Chapter 310
Because their carriage was a soft sleeper, other passengers wouldn’t venture into their area. Su Xiaoxiao and her group quickly found their compartment. However, the once spacious room felt cramped as soon as they put their luggage down.
“Why don’t you put it over my carriage? I can keep an eye on it,” He Xingzhi suggested hurriedly.
Su Hongchen shook his head. “No need. The train is chaotic, and things can disappear in the blink of an eye. It’s just three days and two nights. We can manage as long as we can sit comfortably.”
“Yes, and you’d be bored sitting there alone. It’s better for you to come here when you’re not sleeping. It’s too much trouble to move the stuff around,” Su Xiaoxiao agreed, nodding.
Sitting there for three days and two nights, just guarding their belongings, would be tedious. Moreover, Su Xiaoxiao felt Jiang Yexun didn’t bring He Xingzhi along just to find his missing sister. There might be other plans as well. With free time on their hands, they might as well discuss things properly.
He Xingzhi, feeling Su Xiaoxiao’s bright eyes on him, felt a bit uneasy. He didn’t dare to refuse any longer and quickly agreed. Luckily, his luggage wasn’t much—just two lunch boxes and some toiletries.
Having earned quite a bit over the years working with Jiang Yexun, he had also bought himself some new clothes for the rare trip to Shanghai. With his stepmother no longer around, he wanted to make sure he had decent attire for future dates and meetings.
The five of them squeezed into the small compartment, and Jiang Yexun immediately locked the door. He pulled out a radio from his bag, along with peanuts, sunflower seeds, candy, and fruit. Each item had a vintage feel but was presented with a touch of refinement.
Su Hongchen didn’t interfere, just watched. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Aunt Guo smiling contentedly at her sister, feeling reassured about the future brother-in-law’s family.
Su Xiaoxiao, unaware of her brother’s complete focus on her, propped her chin on her hand and pouted as she looked at Jiang Yexun. “I’m not interested in the snacks… Yexun, do you still have those three ancient books with you? I want to look at them and figure out the recipes.”
She hoped to practice the recipes when she returned, possibly even using them for their New Year’s Eve dinner.
“Such eagerness?” Su Hongchen looked at her, surprised by her newfound interest in cooking.
He could hardly believe that his sister, who had always been so delicate, was now so focused on cooking.
Su Xiaoxiao caught the meaning in her brother’s gaze and straightened up defensively. “I’ve had some field experience and learned a bit. It’s not like I’m completely clueless. And I’m just copying the recipes; I’m not saying I’ll cook them.”
“I’ll cook,” Jiang Yexun quickly chimed in, picking up on her words.
Su Hongchen gave him a sidelong glance, a mix of amusement and skepticism. “You’re quite the cook, aren’t you?”
He Xingzhi, shrinking back, dared not get involved in the discussion between the two men. He knew better than anyone that Jiang Yexun had little interest in cooking. If not for his wife, he wouldn’t have touched a stove all year.
But Jiang Yexun seemed to have forgotten his lack of enthusiasm for cooking. Instead, he nodded earnestly, “Cooking for someone you care about, and making whatever you like, what’s wrong with that?”
“Then what do you like to eat?” Su Hongchen asked pointedly.
Jiang Yexun didn’t answer directly but turned his gentle gaze to the young woman across from him. “Whatever Xiaoxiao likes, that’s what I like.”
Su Xiaoxiao blushed at his words and quickly lowered her head.
“Smooth talker,” Su Hongchen muttered under his breath, more out of jealousy than distrust.
Having spent a month with them and now several days in the team, Su Hongchen could see that everyone involved in his sister’s life was focused on her preferences. From waking up times, where to eat, to what dishes to have, everything revolved around her.
It was clear that anyone in her place would be overwhelmed by the attention.
“Honestly, I’m fine as long as I’m full. Xiaoxiao is weak and needs to eat what she likes to get enough nourishment,” Jiang Yexun said, meeting Su Hongchen’s scrutinizing gaze.
“Alright. Once Xiaoxiao copies down the recipes, you’ll make a nice meal when you get to Shanghai. My mom is quite particular about food. If you impress her, she might regard you more favorably,” Su Hongchen said, his tone nonchalant.
Jiang Yexun and Aunt Guo’s eyes immediately brightened.
“Good, good. You better perform well and make a good impression on Xiaoxiao’s mother,” Aunt Guo said, awkwardly correcting herself from “mother-in-law” to “mother.”
She planned to remind her son privately later to adjust his language and manners before meeting her daughter’s family in Shanghai. The people from the city often looked down on villagers, and she didn’t want her son’s accent to give them more reason to sneer.
“Got it,” Jiang Yexun nodded seriously, mentally preparing for his tasks in Shanghai. Despite his thoughts, he took out the ancient books, a pen, and a notebook from his bag and placed them in front of Su Xiaoxiao.
Clearly, he had anticipated her desire to study the recipes during the trip and had prepared for it in advance.