The Rice Pot Next Door

Untitled Part 9

Wu Wen and Xiao You Cai appears today and they seem to have a backstory! Will this thread be developed? The novel is quite long so I guess we just have to wait and see.

Xiao You Cai likes to call Qiao Feng "Da Shen" or Big God, and I really like the term which is used to refer to a very capable, even omnipotent, person. I have avoided using that term in an earlier chapter title since "God" is a sensitive word these days, but I have decided to leave it as it is here. I have just finished reading Gu Man's "Just One Smile is Very Alluring" where the whole book is littered with "Da Shen" – this time referring to the sauve, cool, handsome Yi Xiao Nai He – so I'm glad to see the phrase in Rice Pot too. If you are keen to read "Just One Smile is Very Alluring", wwyxhqc has done a wonderful job translating the whole novel which you can Happy reading!

Chapter 17: Window Shopping

Although Lan Shan has agreed to attend Qiao Feng's class, it does not mean she can skip the washing of vegetables. One of the vegetables is huai san (a kind of yam, also known as 'mountain root') which Lan Shan rinses after peeling off its skin. She rubs her face with her hands unthinkingly and very soon, her face starts to itch.

The more she scratches, the worse the itch becomes. Lan Shan does not know what is happening and becomes scared. She has only applied some moisturizer today and has not bothered with any make-up. Why is her face itching like this?

"Qiao Feng! Qiao Feng! Help! I have been poisoned!"

Qiao Feng is cutting some vegetables and her holler causes him to nearly cut his finger. He puts down his knife and walks over to her. "What is wrong?"

"I don't know! Could the cotton candy be poisoned? My face is so itchy! Look at my face! Am I disfigured?"

She tries to scratch her face but he captures both her hands using one of his and pulls her closer to examine her face. His jerk is rather forceful and she flies forward until she is nestled in his arms. Errr.... isn't their position a bit like kissing?

QIao Feng examines at her face carefully and shakes his head. "Who ask you to touch your face with your hands?"

He is so close! Lan Shan is distracted by his handsome face at such close proximity and forgets her discomfort temporarily. "I.... because.... In any case, you never say I can't! And um.... can you let me go now?"

Qiao Feng lets go of her and takes out a bottle of white vinegar. He mixes some vinegar with warm water and asks her to wash her face with the solution. When Lan Shan questions why, he explains. "The huai san's skin contains certain enzymes that can cause an allergic reaction but it is usually not serious. Washing your skin with some diluted vinegar can help to combat the allergy and reduce the itch. Try it."

Lan Shan flatters. "You are so knowledgeable."

Qiao Feng scoffs. "You are so dumb."

Lan Shan ignores him and washes her face. Although Qiao Feng continues to look at her as if she is a dummy bear on display, he patiently waits until her itch goes away before he resumes cooking. Maybe this is her retribution for stealing his cotton candy? Thinking of her itchy face just moments ago, Qiao Feng suddenly feels much better as an unconscious smile lit up his face.

* * * * * *

After lunch, Qiao Feng asks Lan Shan if she has any special plans for the day. If she hasn't, can she spare him an afternoon? He has an important presentation next week and he needs some new clothes to replace the ones damaged by Schrödinger.

What a longwinded way to ask if she can go window shopping with him! Lan Shan agrees and thinking, calls Xiao You Cai to join them. When Xiao You Cai receives Lan Shan's call, she senses the opportunity to redeem herself in her company and applies urgent leave just so that she can join Lan Shan and Qiao Feng for shopping.