The white rose I picked up cried and said she liked me.

In the end, the ten-pound fish never made it to Xu Nian and Xu Xi's dinner table.

It was taken to the market and sold to a fishmonger at a fish stall.

After all, the two of them couldn't possibly eat this ten-pound fish; cooking it would be a waste.

Xu Xi is currently in a period of depression, with a greatly reduced appetite. In addition, due to long-term medication, he has little appetite and is lucky to be able to eat a couple of bites of food.

Xu Nian has left the labor industry, and her appetite is no longer as big as it was when she was young.

Furthermore, to cook this ten-pound fish, you need special kitchen utensils, such as the extra-large woks used in restaurants and hotels, which are not available at home.

Moreover, killing fish is a very strenuous task.

However, after selling this fish, Xu Nian still bought a two-pound fresh sea bass.

With few bones and plenty of meat, its two-pound weight was more than enough for him and Xu Xi to eat.

"Friend, next time you catch a big fish like this, remember to come find me again!"

The fishmonger, carrying the ten-pound fish, couldn't stop smiling.

A fish this long would be a golden brand just by displaying it on a stall.

"OK."

Xu Nian smiled and agreed.

"By the way, friend, are you buying fish to feed your cat?"

The fishmonger noticed the cat-shaped bag on Xu Nian's chest.

"Ah...yes."

"Wait a minute, let me bring you two small fish. They're perfect for feeding your cat when you get home."

"No, no need."

"It's okay, I can't sell these anyway. Instead of wasting them by throwing them away, I'll give them to your kitten."

The fishmonger smiled and picked out a few small fish, put them in a plastic bag, and handed them to Xu Nian.

He didn't forget to extend the plastic bag to the glass porthole of the cat carrier and gently shake it to tease the "kitten" inside.

"Okay, thank you."

Xu Nian had no choice but to reach out and take it.

After leaving the market, he patted the glass window of the cat carrier.

"Little Flame, time to eat fish. Someone specially gave it to you."

A soft hum came from the cat carrier.

Xu Nian laughed heartily.

The distance from the market to her home wasn't far, so Xu Nian chose to walk home instead of taking a taxi.

"How was your day? Did you have fun?"

He spoke to the cat carrier as he walked.

"good."

"Are you going out again tomorrow?"

The cat bag remained silent.

Xu Nian smiled and understood what she meant.

This girl agreed, but was too embarrassed to say it.

As long as it can make her happy and help her get out of depression as soon as possible, he is still very willing to take Xu Xi out for a stroll.

......

After returning home, Xu Xi finally returned to her safe haven and left the enclosed cat carrier.

Xu Nianze went to the kitchen and began to prepare the freshly bought sea bass.

The fishmonger had already gutted and cleaned the fish, saving me the trouble of killing and scaling it.

Cut scallions and ginger into sections and sprinkle them evenly over the fish. Then, make diamond-shaped cuts on both sides of the fish and rub it with cooking wine to remove any fishy smell.

Xu Xi hugged her teddy bear and sat quietly on a chair to the side, watching the man busy at the stove.

"Sweet and sour fish has to be deep-fried, so it has to be coated with breadcrumbs first."

Xu Nian knew that this girl wanted to learn how to cook, but was too shy to ask.

Although with her net worth she could easily choose not to work hard at cooking, she seems to have a unique obsession with it.

Perhaps it's because Xiaoxi can cook, and cooks exceptionally well, while her cooking skills are absolutely terrible, that she feels inferior.

So, while preparing the sea bass, Xu Nian muttered the steps to herself so that the girl next to her could hear her clearly.

"Coat them with breadcrumbs, deep-fry them until golden brown, and even the neighbor's kids will be drooling with envy."

Pour half a pot of oil into the pot and heat it until small bubbles appear.

Xu Nian held the fish by the tail and repeatedly poured hot oil over the fish's body.

Once the outer skin has set slightly, place the whole piece into the oil pan.

