Chapter 76: CEO Lin Gets Cooking

　　Aromaterra Villa, City S

　　Aunt He gathered up the trash and stuffed it all into a black garbage bag before hauling it out to the bin by the street.

　　“Oh, Xiao He! You’re taking the trash out?” Mr. Hua stood not far off with a toy poodle in tow, his eyes crinkling in a cheerful smile. “Is Xiao Su home?”

　　“Hello, Mr. Hua,” Aunt He greeted politely. “Mr. Su and Mr. Lin have gone to the countryside. If there’s anything you need, I’d be happy to pass along the message.”

　　“It’s nothing important, really.” Mr. Hua remarked, waving his hand dismissively. “It’s just that the rice he gave me last time was so fragrant and delicious, and I’ve nearly run out, so I came by to ask if you have any left.”

　　Aunt He’s eyes crinkled into crescent moons as she smiled. “Yes, we do have some in the garage! If you’d like, I can bring a bag up for you right now.”

　　The rice Mr. Su cultivated was miles better than those so-called imports. It was no wonder Mr. Hua could not stop thinking about it after just one bite.

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　　“Psd’v osaau ycswv kv.” Ya. Twy nzyprle bkp bydep clbkde bkp cynj yde prsjl pzsozu, “R’zz ypj ytykd sdnl R’hl qkdkpble vbl sdl R byhl. Gzaktbv, R pbswze blye cynj qsa zwdnb dso. Usxl sd, Nkvvzl Pwxrzkdt, pyu tssecul vs Gwdv Tl.”

　　Jyaj cyaj! Mbl vsu rssezl uyrrle voknl, vbld pnyxrlale byrrkzu yqvla Ya. Twy.

　　Gwdv Tl pvsse yv vbl essa, oyvnbkdt vblx yp vblu zlqv. Xdzu obld vblu olal swv sq pktbv eke pbl alvwad vs vbl nswavuyae yde nzspl vbl tyvl. Fbl ldvlale vbl lxrvu zkhkdt assx yde blyhle y zsdt pktb.

　　Ohla pkdnl Ya. Fw zlqv qsa vbl nswdvaupkel, vbl hkzzy bye clld pbaswele kd pkzldnl qsa xsdvbp. Ebld bl qkdyzzu alvwadle, kv oyp sdzu qsa y qlo eyup clqsal bl zlqv ytykd. Nlqv yzsdl kd vbl xyppkhl hkzzy, pbl oyp nsdpwxle cu zsdlzkdlpp.

　　Mbswtb Ya. Fw bye pwttlpvle pbl vyjl psxl vkxl sqq vs alpv yv bsxl, bso nswze pbl zlyhl okvb rlynl sq xkde? Ekvb pwnb y hypv hkzzy elxydekdt nsdpvydv wrjllr, pbl qlzv kv oyp bla ewvu vs jllr kv kd rakpvkdl nsdekvksd, alyeu qsa obld bl alvwadle. Rv oswze dsv pkv aktbv okvb bla vs ynnlrv pwnb y bktb pyzyau okvbswv qwzqkzzkdt bla alprsdpkckzkvklp.

　　Usxrspkdt blaplzq, Gwdv Tl pvlrrle kdvs vbl jkvnbld vs xyjl zwdnb obld bla rbsdl aydt yzz sq y pweeld. Vwggzle, pbl tzydnle yv bla rbsdl, sdzu vs qkde Ya. Nkd’p rasqkzl rknvwal qzypbkdt sd vbl pnalld. Ekvbswv y xsxldv’p blpkvyvksd, pbl ydpolale vbl hkels nyzz.

　　“Rp psxlvbkdt vbl xyvvla, Ya. Nkd?” Gwdv Tl kdiwkale. Gzvbswtb pbl bye yeele bkx sd ElUbyv, vblu byaezu lhla nbyvvle, zlv yzsdl bye y hkels nyzz.

　　Xd vbl rbsdl pnalld, Nkd Wldt qasodle yde iwlpvksdle, “Tso es usw nssj dssezlp, Gwdv Tl?”

　　“Pardon?” Aunt He was clearly baffled, her mind scrambling to catch up.

　　Lin Feng switched the camera to focus on the kitchen countertop. “Xiao Ling isn’t feeling well today, so I’ll be the one making lunch.”

　　Upon hearing that, Aunt He’s eyes widened with shock.

　　Mr. Lin’s going to cook? Would it even be… safe to eat?

　　“Oh no, what’s wrong with Mr. Su? Is he ill?” Aunt He asked worriedly.

　　“He had a bit of a scare yesterday and didn’t sleep well.” Lin Feng opened the fridge and showed the ingredients to Aunt He. “Which ones do I need for the noodles?”

　　At that moment, Aunt He wished she could rush over and cook for him herself. But with City S and City H being two hours apart by plane, it was just not possible. Helpless, she could only look up the simplest noodle soup recipe for Lin Feng.

　　Noodles with tomato egg sauce — a heartwarming dish packed with flavor and nutrients.

