Chapter 137: Why’s he so skilled?

Standing in front of that familiar door, Lin Yu felt an itch all over his body.

He had used this key countless times. Every item inside, every corner of this place, he knew perfectly well.

And yet, standing here as “Lin Yu” himself, it felt like he was wearing someone else’s skin.

Hoo…

Deep breath. Nervousness is normal.

What should I say first when I go in?

“Bro, you really went all out this time, huh?
Gargh, gargh… it’s never easy!
Ugh, what a hassle…
Neither coming in nor staying out works.
Might’ve been easier if I’d come as “Lulu” instead…
At least then I could relax a bit, show my face, nothing to worry about.”

“Hey.”

On the other side, his sister was already getting impatient.

“If you don’t ring the bell soon, I’m doing it for you.”

“No, no, no! I’ll do it! I’ll do it myself!”

Lin Yu jumped in fright, terrified that she might kick the door open like some ancient deity.

Trembling, he lifted his hand, his index finger hovering over the doorbell. He hesitated for a full three seconds before finally pressing it.

Ding-dong—

The crisp chime echoed down the hallway. Every second of waiting felt like a century.

Soon, hurried footsteps sounded from inside.

Click.

The lock turned, and the deep brown door slowly swung open.

“Here you are… Miss Lin, and… Ah Yu.”

The familiar, low voice accompanied the appearance of Luo Shaotian in the doorway.

He wore a loose, dark-gray home outfit. His hair wasn’t styled, flopping softly over his forehead, softening the usual sharp, cold lines of his face. Yet the faint blue-black under his eyes revealed that he hadn’t been sleeping well recently.

“Uh, hello, Mr. Luo.”

Though it was their first meeting, Lin Xue carried herself with calm confidence, showing not the slightest hint of awkwardness.

“Uh… hi, Shaotian… long… long time no see.”

In contrast, Lin Yu, the old buddy, froze stiffly, giving an awkward greeting.

Luo Shaotian’s gaze swept slowly over him. The instant their eyes met…

“!”

His fingers tightened slightly on the doorknob.

He was a little flustered.

So many days had passed, and his “good buddy” seemed… different.

The memory of him was a slovenly shut-in.

But this person before him…

The facial features hadn’t changed. Same face.

Yet somehow, something felt different.

Had it been too long?

His skin… was it a little too pale?

Pale like a well-maintained female celebrity.

Even the body hair seemed sparser; his arms bore no sign of fine hairs.

His beard had thinned considerably.

Most striking of all—his eyes.

Before, they had been bloodshot with fatigue. Now, they were startlingly clear.

The irises and whites were distinct, almost holding a small pool of water. The corners drooped slightly, long thick lashes fluttered in the dim hallway light, giving an indescribable… innocent look?

Perhaps even… a strange, subtle allure?

“Shaotian?”

Lin Yu felt uneasy with how fixedly he was staring. He instinctively touched his face.

“What’s wrong? Is there something on my face?”

“Ah… n-no.”

Luo Shaotian snapped back to himself, realizing his previous lapse, and quickly turned aside, letting out a small, embarrassed cough.

“Sorry… I just… you seem different somehow.”

“Different? How so?”

“Different… energetic.”

Luo Shaotian muttered, eyes awkwardly shifting away from Lin Yu’s face.

“Please, come in.”

Once inside the living room, the familiar scent hit him.

Lin Yu’s eyes instinctively flicked to the corner.

That dumb, cute little bear doll still sat there quietly. Next to it were a few unopened shopping bags.

Luo Shaotian had really kept all these things…

“Sit anywhere. Make yourself comfortable.”

Luo Shaotian gestured for them to sit at the dining table, already covered with dishes. It looked quite abundant.

“Wow, so many dishes?”

Trying to hide his nerves, Lin Yu exaggerated, leaning over the table.

“All made by you? Not bad, Chef Luo! Absence makes the heart grow fonder!”

However, as Lin Yu really looked at the plates, his exaggerated grin froze instantly.

…

This wasn’t “impressive.” This was “horrifying.”

Braised ribs, steamed bass, garlic water spinach… the quality was beyond words.

“Don’t look.”

As Lin Yu fretted, unsure where to start in order to show “brotherly respect,” a hand reached out and swiftly moved the plates to the side.

Luo Shaotian sighed awkwardly:

“I know they’re terrible. No need to praise them. I tried… but couldn’t get it right…”

Then he brought out several large insulated bags from the kitchen, stamped with the gold logo of a five-star hotel.

“Just eat these. I prepared them earlier.”

“Wait! Don’t throw them away!”

Lin Yu was fast, blocking the bags.

“This… this is such a waste! Meat isn’t just meat!”

“Ah? You want to…”

“Let me use the kitchen.”

Without overthinking, he grabbed an apron, slipped it on, tied it skillfully into a neat butterfly knot, rolled up his sleeves to reveal his fair forearms, and stepped into the kitchen.

“Step aside! Watch me work!”

He unapologetically pushed Luo Shaotian aside.

Sizzle—

Fire, hot oil.

The previously burnt ribs went back into the pan with cola and a splash of aged vinegar. He reduced the sauce over high heat. The burnt smell was quickly replaced by a tangy-sweet aroma.

Damaged fish and wilted vegetables were revived using similar techniques.

Everything flowed like water.

Luo Shaotian stood at the kitchen doorway, dumbfounded.

This…

This level of skill…

These fluid movements…

Even the habitual little shake of the salt shaker…

His gaze became a little dazed, almost trance-like.

“Done!”

With the last dish finished, Lin Yu turned off the range hood, clapped his hands, and carried a plate around.

“How’s that? Told you, it’s salvageable… huh?”

When he looked up, he collided with Luo Shaotian’s unwavering gaze.

The look was intense. Complex.

Shock. Confusion. And something else… like he was trying to see right through him.

Lin Yu’s scalp tingled. He instinctively took a step back, nearly losing his grip on the plate.

“Hey… Shaotian?”

He forced a laugh and put down the plate, rubbing his nose.

“Why are you looking at me like that? Amazed by my culinary skills? Want to be my apprentice?”

Luo Shaotian didn’t respond to the joke. His gaze remained locked on Lin Yu’s face. After a long moment, he spoke hoarsely:

“Ah Yu… that… the way you cook… why are you so… skilled?”

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