Chapter 149: It Tastes Very Good

"Tch, showing off your affection again." Gan Yanyan curled her lips, having no intention of paying her any mind.

Luo Yixia just smiled without a word; she was in such a good mood today that she didn't mind what anyone said.

"I'll go keep watch outside, why don't you change into your dress in here? Shall we try it out?" Gan Yanyan looked at the dance costume she had brought, which Mrs. Yu Wenjing had retrieved last time.

Luo Yixia had never had a chance to try it on.

Gan Yanyan quickly drew the curtains, closed the door, and waited outside. Luo Yixia changed very quickly. When she stepped out in the red outfit, even Gan Yanyan was envious.

"When you’re that beautiful, anything you wear looks good."

Although Luo Yixia hadn't practiced much since the start of her sophomore year, she had studied for many years, so it was easy to pick it back up. Gan Yanyan filmed the whole thing on her phone. After dancing for a while, Luo Yixia realized she didn't quite remember some of the steps; it seemed it would take some time to get back into the groove.

After practicing for two hours, the two returned to class. Influenced by the news of Luo Hongtao’s illness, Luo Yixia was much more focused in her studies. Gan Yanyan, however, stared at her phone, watching the Latin dance footage, lost in thought.

The combination of modern piano and Latin dance was perfect. It was a pity, but she wasn’t ready to give up yet. She decided to edit the video and send it to Song Chengyi.

[Great God, what do you think is missing from Xiaxia's Latin dance?]

She waited for a reply. She originally thought Song Chengyi would barely notice, but he responded surprisingly quickly.

[It’s quite good. Nothing is missing.]

Gan Yanyan felt her head spinning; why was he so dense?

[Xiaxia said that when you used to play the piano at home, she would always watch you secretly and dance along. Don't you want to fulfill her childhood dream?] Of course, she had made that up, but it was essentially true.

There was no reply for a long time. Gan Yanyan began to panic, wondering what she would do if Song Chengyi was truly so unfeeling and rejected the idea outright. After waiting for a long time, he finally replied: [I don't have much time for rehearsals.]

Gan Yanyan was delighted; didn't this mean the Great God had agreed?

[It’s fine, it’s fine! You don't need to commit much time, just show up on New Year's Day.]

Although Song Chengyi didn't know that he could get away without rehearsals, he agreed nonetheless.

[I can still find time to train occasionally.]

In truth, the "God-tier" Song actually just wanted more opportunities to be around Luo Yixia.

[That’s perfect! I’m going to sign up right now and then I'll contact you.]

Seeing Song Chengyi reply with an affirmative, Gan Yanyan put her phone away, feeling as though she had accomplished a great mission. Just thinking about their collaboration at the New Year's gala made her excited—ahhh! This couple was just too sweet to ship.

After class, Gan Yanyan secretly went to discuss the performance with Old Sheng, mentioning that they had invited someone from another class to help. Old Sheng approved readily, though he asked who it was. Gan Yanyan played coy, saying he would know when the time came.

For the next few days, Luo Yixia practiced alone.

"Xiaxia, I’ve found someone for you to perform with," Gan Yanyan said while Luo Yixia was taking a break to drink some water.

"Who?" Luo Yixia asked.

"I’ve arranged a practice for tomorrow. You’ll know when you see them," Gan Yanyan said, wanting to give her a surprise.

"A guy or a girl?"

"A guy," Gan Yanyan said, intentionally acting as if it were a difficult situation.

"Piano?" Luo Yixia asked, recalling that Gan Yanyan had been playing piano music during her practice sessions lately.

"Yeah, I found a friend from another class. I want you two to give it a try."

Luo Yixia knew how much Gan Yanyan had been looking forward to this, and since she had been by her side through every practice, she decided to humor her. They could try it out, and if it didn't work, they could just move on.

"Alright then."

Seeing that Luo Yixia agreed, Gan Yanyan finally breathed a sigh of relief. These two ancestors were too difficult to handle; who knew being a matchmaker was so exhausting?

That evening, as usual, school ended. Since Song Chengyi had to conduct experiments at school, Luo Yixia went home first. On the way, she had a sudden thought and went to the supermarket to buy groceries. Song Chengyi had always been the one cooking for her; she could try cooking for him for once.

