Qin Guanglin had just finished washing the fish when He Fang reached out to take it, "Peel the potatoes."
"Oh." He washed his hands, took out the potatoes, rubbed them a couple of times under the faucet, and then started peeling them with a paring knife.
Looking up, he saw He Fang laying half of the fish flat on the cutting board, pressing its tail with one small hand, while the other hand quickly sliced through it with a knife, cutting out thin slices.
Qin Guanglin felt inexplicably worried, seeing the blade slicing right next to her fingers. If she slipped even a little, she would cut her fingers. Yet, she moved so swiftly that in no time, a third of that half fish was already cut.
If it were him, he definitely wouldn't dare use such a technique for slicing. At most, he would only use one hand to chop, as it was too dangerous to press the fish with the other hand.
Yet, He Fang felt the knife wasn't sharp enough. She looked around and grabbed a small bowl, turning it upside down, then sharpened the knife against the bowl's bottom with several swipes.
"You..." Qin Guanglin wanted to speak but stopped when he saw her start slicing the fish again, afraid she might distract herself and cut her fingers.
"What?" He Fang didn't stop her hands, even turning her head to glance at him.
"Nothing, nothing." Qin Guanglin was a bit restless. "Just focus, don't mind me."
"This fish is too big, half of it is enough for the dish. Put the other half in the freezer," He Fang told him. "Leave the head here."
"Oh."
Qin Guanglin had specially chosen a big black fish, a full three pounds, thinking that with the innards removed, it would be enough for three people. Unexpectedly, only half was needed.
"By the way, while you're at it, check the fridge for any sauerkraut and finish the old ones first," He Fang called out to him again.
"Be serious about your chopping," Qin Guanglin couldn't help but say, "Stop talking."
He rummaged through the fridge, finding half a package of sauerkraut, took it into the kitchen, and placed it aside. Then he sat back down on the small stool, watching He Fang.
Before cooking, she had retied her hair tightly, forming a big bundle at the back of her head, with a few strands sticking out, gently swaying with her movements.
He Fang seemed to be in a happy mood, humming a tune softly, although he couldn't make out what it was. After scooping the sliced fish into a nearby large bowl, she began searching for seasonings.
"What are you daydreaming about? Soak some dried black mushrooms and wash all the vegetables," He Fang turned and saw him sitting on the small stool, immediately ordering him to do some tasks.
"How much should I soak?" Qin Guanglin stood up to find the dried black mushrooms, spotting the bag in the corner.
"A handful is enough."
"A big handful or a small handful?" he asked uncertainly, since these swell significantly when soaked, and the difference between a big handful and a small one was considerable.
He Fang walked over, waving her small hand to shoo him away. "You better go wash the vegetables, I'll do it."
"Tiring, right, darling? This foolish boy understands nothing. Would you like me to help you?" Qin's Mom appeared at the kitchen door, watching the two busy in the kitchen with a face full of smiles.
"No need, Auntie, he's doing just fine," He Fang said, grabbing two small handfuls of the mushrooms and putting them in a basin, filling it with water at the faucet.
"Yes, I know how," Qin Guanglin said while rinsing vegetables under the faucet. "You don't have to stand here, go sit down."
"Wash them thoroughly." Qin's Mom was worried they might be too busy to handle it, but seeing them get by, she was reassured and left them alone. In her view, it was good for their relationship.
He Fang put seasonings and cornstarch into the sliced fish, using her small hand to mix a little, then set it aside. She took the peeled potatoes from Qin Guanglin to start shredding them, making a rhythmic thud, thud, thud sound as the knife hit the chopping board.
The more Qin Guanglin watched, the more amazed he became. Qin's Mom had mentioned once that He Fang was good with knives, but he hadn't realized she was this skilled. Her little hand holding the knife never paused, moving with such precision that the potato strips were quickly cut, and she moved on to shredding the carrots.
He had seen Qin's Mom chop vegetables before, recognizing the difference compared with He Fang in both speed and the final outcome.
"Have you worked in a kitchen before?" Qin Guanglin couldn't help but ask.
"You guess," He Fang turned her head, raising her brows at him.
"Watch your hands," he exclaimed, noticing how the cutting board kept making that thud, thud, thud sound as she turned her head.
"Impressed by Teacher He's skills again, aren't you?"
"Are you a Snail Spirit in disguise?" Qin Guanglin looked curiously at her side profile, thinking she looked pretty in an apron as she cooked.
"And what if I am? Would you still like me?" He Fang chopped off the ends of a cucumber, turning it sidewise and giving it a few strong smacks with the knife.
Hearing this, Qin Guanglin stole a glance at the living room, feeling a bit awkward discussing these topics in front of his family.
He turned back, just as He Fang fed him a small piece of cucumber, making his voice muffled, "So, will you return to the Luo River to sleep at night?"
The Luo River was the largest river nearby, with Luo City named after it.
"What else?" He Fang retorted, "Or should I stay in your bedroom with a fish tank?"
"How big a fish tank would suffice?" Qin Guanglin thought anything capable of transforming would be quite large, and a regular fish tank wouldn't be enough.
Having finished washing everything, He Fang didn't mind Qin Guanglin standing beside her making small talk. "Then don't bother with a fish tank. Is it alright if I just sleep in your room?"
"No way, no way," Qin Guanglin shook his head quickly, knowing this wasn't a joke to continue. He nervously glanced at the living room, whispering, "Girls should be reserved and not keep joking about this."
"Am I pretty?" He Fang whispered back, mimicking his style.
He carefully looked at He Fang in her apron, "Hmm... very pretty."
"Then why reject the embrace of a beautiful woman?" She winked at Qin Guanglin. "Wouldn't it be nice to have me keep your bed warm?"
"I told you not to joke like this!" Qin Guanglin kept glancing at the living room; he couldn't let Qin's Mom hear this.
"Chop!"
He Fang was already heating the oil in the pan. "Stay back so you don't get splattered."
Qin Guanglin obediently retreated to the kitchen door, and couldn't help but let his eyes drift downward, finding his gaze caught by the slight bulge. Feeling embarrassed, he quickly turned away but sneaked another glance after a few seconds.
He hadn't even thought of her figure before, but now, once mentioned, he couldn't help but look.
This woman was definitely doing it on purpose!
Sizzle!
As the vegetables hit the oil, they made a loud noise, and He Fang stirred them with a spatula. The aroma quickly spread, filling the entire kitchen. Qin Guanglin watched her concentrated face, feeling an indescribable emotion, hoping they could keep on like this.
He took a few steps back to find the best angle, motioning with his hand as if planning to capture this scene in a painting.