CHAPTER 197: CHAPTER 189: GRATITUDE

The next day, Tian Sisi didn’t go out to play; instead, He Xuewen went out to buy lots of ingredients and she was busily preparing meals alone in the kitchen. She didn’t allow anyone to enter, except for Niu Erniu, though the kitchen kept exuding bursts of delicious aromas.

Luo Datou was so enticed by the smell that he just couldn’t restrain himself. He asked his wife what delicious dishes the young miss was making inside. Niu Erniu was reluctant to reveal much, simply saying that Ah Nan was preparing a feast and they would be able to enjoy it by evening.

The more Niu Erniu said this, the itchier Luo Datou’s heart grew. He thought about sneaking into the kitchen several times to see for himself, but still held back. It wasn’t that he was afraid of Tian Sisi, but rather because Mr. Yun had specifically instructed not to disturb the young miss while she was working.

Finally, dinner time arrived, and the meal was set up in the backyard garden. Amidst the enthusiastic anticipation of everyone, Niu Erniu, with Tian Sisi’s help, pushed out the dishes from the kitchen on a trolley. What caught everyone’s attention the most was a soy-sauce-colored jar covered with lotus leaves.

"Ha ha, Sisi, you spent the whole day just to make a jar of wine? That’s really funny!" Luo Datou began to laugh heartily as soon as he saw the jar.

"Hmph! Grandpa Luo, if you mock me, then don’t you dare drink what’s in this jar," retorted Tian Sisi, shooting Luo Datou a glance. Really, the man had no clue! Luo Datou just chuckled twice without responding to Tian Sisi’s words.

Mr. Yun knew as soon as he saw the wine jar why the young miss had taken a whole day to prepare, and he felt a surge of anticipation. After all, it had been years since he had the chance to enjoy this particular dish.

Niu Erniu carefully set the jar on the table with a thick cloth, and Tian Xinhua helped carry out the other dishes. They were all home-cooked dishes such as steamed pork with rice flour, deep-fried pork covered with sauce, garlic ribs, spring rolls, fish head with diced hot red peppers, steamed carp, shredded pork in garlic sauce, braised eggplant in oil, steamed egg dumplings, Russian Soup, and so on—quite a feast.

Tian Sisi stood up and lifted the lotus leaf that covered the jar, instantly releasing a waft of alcohol that was deeply fragrant and invigorating. "Wow, it smells amazing! Sisi, what delicious thing have you made?" Luo Datou inhaled deeply, his nose twitching with curiosity.

"Of course, it’s something good! It’s Buddha Jumps Wall!" she proclaimed.

Tian Sisi ladled a bowl for Mr. Yun first. The soup was thick and brown, rich yet not greasy, and emanated an inviting aroma. Mr. Yun received the bowl with a smile, took a sip, and then closed his eyes for a long while before opening them again.

"Grandpa Yun, how’s the taste?" Tian Sisi asked somewhat anxiously, as this was a dietary remedy she had thought about for several days.

It was said that Buddha Jumps Wall could boost immunity and even prevent cancer; in short, it was extremely beneficial to one’s health. However, the dish requires expensive ingredients and is labor-intensive, so most people are unwilling to prepare it. But for Yun Mansion, neither ingredients nor manpower nor time was a problem.

That was why she had come up with this idea. As far as she knew from her past life, Mr. Yun either died from someone’s scheming or illness. It seemed impossible to her that he would be harmed by others—Cloud Fox was more likely to harm others than be the victim. So, the reason Mr. Yun did not appear in her past life might have been due to his passing away from an illness.

Thinking about the cunning Cloud Fox dying in just a few years made Tian Sisi feel uncomfortable. She wasn’t heartless; she could feel the kindness Mr. Yun had shown her.

