Two days later, Li Wu returned to school to get his final exam results.

As a transfer student, he had surpassed his peers, leading Class Ten with excellent scores of 146 in mathematics and a perfect score in comprehensive science, even surpassing the second-place student by nearly twenty points.

But dramatically, his grade ranking was thirty-first.

Staring at his report card, Li Wu was completely stunned—how was this any different from being one point below passing?

Their homeroom teacher was proud, praising him enthusiastically during class. But the one being praised showed no joy, leaning against his chair, dejected.

On the way home, the sky was dark gray, as if gathering mood for snowfall.

Li Wu’s expression wasn’t any better than the weather. He walked with his hands in his pockets, passing through crowds almost in a state of withdrawal as he entered the subway station.

In the train car, he held onto the hanging strap, staring unfocused at the advertising light boards flashing past outside, wondering how to explain this unsatisfactory report card to Cen Jin.

Lost in thought, his phone suddenly vibrated in his pocket.

Li Wu took it out to look—it was a message from Cheng Rui. He had sent a photo of him on the student honors board, with a red background and yellow text, showing his serious face.

The top fifty students in the second year’s final exams would receive this recognition as encouragement.

Cheng Rui could barely contain his excitement: Did you see it? When I went there, several girls were taking pictures of you!!

Cheng Rui: They even wanted to post it on Douyin! I told them they couldn’t violate portrait rights. Don’t thank me, brother.

Li Wu: “…”

He still replied: Thank you.

Cheng Rui celebrated his success for quite a while as if he were the one who had topped the class. Li Wu’s mood brightened from all the praise.

After chatting with him, Li Wu opened the photo again, thought for a moment, pressed his lips together, and forwarded it to Cen Jin, emphasizing three times: I didn’t take this, my classmate sent it to me.

Walking out of the subway station, Li Wu received her response.

Her first reaction wasn’t to ask about his grades, but instead: This photo looks good.

Li Wu was slightly stunned—wasn’t it the same as how he looked in person? What was good or not good about it? He couldn’t tell the difference.

The inevitable topic still had to come up, as Cen Jin asked: Is it the top thirty that makes the honor board?

Li Wu: …

Li Wu: Top fifty.

The other side’s quick mind immediately guessed most of it, sending back the same brick-wielding emoji as before.

Li Wu: …

Might as well face death: I’m ranked 31st. I’ll show you the report card when I get back.

Cen Jin seemed to share his regret: Just missed it by one spot?

Li Wu: Mm.

Cen Jin encouraged: Still amazing! Work a bit harder next semester, and getting into the experimental class will be a piece of cake.

Li Wu felt comforted: Okay.

Seeing she wasn’t as disappointed and angry as he’d imagined, Li Wu’s mood improved somewhat, and he brought up something else: Do I still need to be beaten?

Cen Jin: You want to be beaten?

Li Wu: …

Cen Jin: That can be arranged, I’ll keep an eye out for bricks on my way home.

Li Wu: Better not.

―

It was past eleven that night when Cen Jin returned. She took off her coat, massaging her shoulders and back, placed her bulging shopping bag on the coffee table, and called Li Wu’s name twice.

The young man came out with big steps, stopping at a distance.

“Eat something,” Cen Jin pointed at the shopping bag, walking to get water from the refrigerator: “A reward for you, you worked hard this semester.”

Li Wu walked to the coffee table, leaning down to look at what was in the bag—all sorts of snacks, a wide variety. He turned to ask her: “Aren’t you eating?”

“I’m not eating, I just want to shower and sleep now.” She was exhausted.

Li Wu didn’t touch any of it, asking: “Is it snowing outside?”

Cen Jin replied: “No.”

“Oh right,” she suddenly remembered something after gulping down half a bottle of water, turning her head to remind him: “There are also two boxes of masks in there. Try not to go out if you don’t have to recently, and wear a mask if you do go out. Seems like there’s some new coronavirus in Hancheng, and it’s quite serious.”

Li Wu looked at her: “When do you start your holiday?”

Cen Jin screwed the bottle cap back on: “Probably around the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth of the lunar month,” she then asked: “Are you going back to Shengzhou for Spring Festival? Or staying with me?”

