King of the Wilderness

"My two wives, Aliya and Emily, both think my Chinese cooking is delicious. Especially Aliya, she loves my spicy chicken the most."

That sentence, like an ice cube dropped into warm lake water, instantly lowered the ambiguous temperature inside the car a bit.

Max’s hand gripping the steering wheel tightened slightly, and the car let out a faint sliding sound on the snow but she quickly stabilized it.

Lin Yu’an didn’t stop, he continued in a warm tone sharing their daily family life: "In fact, what I’m best at now might be baby food."

His face showed a hint of an unconscious tender smile of a father: "Salmon puree, avocado banana mash... every time I see those two little guys eating with food all over their faces..."

"They would cheerfully dance around, that feeling... how should I put it, is more satisfying than any Michelin chef’s praise."

He spoke coolly, as if sharing the most ordinary family life.

Yet every word was like unavoidable snow gently tapping on Max’s heart.

Two wives.

Children.

He didn’t directly respond to her suggestive probing, nor did he refuse.

He merely presented his complex yet complete family puzzle in a tender and honest way before her once again.

The car fell into silence again. Only the hum of the engine and the relentless swishing sound of the wipers could be heard.

Lin Yu’an quietly watched the scenery outside the window, returning all the right to speak to the woman beside him.

For a long, long time.

Just when Lin Yu’an thought she wouldn’t speak again, a subtle, ambiguous sound came from Max’s throat...

"Hmm."

This time, the sound lacked the previous arrogance and playfulness. It was light, short, and carried no discernible emotion.

Lin Yu’an couldn’t understand it either.

He only saw Max sit up straight again, her hand on the steering wheel becoming incredibly steady.

As if the silent upheaval just now had never happened.

Back at Max’s apartment, the kitchen once again became the heart of the home.

Lin Yu’an skillfully took off his coat and washed his hands at the Xuan Gate, first preparing December’s food.

The fresh trout was expertly de-boned with a sharp American chef’s knife, and the white fish meat was chopped into fine fish paste.

He then mixed it with high purity fish oil in precise proportions, exuding a rich and primal ocean aroma.

After finishing this, he began preparing lunch for the two of them.

Max intended to help, but Lin Yu’an smiled and gently pressed her onto the living room sofa.

So, Max hugged a cushion, sitting on the sofa, quietly watching the busy figure in the kitchen.

The living room was playing her favorite Brahms cello sonata, but somehow, the formerly sad melody now seemed to carry a hint of warmth.

She watched Lin Yu’an dice the chicken breast evenly, carefully coating it in egg white and starch, slicing the carrots into beautiful diamond shapes.

Minced scallions, ginger, and garlic were finely chopped, then combined in a small bowl with soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, cooking wine, and Sichuan pepper oil to make a bowl of enticing sauce.

Every movement he made was filled with a mesmerizing rhythm.

When the dried chili and Sichuan pepper burst into a pungent yet irresistibly enticing aroma in hot oil, Max couldn’t help but sneeze.

Lin Yu’an in the kitchen turned back and smiled at her.

Soon after, the diced chicken was added to the pot, quickly stir-fried, turning golden instantly in the high heat. Then the vegetables and sauce were added, the sauce thickening over high heat.

With a sizzling sound, a temptation of sour, sweet, numbing, and spicy aroma filled the room, wrapping the melancholy of the cello in a layer of happiness.

When two steaming bowls of Kung Pao Chicken noodles, garnished with green onions and crunchy peanuts, were served on the table, Max felt her taste buds completely conquered.

She eagerly twirled a forkful of noodles and put it into her mouth.

Compared to the tomato and egg noodles Lin Yu’an made for her last time, this time it was richer, the chicken tender and fresh, the carrots refreshing to the palate, and the peanuts crispy and delicious.

The rich taste and flavor set off an unparalleled feast of taste on her tongue.

"Mmm... it’s so delicious..." she murmured appreciatively, like a greedy little squirrel, completely forgetting her usual strict and calm image as a doctorate.

After a while, when she had eaten most of the noodles, feeling every cell in her body warmed and satisfied, she looked up.

Those blue eyes, under the warm light, were like two ignited stars, intensely watching Lin Yu’an.

"Mm," she slowly said, as if drawing a final scientific conclusion, "my boyfriend is indeed good at cooking."

After speaking, she said no more, just quietly watching him with those intense eyes, as if observing his... reaction.

This time, it was Lin Yu’an’s turn.

He didn’t speak but mimicked her earlier in the car, letting out two ambiguous "hmm" sounds from his nose, his eyes unable to hide a smile.

Max’s cheeks instantly puffed out in dissatisfaction, her angry yet adorable expression making Lin Yu’an’s heart skip.