Chapter 17: Cooking

Chapter 17

Shen Shuyao was stunned, and her hand holding the tissue stopped. She said, "It's okay, your hands are all muddy. Let me wipe them for you."

Ji Nian thought that Shen Shuyao was the female lead, how could she serve her? She shook her head with a smile and said, "Anyway, I'm all dirty. No need to wipe, I can just wash up when I get back."

Zhou Sheng laughed and said, "Yeah, Shuyao, look at her, wiping won't help hahaha."

Wu Hai was so tired that he had no energy left. He said weakly, "Okay, let's go back and wash up first. Boss Zhou, let's hurry and eat, too hungry."

Shen Shuyao thought it made sense, so she put away the tissue, and then obediently said, "Okay, let's go back first." Ne/w novel chapters are published at novelhall.com

Shen Yang was still holding the two fish the village chief had given them, and shyly said in a low voice, "These are our fish."

Zhou Sheng came over to take a look, nodded in satisfaction, and then said loudly, "Let's go! Let's go back and eat fish!"

Liang Jie happily nodded. She was starving, and although she had been waiting upstairs, standing there had also tired her out.

With a full harvest, Zhou Sheng, Wu Hai and Shen Yang went back covered in dirt, but they still let Ji Nian use the bathroom first. Among the three girls, she was the only one who went down to the fish pond and was completely filthy.

Ji Nian didn't decline and went into the bathroom generously. In less than 20 minutes, she had washed her hair and taken a bath, leaving everyone in awe.

Wu Hai looked shocked and asked, "Aren't you girls supposed to take a long time?"

Ji Nian looked puzzled and asked, "Take a long time to do what?"

Zhou Sheng coughed lightly and said, "I'll wash first, I still have to cook later."

Although Wu Hai felt uncomfortable being all sticky, he also felt Zhou Sheng should wash first, since he was the only one who could cook here, and they were still waiting to eat.

Seeing that everyone was quite tired today, Ji Nian said, "Boss Zhou, you worked hard today too. If you don't mind, I'll cook."

Shen Shuyao was stunned and asked, "You can cook?"

Liang Jie laughed and said, "I hope it's not a dark dish."

"I'm afraid we won't be able to swallow it hahaha," Wu Hai joked.

Ji Nian felt a little embarrassed and said, "My cooking is decent, at least I can swallow it."

Zhou Sheng laughed out loud and said, "Actually my cooking skills are just average too. It's just that this group makes me look really good at cooking."

On Shen Shuyao's side, the ginger and garlic were ready. She came in holding a small plate.

Seeing this, Ji Nian had to praise the female lead, even if the cuts weren't great.

She pretended to be surprised and said, "Wow, so fast! You're so capable."

Shen Shuyao blushed and smiled embarrassedly, "I rarely cook, the cuts aren't very good."

Ji Nian immediately followed up, "No no, I think it's great already. There's nothing else I need help with, you can go rest first."

Shen Shuyao's innocent face and big eyes looked a little wronged. She shook her head and said, "I want to see how you cook."

Since the female lead wanted to watch her, Ji Nian certainly wouldn't reject her. This was a good chance to gain favorability. She smiled and said, "Alright, you can sit and watch."

Shen Shuyao smiled shyly and answered, "Okay, let me know if you need any help."

"Sure." Ji Nian responded briefly, then got busy with cooking.

She planned to red braise one of the fish from the village chief, and steam the other plain.

There was also spinach in the food basket, and some eggs and tomatoes on the table.

She thought about it and felt stir-fried spinach and tomato egg drop soup would make a good meal.

With the plan in mind, she swiftly started preparing, skillfully squatting down to light some straw with matches, then adding smaller firewood until it caught fire, before putting on some larger pieces.

Watching her skilled motions, Shen Shuyao was surprised, asking, "You seem...really experienced?"

Lost in thought about the cooking, Ji Nian didn't notice and directly answered, "When I was little, my grandparents' kitchen in the countryside was like this. The environment was even worse actually, I was often the one cooking."

Shen Shuyao's eyes flashed with disbelief. She felt Ji Nian was beautiful, with fair skin, delicate features, and an aura of elegance. She couldn't imagine at all that she had such experiences.

"I see..."

"How about you? I heard you study at the Beijing Media College, your family must be well off." Ji Nian asked with a smile, still holding a spatula to pan fry the fish.

Shen Shuyao was startled, somewhat embarrassed to answer, "We're okay, just an average family. My dad works in management at a company, so our family is comfortable."

Ji Nian of course knew the female lead's family background from the novel. Although not amazing like the male lead's, they were well off.

"That's really nice." Ji Nian turned and smiled, with genuine envy on her face.