Chapter Sixty-Two: Twice as Delicious!

“Xiao Yan, you seem a bit distracted today,” Shen Sinian remarked, sitting beside him, surprised. “I’ve never seen you like this before. Are you tired? Why don’t you go back and get some rest?”

Xiao Yan paused briefly, then lifted his gaze. At last, a faint smile seemed to stir in his eyes. “Then I’ll come back tomorrow.”

Shen Sinian was taken aback.

What?

He had only made a casual suggestion—was Xiao Yan really going to leave just like that? Shen Sinian touched his own head, bewildered.

Indeed, Xiao Yan was acting oddly today. He took a shortcut, walking briskly, his expression somewhat anxious, until he returned to the Shaohua Courtyard and made his way to the kitchen. Only when he saw that preparations had just begun did he relax at last.

Sitting in a chair, Shen Nanyuan caught sight of Xiao Yan at the doorway and looked genuinely shocked.

“You’re back so early today? The dumplings aren't even ready yet.”

“Yes, I came back early today.” Xiao Yan concealed the slight breathlessness from his hurried walk and continued, “Let me help.”

Around the table sat Shen Nanyuan, Qingrui, Uncle Li, and Jinzhu. Now with Xiao Yan joining, Uncle Li chuckled, “It’s the first time the kitchen's been this crowded.”

Jinzhu laughed. “Miss said we’re making enough dumplings for all the servants in Shaohua Courtyard today.”

Uncle Li had already prepared the dough. Hearing this, he glanced at the lump of dough and said, “Then I’ll need to make some more—this won’t be enough.”

Perhaps because there were so many people, the kitchen was warm even without the brazier. Shen Nanyuan declared bravely, “With so many of us, we’ll finish before dark for sure.”

Xiao Yan gave a low chuckle. Qingrui asked curiously, “Do you know how to make dumplings?”

“I know a little,” he replied. “I used to help when running errands.”

Qingrui nodded in understanding. So he really had done all sorts of things before.

Shen Nanyuan, focused, pinched a dumpling wrapper that Uncle Li had rolled out, filled it generously, and carefully sealed the edges together. A small, delicate dumpling was soon finished.

She held it up in her palm, showing it off cheerfully. “Look! Isn’t it pretty?”

Xiao Yan’s gaze lowered to the little dumpling in her hand, plump and clearly stuffed full. A gentle smile rose to his lips. “It’s lovely.”

Even Uncle Li nodded in approval. “I never knew Miss made such fine-looking dumplings.”

Basking in everyone’s praise, Shen Nanyuan happily began making another.

Preparing enough dumplings for all the servants in the courtyard was no easy feat. Shen Nanyuan gradually grew serious, her long sleeves getting in the way, so she had Qingrui help roll them up, exposing her fair, delicate wrists.

Xiao Yan carefully arranged the finished dumplings beside Shen Nanyuan’s, occasionally glancing at her, his dark eyes softening. At some point, a little flour had smudged her cheek, making her look both amusing and endearing.

He said nothing, only smiled quietly and continued working.

Outside, dusk gradually settled. Uncle Li rose to light the kitchen candles, filling the room with warm light. Seeing how many dumplings they’d made, Shen Nanyuan said, “Let’s boil a batch now. There’s hardly any space left.”

There weren’t many left to make; they’d be done soon.

Qingrui and Jinzhu carried the trays of dumplings over to Uncle Li at the stove. Shen Nanyuan stood up to stretch, feeling her back ache from sitting so long. She had indeed boasted a bit too much earlier.

But with five people working together, they’d finished quickly. She glanced toward the stove: Uncle Li had already brought the water to a boil, steam rising and swirling in the air.

Xiao Yan poured a cup of hot tea and placed it before her. “Are you tired, Miss?”

“Of course,” Shen Nanyuan replied, taking a sip with a soft smile. “But I’m very happy.”

It felt rather nice.

Qingrui and Jinzhu returned to finish up the last few dumplings, and soon they were all done.

Uncle Li called cheerfully from the stove, “They’re ready! Come try if they’re any good.”

At his words, Shen Nanyuan immediately stood up and hurried over with Qingrui and Jinzhu. She picked up a dumpling with her chopsticks and took a bite. Hot and juicy, the savory filling burst with flavor, the perfect balance of salt and fragrance delighting her palate.

She nodded vigorously. “Delicious! You all try!”

Xiao Yan didn’t join them, but sat quietly watching her, the candlelight casting a gentle glow about him. Shen Nanyuan felt her heart unexpectedly skip a beat.

She finished the rest of her dumpling, then carefully picked up another and walked over to Xiao Yan. As he looked at her in mild surprise, she smiled brightly. “Try it.”

“Judging by the shape, I must have made this one,” she said, her eyes sparkling. “That means it’ll taste twice as good!”

Xiao Yan couldn’t help but laugh, his dark eyes gleaming with warmth.

He took a gentle bite, and under Shen Nanyuan’s expectant gaze, nodded. “It really does.”

Her smile grew even brighter.

As she turned to leave, her sleeve was suddenly held back. Shen Nanyuan looked down in confusion. Xiao Yan had taken out a handkerchief and stood up, looking down at her. With slender fingers, he reached out and gently touched her face. She froze where she stood, her heart suddenly pounding.

Xiao Yan’s lips curved, his features softened by the candle’s glow, dazzling in their gentleness.

“You have flour on your face, Miss.”

His deep, pleasant voice mingled with the night as he softly brushed the flour from her cheek. Their eyes met for a moment, and Shen Nanyuan’s breath caught.

She quickly lowered her gaze, feeling the light touch of the handkerchief on her skin and a strange sensation stirring inside her. She clenched her hands together, her long lashes trembling.

Xiao Yan thought nothing more of it, simply wiping her face carefully. “All done.”

“…,” Shen Nanyuan murmured, turning away and almost fleeing back to the stove, her heart still thundering in her chest.

Uncle Li finished plating the dumplings and prepared to cook another batch.

Shen Nanyuan stole a furtive glance at Xiao Yan, coughed lightly, and pretended nothing had happened as she set a bowl before him.

“Eat—You must be hungry too.”

Xiao Yan frowned slightly. “What about you, Miss?”

“There’s plenty more over there.”

She paused, then added, “There’s a lot left. When you finish, go help yourself to more.”

Perhaps it was because she’d made them herself, but Shen Nanyuan found the meal especially satisfying that night.