　　Following Aunt He’s step-by-step instructions, Lin Feng first retrieved two eggs from the fridge, then rummaged through the kitchen cabinets for a pack of dried noodles. After that, he headed out back to the vegetable garden. There, he picked two plump tomatoes and pulled up a sprig of green onion.

　　Once the ingredients were gathered, he awkwardly fumbled his way through cooking the noodles.

　　“Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat them with chopsticks until they’re nice and fluffy… Yes, that’s it — the more broken up, the better. Wash the tomatoes and slice them into pieces. You also need to rinse the green onions and chop them finely. Then, you’ll need two pans: One for boiling the noodles and another for stir-frying the tomatoes and eggs…”

　　“Set the induction cooker to the right power level. Too high, and it’ll char the food; too low, it won’t cook through!”

　　“Go easy on the oil. Too much of it will make it greasy!”

　　“Quick, the oil is hot! Pour in the eggs and give them a quick stir with the spatula…”

　　Aunt He spoke into the camera, her voice growing hoarse as she repeatedly shouted to stop Mr. Lin from making mistakes. After half an hour of careful guidance, two bowls of noodles with tomato egg sauce were ready to serve.

　　Aunt He let out a long sigh, her throat so hoarse it felt like it was on fire.

　　Lin Feng took a sip of the broth, then nodded in approval. “Not bad.”

　　A gleam lit up his dark, ever-composed eyes, brimming with triumph.

　　“Hurry, take it to Mr. Su!” Aunt He urged, glancing at the clock as its hand neared noon. She could not imagine how famished he must be by now. This won’t do. I guess I’d better make a trip to the countryside. Otherwise, the two young masters wouldn’t have the slightest idea how to take care of themselves.

　　After ending the video call, Lin Feng carried a tray with two bowls of noodles and made his way up the stairs.

　　Still hugging his silk blanket, Su Ling was dozing off when a noise made him stir. Rubbing his eyes, he sat up and blinked in surprise as Lin Feng entered the bedroom with a tray.

　　Is this for real? Did my man really cook noodles?

　　“Wow, that smells amazing!” Su Ling inhaled deeply, his stomach growling in response.

　　Lin Feng set the tray on the bedside table and pulled the table over from the window so Su Ling could eat comfortably in bed.

　　“This looks great!” Su Ling glanced at the bowl of noodles with tomato egg sauce before him, steam curling up in gentle wisps. “When did you learn to make this?”

　　Lin Feng sat beside him and handed him a pair of chopsticks. “I learned how to make this from Aunt He just now.”

　　Wait, what? Just now? But Aunt He is in City S… How could he possibly have her teach him?

　　Lin Feng pointed to his phone and added, “Video call.”

　　Su Ling caught sight of the smirk tugging at the corners of his lips and leaned in to plant a kiss on him. “Someone’s awfully pleased with himself.”

　　“Give it a try.” The man looked quite pleased with himself as he blew on a spoonful of soup and brought it to his mouth.

　　Su Ling lowered his head and took a sip. The soup was tangy and sweet — not too salty, not too bland. Just right.

　　He gave Lin Feng a thumbs-up. “Congrats, you’ve unlocked the cooking skills!”

　　With just a bit of training, it was evident that his partner could easily excel in both social gatherings and the kitchen.

　　Su Ling gave him the courtesy he deserved, finishing every last bit of the noodles and even drinking the broth. After setting down the bowl, he let out a satisfied burp.

　　Lin Feng grabbed a tissue and handed it over. “Want to take a nap this afternoon?”

　　Su Ling took the tissue and dabbed at the corner of his mouth. “I’ve just eaten, so I’m not sleepy anymore.”

　　Lin Feng cleared the table, then slid it back into its original place. “Want to read?”

　　“Can I watch some cartoons for a bit?” Su Ling questioned, his eyes sparkling with hope. “I promise I won’t check Weibo.”

　　Lin Feng let out a soft sigh and handed him the phone. “Just for a short time, okay?”

　　“Okay, Husband.” Su Ling took his phone back, obediently tapping open a popular video-sharing platform.

　　Lin Feng headed downstairs to do the dishes and took a moment to feed the two little pets.

　　King and Lion’s bellies had long since caved in from hunger, so they had been whining at the staircase for ages. When they finally spotted Lin Feng coming down empty-handed, their tails drooped in disappointment.

　　While Lin Feng walked past them with an impassive expression, he accidentally brushed against King’s tail. In an instant, every muscle in his body went rigid.

　　Arf? King cocked his head to the side, staring at him with puzzled eyes.

　　Lin Feng paused briefly, then resumed his walk into the kitchen. The bowls clinked softly as he placed them in the sink. Before the two little ones could catch up, he quickly filled their food bowls with kibble.

　　When he was done, he stood by the entrance to the dining room and called out to the two little ones in the guest hall.

　　“Time to eat!”

　　Arf! King perked up at the sound of the words “time to eat” and took off running toward the dining room. Seeing his friend dash ahead, Lion followed closely behind. As they entered the room and spotted the food in their bowls, they dove in and devoured it with gusto.

　　Heading back to the kitchen, Lin Feng set to work washing the dishes and pots, then carefully wiped down the kitchen counter.

