However, it wasn’t just Aunt Zhao who came over today. When Li Younan put his things down, three people in the living room looked over simultaneously.

Li Younan learned from a phone call that Aunt Zhao was coming over today, so when he saw a third person in the living room, he was a bit surprised and glanced at the person, who in return looked at him with curious eyes.

A girl who looked young.

Approximately in her early twenties, but her demeanor seemed slightly more mature than most people her age. Li Younan searched his memory and figured she wasn’t someone he knew.

Fortunately, his mom and Aunt Zhao soon stood up. After a round of greetings, Li Younan put his things down, which included some local specialties he bought in Inner Mongolia as a gift for his mom, and a few whimsically carved stones he picked up at the Agate Grassland.

After putting the items away, Li Younan took the gifts from Inner Mongolia directly to his mom’s room.

He took out those little stone carvings and casually gave one to Aunt Zhao and the girl, of course saying something nice: "I brought these specially from Mongolia for you."

After some introductions, Li Younan learned that the girl was Aunt Zhao’s daughter who had been studying in the United States.

Strictly speaking, she didn’t study in the United States from a young age; she applied to study there after finishing high school.

Although Aunt Zhao often visited Li Younan’s home, he had never met her daughter before.

Aunt Zhao’s daughter’s surname is Chen, and her name is Chen Rui. Like Li Younan, she has a similar background, being a "model child" others often talk about, always getting good grades and being well-behaved, making her parents very satisfied.

Unlike Li Younan, Chen Rui didn’t study in the county. After fourth grade, she had always studied in Chengdu, attended secondary school at Seventh Middle School, and later smoothly received an offer from an Ivy League school in the United States before taking the college entrance exam.

Since she had always studied in the provincial capital, Li Younan had never seen her before, only heard her name mentioned.

What’s strange is that it’s only late October now, and typically schools in the United States haven’t yet started the winter break. It’s curious for this girl to appear here at this time.

Li Younan hadn’t eaten yet, so after chatting briefly with them, he decided to head to the kitchen to see what food was available.

This evening, Aunt Zhao was treating them to a meal out, so his mom hadn’t cooked dinner.

After wandering around the kitchen and finding no leftovers, he decided to make something simple for himself.

Out of courtesy, he asked: "Does anyone want something to eat?"

Both his mom and Aunt Zhao shook their heads indicating no, but Chen Rui looked at him with a curious expression: "What will you make?"

Thinking there’s only some pork belly, eggs, and a handful of spring onions in the fridge, he replied: "I’m planning to cook some noodles."

As soon as she heard "noodles," Chen Rui didn’t hesitate, saying: "I won’t have that."

Li Younan didn’t push it and nodded, then went into the kitchen to prepare the noodles.

Though for Li Younan, even if it’s just plain noodles, he wouldn’t simply add a spoonful of salt and soy sauce.

He minced the pork into filling, beat the eggs and made an omelet, then sautéed the meat filling and spring onions, creating a flavorful topping, and cooked the savory noodles with the omelet.

When he brought it out, he apologized to everyone: "Sorry, haven’t had dinner yet."

Aunt Zhao was a frequent guest at their house, so Li Younan wasn’t very reserved, and both his mom and Aunt Zhao were accustomed to this scene.

Li Younan began eating heartily.

Although it’s just ordinary noodles, under Li Younan’s cooking, it looked quite appetizing.

While eating, Li Younan suddenly felt a gaze fixed on him.

Puzzled, he looked up, and Chen Rui didn’t avert her gaze; instead, she switched her attention from the bowl to Li Younan’s face with a hint of astonishment: "Can noodles actually be made this delicious?"

Li Younan laughed silently, putting down his chopsticks: "There’s a little topping left, I can make you a bowl too."

Chen Rui hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded.