Chapter 4, The gentleman approaches the kitchen

At that time, I did not think that from then on, he would no longer enjoy the comfortable life I had created for him with all my efforts without any guilt. Only after he personally experienced the daily trivialities of grocery shopping, washing vegetables, cooking, and simmering soup did he realize how tedious and flavorless the life I endured day after day truly was

The troublemaker still knows to feel embarrassed, not daring to speak to me within ten minutes of entering, cowering behind Jian Chenye.

Before Shao Qingyu left, I reminded her of two things: first, to take the ginseng and collagen back, as I do not want to go to jail; second, to absolutely not tell my mother about my injury

Both Jian Chenye and I were so shocked that our jaws nearly dropped. I think even a new mother who has just given birth doesn't need to consume so many supplements

This fool has made me laugh out of anger

He said expressionlessly: "I feel that the style of my work is not quite suitable for them"

He was taken aback by my strong reaction: "Are you an idiot! Can you let me finish speaking before you lose your mind?"

What was originally a physical pain has instead triggered a tumult of sorrow and distress within my heart, and I suddenly feel a sense of utter despair

From the day we met, he has always been like this; whenever it comes to expressing emotions, he refuses to speak directly. Whether it is love or an apology, he insists on choosing the most roundabout way to convey his feelings. Fortunately, I am exceptionally perceptive and can always accurately understand his intentions; otherwise, we would have been finished long ago

The young man named Wang Ge, riding a motorcycle, had a layer of frost on his face; the scene was quite unpleasant. He felt very embarrassed, as it was merely an ordinary traffic accident, yet I had portrayed it as if he had committed murder and arson, or forcibly taken a virtuous woman.

Jian Chenye cleared his throat, pretending that nothing had just happened: "By the way, while you were sleeping this afternoon, Shao Qingyu called me and said he would come to see you later"

I raised my head to look at him: "I have a broken leg, not paralysis."

My anger had just begun to surface when I suddenly noticed some crooked and twisted drawings on the snow-white plaster of my right leg. Although it was difficult to discern them clearly at first, I had already guessed the general idea in my mind

I pushed him without any hesitation and said, "Hey, wake up!"

When I woke up the next morning, Jian Chenye was still asleep, which was truly infuriating. Has he really turned into a pig?

To speak frankly, as a novice in the kitchen who has never lifted a finger to cook, Jin Chenye's performance in this meal deserves a five-star rating. However, I am holding back, refraining from expressing any opinion, appearing to be submissive to the circumstances.

After ten minutes, I estimated that the shelves were probably set up well enough, so I put down the old magazine that had long since expired, and in a tone reminiscent of the Empress Dowager, I slowly asked: "Have you eaten?"

Shao Qingyu also cooperatively made a face of being pardoned: "I have eaten, Zhao Jue, I bought you a lot of fruits and supplements, let Jian Chenye prepare them for you to eat"

Just like when I finished practicing calligraphy as a child, the moment the brush was placed into the water container, the tip of the brush just touched the surface of the water, and the black ink began to ripple outward in circles, transitioning from dark to light yet continuing endlessly

After I had been rambling on for five minutes, Jian Chenye exploded: "Why do you have so much to say? If you are so capable, wash it yourself!"

She was taken aback for a moment, and a smile that inexplicably tugged at the heart appeared on her face: "You know very well that I have always been a loser."

To be honest, I am very surprised

At such an awkward moment, the face of a young man I did not recognize appeared before me. He frowned as he looked at me and asked with a hint of skepticism, "Is she really injured? She seems to be in quite good spirits."

I cannot easily let this opportunity slip away. I secretly pondered what kind of work would require the use of my legs... It was as if a light flashed in my mind. I steeled my heart and decided to take a gamble, telling a lie that I myself found too shameless: "I am a ballet dancer"

However, I cannot speak these words aloud; it is acceptable for these thoughts to explode within my mind, but to express them would be inappropriate. To voice them would be tantamount to admitting my own nature as a philistine, a realist, and a vulgar person.