"It needs to be fried for five to seven minutes, until both sides are golden brown and the outer skin is crispy, then it can be taken out."

Xu Xi watched very carefully, afraid of missing even the slightest detail.

Xu Nian couldn't help but recall the scene when he first met Xiao Xi in the dark shantytown, where he patiently taught the little girl how to cook.

At that time, right now.

The tall guy was talking, and the short guy was learning.

The difference is that they can now afford better ingredients and better kitchenware.

After taking the fish out of the pot, Xu Nian took out an empty bowl and poured in soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, tomato sauce, water and other ingredients. She then left a little oil in the pot, sautéed chopped green onions, poured in the sauce, and simmered it over low heat until it bubbled.

Then, he poured in a spoonful of starch.

"You'll have to keep stirring now, otherwise it'll burn."

He glanced at the girl beside him.

"You come here, I'll go wash some vegetables and stir-fry two plates of green vegetables later."

"Um."

Xu Xi took the ladle and slowly stirred it in the bubbling sauce.

"Do you want your tomatoes to be served cold with sugar, or cooked with eggs?"

"Cold salad."

"Want some cucumber salad?"

"Um."

...

Watching the man's busy figure in front of the sink, Xu Xi calmly took out a small medicine bottle from his pocket.

She took out two small pills and threw them into the bubbling pot.

As the pills melted and mixed into the thick sauce, a slight smile appeared on her lips.

"It's ready when it can be coated with a spoon; cooking it for too long will make it burnt."

After washing the vegetables, Xu Nian belatedly remembered the sauce in the pot.

He walked over to the girl, turned off the gas, lifted the pot, and poured the sauce evenly over the crispy fish.

He wasn't sure if it was just his imagination, but the aroma of the sauce seemed... somewhat alluring...

......

After finishing her meal, Xu Nian sat on the sofa, leisurely scrolling through short videos, savoring the taste of the sweet and sour fish she had just eaten.

He thought the fish dish was incredibly delicious, something he couldn't possibly make himself; it was like a delicacy from a celestial palace.

He wanted nothing more than to pick up the plate and lick every last drop of sauce off it.

Moreover, after eating, my whole body felt warm, as if I had soaked in a hot spring, with warmth surging from my toes to the top of my head, and I felt very hot.

For some reason, he felt blisters forming on one of his thighs, and his cheeks burning hot, as if he had a fever.

A primal urge surged into his mind.

That's strange. I wasn't watching the girl dance, I was just watching Odysseus pull a banana, so why am I having this reaction?

Xu Nian muttered something in confusion, went to the bathroom and washed her face with cold water, trying to calm herself down.

He knew that Xu Xi was currently in a period of depression, and that in addition to his appetite, his desire for stars would also be at its lowest point.

Even if he wanted it, he would have to resist.

But as cold water was splashed on her cheeks again and again, the blush on her cheeks not only did not fade, but became even more intense.

No, I should take a shower!

Xu Nian filled the bathtub with cold water, took off her clothes, and plopped down in.

The cold water had an immediate effect, taking away most of the heat from his body, and even the blisters on his legs softened and shrank slightly.

Xu Nian breathed a sigh of relief, slowly lay down, closed her eyes, and quietly waited for the desire to subside.

Just then, the bathroom door was gently pushed open, making a crisp sound.

"Uh... Little Flame, I'm taking a shower. If you need to use the toilet, please go to another bathroom first."

The footsteps didn't fade away; instead, they grew closer.

Xu Nian opened his eyes and immediately saw a scene that made his blood boil.

Xu Xi was wearing the Empress's New Clothes, her little face flushed red, like a ripe apple.

She stretched out her fair little foot and stepped on Xu Nian's swollen blister, causing the latter to let out a "painful wail".

"Aren't you...you're still going through a period of depression?"

"Yes, that's right."

"Then what about you..."

"The fish tonight was delicious, wasn't it?"

"Mmm...."