clear sweetness spread across her tongue. Her eyes brightened, but she didn't dare eat freely as she usually did, only taking small spoonfuls.
After taking several bites, she turned toward The two elders, her tone respectful and filled with genuine admiration.
"Grandpa Jiang, this porridge is too fragrant! It's soft and glutinous in the mouth with a natural rice sweetness. It's much richer and more mellow than what's simmered at breakfast stalls. This must have been slow-cooked while watching the pot, right? You couldn't get this flavor if the heat control was even slightly off."
"It was only simmered for an extra half hour. You young people can't get such fine food outside. Jiang Cheng rarely comes back, so I made some to nourish his stomach. You probably don't have much time to cook for yourself while working outside, so have some as well."
Qiu Yihe nodded quickly, her fingers lighter than usual as she picked up a sugar cake.
Taking a bite of a corner, the aroma of wheat mixed with the sweet filling spread. She looked at Great-Grandfather and Jiang Chenghong.
Her tone became a bit more intimate: "This cake is amazing! The crust is so crispy it flakes off, and the sugar filling isn't overly sweet. It even has a wheaty fragrance when chewed. Last time I came, I heard my Grand-uncle say that you've been very particular about the 'original taste of ingredients' since you retired. After tasting this today, I realize he wasn't just saying that."
"If you like it, come often. Next time, I'll cook for you guys," Great-Grandfather said. His voice wasn't loud, but it made Qiu Yihe instinctively sit up a bit straighter.
Seeing that Qiu Yihe was a bit nervous, Jiang Chenghong chimed in, "You're even more silver-tongued than Jiang Cheng! Look how much you've charmed my elder brother."
Qiu Yihe glanced at Jiang Cheng, then added with a smile, "No, I'm telling the truth. Great-Grandfather's skills are truly excellent. Moreover, this kind of 'meticulous work from slow labor' is rare nowadays. It's not only comforting to eat, but it also feels very grounding—just like how elders in a family always want to save something warm for the younger generation. It warms the heart."
Suddenly being pulled out for comparison, Jiang Cheng was already feeling a bit helpless.
Jiang Chenghong was right. If it had been him, he would have at most followed up with, "Grandpa, this porridge is really well-made."
How could he come up with as many words as Qiu Yihe did?
Feeling Jiang Cheng's gaze, Qiu Yihe turned her head to look at him.
Taking advantage of the angle where The two elders couldn't see, she quickly made a face at Jiang Cheng, mouthing silently: "Why are you looking at me?"
To be honest, at that moment, Jiang Cheng really found her a bit cute.
Suppressing a smile, Jiang Cheng teased in a low voice, "You've already blacklisted me. If I don't let you look at me a few more times, I'm afraid you'll forget all about me the moment you turn around."
Hearing this, the hand Qiu Yihe had just used to pick up her spoon instantly froze.
So Jiang Cheng knows I blacklisted him?
Did he just find out last night, or did he know before that?
Although she didn't know the specifics, on second thought, whether he just found out last night or had known for a while, both were equally terrible.
Before, the two of them were hugging and kissing at her place.
And yet, up until now, he hadn't reached out to her once.
If he had known before, it meant Jiang Cheng didn't care about her blacklisting him at all.
But if he only found out yesterday, it meant Jiang Cheng hadn't thought of her at all in his daily life.
Pah! Thinking it through like this, he's still a total scumbag.
And now he actually dared to use this matter to preemptively question her.
Who exactly forgot about whom first? Doesn't this guy have any self-awareness?
She gripped her spoon, wanting to retort, but out of the corner of her eye, she noticed The two elders were looking their way.
She had no choice but to swallow her words. After glaring at Jiang Cheng huffily, she picked up her bowl, sat up straight, and began sipping the millet porridge in small mouthfuls again.
The two elders were experienced in such matters. After exchanging a glance, Jiang Chenghong asked, "Xiao He, how has work been lately?"
The spoon in Qiu Yihe's hand paused.
She immediately set the bowl down.
She instinctively sat up a bit straighter.
Both elders were people in high positions.
They were already well aware of her position.
So Qiu Yihe knew there was no need for her to hide anything.
She looked up at The two elders, her voice steadying: "It's alright. It's just that after this vacation, I might have to spend some time at the border. As you know, the pressure of anti-drug operations there is quite high right now, and some cases need to be monitored."
As soon as she said this, Grandpa Jiang, who had been smiling just now, instantly composed his expression.
His brows furrowed: "the border? That place is very chaotic. A young girl like you going there—you must put safety first!"
At this moment, Jiang Cheng was holding half an unfinished sugar cake between his fingers.
The feeling of being charmed by Qiu Yihe's cuteness instantly vanished.
the border was not a place to go for fun.
Thinking back to what happened with Qiu Yihe at the sushi restaurant last time, the curve of his lips quietly disappeared.
If he hadn't appeared last time, would she have been able to get away so easily?
His fingers unconsciously rubbed the crumbs of the sugar cake, and a hint of inexplicable irritation suddenly rose in his heart.
After saying this, Qiu Yihe couldn't help but glance at Jiang Cheng out of the corner of her eye.
Seeing Jiang Cheng's expression, she felt a small surge of secret joy in her heart.
However, a moment later, she secretly cursed herself.
So spineless. Even after all this, I'm still fantasizing about flirting with him.
Before she could pull her thoughts together, she saw Great-Grandfather take a puff of his cigarette and nod along, his tone deepening: "Your father only has one daughter, and you're the only child of the Qiu Family on the front lines. You absolutely cannot be careless."
Qiu Yihe was about to say, "Don't worry."
But unexpectedly, Great-Grandfather, who hadn't spoken much, changed the subject, his eyes carrying a hint of expectation.
"I know you're ambitious and want to make a name for yourself in your position. But the front lines are hard and dangerous. After another two or three years, I'll find a stable position for you in Kyoto. You won't have to keep running to dangerous places, and you'll still be able to use your talents."