Chapter 33: “I Like You—Dream About Being My Boyfriend!” Mastery of Cantonese Cuisine: Steamed Perch!

Jiang Feng replied, “Alright, I’ll keep it.”

Just as he sent the message, Jiang Youyou wriggled under his arm and into his lap, peering at his phone. “Who are you talking to?”

“Curious little thing,” Jiang Feng teased, booping her nose.

Youyou squinted at the screen, then turned. “It’s Grandma! I miss Grandpa and Grandma.”

Jiang Feng nodded. “Say something to her, then.”

He switched to voice messages.

Youyou clung to his hand and chirped into the phone, “Grandma, I miss you! Will you come visit? We have room now!”

Back when Jiang Feng was still married to Xu Na, she had claimed a spare bedroom as her walk-in closet. Another room was reserved for Xu Xiuli—even though she rarely visited, no one was allowed to touch her things.

Whenever Jiang Feng’s parents visited, they had to stay at a nearby hotel. Though Jiang Feng could afford it, Song Jin and Old Jiang insisted it was unnecessary. They’d usually leave after a day.

At least they lived close—just under three hours by high-speed rail and car.

Jiang Feng had argued with Xu Na once, but the result was her shrugging, “I’ll cover the hotel bills. Stay as long as you want.”

Youyou hated the arrangement too, but she’d been too afraid of Xu Na to speak up.

Now, things were different. Jiang Feng’s parents could stay as long as they liked.

Song Jin’s reply came through: “Youyou! Grandma misses you too! We’ll visit soon and bring treats!”

Youyou bounced excitedly. “Come try Daddy’s buns first! They’re so good!”

Song Jin’s next message turned serious: “Youyou, if your dad runs into trouble, call Grandma, okay? He always tries to handle everything alone—never lets us help.”

Youyou nodded sagely. “I’ll make sure Daddy behaves!”

Jiang Feng pinched her chubby cheek. “Do I need to behave?”

“Uhh… Daddy, I was just showing off! Youyou listens to you!”

Laughing, Jiang Feng released her and sent a final voice note: “Youyou and I are heading to bed. Rest early too.”

He carried Youyou to the bathroom for her bath.

Meanwhile, Rong Shuang slumped against her pillow, eyelids drooping.

Exhaustion weighed on her—though her fever had eased, she hadn’t rested since dawn.

Tang Hemei, fresh off her livestream, peeked in. “Still awake?”

Rong Shuang mumbled, “Waiting for him… He’s showering.”

Tang Hemei sighed. Ever since her confession, Rong Shuang’s “husband obsession” had worsened!

“Sleep if you’re tired. Jiang Feng wouldn’t want you straining yourself.”

Rong Shuang shook her head. “Need to tell him something.”

“Text it! Then pass out.”

“No. I’ll wait.”

Tang Hemei’s curiosity piqued. “What’s so important?”

“To say I like him. And goodnight.”

Tang Hemei choked on the sudden dog food. “Fine, wait. I’ll get you water.”

Twenty minutes later, Jiang Feng finally finished showering.

He hesitated before picking up his phone. Part of him wanted to avoid messaging Rong Shuang, but another part worried she might still be waiting.

He typed: “Done showering. Heading to bed—you should too.”

Rong Shuang’s phone buzzed. She jolted awake, scrambling to reply:

“Mhm! Goodnight!

I like you. Dream about being my boyfriend, okay?”

Today’s confession: Check.

The second she hit send, she collapsed into sleep.

Jiang Feng read it and responded: “Won’t. Goodnight.”

For both their sakes, he needed to be clear in his refusal.

He lay down just as Youyou trotted back from the bathroom.

“Daddy, goodnight!” She kissed his cheek and latched onto his right arm.

Jiang Feng ruffled her hair. “Sleep tight.”

Before drifting off, he activated a system lottery draw.

[Congratulations! Obtained: Cantonese Cuisine Mastery (Max Level). You can now cook the world’s finest Cantonese dishes.]

Jiang Feng’s eyes widened.

An entire culinary style—and one of the most globally beloved!

Recipes flooded his mind:

Wok-fried beef ho fun

Crispy-skinned roast suckling pig

Silky poached chicken

Golden “Buddha’s Hand” spare ribs

He could now make any Cantonese dish—at a world-class level.

I could add stir-fries to the shop’s menu…

But he decided to keep the focus on buns for now. The specifics could wait.

For the first time in years, he felt… free.

No more waiting up for Xu Na, no more midnight (hangover soup duty.

Just sleep when he wanted.

5:00 AM

A light drizzle lingered, the air crisp with petrichor.

Jiang Feng and Youyou washed up, then headed downstairs to the car.

Youyou buckled into the passenger seat and immediately conked out again.

Jiang Feng smiled. Having a car’s worth it just for this—30 extra minutes of sleep for her.

Before driving off, he checked his phone.

Xu Na had spammed more texts:

“Why are you ignoring me?”

“How do you make xingjiu tang (hangover soup)? Teach me.”

“Is Youyou asleep?”

He left them on read.

At the market entrance, Jiang Feng parked and turned to Youyou. “Want to nap in the car? I’ll lock it.”

Electric vehicles didn’t need ignition—no carbon monoxide risks.

Youyou rubbed her eyes. “No, I’ll come.”

As they stepped out, the rain paused.

Then Jiang Feng froze.

Rong Shuang stood at the market gates in a white blouse, black skirt, and pristine ankle socks, holding an umbrella.

Spotting him, she jogged over, beaming.

“Surprised? Do you feel like a husband seeing his wife after work?”

Jiang Feng deadpanned, “My home isn’t a wet market.”

“Why are you here?”

Rong Shuang stated it like obvious fact: “I’m syncing my schedule to yours. Morning market runs, then taking Youyou to school—saves you time.”

Jiang Feng’s chest warmed, though he kept his tone light. “You don’t need to come this early next time.”

Rong Shuang huffed. “If you don’t want me here, I’ll just follow you. When you agree to date me, then I’ll obey.”

Defeated, Jiang Feng sighed. “Fine. Let’s go.”

Youyou, now fully awake, reached for Rong Shuang. “Teacher Rong! Up!”

Rong Shuang scooped her up. “Youyou, I dreamed about you last night.”

“Really? What did I do?”

“You called me Mommy.”

“I can do that now! But Daddy won’t let me.”

Jiang Feng ignored them, heading straight for the fishmonger.

“Boss, what’s the price on perch?”

Youyou and Rong Shuang exchanged thrilled glances.

New dish incoming!