Chapter 28: Yi Yi Mistaken for the Cook
The majority of the guests in the living room followed Song Jing outside to the lawn, leaving a few who sat in a corner, their faces slightly flushed as they intently observed the figure on the couch.
He Yu Shen swirled the drink in his hand, downing it in one go before rising.
The nearby omegas, their eyes widening and breaths held in anticipation, stared at the approaching alpha, forgetting to set down their drinks.
He Yu Shen strode past them, heading upstairs.
Omega one exclaimed, "He's so handsome!"
Omega two whispered, "I was so entranced, I forgot to breathe."
A beta chimed in, "Even as a beta, my heart raced."
While laughter and chatter filled the outside, silence pervaded the room.
Seated on his bed, Nan Yi aimlessly scrolled through his phone.
He browsed through gossip, watched short clips, and then switched to a horror movie. The moment a bloody handprint appeared on the screen, he tossed his phone aside.
After what felt like an eternity of waiting,
There was a knock on the bedroom door.
"Mr. Nan, with so many people downstairs, I've made only a bowl of noodles for you," the maid said, holding the dish in front of the door.
Nan Yi nodded, making a gesture of appreciation.
"Since it's evening, I added fewer chili peppers. I hope it suits your taste."
Nan Yi nodded again, indicating his approval.
As he took the bowl of noodles and turned to go back inside, the maid hurriedly called out to him.
"Mr. Nan, thank you. I received my salary yesterday."
"You truly are a good person, Mr. Nan."
As He Yu Shen was coming upstairs, he caught a glimpse of the maid standing at the door and overheard her final words.
Holding the bowl of noodles in one hand and his phone on the bed, all Nan Yi could do was shake his head in a gesture of 'it's nothing'.
"I'll be heading downstairs now, Mr. Nan."
The maid closed the door behind her. Nan Yi, with the aromatic bowl of noodles laden with ingredients, eagerly sat down to eat.
He couldn't wait to dig in.
"Why aren't you joining the party downstairs?" He Yu Shen asked as he entered. At that moment, Nan Yi was slurping a few strands of noodles,
Looking a bit comical yet endearingly goofy.
With finesse, Nan Yi drew the noodles into his mouth, ignoring He Yu Shen and continuing to devour his meal.
Of all concerns, filling one's stomach reigns supreme.
He Yu Shen, undeterred by the slight, walked over and positioned himself behind Nan Yi, resting his head on the omega's slender shoulder.
It felt bony, somewhat uncomfortable.
"Give me a bite."
Nan Yi's noodle-slurping paused, and he turned in disbelief, his lips brushing against the alpha's face.
Nan Yi: ...............
The soft and slightly cold touch lingered on his face for a moment. He Yu Shen's lips curled into a smirk.
With a hint of amusement, he said, "Desiring even outside of the heat cycle, are we?"
Nan Yi abruptly edged away.
"Not today; there are too many people outside," He Yushen said with a soft chuckle.
A deep blush spread across Nan Yi's face, and with a mix of embarrassment, he abruptly stood up.
"Hiss."
He Yushen's chin was jostled. He touched it gently.
The omega in front of him was both frustrated and annoyed, his face flushed, appearing exceedingly shy.
In a swift motion, Nan Yi handed the bowl of noodles to He Yushen. Due to the forceful action, a few drops of soup splashed onto He Yushen's expensive suit.
Why would he dress so formally at home? Nan Yi silently critiqued.
Was it because of Song Jing's birthday?
Nan Yi thought of He Yushen as somewhat deceitful. Wasn't he fond of Nan Zhi? Then why was he ambiguously close to Song Jing?
"Aren't you eating?"
To his surprise, He Yushen looked down at the bowl in his hands, on top of which lay a poached egg with a small bite taken out.
In moments of distress, Nan Yi would often forget that He Yushen couldn't understand sign language, so he hastily raised his hands.
In sign language: "Didn't you want it? It's all yours!"
After signing, Nan Yi stormed out of the room, slamming the door loudly behind him.
He Yushen only understood the gesture for "eat". The omega was quite considerate; he'd heard he wanted to eat and was willing to forgo his meal for him.
The corners of He Yushen's eyes crinkled into a smile as he picked up the poached egg to taste.
It was a bit spicy, but delicious.
Without his bowl of noodles, a still-hungry Nan Yi had no choice but to head to the living room in search of food.
Fortunately, the living room was empty. Song Jing's friends were all outside on the lawn, enjoying themselves.
The cake on the table remained untouched, but even in his hunger, Nan Yi felt it beneath him to eat it.
He walked straight into the kitchen, turned on the stove, and began preparing dinner for himself.
While he wasn't particularly skilled at cooking, he had a craving for spicy hot pot. So, he made a simple yet very spicy broth, boiling all the ingredients together.
The combined ingredients looked quite appealing, and Nan Yi was eager to take a taste.
"I'll have a bowl as well."
Another voice came from behind him, even more startling than He Yushen's. Nan Yi dropped the spatula he held back into the pan, fortunately not into the soup.
"Hey! Can't you even hold onto a spatula?"
Nan Yi turned around to see an unfamiliar Omega. His expression was impassive, and he gave Nan Yi, who was momentarily stunned, an icy glance. Truly cold as frost.
"The food seems to be ready."
Reminded by him, Nan Yi came to his senses, lifting the spatula from the pot again. The lettuce had gone soft, and the corn had changed its color. Without hesitation, he turned off the stove.
Only after doing so did he turn back. The man at the door kept his gaze on him.
Nan Yi shifted his head slightly. In the living room, there was only this Omega, while outside, the noises of others continued.
Fortunately, they were alone. Nan Yi sighed in relief.
"I want a larger bowl, with more soup."
As Nan Yi was getting a bowl, the Omega behind him spoke up again.
Why was everyone trying to share his food tonight?
And this Omega was just as domineering as He Yushen.
Nan Yi had no choice but to split his dinner in two. Luckily, he had put in a lot of vegetables earlier.
Once divided, instead of courteously handing it over to the Omega, Nan Yi took the smaller bowl, pulled up a stool, and began to eat in the kitchen.
The Omega paused, seemingly unable to believe that Nan Yi didn't hand him the food.
However, the next moment, he unceremoniously came over, took the bowl designated for him, and, just like Nan Yi, pulled over the last stool and sat in front of Nan Yi.
Nan Yi glanced at him. Not even a thank you? No wonder he's a friend of Song Jing.
"You're so impolite, yet He Yushen keeps you around. Is his temper actually quite good?"
The Omega suddenly inquired after sitting down.
Nan Yi was taken aback. The man who didn't even thank him for sharing half of his hot and spicy soup was calling him rude?
Still, Nan Yi pondered for a moment, frowning.
He Yushen's temper... should be decent, barely passable perhaps...
"You need so long to answer one question? Seems like his temper isn't that good."
After saying this, the Omega picked up a leafy vegetable and took a bite.
The very next second, he looked slightly displeased, wrinkling his nose. Nan Yi watched as he struggled to swallow, then looked at him in disbelief.
"How can the He family hire you as a chef with such terrible cooking?"
Nan Yi: ...?