What I have in mind is, brother, how could I dare to complain? I am already deeply grateful that you do not let me eat pig food

I am sorry, I am not that kind of person

In fact, I really feel embarrassed to say this, but I woke up because I was hungry

Approximately a quarter of an hour had passed when Jian Chenye emerged from the kitchen, wearing the black apron that I usually wear every day, holding a bowl of well-stewed corn and bone soup, truly resembling a "Chinese Master Chef"

The only thing I can see is the large cartoon smiley face on the top of my foot

No

Although he is nominally a young artist and I am merely a customer service representative for an automotive supplies company, when it comes to personal cultivation, I believe there is not much difference between us

I feel like I can hardly breathe: "Quick, help me get the hairdryer, I will dry it myself!"

Caught off guard by someone who seemed to see through my thoughts, I felt a moment of unease. Fortunately, my acting skills are quite good, and I did not reveal any flaws due to his doubts: "What nonsense are you talking about? Do I look like someone who would fake an accident? I have hands and feet, I am self-reliant, and even in poverty, I have ambition!"

I did not doze off for too long; upon calculation, it was at most half an hour. A worthless life is indeed easy to sustain

He then said, "Will you eat by yourself or shall I feed you"

Jian Chenye, do you think you are feeding pigs

Sometimes I feel like a pedantic old mother, wholeheartedly hoping for my son to achieve great success, while I take on all the trivial matters of life with my hands, rough and calloused from hard work

The second matter she readily agreed to, with an understanding expression: "Rest assured, I am not a fool."

The only difference between my elderly mother and me is that I have never solemnly told her by candlelight, "In this lifetime, I am counting on you!"

He remained sitting still, with a hint of defiance evident in his posture.

After she left, I was filled with regret, wishing I could slap myself several times. How could I be so indiscreet? Knowing full well that she is currently in the lowest point of her life, how could I stab her in the heart with a knife?

The atmosphere during the meal is rather strange

In my anxiety, I couldn't help but shout: "Are you really planning to abandon me when I am unable to take care of myself? Do you have any humanity?"

He raised his eyebrows: "I haven't given them a clear answer for now; let's discuss it in detail when we meet."

Then I dared not speak

After finishing the meal, he did not rush to clear the dishes, but instead looked at me with a serious expression. After a while, he said: "There is something I would like to discuss with you"

I do not understand why I have ended up like this

Cherries! Buddha's hand! Also, mangosteen and imported red grapes!

The final diagnosis is multiple soft tissue contusions on the body, a fracture of the right tibia and fibula, and the patient may begin to bear weight with crutches after six to eight weeks

Yes, it was at the moment when Jian Chenye handed me that high-end hair dryer that I remembered this matter—Qiao Chu, the beautiful lady, I am sorry for you

These grandiloquent words immediately earned me the approval of many around me, and everyone cast disdainful glances at Wang Ge

I almost wanted to ask him, "Jian Chenye, could you also think of me?"

My thoughts on books are actually quite simple, a gentleman stays away from the kitchen

For a girl like Shao Qingyu, the worst situation is to catch her boyfriend cheating in bed, while for me, it is to root in barren soil for a considerable length of time, gazing up at the material paradise.

Upon seeing the drawings and characters on the snow-white plaster, my heart was stirred with waves of gentle emotion, endlessly and softly.

After she finished speaking about this matter, her eyes glistened with moisture: "After all these years, I never expected that she still harbored hatred towards me, and I never anticipated that Jiang Yi would treat me this way"

With a salary of less than 3,000 yuan a month, living in a place where the rent alone costs 2,000 yuan per month, both the boss and the landlord are unhappy, and they can impose a penalty on you for breach of contract, allowing them to dismiss you at any time

I suddenly lost all my temper

I was utterly heartbroken while applying the plaster. Oh heavens, I can no longer receive the perfect attendance award, do you know? I just paid the rent and deposit, and now I only have three hundred yuan left in my current account, do you know? Why must you treat me this way?

My scalp is itching terribly; please bring me some water to help wash my hair

She lowered her head, rubbing her hands for a long time, almost rubbing off a layer of skin before she spoke: "Just before I went out, I suddenly received a multimedia message from an unknown number. It was a photo of the picture of me and Jiang Yi in his wallet, along with a message that said— 'You are still as ugly as I remember you. With your family's wealth, why don't you get some plastic surgery?'— I was instantly furious and called back, but the other party hung up on me.

