"What are you cooking?"

I was busy in the kitchen when Pei Xianglong came in. Pei Shiyu was standing to the side, watching…

“Braised fish.” I stopped what I was doing and answered.

“Is it edible?”

“Don’t worry, it just doesn’t look good.” I answered honestly.

Pei Xianglong suddenly took the spatula from my hand and skillfully took over the steps I hadn't finished, asking,

“Did you add salt?”

“I haven’t added anything.” I replied, watching.

The fish, which already had a broken tail, was cooked into a ruddy color and fragrant aroma under his "rescue." This was pomfret that Pei Shiyu had bought, very fresh, and it shone before cooking.

I was shoveling, he was shaking the edge of the pot, and he also embellished the fish with the broken tail. After putting it on a plate, he said to me:

“Life should be like this fish. Since there is a deficiency, you have to find a way to remedy it.”

Actually, I understood. He was using a metaphor to tell me that I had shortcomings, and he hoped that I would correct them in the future. I didn't care at all, because in my imagination, Pei Xianglong's attitude had exceeded my expected kindness and recognition.

“I know what you mean. I'll try hard!”

“Dad called so frequently last night, he doesn’t dare to call today?”

“It’s not that I don’t dare, it’s that the atmosphere isn’t right. Yesterday, it was to embolden the crowd.”

“What other dishes are there?” Pei Xianglong asked after washing the pot.

“They’re all over there. I’ve already prepared them.” Pei Shiyu answered.

“You can’t cook, yet you bought so much. Did you deliberately ask me to cook?”

“We can cook ourselves, but you always rush to do it, so I can never learn.”

Pei Xianglong put down the spatula directly and said, “It seems like I’m meddling in things. If you want to cook, hurry up and move to Zhijiang Road.”

“Did you say that?” Pei Shiyu looked at her dad with a confirming tone.

“I said it! I don’t object to Pei Shiyu dating from today onwards, but you have to use your brain.”

I helped Pei Shiyu answer, saying, “Dad, don’t worry, I will definitely treat her well.”

“You’re indeed good now. I can see it. I hope you maintain today’s attitude as always.”

“Definitely.”

He picked up the spatula again, which he had just abandoned. I had never cooked many of the dishes that Pei Shiyu had prepared. They were probably what their family often ate, or what Pei Shiyu particularly wanted to eat today.

I respected Pei Xianglong from the bottom of my heart. Not only did he run his business so well, but he could also cook. I guessed that after the days of his family's passing, today was the first time he had cooked personally, and it also rekindled his love for life.

While eating, Pei Xianglong said again, “You should move back. I’m fine now. After Lao Wang enlightened me yesterday, I’ve become much more open-minded.”

Yesterday, we were busy with our own things and didn't pay attention to their conversation, so I asked curiously,

“What did he say to you?”

“Lao Wang said, what is this? When his first wife passed away, his daughter was only two years old. That was true sadness, but he’s doing well now. He even told me to find another partner. Pei Shiyu, what’s your opinion?”

“I don’t object to you finding someone, but now is not the time. My mother’s remains are still not cold. It’s a bit early to ask this.” Although Pei Shiyu left some leeway in her words, I could tell that she was quite disgusted.

“If you get married, wouldn’t I be very lonely?”

“You’re not already looking for someone, are you? No wonder you want me to move back. If you say that, I can’t move back.”

“These are two different things. I’m asking you to move back now purely for your sake. Of course, I won’t be looking now, but it’s okay to consider it when there’s a suitable one in the future, right? I’m just telling you to be mentally prepared.”

“No preparation! I don’t know what you’re going through. Do you think it’s appropriate to talk about this topic now? Maybe my mom is watching you now.”

“It’s okay if she’s watching me. Your mom will be gratified if I live a good life in the future.”

After hearing this, Pei Shiyu suddenly put down her chopsticks and asked with a very serious expression, “Do you have someone you’re seeing? If that’s really the case, I’ll be completely humiliated. What will people think of us? You can find someone, but at least three years later.”

This kind of topic was not suitable for me to interject. Seeing that Pei Shiyu's tone was getting more and more冲(chong - impetuous), I timely put some vegetables in her bowl, and winked at her with a hint of suggestion.

“What are you winking for? If I really marry you, if I die before you, will you be like him?”

Pei Shiyu's target shifted quickly and directly confronted me.

“No, I’ll be absolutely loyal to you.” I assured her.

This sentence seemed to offend Pei Xianglong again. This time, he was the one who put down his chopsticks, and he immediately got up and walked into the room. My eyes followed his back until the door closed. Only then did I say to Pei Shiyu, "Really, older people have the pleasures of older people. Why are you stopping him? Just imagine, if we weren't here today, how lonely would he be? Why don't we find someone to cook for him first?"

"He can live with me. Wherever I move, there will be a room for him. What is he finding a partner for at the age of sixty? There will be a lot of trouble in the future." Pei Shiyu still spoke with a tone of rejection.

“Why are you so opposed to it?”

“He was so good to my mom when she was alive. How long has it been since she passed away? Anyway, I can’t understand it!”

I felt that Pei Shiyu's thinking was a bit extreme. What her dad said just now was that there would be a suitable one, not that he was going to find one immediately. It was okay to resist in her heart, but I felt that it was very inappropriate to directly oppose it. After all, he was only in his sixties, and he still had a long way to go even if he lived to be eighty. Besides, everyone has the right to seek their own happiness.

I didn't try to persuade Pei Shiyu anymore, because everyone hadn't completely come out of the pain. It was useless to try harder. Many times, many things, people will only understand and appreciate when they figure it out themselves.

The warm atmosphere was instantly ruined. The dishes on the table were basically untouched. Pei Xianglong had only eaten a few bites. The rice I served him was untouched, still steaming. I turned my head again to look at his room, and then stood up to call him out…

“I’ll go take a look.”

“He’s very dramatic. When he gets angry, he won’t talk to me for at least a few days. Don’t call him. It’s good to let him reflect.” At this time, Pei Shiyu’s tone had softened a lot.

“Do you have to talk about your own dad like that!” I finally breathed a sigh of relief.

“Don’t worry about it now. The more you call him, the less likely he is to come out. He’ll secretly come out to eat when he’s hungry at night. If you don’t believe me, I’ll mark the leftovers.”

I wanted to laugh, laughing at how childish the father and daughter were, but I didn't dare, so I picked up my rice bowl and started eating heartily.