Li Wu was speechless for a second, his head-warming slightly: “With you.”

“Wise choice,” Cen Jin casually tossed up her bottle of water and caught it deftly, glancing at him sideways: “Perfect chance to meet my parents.”

“Ah…?” Li Wu was caught off guard by this statement.

Cen Jin raised her eyebrows slightly: “Is there a problem?”

Li Wu quickly shook his head.

But in the following days, the epidemic developed unexpectedly.

In an age where information flows freely, any unknown movement could trigger a hurricane or tsunami. The entire nation was on edge, everyone staying anxiously at home, each city and household isolating themselves, strictly guarding their islands.

Considering the grave situation, Cen Jin’s company released employees on holiday two days early.

Online and on TV, there were continuous broadcasts reminding people to avoid visiting each other during the Spring Festival and eliminate gatherings.

Cen Jin closely followed the news, beginning to worry about whether to visit her parents for the New Year, even though they were in the same city, just a few streets apart.

But that evening, her father called, saying that due to special circumstances, she shouldn’t come back, just take care of herself, and video chat with them on New Year’s Eve.

With her parents deciding for her, Cen Jin felt relieved, agreeing and then apologizing and acting cute, expressing how much she missed them.

Father Cen was pleased by her sweet talk and asked about Li Wu’s situation, wondering if the kid had gone home.

Cen Jin said: “No, he’s here with me.”

Father Cen was relieved: “That’s great! You’ll have company, daughter won’t have to spend New Year alone.”

Cen Jin snorted coldly.

With Li Wu’s personality, doing homework in the study from morning to night, barely speaking a few words in twenty-four hours, it hardly made a difference whether he was there or not. He’d probably be buried in his studies even on New Year’s Eve.

But the current problem wasn’t about building a relationship with Li Wu—due to the epidemic, their community was completely locked down, and even takeout couldn’t be delivered inside.

After braving the bitter winter wind to pick up meals for three consecutive days, Cen Jin broke down. She collapsed onto the sofa, attempting to delegate to the other household member: “Li Wu!”

The young man immediately ran to the living room.

He was like some sort of summoned creature, usually silent and curled up in his Pokéball, but whenever needed, he could appear before her instantly.

“From now on, let’s split the work, one person gets takeout each day,” she smiled with a rare warmth, adding an irrefutable reason: “You can’t always be buried in your studies, you need to go out for exercise too, breathe some fresh air.”

Li Wu thought on the spot for a moment, objecting: “Why do we keep ordering takeout?”

“You think I want to?” Cen Jin brushed back her long hair: “I can’t cook.”

She raised both hands in surrender, though her attitude remained righteous: “I’ve never touched a pot since childhood, limited by my upbringing, my culinary skills are completely nonexistent.”

Li Wu smiled quietly, watching her, and began to recommend himself: “I can.”

“Hm?”

He repeated: “I can cook.”

“Why didn’t you say so earlier,” Cen Jin frowned, studying him for a moment, confirming he wasn’t joking, then became gracious, retreating to advance: “If you cook, won’t it affect your homework?”

“I’ve already finished the winter holiday homework the school assigned.”

Cen Jin was shocked: “So fast?” How many days had it been since the break started?

“Mm,” Li Wu’s tone was calm: “It wasn’t much.”

Cen Jin’s smile became more genuine, pointing to the kitchen: “Then want to give it a try?”

Li Wu nodded: “Okay.”

Cen Jin stood up, walked past the coffee table, beckoned Li Wu, and together they went to explore the kitchen and refrigerator to check their inventory.

After inspection, Cen Jin summarized: “Seems like we don’t have many ingredients.”

She turned to ask: “What dishes do you want to make?”

Li Wu wasn’t very confident: “Simple ones should be fine.”

Cen Jin said: “I don’t know what counts as simple.”

Li Wu replied: “Just simple home-style dishes.”

Cen Jin hooked back her hair: “How about this—let’s go to the supermarket later, buy more ingredients, and you can see how to combine them.”

Li Wu: “Mm.”