She was completely stunned, as if she had never anticipated that I would say such a thing. After a moment of daze, she began to cry again: "Wuwuwu... Zhao Jue... this is where you are wrong... how could you say that about me... wuwuwuwu..."

His expression looked as if someone had grabbed him by the neck, making it difficult for him to breathe. After a while, he stated that a good man should not fight with a woman: "Alright, I will definitely compensate you for your medical expenses, so don't worry."

I made an effort to shift my stiff body, calculating the appropriateness of my words in my mind. Normally, it doesn't matter how much we argue or dispute, but when it comes to his future, I must treat it with caution: "What do you think yourself?"

Looking at another package, I am simply about to break down

I was instantly overjoyed, but that was not the end of it

... ...

Alternatively, a person may be poor, yet if he finds contentment in his humble circumstances and does not aspire to things beyond his capabilities, he can still lead a happy and joyful life

The doctor couldn't even be bothered to lift his eyelids, casually reached out to touch my swollen calf, which resembled an elephant's leg, and succinctly answered the young man's question: "The bone is fractured"

I do not know how long I cried; anyway, as I cried, I eventually fell asleep. When I woke up, it was already dusk, and the soft light was cast upon the walls. This is the gentlest moment of the day in this city

She smiled and patted my hand, saying, "It's nothing, Zhao Jue, really nothing."

Skincare products can only consist of the most basic moisturizing lotion, while cosmetics are limited to domestic mascara and eyeliner. The only somewhat presentable item I dare to take out in public is the Dior powder, which was a gift from Shao Qingyu two years ago, and more than half of it has already been used up

I am somewhat desperate

I have seen the clothes in Shao Qing's wardrobe. Even the second or third-tier brands, from the fabric, cut, style, to the details like buttons and stitches, all reveal a vast difference from the goods sold at street stalls.

All wealthy young women in the world are troublemakers

Although I would never admit it, deep within my heart, there has indeed been a faint notion of such a thought

The bowl of vegetable and lean meat congee is still placed on the small table by the bed, the vegetables inside have already turned yellow, and the water has dried up, looking like a bowl of unappetizing leftovers, I truly have no appetite at all

Those who say that the price of clothing is not important as long as one has a good figure and knows how to match outfits, and can still exude elegance, are merely comforting themselves as poor individuals

I rolled my eyes; this fellow has no self-awareness whatsoever

I get angry just hearing that name. If it weren't for her foolish insistence on fighting Jiang Yi in the street, and if I weren't worried that her antics would spiral out of control, would I have had my leg broken? Would I be reduced to living like a disabled person under Jian Chenye's control? Most importantly—would I have to suffer a loss of two months' income?

At first, I wanted to guide him a bit: "You can apply a bit more pressure... Can you use a little less shampoo? It's not something you bought with money. You spendthrift! Be careful with your ears! Make sure no water gets in, or it will get inflamed..."

I changed my usual style of being captivated by anything good I see, pretending to be indifferent as I glanced at the items she brought...! ... Immediately, I lost my composure!

Shao Qingyu, with a constipated expression, continued, "I have never been this angry; even Aunt Yao wouldn't dare to speak to me like that. Then that number sent another message, providing me with the hotel name and room number."

... ...

Thinking about not being able to work for one or two months, I feel hungry, in pain, sad, and desperate. All the negative emotions erupt like lava during a volcanic explosion. The calmness I tried to maintain at the scene of the betrayal is completely gone. I am like those professional mourners, crying out, "Heavenly Lord, you must take charge for me, open your eyes and see me..."

Those people still have a bit of humanity, knowing to send me for medical treatment. By the time I was completely awake, I was already in the hospital. As I opened my eyes, I saw Shao Qingyu, who looked as if he had lost his mind. This idiot must have been scared silly, unable to speak properly: "Wuwuwu... Zhao Jue, I'm sorry... Wuwuwu... I'm such a fool, Jian Chenye will kill me..."

When going to the mall to buy a piece of clothing, one must first check the label. If it is too expensive, it is best to give up early. For items that are slightly cheaper, one can take a picture of the style number in the fitting room and go home to search for a purchasing agent on Taobao. One must also have the audacity to ask the seller, "Can you offer free shipping"

I feel so embarrassed, I really want to cry... and then I actually started crying: "Would it kill you to give me a little consideration?"