Looking at the dazzling array of ingredients, she felt stumped. What should she buy? The cafeteria food hadn't been great lately. How about buying a chicken to make soup for Song Chengyi? She immediately took out her phone; it was time for her mother to step in.

"Why are you calling me at this hour? Out of money?" Her mother’s voice came through the phone without a hint of warmth.

"Mom, can't I just call you without a reason?" Luo Yixia complained.

"Forget it. How much do you need? I’ll WeChat it to you." Clearly, Mrs. Yu Wenjing didn't trust her.

"It’s really not that. I have enough money; what Dad gave me last time is still there."

"Then did you get into trouble? Did you get into a fight at school? Don't look at me; go ask Aunt Yun. She’s your mother now too. A married-off daughter is like spilled water; I don’t want to go out and lose face again." Yu Wenjing’s tone was dismissive.

"Mom, am I even your biological daughter?"

"Don't ask such stupid questions. I told you a long time ago that I picked you up."

...

Luo Yixia hung up the phone decisively. Forget it, there was no point talking to a mother like that; they had nothing in common. But now that she’d hung up, who should she ask? Aunt Yun wasn't great at cooking; she definitely wasn't as good as her mother. She decided not to bicker with a woman going through menopause and called back.

The call was promptly cut off.

?

She held a grudge...

After several more attempts, the phone was finally answered with a lazy, "Speak if you have something to say, spit it out if you have to."

Luo Yixia got straight to the point. "It’s like this, dear mother. I’m living off-campus now and need to be self-reliant."

"Speak like a human."

"Oh, I’m at the supermarket. I want to stew some chicken soup. What do I need to buy?" Luo Yixia said with a deadpan expression.

"You should have said so earlier! You never learned anything when you were home, and now you have to call me to make soup? How did I even give birth to you?"

"You just said I was picked up."

"..."

Luo Yixia followed Yu Wenjing's instructions, picking out a hen that looked plump—and was quite expensive—along with some seasonings. Finally, knowing Song Chengyi needed vegetables, she bought some broccoli.

She decided to keep dinner simple. She worked in the kitchen while on the phone, eventually turning on a video call so Yu Wenjing could guide her step-by-step. Sometimes, her mother would be screaming at the top of her lungs, wishing she could crawl through the screen, push Luo Yixia aside, and do it herself.

Luo Yixia really had no talent for cooking. Especially when it came to adding salt, she asked repeatedly before finally adding a spoonful. Once the chicken was stewing, she started the rice and, not wanting to listen to any more of her mother’s nagging, happily hung up the phone. She even put on some music, humming along as she cooked.

She was so absorbed that she didn't even notice when Song Chengyi opened the door. As soon as Song Chengyi entered, he smelled the rich aroma of food, accompanied by the deafening music. He followed the source to the kitchen and saw the young girl in an apron, busy at work.

Song Chengyi walked over, picked up the phone that had been left on the table, and turned off the music.

Luo Yixia paused abruptly. She turned around to see Song Chengyi standing behind her.

"You're back?" Luo Yixia walked over. Still holding a spatula, she started to throw herself into Song Chengyi's arms.

Song Chengyi stepped back as if it were a serious matter, and Luo Yixia pouted in dissatisfaction.

"Are you cooking?" Song Chengyi entered the kitchen.

"Yeah! I didn't have classes this afternoon, so I practiced my dance and then came back to buy groceries."

"That’s impressive," Song Chengyi said with a smile.

"I think so too. This chicken soup has been stewing for an hour. It’s almost ready to eat." Luo Yixia put on her oven mitts and lifted the lid; the fragrance was intoxicating. "It smells so good. I’m so amazing," she muttered to herself.

"Go wash your hands. We’re eating soon," she urged him.

"Did you sneak a taste?" Song Chengyi looked at her oily little lips. It seemed she had already sampled it.

"Huh? I just tasted it to check the salt," Luo Yixia replied innocently.

"Is it good?" Song Chengyi bent down, looking her in the eyes.

"It is! Do you want to try some? I’ll go get a spoon." As she turned to leave, Song Chengyi grabbed her arm.

"No need for that much trouble."

He pulled her into his arms, took a step forward, pinned her against the refrigerator door, steadied her head with one hand, and kissed her. He