They put on thick coats, wrapped their scarves, donned masks, and headed to the supermarket.

Along the way, the community streets were as cold as doomsday, with only three to five people visible, each keeping to themselves, wary and distant.

Cen Jin sighed reflectively and asked Li Wu: “Did you take your temperature this morning?”

“I did.”

“How many degrees?”

“36.7,” Li Wu’s big eyes looked over: “What about you?”

“Didn’t take it.”

“Why?”

“Forgot.”

“Oh.” Li Wu added: “I’ll remind you tomorrow.”

Cen Jin took off one glove, seriously feeling her forehead: “Don’t worry, no fever.”

With the mask covering his face, Li Wu could finally curl up his lips without restraint.

Arriving at the nearby store, it was even more deserted.

Customers were greeted with alcohol spray and ear thermometers. Only after confirming normal temperatures were they allowed entry by security.

They walked to the fresh produce section, and Cen Jin lifted her chin: “Here’s your battlefield, pick whatever you want, and I’ll pay.”

Li Wu’s gaze quickly scanned around, and he pushed a shopping cart over.

Cen Jin followed leisurely.

She rarely saw Li Wu from this angle, and today suddenly noticed that the young man’s shoulders were very broad, making his gray coat look extremely crisp. Not wearing his school uniform during the break, just looking at his back, he didn’t look like a high school student at all.

She was good at choosing clothes.

Cen Jin silently affirmed.

Li Wu tilted his head slightly, carefully selecting items, turning back to ask Cen Jin if she would eat each thing he picked up.

Cen Jin, annoyed, gave a once-and-for-all answer: “I’m not picky.”

The young man’s clear eyes above his mask widened: “Then why do you eat so little?”

Cen Jin pursed her lips: “Mind your own business. Pick for yourself.”

“Oh.”

Li Wu was very detailed in selecting ingredients, checking freshness, and comparing prices, but his efficiency didn’t decrease. Soon, the bottom of the cart was filled with a complete variety of meat and vegetables.

As they walked toward the checkout counter, they passed a large children’s toy section, dazzling with cars, guns, dinosaurs, and robots—favorites of many boys.

Cen Jin watched attentively, asking casually: “Do you want a Transformer?”

Li Wu choked slightly: “…No.”

Cen Jin glanced at him, walked around him, reached up to get a huge LEGO set from the shelf, and put it in their shopping cart.

Li Wu looked down—it was a Disney castle. He asked, “Are you going to build it?”

“It’s for you to play with.”

“?”

“Work and rest should be balanced, don’t just bury yourself in studies all day,” her index finger pointed at the ’16+’ marked on the box: “It’s perfect for your age.”

“Mm.”

…

On the way home, the sun had emerged from the clouds. Although the light was cold, there was still some warmth, and the wind was tempered, no longer as biting as when they came.

After getting home, Li Wu immediately took off his coat and sweater, rolled up his sleeves, and headed straight for the kitchen, looking ready to show his skills.

Cen Jin found a bag of Wuchang rice at the bottom of the cabinet, checking the expiration date: “My dad brought this in June, haven’t even opened it.”

Li Wu gave her a complex look: “Do you just eat takeout at home?”

Cen Jin caught his tone and shot him a glare: “Is that not allowed?”

Li Wu fell silent, turning back to look for the strainer.

The rice weighed about twenty jin, and Cen Jin tried to lift it with both hands, struggling somewhat.

Seeing this, Li Wu quickly bent down to take it, instinctively saying: “Let me, you go to the side.”

Cen Jin was silent for a few seconds, dusting off her hands as she stood straight: “Getting cocky, huh? Think I’m in the way?”

“…” Li Wu hurriedly explained: “No, it’s too heavy, I’m afraid you’ll hurt yourself.”

Afraid Cen Jin would start arguing with him about this, he took the initiative, lifting the rice bag into his hands with one arm. The young man’s movement was so quick it took just a blink, looking casual and effortless. Cen Jin was stunned—if she hadn’t noticed the slight muscles and veins standing out on his forearm from the effort, she would have thought he was just lifting a bag of cotton.

Cen Jin looked up again, slowly nodding, giving neutral encouragement: “Alright, do your best, I’ll go to the living room.”