The one who dismantled the stage is none other than my dear boyfriend, Jian Chenye

Yet behind this silence lies an invisible barrage of arrows, tension palpable. We remained still, without uttering a word, but the gaze we exchanged spoke volumes, conveying everything we wished to express.

I am feeling a bit impatient, what on earth is going on, Jian Chenye? Do you understand what it means to collaborate with them?

Although I did not show any unusual expression, deep down, I truly believe that He Tiantian is very courageous, indeed

He is so wonderful that I can only believe there is beauty in a life of suffering when I see him

She is still not giving up, attempting to involve me in her criminal activities: "But ginseng and collagen really have nothing to do with it"

I resolutely jumped up from the hospital bed and grabbed him, saying: "You owe me for my leg!"

For a moment, we all fell into silence

In general, when a television drama reaches such a plot point, certain characters will comfort the person who has caused trouble by saying, "It’s not your fault, it was just an accident, don’t be too hard on yourself, don’t take it to heart" and similar lines

Shao Qingyu shot him a glare, then turned to me with a flattering expression and said, "I don't really understand health preservation..." I immediately corrected her, "It's injury recovery." She took over the conversation, saying, "Alright, I don't know what to eat for injury recovery, but I always go for the best. However, don't worry, that ginseng didn't cost anything; it was taken from our home, probably a gift for my dad. The collagen also didn't cost anything; I took it from Aunt Yao..." However, don't worry, that ginseng didn't cost anything; it was taken from our home, probably a gift for my dad. The collagen also didn't cost anything; I took it from Aunt Yao..."

As soon as the words fell, I heard a series of piercing laughs coming from the doorway

There are still some aromas, the scent of cooked rice, the fragrance of corn stew with bones, and the smell of stir-fried dishes

What is your occupation? Based on your income level, I will compensate you with half a month's salary. He was truly too lazy to waste any more words with me

Logically speaking, this is actually good news, but what I do not quite understand is why Jian Chenye appears so calm, even showing a hint of worry in his eyes

For two consecutive days, I did not speak to Jian Chenye, regardless of his numerous apologies and attempts to please me, I treated him as if he were invisible

In the bedroom, Jian Chenye is nowhere to be seen, and he is also absent from the living room. I can only hear some chaotic noises coming from the kitchen.

The only way to end an awkward situation is to change the subject

Zhaojue, in fact, I wanted to tell you this a couple of days ago. A gallery reached out to me, and they seem very interested in my work and would like to collaborate with me

Truly shameless

I have never had the opportunity to ask you, what exactly happened that day? Why did you suddenly go to the hotel, and how did you know the room number? Although bringing this matter up again makes everyone uncomfortable, I think that since I have paid such a high price for it, Shao Qingyu should allow me to understand the ins and outs of the situation.

But what I said was: "Oh."

I am furious: "Jian Chenye, are you even human?"

What should I do about the loss of income due to my injury preventing me from working during this period I will pursue every opportunity relentlessly, even if it means just gaining a little more

So... what do you want to do

Indeed, a person may be vain, but if they possess the ability to satisfy their own vanity, they are not to be feared

The sound of pots, bowls, and pans clashing together, the sound of the faucet being turned on too high, the sound of water jets striking the stainless steel sink, the sound of the refrigerator door opening and closing, the sound of the range hood venting, the sound of oil splattering like fireworks when poured into a pot that has not completely dried out, and the sound of vegetables being thrown into a red-hot pot resembling an earthquake.

He faced the television with his back to me, changing channels rapidly, completely ignoring my words

This may be the most difficult, tumultuous, and tragic hair wash I have ever experienced in my life, as I was lying back with my head suspended in the air, allowing Jian Chenye to grab my hair, which resembled dry grass, in a disordered manner

Having spent a restless night filled with guilt, I believe this fully demonstrates that I am indeed a kind-hearted young woman

Vulnerability is like a domino; when the first one is pushed down, all the others will sequentially fall in order. It is as if there is an invisible little fist, aimed at the softest spot of the heart, striking down fiercely, punch after punch, again and again

Especially when Jian Chenye presented the washed cherries before me, this sense of regret and guilt tormented me to the point of not knowing what to do. If I could take back what I said, even if it meant fracturing my calf once more, I would accept it

Bird's nest is one thing, but there is even ginseng! I won't say much about ginseng, but there is also Ejiao! However, this is not the most overwhelming part; what is that box at the very back? Oh heavens! ... Am I going blind? ... I see a box of astonishing oral collagen liquid!

