Question: What's the first step to making a bowl of braised pork belly?
Answer: You need to buy a pot suitable for braising pork belly!
In reality, such pots are everywhere. Even an ordinary frying pan can do the job.
So Arthur and Lily didn't have to search long before they returned with a new pot. The refrigerator held a supply of pork belly, though it was frozen solid.
Of course, this didn't faze Arthur. Carefully raising the temperature of his hands, he focused on thawing the pork belly without turning it into roasted pork.
"That's an amazing ability," Lily murmured, watching Arthur cradle the pork belly with such care.
Arthur's lips twitched. "I think so too."
"You look like you belong in a painting right now," Lily said, her eyes filled with unparalleled sincerity.
Arthur thought for a moment and said, "Why not?"
"Then follow me."
The two of them instantly became excited. Arthur, clutching the pork belly, followed Lily to the study, which had been converted into a painting studio.
Lily expertly set up the easel and began adjusting the oil paints. After having Arthur stand still, she began her creation.
Arthur, holding the pork belly with utmost care, remained motionless. Time ticked by, and the sky outside gradually darkened. The pork belly in his hands had melted over ten times already.
Each time it melted, Arthur would use his powers to refreeze it, only for it to melt again.
This was exhausting for him, and even more so for the meat. If the pork belly could express itself, it would undoubtedly be shouting a greasy, meaty "MMP!" right now.
A painting couldn't be completed in half an evening. When Lily finally snapped out of her creative fervor, she slapped her forehead and exclaimed, "You must be starving!"
"I still think I might be able to salvage this pork belly..." Arthur said, gazing at the meat in his hands with a look of regret.
"Just put it in the fridge," Lily said with a smile. "I'm in a good mood today, so I'll treat you to a feast."
Arthur checked the time. It was indeed too late to cook. Otherwise, they wouldn't finish eating until at least ten o'clock at night.
He decided to change clothes with Lily and head out.
While no one was watching, Arthur shook out Blackie.
Lily stared at the little black cat for a moment before saying, "Ms. Bess wants to give me a car. Do you think I should accept it?"
"That's great," Arthur replied. "It'll be convenient for getting around. Ms. Bess seems like a kind person."
"Yes," Lily nodded. "Actually, before officially joining, I was hesitant because I wasn't sure how my major could be valuable in her company. But their praise gave me confidence..."
Lily enthusiastically recounted her experiences at the company to Arthur.
In truth, she'd been wanting to share these stories with Arthur for a long time, but for the well-known reason, she never had the chance.
Now, with her beloved by her side, she was like a lark, her voice bubbling with excitement. Arthur listened intently, chuckling and interjecting with casual comments while also offering serious, thoughtful advice.
Though Arthur had never worked in an office, either in his previous life or this one, his vast experience allowed him to offer insightful suggestions.
As they chatted, the car stopped again, this time in front of a very nice restaurant.
Lily stepped out of the car and looked at the restaurant's sign. "Do you remember this place?"
"Of course..." Arthur smiled. This was where they had their first steak together. It was also the day Hulk and Abomination had a brutal fight on this very street, and where Arthur, masked as the Instructor, first revealed himself to the world.
In a way, it could even be said that everything began here.
Although the true roots lay seventy years in the past...
Regardless, Arthur could never forget this place.
"Who knew that the guy who was such a jerk back then would become my boyfriend now?" Lily said, linking her arm through Arthur's. "If I'd known this day would come, I definitely wouldn't have taken you in."
As she spoke, she seemed to remember something and quickly pulled her arm away, glancing around nervously. "No one saw that, did they?"
"No," Arthur winked. "With me here, you don't need to worry."
"...It's because you're here that I'm afraid," Lily rolled her eyes at Arthur. "I don't care what happens to me, but you have so many enemies. They can't touch you directly, but what if they captured me and threatened you? My death wouldn't matter much, but if I caused you harm... wouldn't I become a villain for all eternity?"
Arthur's pupils contracted. As Lily spoke, he couldn't help but imagine what he would become if she were ever truly subjected to such an ordeal.
In that instant, a wave of destructive energy nearly shattered Arthur's sanity.
Though no flames ignited and no energy visibly surged, the sky above inexplicably darkened, heavy clouds gathering as a faint gale began to howl. Arthur's hair and the edges of his clothes stirred slightly, and the ground beneath his feet began to tremble inexplicably. Then, a crack suddenly appeared in the asphalt road.
"What's going on? Did the weather just change on a whim?" Lily's voice snapped Arthur out of his daze.
Feeling the power within him beginning to surge out of control, he immediately took a deep breath and suppressed everything. The dark clouds above his head dissipated, the approaching gale subsided, leaving only the cracks in the ground as evidence of the storm that had almost erupted.
Arthur suddenly pulled Lily into a tight embrace. She struggled fiercely: "What are you doing? Are you crazy? What if someone sees us?"
"There's no threat anymore," Arthur murmured, burying his face in her hair. "Every being on Earth capable of harming you or me has been eliminated."
"Really?" Lily asked, astonished.
Arthur nodded. "I won't lose you, will I?"
"Huh?" Lily was momentarily confused, but she still wrapped her arms around Arthur's back, her head tilted in a mischievous grin. "Of course you won't lose me. Does this mean we can finally flaunt our affection openly?"
"Mm," Arthur nodded. "Yes!"
(End Of This Chapter)
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