As the key slid into the lock, the door that hadn't been opened in days was finally pushed ajar, and a faint whiff of dust filled the air.
Looking at the slightly dusty room, Jiang Mu turned her head apologetically to Huo Yuhao and smiled.
"Sorry about the dust. It's been a while since we were last here."
Initially, she planned to eat out, but Huo Yuhao insisted, and unable to resist him, she ended up buying some ingredients and decided to cook herself.
"Mom, let me clean up," Jiang Nannan said as she deftly stepped inside, familiar with her surroundings.
"Alright." Jiang Mu nodded. "Yuhao, you can rest for a bit. I'll go prepare the food now."
Before she could finish her sentence, Huo Yuhao cheerfully interrupted, "Auntie, I can help Nannan out with the chores…"
Jiang Mu's face turned serious. "That's not proper. How could we let a guest do housework?"
"Auntie, we're here to celebrate your discharge from the hospital. What's the point of making distinctions between guests?"
"Still, it's not right. People will talk if they hear about us making our guest do chores."
Seeing this, Huo Yuhao showed a helpless expression. Glancing at the groceries in Jiang Mu's hand, his eyes suddenly brightened.
"Auntie, at least let me help with the cooking! I'm actually pretty good at it. You can try my cooking tonight."
"Well…"
"Auntie, guests usually bring gifts, right? I came empty-handed, so let me at least do something!"
Before Jiang Mu could argue any further, Huo Yuhao swiftly took the ingredients from her and headed toward the kitchen. Jiang Mu and Jiang Nannan were left looking at each other in surprise.
Seeing the conflicted expression on her mom's face, Jiang Nannan couldn't help but laugh.
"It's okay, Mom. You know what Yuhao's like. If you make him just sit and watch, he probably won't want to come back next time."
"He really is a good kid." Jiang Mu sighed.
As Jiang Nannan recalled Tang Ya's constant bragging about Huo Yuhao's cooking skills back at the academy, she suddenly felt a bit excited for dinner.
"Mom, Xiao Ya said Yuhao's cooking is amazing. We might be in for a treat tonight."
"Really?"
Jiang Mu's curiosity grew, and as she entered the kitchen, seeing Huo Yuhao's knife skills far surpassing her own, all her doubts vanished.
Throughout the cooking process, Jiang Mu's role was reduced to fetching utensils and seasonings—essentially just an assistant.
Watching Huo Yuhao move skillfully in the kitchen, Jiang Mu suddenly thought of something. Her face flushed as she carefully glanced toward the doorway. Seeing that Jiang Nannan was busy cleaning the bedroom and not paying attention, she mustered the courage to turn toward the young man who had his back to her.
"Yuhao…"
"Hm?" Huo Yuhao paused for a moment, turning his head back to see Jiang Mu's embarrassed expression. He was puzzled.
"What's wrong, Auntie?"
"Well… it's just…"
Every time she was about to speak, a wave of intense shame washed over her.
"Since my heart surgery, I've been experiencing… some side effects."
"Side effects?"
Huo Yuhao was taken aback. During his checkup, everything seemed fine.
"Auntie, please don't be nervous. What exactly are the symptoms?"
"Just… don't tell Nannan, okay? It's just that… certain places… well…"
The more Jiang Mu tried to explain, the more embarrassed she became. After a long pause, she finally managed to explain her situation. In the process, she felt as though her spirit had transcended into a higher level of embarrassment. Oddly enough, her voice became steadier.
In simple terms, her face had grown thicker—figuratively, of course.
As for Huo Yuhao, he was completely dumbfounded. He never imagined such a bizarre side effect existed.
Was it some kind of ultra-sensitive physique?
For some reason, Huo Yuhao suddenly remembered the amusing image of the small, lively bead sitting in his palm during the heart treatment, but Jiang Mu's voice quickly pulled him back to reality.
"I've tried many remedies over the past few days, but none seem to work. Do you have any ideas?"
I don't know!
Huo Yuhao wanted to say that this was beyond his expertise, but seeing Jiang Mu's troubled and bashful expression, he felt compelled to come up with a solution.
After a mental storm of ideas, a sudden thought flashed through his mind. He hesitantly looked at Jiang Mu.
"Auntie, have you considered… drinking alcohol?"
"Drinking?"
Seeing Jiang Mu's confusion, Huo Yuhao coughed lightly and explained seriously,
"Auntie's condition might be related to heightened sensitivity. It'll take time to adjust. One way to speed up the process is to introduce stronger stimuli."
"Drinking a little can increase blood circulation and might help with your… uh… side effects."
In simple terms, after a few storms, the little disturbances shouldn't be a big deal anymore.
"I see… Thank you, Yuhao." Jiang Mu's eyes lit up as she gratefully nodded before leaving the kitchen.
Not long after, the sound of mother and daughter chatting could be heard from outside. Soon, the door opened and closed, and Jiang Mu returned to the kitchen with a sigh.
"That girl insisted on going out to buy the wine herself. She said she didn't trust me to do it."
Huo Yuhao chuckled.
"Nannan just cares about you, Auntie."
Jiang Mu's tone turned wistful.
"My illness has made her worry so much. Ever since she started school, she only comes home for about a month each year. Yet she's spent most of that time taking care of me at the clinic. It's been tough on her…"
As she spoke, Jiang Mu seemed to remember something. Pausing her chopping, she turned to Huo Yuhao with a smile.
"Yuhao, I heard you're living in Heaven Dou City too. If you have time, feel free to come by. Since Nannan is away at school, it's just me at home most of the time. You could add some life to the place."
Huo Yuhao smiled and nodded.
"Of course, Auntie. I'll come over often to mooch a meal, as long as you don't kick me out."
"Why would I kick you out? You're always welcome."
Just as Jiang Nannan returned with the wine, the last dish was served on the table.
"Nannan, come eat! The food tonight is so good, you'll be licking your plate clean."
Seeing the beautifully presented dishes on the table, Jiang Nannan was stunned.
"Mom, did you make all of this?"
Jiang Mu's face reddened as she waved her hand.
"Don't be silly. Yuhao did all the cooking. I was just his assistant."
The fact that their guest ended up cooking instead of the host made Jiang Mu, who was naturally shy, feel even more embarrassed.
"All of it? Yuhao, how are you so good at cooking at your age? Where did you learn?"
"I just like experimenting with it in my free time. Luckily, I seem to have a bit of talent… Go ahead, try it."
At his words, Jiang Nannan picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks and tasted it. Her eyes instantly lit up, and she couldn't help but look at Huo Yuhao in surprise.
"Yuhao, I finally understand why Xiao Ya kept praising your cooking. This is more than just a bit of talent."
"I'm glad you like it."
Huo Yuhao smiled, and Jiang Mu handed her the bottle of wine, teasing with a grin.
"You two are still too young, so you'll have to settle for juice."
Looking at the bottle, Jiang Nannan suddenly hesitated.
"Mom, have you ever had alcohol before?"
Jiang Mu paused for a moment.
"I don't think so."
But then she waved it off, poured herself a small glass, and said nonchalantly,
"It's fine. Just a little bit. With Yuhao here, nothing bad will happen."
There's a first time for everything, she thought. Besides, compared to changing her underwear multiple times a day from her side effects, what was a little alcohol?
Half an hour later.
One moment, Jiang Mu had been chatting with them happily, and the next, she suddenly collapsed onto the dining table without warning, muttering something unintelligible in her sleep.
Huo Yuhao and Jiang Nannan exchanged a glance, falling into silent contemplation.
(End of chapter)