Seeing this, Noah didn’t ask any more questions.

Time passed, second by second, and a rich, savory aroma filled the kitchen.

A pot of alluring, creamy white fish soup was slowly taken off the heat. The fragrant scent wafted out, enough to make one’s mouth water.

Noah stared at the fish soup, his eyes filled with amazement and admiration. He had never seen such a magical cooking process. ’So this is what fish soup is supposed to look like.’

Pani noticed there were apples nearby, picked one up, and began to skillfully peel it. In just a few quick motions, he had carved the apple into rabbit-shaped pieces.

If it were Yaoyao, she would definitely recognize it.

Noah was incredibly excited. He eagerly picked up the fish soup, while a tentacle held the apples.

"You wait here for me. I’ll give you my answer when I get back."

Then, he walked briskly to find Su Yaoyao.

At that moment, Su Yaoyao was in her room in the old castle, sitting on the edge of her bed and about to drink a nutrient liquid for dinner.

Just as she was about to twist open the nutrient liquid, Noah burst through the door. A gust of wind swept in with his voice, "Su Yaoyao, look what delicious food I brought for you!"

Su Yaoyao subconsciously frowned, the corner of her mouth twitching. ’It’s not going to be more of that dark, strange-looking stuff, is it?’

’I’d rather drink the nutrient liquid. At least that won’t give me diarrhea.’

However, as Noah drew closer, a completely different aroma wafted toward her.

Su Yaoyao’s nostrils flared slightly. Her gaze followed the source of the scent, and she saw that Noah was holding a bowl of steaming, fragrant fish soup.

The milky-white broth sloshed gently in the bowl, shimmering with an alluring luster.

"Hurry and try it." Noah’s voice was full of anticipation, and his eyes sparkled like a child waiting for praise.

Su Yaoyao hesitated for a moment before slowly picking up the spoon, scooping a small sip of soup, and bringing it to her lips.

In an instant, a familiar taste spread across her tongue. The rich, mellow flavor immediately stirred memories from deep within her heart.

’This taste... why is it so familiar? It’s as if...’ Her heart suddenly began to race, and an indescribable premonition washed over her.

Her eyes were fixed on the fish soup as images of them living together in that house at the base flooded her mind.

"There’s fruit for after, too." As if performing a magic trick, Noah placed the plate of rabbit-shaped apples in front of Su Yaoyao, a proud smile beaming on his face.

The moment Su Yaoyao’s gaze fell upon the rabbit apple, her heart jolted, and her breathing grew ragged.

’This unique way of cutting apples... who else could it be but Pani? Have they really come?’

Her eyes instantly turned red, and tears welled up, the feeling of longing impossible to suppress.

"Su Yaoyao, why are you crying?" Noah’s excited expression vanished instantly, replaced by sheer worry and nervousness.

His heart clenched as if squeezed by an invisible hand. He quickly raised a hand, intending to gently wipe away Su Yaoyao’s tears.

His voice was laced with anxiety and self-blame. "Is the soup bad?" His eyes, filled with concern, were fixed on Su Yaoyao’s, trying to find an answer.

’Damn that outsider!’ Noah cursed inwardly. ’He must have made the soup taste awful, that’s why she’s crying.’

A vicious glint flashed in his eyes. He clenched his jaw, his cheeks puffing out slightly.

’When I get back, I’m going to beat him to a pulp and then throw him out of the city. How dare he make her cry? I absolutely won’t let him off easy!’

His hands unconsciously clenched into fists, his knuckles turning white from the force.

"No, it’s delicious. I... I’m just crying because I really miss the taste of home," Su Yaoyao explained, her voice trembling slightly as she frantically wiped away her tears and forced a smile.

She knew she had to placate Noah right now and not let him notice anything was amiss.

"Thank you, Noah, for letting me taste something from my memories." Her smile held a trace of gratitude as she tried her best to appear natural.

Noah froze, and his previously grim expression softened in an instant.

Watching the smile on Su Yaoyao’s face, an inexplicable joy welled up inside him.

’She actually smiled at me! And she mistakenly thinks I made this, and even praised me.’

This feeling of being acknowledged instantly scattered the gloom in his heart without a trace.

"You’re welcome." His voice softened unconsciously, and a shy blush crept onto his face. Like a child who had just received a beloved gift, he scratched his head in embarrassment.

"Can you make it for me again tomorrow?" Su Yaoyao’s voice was tinged with anticipation.

She looked up at Noah, her eyes shimmering with a gentle light.

"Of course!" Noah blurted out, his voice filled with undisguised excitement.

At that moment, his heart was completely filled with Su Yaoyao’s approval, and he was immersed in an unprecedented state of joy.

These were sensitive times. Noah knew that Su Yaoyao’s Beast Husbands were likely searching for her everywhere and could show up at any moment. That was why he had always been extremely wary of outsiders and had no intention of taking any in.

But now, this one meal had changed everything.

’Since she likes this outsider’s cooking, I’ll just keep him around to cook for her.’

Noah pondered to himself. ’If I can make her happy with her food every day, maybe she’ll start to like me and be willing to stay in Snake Scale City?’

The moment Noah considered this possibility, his heart began to pound uncontrollably.

He could almost picture Su Yaoyao smiling, leaning gently against his side. An indescribable sense of bliss washed over him.

As he was lost in thought, Noah inadvertently glanced over and saw a drop of soup at the corner of Su Yaoyao’s mouth.

As if possessed, Noah raised his hand and slowly touched the corner of Su Yaoyao’s mouth.

Su Yaoyao froze and flinched back instinctively. A blush instantly bloomed on her face, and a flicker of panic crossed her eyes.

"Su Yaoyao, you have some soup on your lip," Noah explained, his voice a little tense, afraid his action had displeased her.

Only then did Su Yaoyao realize what was happening. She gave an awkward laugh. "Oh, thank you. I didn’t notice." Her heart was still beating fast, unused to such an intimate gesture.

But she didn’t dare pull away completely, for fear of arousing suspicion.

Noah didn’t seem to notice Su Yaoyao’s strange reaction. After gently wiping away the drop of soup, he actually put his finger in his own mouth.

He licked the tip of his finger, savoring it as if it were the world’s most delectable delicacy.

He squinted his eyes slightly, a look of intoxication on his face, as if that drop of soup was a unique, ambiguous, and sweet bond between him and Su Yaoyao. An unprecedented sense of satisfaction spread wantonly through his heart.