After the woman left the limited space of the kitchen, the surroundings cooled down. Li Wu also calmed himself, tied on the newly bought apron, and began familiarizing himself with the kitchen tools and appliances.

First were the cutting boards and knives in the corner. There were three wooden cutting boards, each different in size and thickness. The number of knives was even more extreme, with various shapes, making the prep counter look as precise and serious as an operating room.

Next was the stove. Li Wu tried to light it once but failed. He recalled how the cafeteria staff at Nongxi used to light the stove, pressed and turned it, and a small blue ring of flame burst forth.

He smiled as if successful in an experiment, then looked up at the range hood.

Li Wu turned it on, listened to the whooshing sound for several seconds, then turned it off and on again, adjusting the suction power. Soon, he discovered it had a hand-wave control function, and stood there solemnly, facing the range hood as if greeting it, having great fun operating it.

These were all things he never had at home before, things he didn’t dare to even imagine.

He had underestimated the sophistication and functionality of city people’s kitchens.

Cen Jin sat sideways on the sofa, chin propped on one hand, pretending to look at her phone but paying attention to his movements. She bit her lower lip for a while, finally unable to resist scolding him: “Are you playing around?”

Li Wu glanced at her, like a child caught daydreaming in class, quickly turned off the range hood, and obediently turned on the tap to wash rice and vegetables.

The kitchen instantly went quiet, and Cen Jin’s gaze returned to her screen, her lips curving up uncontrollably.

…

Li Wu had always been efficient at work, with strong comprehension and quick adaptation. Soon, the kitchen was filled with rich, fragrant aromas.

Cen Jin’s appetite was stimulated. She put down her laptop and went to check on the results.

“Is this braised pork?” She stopped at the same stove.

The glass lid above the cast iron pot was covered in condensation, but the dish inside was still vaguely visible.

Li Wu made an “mm” sound, lifted the lid, and used chopsticks to pick up a piece that was richly colored, glistening with oil, and had a good balance of lean and fat meat, offering it to Cen Jin.

Cen Jin didn’t think much of it and was about to stretch her neck to taste it.

Li Wu realized he seemed to be feeding her, which felt inappropriate. His head buzzed, and his entire face suddenly felt like it was over the stove. His hand moved lightning-fast, stuffing the meat into his mouth instead.

Cen Jin’s face temperature dropped dramatically, incredulous: “Are you messing with me?”

“No,” Li Wu was anxiously sweating, explaining with difficulty: “This piece wasn’t good enough…”

Before he finished speaking, Cen Jin had already impatiently grabbed the chopsticks from his hand to try for herself. She picked up a piece, blew on it twice, and put it in her mouth.

The meat was still simmering in the pot, sauce bubbling, fragrance permeating everywhere.

Cen Jin carefully chewed and tasted—the meat was completely tender and well-seasoned, rich but not greasy, lean but not dry, leaving a delicious taste in her mouth.

She was greatly surprised, her eyes curving as she gave the highest praise: “This is so good, really delicious.” Then she picked up another piece to eat.

Seeing her satisfaction, Li Wu’s emotions settled, and he smiled too: “I’m glad you like it.”

Cen Jin went to look at another covered soup pot, “What’s in here, let me help you serve it?”

“Tomato and egg soup.”

“I love that.”

“Really…?”

“Yes, I used to make it often in my dorm when I was studying abroad, but yours already looks more appetizing than what I made back then.”

Cen Jin looked around like a cat searching for food: “Is there anything else?”

“There’s also a plate of asparagus with meat and shredded potatoes, keeping warm in the rice cooker’s steamer tray.”

“You’re so talented, Li Wu――” Cen Jin turned to admire the dishes in the rice cooker, her tone growing admiring: “If I had known you were this skilled, why did we suffer through takeout?”

The young man felt elated from the praise, glancing at the back of Cen Jin’s head, his smile growing deeper. After several failed attempts to suppress it, he diverted his attention, took out his phone from the apron pocket, lowered his eyes to look at the recipe app on it, then cleared it away, pretending to be modest: “It’s just average.”