He Xuewen had also mentioned Mr. Yun’s deep concerns, advising her to be good to Mr. Yun. In fact, Tian Sisi felt a bit uneasy. She was the kind of person who if treated kindly by others would repay it manyfold. She feared not being worthy enough to receive so much kindness, uncertain how she could possibly reciprocate it.

While the young miss felt uneasy, the perceptible Mr. Yun saw through Tian Sisi’s intentions with a meaningful gaze and did not ask further, simply savoring the Buddha Jumps Wall, bowl by bowl, even breaking into a thin sweat on the tip of his nose and feeling thoroughly relaxed.

"The flavor is not bad, though the heat control could have been slightly better," commented Mr. Yun after finishing the bowl of soup. He originally meant it as a compliment, but upon seeing the expectant look on the young girl’s face, he discounted his praise by half, keen to see the young miss pout in mock anger.

However, the young girl did not react with upset as expected; instead, she nodded and said, "This is my first time cooking this dish, so the heat control must not have been sufficient. It’ll be better with a few more tries."

Tian Sisi continued, "Grandpa Yun, this soup is very good for your health. I’ve written down the ingredients and method for this dish on paper and given it to Granny Niu. Granny Niu will make it for you to drink every week from now on."

Niu Erniu, with her wide smile, nodded and said, "Sir, I’ve learned how to make it. I’ll stew it for you to drink every day."

"There’s no need, once a week will do."

Mr. Yun gestured for Tian Sisi to pour another bowl of Buddha Jumps Wall for him. After drinking it, he lay down on the nearby rattan chair to enjoy the cool breeze. His expression remained calm, but only he knew that the rift in his heart was growing larger and larger, and it probably would never close again!

He really hated his current self for being so fragile. After all, it was just a bowl of Buddha Jumps Wall. When had his heart become so soft?

Yet, he really liked this current feeling, as if something was filling him up, bringing warmth to his heart. He had never experienced this feeling before, but he wished to keep it forever. Although it made him feel vulnerable, it also brought relief and comfort!

Everyone happily sipped the delicious soup, and no one noticed Mr. Yun’s emotions at the moment. Mainly because Mr. Yun’s skills in disguising his feelings were too adept. Although he was extraordinarily moved inside, his face still maintained its usual aloofness. Only the ever-sensitive Tian Sisi sensed it and quietly moved beside him.

"Do you feel very moved right now? So moved that you can’t even speak?"

Mr. Yun looked at her with restrained indifference, "Do you think a mere bowl of soup can move me?"

Mr. Yun would never admit that just a moment ago, he was so touched that he nearly cried. Wouldn’t that just make the young girl laugh herself to death?

"Come on, don’t be so stubborn. You can’t fool me, old man."

Tian Sisi sported a look that said ’you are indeed very moved’, and Mr. Yun was too lazy to argue with her. With his eyes closed, he enjoyed the cool air, smelled the fragrance of flowers, felt the evening breeze, and listened to the girl’s chirping voice. Surprisingly harmonious, so harmonious that he wished time would stop at this moment and never pass.

After chirping non-stop for a while, Tian Sisi finally quieted down. Mr. Yun had already fallen asleep. Tian Sisi gently covered him with a thin blanket that she had been keeping on hand. Although Mr. Yun’s health had improved a lot, he was still a bit susceptible to the cold.

In fact, Tian Sisi did not understand why Mr. Yun saw her in a new light. Of course, she would not narcissistically think it was because she was cute and pretty. Recalling how a few times Mr. Yun seemed to look through her as if he was seeing another person, she figured Mr. Yun must also have some unforgettable past memories.

But no matter the reason, she was sincerely grateful to him and truly wished for him to live on healthily.

"Grandpa Yun, thank you! You have to live well, live to be as old as a thousand-year-old fox!" Tian Sisi couldn’t help but whisper softly, and after that, she went back to the table to continue eating.

The sleeping Mr. Yun opened his eyes, the corners of his mouth curving into a smile, then he slowly closed his eyes and drifted back to sleep.