Chapter 22 - Then Don't Eat

Ruyi understood what he was coming from, but she wouldn't allow him to demean her, as she was quite proficient in cooking now and learn after that dark incident.

"So what if I cook? They will eat anyways. If you don't want to then don't eat!" Ruyi replied and continued preparing food.

Renji was about to stop her, but seeing her skilled knife-work and cooking, he stopped and continued watching. He was entranced at the serious and 'wifely' look of Ruyi cooking. He couldn't imagine what she was cooking.

The kids heard yelling so they went to the kitchen with their Uncle Grandpa, Jackson, to see what was happening.

They saw a frozen Renji and a skilled Ruyi. The kids immediately went to Ruyi leaving two grown men just looking.

"Mommy, what are wou cooking?" Yue asked while trying to get up on the chair.

"Mommy is making a very special food. It is mommy's favorite after all." Ruyi explained what the food was while stll focusing on her work. By the time she finished, a savory smell wafted in their air, making all of her audience gulp in anticipation.

"Dinner's ready!" Ruyi set up the table to prepare for dinner.

Jackson was quite tensed seeing there are only four plates on the table. "Ruyi? The plates are.."

"He doesn't want to eat he says, so he won't eat. Besides I only made enough for the four of us." Ruyi said while helping the children on their chairs and placing food on their plates.

"Who says I'm not eating!" Renji shot up and walked fast towards the table where one plate was placed.

"That's Uncle Grandpa's seat though" Jue said while sitting down.

Renji was embarrassed from his son's words, Ruyi was snickering while Jackson face palmed while proceeding to get another plate. He always loved Ruyi's food so he won't miss it whenever she cooks.

Ruyi began serving the food, and obviously very impartial to Renji by giving him the leftovers, which is almost half of hers.

"..." Renji was angry but he didn't show it, he thinks she's just petty for his remarks towards her. He took a bite of the food and was surprised it didn't kill him but tasted heavenly. The rice was soft and flavorful, the seafood and vegetables were cooked to perfection and overall the food was both visually appealing and tasty. He wants more but seeing there's nothing left, he slowly ate, savoring the food.

"So. did it kill you yet?" Ruyi said. She was helping deshell some mussels on Yue and Jue's plates so she hadn't had any bite. But seeing how the was relishing her food and was even eating slowly so that the food won't be finished fast.

"Mommy! So yummy!" Jue and Yue said and began taking the spoon and feeding themselves.

"Glad you like it!" Ruyi was smiling seeing everyone, including Renji, enjoyed her food wholeheartedly. She missed her mom cooking, her dad singing praises when she "cooks" food and how her baby brother will always help her clean up after meal.

"Oh, Ruyi... I wish you were always here to cook~~~" Jackson broke the solemn atmosphere by making such a funny face while eating her food. It broke her nostalgia, making her enjoy dinner happily while laughing at her uncle's antics.

Renji smiled when he saw her happy. He knows that she must had thought of something sad and her uncle helped her throughout the journey.