Allure of a Country Maiden-Chapter 417 - 415

The ingredients were all brought out by Xiao’er from another space, fresh, cleaned, and pre-cut.

Xiao’er first pre-processed and seasoned the meat that needed to be marinated in advance.

Shangguan Xuanyi stood quietly to one side, not interrupting her, just waiting for her to give him a task.

"Brother Shangguan, you could start the fire," Xiao’er said after completing the meat marination process.

"Okay," a certain someone readily agreed.

The weather was still hot. Although lighter foods are usually favoured in summer, but with this weather, which already makes you lose your appetite, having everything light will only make it worse. Therefore, Xiao’er planned to cook tea shrimp, spicy pork lungs, pickled fish, steamed cabbage rolls, stir-fry with mixed ingredients, braised eggplants and a refreshing seafood and winter melon soup. She also brought out three cold dishes from her magic space: a plate of wood ear in vinegar, kelp salad, and a serving of mouth-watering chicken.

Although it was Shangguan Xuanyi’s first time building a fire, after Xiao’er’s brief tutoring, he did it with such elegant proficiency, as if he was born to do it.

The yellow flame, reflecting on his handsome face with a slight smile, made Xiao’er, who was busy cooking, couldn’t help but openly steal several glances at him.

Indeed, men doing housework are the most handsome!

After adding the vegetables to the pot, they needed to simmer for a while before they could be served.

Xiao’er sat down next to Shangguan Xuanyi, pulled out a handkerchief, and helped him wipe the sweat from his forehead.

Building a fire in summer is really gruelling. However, knowing that Shangguan Xuanyi would be leaving soon, she wanted to spend more private time with him.

The way they were interacting was like a couple who have been affectionate for years. Was this the typical everyday life for common couples, one building the fire and the other one cooking? That’s what Shangguan Xuanyi wondered.

He looked at Xiao’er’s lovely face as she attentively wiped the sweat off his forehead and thought, ’This is my future wife! In her captivating eyes, only I exist.’

Shangguan Xuanyi’s gaze dropped to her slightly uplifted lips. Those glowing, tender lips seemed to have some magic that made him unable to resist leaning in.

"..." Xiao’er stiffened, her eyes widened.

Seeing her reaction, Shangguan Xuanyi laughed, "Silly girl, close your eyes."

Xiao’er obediently closed her eyes.

"....Hehe..." Shangguan Xuanyi laughed.

But, the feeling was so wonderful that a brief kiss was simply not enough, nowhere near enough...

Shangguan Xuanyi leaned in again...

From outside the kitchen came Di Shaowei’s voice, "Are you done yet, girl? The aroma is so wonderful, you can smell it from nine blocks away."

Hearing the voice, Xiao’er snapped back to reality. Looking at the man whose face was just inches away from hers, she realized what they were doing, quickly pushed Shangguan Xuanyi away, and jumped up. She ran back to the stove and pretended to be calm as she uncovered the pot, picked up the spatula, and began stirring the braised eggplant without even glancing sideways. In truth, she had no idea how the eggplant had turned out.

All she knew was that her face was burning hot and her heart was beating so fast it felt like it was about to jump out.

Keep... keep calm... It was just a kiss... Calm down!

Feeling the absence of her in his arms, Shangguan Xuanyi suppressed his emotional agitation. Looking at Xiao’er trying to pretend to be serious while her face was turning a shade of crimson, he couldn’t help but think that he wished to marry her sooner.

Shangguan Xuanyi forced himself to look away, and that’s when he saw Di Shaowei walk in.

"Girl, let me taste your cooking," Di Shaowei said, stepping into the kitchen with a smile.

With his desire unfulfilled, Shangguan Xuanyi shot an icy glare at Di Shaowei, then threw back a stick for stoking the fire.

Di Shaowei barely managed to dodge the thrown fire stick. Immediately afterward, a surprised cry came from behind him.

"Who the hell is throwing fire sticks around!"

Shangguan Xuanhao, who was following closely behind Di Shaowei, never in his wildest dreams would he have thought that he would get hit on the head with a fire stick in his lifetime.

He rubbed his painful forehead and followed them in.

"Miss, what’s wrong with this guy? He’s got a look of frustration on his face. When have I ever upset him enough for him to welcome me like this?"

A look of frustration? Couldn’t that description be any more accurate! Xiao’er felt helpless inside.

"There was a stray cat trying to steal some food just now. Brother Shangguan thought the cat had returned, so he subconsciously threw the fire stick." Xiao’er kept her head down, not daring to let them see her blushing face. She quickly came up with an excuse.

The stray cat, attracted by the fragrance on the roof, couldn’t help but protest with a "meow" when it heard this!

Obviously, it was them who were sneaking around and doing something shameful, why blame it on the cat! It hadn’t even acted on its impulses yet!

There’s really a cat? Shangguan Xuanhao was heartbroken when he heard the meow. Since when did they start categorizing him as a stray cat!

Frustrated? Di Shaowei wasn’t easily fooled. He had felt that the atmosphere between them had been a little strange. After hearing Xiao’er’s words and seeing her flushed face, recalling Miss Ming’s previous demeanor, he immediately understood why he had been glared at and had a fire stick thrown at him!

He needed Xiao’er’s help to win over his wife! Di Shaowei decisively turned around and left.

"The kitchen’s too hot, I’ll wait in the dining room!"

Xiao’er didn’t dare to look up, afraid they’d catch on. She kept her head down and spoke, "Since you’re here, help me bring the dishes over. Dinner’s almost ready."

Upon hearing this, Di Shaowei turned back, quickly picked up two dishes, and left.

Shangguan Xuanhao thought Di Shaowei was just impatient to have a taste of the food! He quickly picked up a plate of pickled fish and ran after him, "Wait for me!"

Di Shaowei remembered something and turned back, "You guys continue, I’ll make sure no one comes into the kitchen again!"

Seeing the two leave, Xiao’er sighed in relief. Back in her element, she noticed the braised eggplant in the pot was done. She picked up a clean plate to dish it out, but when she heard Di Shaowei’s words, her hand slipped. The plate fell and hit her foot. The pain made tears well up in her eyes!

Shangguan Xuanyi shot an angry glare at him.

Seeing this situation, Di Shaowei felt exasperated! It seemed things got worse! In the face of the Thirty-Six Stratagems, retreat was the best strategy!

Please forgive him! He didn’t mean to, he was just trying to reassure them that they could go on undisturbed, and there would be no more intrusions.

Shangguan Xuanyi threw another fire stick. It hit Di Shaowei squarely in the back.

Risking internal injuries, Di Shaowei held onto the two dishes in his hands. Not a single drop of juice was spilt.

Shangguan Xuanhao:". . ."

How did he manage to protect the food like that?

"What did you do to piss him off!" Shangguan Xuanhao asked, looking at the fire stick rolling on the ground, his heart still trembling.

Something felt off with the two people in the kitchen.

Di Shaowei sighed: Someone was frustrated! But he didn’t dare to speak out, not knowing how many more fire sticks remained in the kitchen!

That man, who valued women over his friends, was way too ruthless!