　　He had done this so many times that it came as naturally as breathing.

　　After tidying up the kitchen, he untied his apron and headed upstairs to the bedroom. The one who insisted on watching cartoons had long since drifted off to sleep, the phone by the pillow still playing videos to no one.

　　He tiptoed over and tapped the screen with a fingertip. The video cut off with a soft click, leaving behind a silence so sharp it rang in his ears.

　　Grabbing the remote, he set the air conditioning to a comfortable temperature before leaning against the bed and keeping Su Ling company as he napped through the afternoon.

　　Bzzt, bzzt! The phone vibrated briefly, notifying him of an incoming call from Zhan Yang.

　　“Hello?” he answered, swinging his legs off the bed and stepping out of the bedroom. 

　　“CEO Lin, they’ve managed to save the child, and he’s currently in the ICU,” Zhan Yang reported, his voice hoarse with exhaustion and laced with barely restrained fury. “The injuries are severe—multiple soft tissue traumas, extensive subcutaneous bruising, contusions all over the back, chest, and abdomen. His back is riddled with puncture marks, and his left wrist has a hairline fracture that has been surgically treated.”

　　Just how deep must one’s hatred run to beat a five-year-old child so viciously?

　　Lin Feng’s gaze turned icy. “The culprit must face severe punishment.”

　　“Understood!” Zhan Yang answered without hesitation. Even without CEO Lin’s order, he would have done the same.

　　After hanging up the phone, Lin Feng returned to the bedroom. Su Ling had rolled over in his sleep, reaching out instinctively as though searching for something. With swift steps, he crossed to the bedside, taking his hand gently in his own. As their fingers intertwined, Su Ling’s furrowed brows gradually eased, and the lines of his face smoothed into a peaceful expression.

　　After a sleepless night, Su Ling finally caught up on some sleep this afternoon, and by then, he was feeling much better.

　　As soon as he woke, his eyes landed on the man lying beside him. He wrapped his arms around the other’s waist and asked, “Did Zhan Yang call?”

　　“Yes, he did.” Lin Feng responded, running his fingers through Su Ling’s hair tenderly. “The child is fine. As long as he follows the doctor’s treatment, he’ll make a full recovery.”

　　“Really?” Su Ling gasped, tears of joy streaming down his face. “That’s wonderful!”

　　Lin Feng leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead. “We’ll visit him once he’s out of the ICU.”

　　Su Ling’s brow knitted together in a frown. “Can’t we go now?”

　　“Everyone is keeping an eye on this,” Lin Feng explained, “so if we were to visit him now, we might complicate things.”

　　Su Ling’s shoulders slumped, a heavy sigh escaping his lips.

　　Lin Feng gave his nose a gentle pinch and spoke in a low and deep voice, “Don’t lose control again. Got it?”

　　Su Ling swatted his hand away and said in a nasally tone, “I-I got it! Let go!”

　　He knew all too well that he had failed to control his emotions yesterday. Since he was still in the first stage of treatment, he understood that one slip-up could undo everything he had done.

　　Lin Feng let go of his nose, his fingers gliding over to the other’s lips. With a gentle press of his thumb, he coaxed them open, only for the other to nibble and bite down in playful defiance.

　　Two grown men lay in the same bed, well-rested and brimming with energy. The mood was just right — perfect, even — for doing… something.

　　Nngh! Su Ling clung to the man’s neck, his senses spinning from the intensity of the kiss.

　　Just as they were about to cross that final line, the sudden ring of a phone interrupted their heated moment.

　　“Ph… Phone call…” Su Ling gasped, shoving the man off of him.

　　Lin Feng breathed somewhat heavily, propping himself up on his elbows. His long arm reached beneath the pillow to pull out his phone.

　　“Hello, Aunt He…”

　　“Mr. Lin, I’m at the airport in City H. What bus should I take to get to your place?”

　　From the phone came Aunt He’s voice. The moment it reached Su Ling, Su Ling snapped awake. His eyes widened in shock as he turned to Lin Feng, mouth agape in a silent gasp.

　　No way! Aunt He has really come all the way to City H?

　　Lin Feng looked momentarily taken aback, but he quickly collected himself. “Aunt He, wait for me at the airport. I’ll drive over and pick you up.”

　　“Is that too much trouble? Just let me know how to get there, or should I just take a cab?”

　　Su Ling snatched the phone from him and stated, “Aunt He, this place is pretty remote, so most taxis won’t come this far. It’d be better if you waited at the airport, and Lin Feng and I will come pick you up.”

　　“Ah, I see… By the way, are you feeling any better, Mr. Su?”

　　“I’m all good now, just needed some rest.”

　　“Oh, in that case, take your time and drive safely.”

　　“Will do. Find a place to sit, Aunt He, and we’ll be there soon.”

　　“Sure thing.”

　　With a sigh, Su Ling ended the call and looked helplessly at Lin Feng.

　　“It must be that video call you made that worried Aunt He,” he noted, puffing out his cheeks.

　　Lin Feng pressed his thin lips together, then swung his legs off the bed. He bent down to retrieve the clothes strewn across the floor and slipped them back on one by one.