Xu Yinchen focused on his noodles, trying to ignore the way Qin Lian was looking at him.
He could feel her gaze on him, warm and curious, and it made the back of his neck prickle with an unfamiliar heat.
He picked up his chopsticks and took his first bite.
The moment the noodles touched his tongue, he froze.
The broth was clean and light, yet somehow deeply flavorful, nothing like the heavy, greasy soups he was used to from street vendors. It had a subtle sweetness that balanced perfectly with a hint of savory depth, warming him from the inside.
The handmade noodles were smooth and springy, cooked to perfection, neither too soft nor too firm. Each strand seemed to absorb just enough of the broth to carry its flavor.
And the toppings, the tender pieces of meat, the crisp vegetables, the perfectly seasoned soy sauce, and especially that chili garlic sauce, they all came together in a way that made his appetite surge unexpectedly.
He had thought he was just moderately hungry.
But one bite turned into another. And another.
Before he knew it, he'd finished his entire bowl and was already standing to refill it, moving almost unconsciously toward the kitchen.
Seeing him get up to take more, Qin Lian breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, she had cooked extra. She had originally planned to use the noodles and broth for something else at lunch, but now they were being used up completely.
As long as it doesn't fall short, that's enough.
.....
The second bowl disappeared just as quickly.
By the time he'd scraped the pot clean, taking every last bit of noodles and broth, he finally set down his chopsticks and sat back, slightly dazed.
He had eaten two full bowls of noodles and finished the remaining meat dish and all the vegetables to clean.
And if there had been more, he would've gone for a third.
His stomach was full, more than full, actually, yet somehow, he still felt a lingering craving. As if his body wanted to hold onto this feeling just a little longer.
It wasn't just about filling his stomach. It was something else entirely.
When was the last time he had eaten like this? When was the last time food tasted like this?
He couldn't remember.
"Is it good?" Qin Lian's voice broke through his thoughts, soft and a little uncertain.
Xu Yinchen looked up and met her gaze.
For a moment, he considered giving her a polite, noncommittal answer.
But something about the way she was looking at him, waiting for his response, made him speak the truth instead.
"It was the best meal I've had in a long time," he said quietly.
Qin Lian's eyes widened slightly, surprise flickering across her face. Then, slowly, a warm smile spread across her lips.
"I'm glad you liked it," she said softly. "Then... from now on, make sure you eat at home more often. Even if it's just simple meals."
Xu Yinchen looked at her in surprise, something vulnerable flickering in his usually guarded eyes.
"From now on?" he repeated, his voice barely above a murmur.
Qin Lian nodded, as if stating the fact. "Yes. From now on. This is your home, after all. You should eat here."
She said it so naturally, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. As if she planned to stay. As if she'd already decided that this place, this family, was worth staying for.
Before he could respond, Qin Lian stood and walked over to the table. She picked up a small plate and placed several meat buns in front of him.
"You ate two bowls of noodles. Are you sure that's enough?" she asked, a hint of concern in her voice. "Have some buns too. I don't want you going back to work hungry."
Xu Yinchen stared at the buns, then at her.
Was she worried he hadn't eaten enough?
He opened his mouth to say he was full, but the words wouldn't come. Instead, he found himself reaching for a bun. After all, with his improved appetite for delicious food, he cannot be sure if he was really full or just full because there was none left in the kitchen.
But the moment he bit into it, he realized something.
The bun was fine, soft, and filled with seasoned pork. Objectively, it was of good quality.
Yet compared to those noodles... it tasted greasy. Heavy. Almost bland.
He had bought these same buns from the same vendor before and had always thought they were delicious. But now, after tasting her cooking, they felt like a completely different standard of food.
Still, he ate them. All of them.
Not because he was hungry, he was already full, but because she had given them to him with such a genuine concern.
How could he refuse?
After finishing the meat buns, Xu Yinchen stood and began gathering the empty bowls and plates.