Then I pretended to be very grateful, but in my heart, I had executed him countless times.

I pretended to flip through a fashion magazine that cost 2 yuan, but in reality, I was secretly observing her reaction out of the corner of my eye. I admit, seeing Shao Qingyu looking so timid truly delighted me.

The heavens have turned upside down

He turned over and rolled to a place where my hand could not reach, and groggily asked me: "Are you hungry?"

When I heard the last word, I happened to see the motorcycle helmet in the young man's hand, and in that instant, I knew who this person was

It means money, it means our lives will be greatly improved, it means I no longer have to anxiously struggle at the end of each quarter, it means I have taken a significant step closer to my dreams, do you understand?

After all these years, he is not unaware of what kind of person I am. It does not matter how I self-deprecate or make jokes about my greed and love for money, but I absolutely cannot tolerate him looking at me this way

I do not know whether to say he is foolish or despicable, as the direction of those pictures and words all face towards me, directly against the wall, which means that everyone who comes to visit me can see them clearly, while I alone cannot see them clearly

By the third day, the good temper he had been feigning was exhausted, and he could no longer be bothered to pretend to make bone soup. He bought a bowl of vegetable and lean meat porridge at the entrance of the community and threw it in front of me, as if to say, take it or leave it.

Being exceptionally clever, I really want to carefully observe the drawings and words on the plaster, but... it is so difficult that my neck feels like it is about to break, my head is almost falling off, and I can only see half of it.

I am very confused, unsure if there will be a turning point in life, only certain that the future will become increasingly difficult. The road ahead is still long and dark. In such a terrible life, Jian Chenye is my only comfort

The ambiguous response left me somewhat dissatisfied, so I took a slight risk and pressed on: "It seems to me that you are not very willing, am I right?"

As I had anticipated, it is a trap, and I let out a heavy sigh

In the past year or two, Jian Chenye has been cared for by me to the point of being almost helpless; apart from the task of cutting large watermelons, he does not need to enter the kitchen at any other time. Even when he occasionally feels inspired to lend me a hand or show off our affection, I will unreservedly refuse him.

Grocery shopping and cooking, I will handle it! Doing the laundry, I will take care of it! Cleaning, I will manage it! Hanging out the quilts, changing the bed sheets, paying for gas, water, electricity, property management fees, and all other expenses, I will take care of everything!

I just want to follow Shao Qingyu's words and, in front of everyone present, use all my strength to loudly tell her: "Yes, you are a fool, and you deserve to be killed!"

After a moment, he saw that I still had no intention of backing down and could no longer contain his anger: "Stop your shouting; whose responsibility it is remains uncertain. I think you are deliberately pretending to be very serious in order to extort money!"

Due to the hassle, classmate Jian Chenye hastily concluded this memorable hair-washing activity without even letting me use conditioner. He wrapped my entire head in a bath towel with satisfaction and asked me, "Am I not very professional?"

It is quite sorrowful; I experience a profound and dark sense of frustration. Is this the manner of conversation that adults are supposed to master? Not only when confronting the deceitful realities of the outside world, but even when facing those we hold dear in life, we sometimes have no choice but to be so hypocritical

He seems to have forgotten that he made me cry at noon, and calmly said to me: "I followed the recipe in the app, if it doesn't taste good, don't blame me"

"No, no, no, please don't take the subsidies meant for your family and give them to outsiders." When I said this, I truly did not think it through, and inadvertently struck a nerve with her.

I believe that at that moment, Jian Chenye's heart was as sorrowful as mine

I know I spoke incorrectly, but I do not know how to remedy the situation. I stood there foolishly with my mouth agape, staring blankly at Shao Qingyu, as if I could somehow retract the words I had just spoken.

It's over! I have gone too far, and he can no longer tolerate it; he is going to propose a breakup with me

Jian Chenye was dumbfounded: "Zhaojue, if you eat it all, will you grow a beard?"

Then I silently endured his wanton destruction of me

I am almost obsessively convinced that anything that delays Jian Chenye from creating is not a good thing; any hobby other than painting is a distraction from his proper work