Feng Qingyi was not bothered by the presence of someone watching her as she skillfully operated the gas stove.
Cooking was a life skill she had learned at a young age. Although she wasn't as good as Feng Qingci, she could entertain guests without issue.
After setting the soup to simmer, Feng Qingyi looked at Qin Yuchuan.
"This needs to cook for about twenty minutes. Let's go to the living room for a bit."
The two went to the living room, where Yan Chi and Yan Yang were eating a bag of potato chips.
Feng Qingyi shared the snacks she bought with everyone.
"You can have these!"
Yan Yang, grateful for the abundance of food before him, said, "Thank you, Miss Feng Qingyi. When I return, I will find some trinkets that ladies enjoy and have the General send them to you."
Feng Qingyi sat on the sofa, "There's no need. These aren't anything valuable. You've come from afar, and my hospitality has been lacking. Please forgive me."
Yan Yang: "Not at all, this is already excellent."
Feng Qingyi noticed Qin Yuchuan sitting motionless on the sofa and shifted closer to where he sat.
"What are you thinking about?"
Qin Yuchuan gazed at the girl nearby, "Nothing."
Feng Qingyi offered him a chocolate bar, "Try this."
Qin Yuchuan accepted it, "Thank you."
The chocolate had a sweet taste with a hint of bitterness.
"How is it? The taste is not bad, right?"
Qin Yuchuan nodded, "Yes, very sweet."
"Then these are all for you." Feng Qingyi handed Qin Yuchuan the few remaining chocolate bars.
Looking at the chocolates in his hand, Qin Yuchuan smiled radiantly.
However, the smile disappeared as quickly as it came, and Feng Qingyi only caught a glimpse of his slightly upturned lips.
To prevent the living room atmosphere from becoming too heavy, Feng Qingyi took the initiative to start a conversation.
"What do you all do at home?"
Yan Yang was the first to answer, "When we're in the military camp, we train every day. When we return to the General's Mansion, we only go out if there's something to do. Otherwise, we eat, drink, and have fun in the mansion."
"You're the only one who eats, drinks, and has fun all day. The rest of us are busy," Yan Chi disagreed with Yan Yang's statement.
Yan Yang: "You say that as if you don't eat or drink at all!"
"...I'm not going to bother with you." This guy completely missed the point.
Feng Qingyi smiled as she watched the two bicker, finding it quite amusing.
"Qin Yuchuan, what about you?"
Upon hearing Feng Qingyi call his name, Qin Yuchuan replied, "Aren't you already aware of what I do on a daily basis?"
"...How would I know? You've never told me."
When they conversed, he rarely mentioned his own affairs.
Most of the time, she would chatter endlessly, and he would listen, occasionally offering his opinion.
Qin Yuchuan: "From now on, I will inform you of everything I do."
Why would he need to tell her?
"It's not necessary. I was just curious, that's all."
"I see."
What did that "I see" mean? He should have understood her intentions!
She was merely looking for a topic to chat about.
After the four of them chatted for a while, Feng Qingyi returned to the kitchen to start stir-frying vegetables, and Qin Yuchuan followed her.
"Let me help you."
Feng Qingyi was a bit apprehensive, "Can you cook?"
Qin Yuchuan: "Yes, I made the pastries I gave you before."
"There's a slight difference between making pastries and cooking meals. You can just watch from the side."
Although Qin Yuchuan said he could cook, Feng Qingyi wasn't sure how skilled he was.
Additionally, having a guest cook the meal seemed inappropriate, so Qin Yuchuan was relegated to observing.
Feng Qingyi worked swiftly, and it didn't take long for her to finish preparing the meal. The rice had also finished cooking by then.
After setting the dishes on the table, Feng Qingyi called Yan Chi and Yan Yang to come and eat.
Compared to breakfast and lunch, this dinner was much more sumptuous.
Feng Qingyi also poured a glass of orange juice for everyone.
"All the dishes are ready. Let's eat!"
Yan Chi and Yan Yang waited until Feng Qingyi and Qin Yuchuan started eating before picking up their bowls and chopsticks.
"Miss Feng Qingyi's cooking is so delicious!" Yan Yang exclaimed.
Feng Qingyi smiled, "I'm glad you like it. Eat more. I cooked a lot of rice, so go for seconds if you finish."
"If we could eat Miss Feng Qingyi's cooking every day, I would definitely..."
Before Yan Yang could finish his sentence, he received Qin Yuchuan's piercing gaze and promptly fell silent.
Feng Qingyi, focused on eating, did not notice the interaction between the two.
Upon hearing Yan Yang's unfinished sentence, she looked up, "You would definitely what?"
"Definitely eat two more bowls." After all, Feng Qingyi had spoken first, so he was merely responding.
Pleased to have her culinary skills acknowledged, Feng Qingyi said happily, "Then while you're staying at my place, I'll take care of the cooking. I just don't know how long you'll be here."
Yan Chi: "That would be too much trouble for Miss Feng Qingyi."
Feng Qingyi didn't mind, "I have to eat too. It's just a matter of making a few more portions. I'll only have time during my vacation days."
Qin Yuchuan, sitting beside her, did not join the conversation.
Feng Qingyi observed his elegant dining manners and slowed her own eating pace, trying to appear more graceful and refined.
However, after a few minutes, Feng Qingyi chose to abandon the attempt, feeling that she was being pretentious.
She resumed eating normally, noticing how happily Yan Chi and Yan Yang were devouring their meals. She didn't need to force herself.
Qin Yuchuan, seated across from Feng Qingyi, naturally noticed her little actions and found them endearing.
Looking at Yan Chi and Yan Yang beside him, they were eating so crudely, as if they hadn't had a meal in 180 years. Qin Yuchuan felt quite disdainful.
After the meal, Feng Qingyi explained how to use some household appliances and assigned rooms to the three guests.
Since there were only two guest rooms, Yan Chi and Yan Yang had to share one.
Once the room arrangements were made, everyone returned to their respective rooms.
Feng Qingyi went back to her bedroom and completed her two-hour martial arts lesson. It was already 8:30 p.m.
After showering and changing into her pajamas, Feng Qingyi went to the second-floor balcony.
The gentle autumn breeze caressed her hair as she sat on a balcony chair, gazing at the neon lights in the distance.
"Why are you out here in the wind wearing so little?"
Qin Yuchuan sat down on the chair next to Feng Qingyi's left side.
Feng Qingyi: "I just came out for some fresh air. It's not cold right now."
Qin Yuchuan looked at Feng Qingyi's hair, "Let me help you dry it."
Before Feng Qingyi could refuse, Qin Yuchuan had already taken the towel from her shoulder and started drying her hair.
"..." Actually, she had a hair dryer, and she had already dried it herself earlier. She just wanted to come out and let it air dry naturally.
Qin Yuchuan's movements were gentle, as if he were polishing a work of art.
Feng Qingyi watched the person in close proximity, feeling a bit nervous as she clutched the hem of her clothes.