"What are you doing?" Qin Lian asked, surprised. "Just leave them. I'll clean up later."
"It's fine," he said simply, already heading toward the kitchen. "I'll do it."
"But—"
"You're hurt," he said without turning around. "You should also learn when to relax."
Qin Lian opened her mouth to protest, then closed it, watching him disappear into the kitchen with an amused expression.
What kind of man insisted on doing dishes after eating?
Most men she knew, especially in this era, would never even think of stepping into the kitchen, let alone cleaning up after themselves.
…..
Xu Yinchen stood at the sink, methodically washing each bowl and plate.
As he worked, his gaze wandered around the kitchen, and he found himself pausing.
The space looked... completely different.
Yesterday, when he came home at night, he hadn't paid much attention. They simply quickly cooked the dinner and were done with it. But now, in the daylight, the transformation was undeniable.
The shelves that had been coated in dust and grime were now spotless, every jar and container neatly arranged. The corners that had harbored spiderwebs were clean. The floor, which had always felt sticky and neglected, now looked freshly scrubbed.
Even the old clay stove had been wiped down and organized. Everything was in its place. Everything was... cared for.
For the first time in years after his parents passed away, this kitchen actually looked like a kitchen. Not just a neglected room where food occasionally appeared.
His hands slowed as he stared at the clean surfaces, the organized shelves, the carefully stored ingredients.
She'd done all of this.
In one morning.
While injured.
His chest tightened with an unfamiliar feeling. How much work had she put into this? And why?
She had only arrived yesterday. She didn't owe him anything. She could have left the kitchen as it was, could have complained, could have demanded he hire someone else to do it.
Knowing her past behavior, wouldn't that have been more normal and appropriate for her to throw a tantrum?
But instead, she has cleaned everything herself. Without a single word of complaint.
"Aren't you getting late for work?"
Xu Yinchen turned to find Qin Lian standing in the kitchen doorway, her head tilted slightly in question.
"I'll do the dishes later," she added. "You should go. Didn't you say you were busy?"
He was suddenly reminded of what he had told her earlier, that he'd left work to come home, that he needed to get back soon.
In truth, it wasn't that urgent. Wen Zian could handle the rest of the day's work without him. The farm wasn't particularly busy right now.
But since he had said it, and now he couldn't take it back without looking like he'd lied. More than that... it was probably better if he left.
He had stayed longer than he had planned and let himself get too comfortable.
Xu Yinchen cleared his throat and quickly finished washing the last bowl, then dried his hands on his pants quickly.
"I'll take my leave then," he said, his voice steady but carrying a hint of reluctance he couldn't quite hide.
He turned to face her fully. "You don't need to worry about dinner tonight."
Qin Lian blinked. "What? Will you be coming late at night?"
He shook his head. "You're hurt. You should rest. I'll bring some pork from the farm tonight and cook dinner myself."
For a moment, Qin Lian could only stare at him, completely taken aback.
Was he going to cook? For them?
"You don't have to—" she started.
"I want to," he interrupted quietly. "You've done enough for today. More than enough."
His gaze flickered briefly to the spotless kitchen around them, then back to her face.
"Just... rest. Take care of yourself."
Qin Lian felt her throat tighten unexpectedly at the genuine concern in his voice.
She'd been moving non-stop since she woke up in this world—adjusting, adapting. She hadn't even had time to process what had happened to her, to digest the fact that she'd somehow transmigrated into a novel.
Maybe... maybe it would be good to have some time alone. To think. To breathe.
"Alright," she said softly. "Thank you."
Xu Yinchen nodded once, then turned and walked toward the door.
But just before leaving, he paused and glanced back at her one more time.
"The noodles," he said quietly. "They really were the best I've ever had."
And with that, he was gone.
Qin Lian stood in the kitchen doorway, staring at the space where he'd been, a small smile tugging at her lips.
Seems like this new life is not that bad either.