Huayu 2021: Isn’t he in the technology field?

Chapter 354 Today is Chen Dudu's Day!

The black SUV slowly drove out of the USTC campus and merged into the evening traffic in Luyang.

Chen Duling rolled down the car window, and a cool early autumn breeze brushed against her face, scattering the stray hairs that had been pressed down by her baseball cap.

She looked out the window at the familiar street scene, her fingers gently tapping her knees, feeling completely relaxed after taking off her role.

"Should we go to RT-Mart first?"

Jiang Qing, while turning the steering wheel, asked the question quite naturally.

"Ok!"

Chen Duling nodded vigorously, her eyes curving into crescent moons.

"The spare ribs for sweet and sour pork ribs should be fresh, the tomatoes for tomato fish fillet soup should be redder, and the pork belly for braised pork should have distinct layers..."

She counted on her fingers, looking every bit like a gourmet ordering food.

Jiang Qing laughed.

"Yes, sir, Chen Dudu."

The car quickly stopped in the spacious underground parking garage of RT-Mart supermarket.

The two of them each took out their usual masks from the storage compartment and put them on.

Jiang Qing pushed open the car door, went around to the trunk, and took out a foldable eco-friendly shopping bag with practiced ease.

Chen Duling jumped out of the car, and as she closed the door, she playfully kicked the tire lightly with her foot, making a soft "thump" sound.

"be honest."

Jiang Qing glanced at her.

"Oh."

Chen Duling immediately stood up straight, put her hands behind her back, blinked, and looked like she was being very obedient, but there was a sly glint in her eyes.

Jiang Qing smiled and let her play the innocent little rabbit.

The two walked side by side into the bustling supermarket entrance.

Jiang Qing walked naturally to the shopping cart area and pulled out a shopping cart.

Chen Duling followed him like a little tail, heading straight for the escalator leading to the fresh food section on the basement floor.

This RT-Mart located in the Binhu New Area is already a familiar place for them.

For about a month last year, the two of them would come here to stock up on goods almost every few days.

The layout of the basement, the arrangement of the shelves, and even the location of the promotional loudspeakers are all imprinted in my memory.

"Shall we go to the vegetable section first?"

Jiang Qing pushed the cart and turned to ask her.

"Mmm, lettuce, bok choy, and some asparagus!"

Chen Duling walked briskly, glancing around as she went.

"Oh right, we also need to buy some scallions, ginger, and garlic, and stock up on more."

She added like a busybody.

"Row."

Jiang Qing readily agreed, having already grasped the unspoken meaning in her words.

This time, I should be able to free up a lot of time.

The vegetable section is filled with a dazzling array of produce.

Jiang Qing was in charge of selecting the lettuce. She picked up a bunch of bright green lettuce and carefully checked the leaves for insect holes or wilting.

Chen Duling stood to the side, extending a finger to poke the round tomatoes next to her through the plastic bag, seemingly assessing their ripeness.

"This is good."

She picked out two bright red tomatoes that looked plump and bouncy and put them into the cart.

"Yes, Not Bad."

Jiang Qing added the selected lettuce as well.

As I walked into the meat section, I was greeted by a wave of cold air from the freezers.

Jiang Qing walked straight to the premium refrigerated display case, her eyes sweeping over the rows of ribs.

"Master, could you please get me this upper rib?"

He pointed to a piece of rib with evenly cut, bright red meat and said to the salesperson.

"okay!"

The sales clerk deftly picked it out to weigh.

"Where's the pork belly?"

Chen Duling leaned closer to the freezer glass and pointed to a piece of meat with distinct layers of fat and lean meat, resembling marble patterns.

"This one! This one is beautiful!"

Jiang Qing glanced at it and nodded in approval.

"You have good taste."

Chen Duling immediately raised her chin smugly, looking quite arrogant.

Jiang Qing shook his head and smiled, then tapped her forehead.

After buying the meat, I pushed the cart towards the seafood section.

Live fish swim in the tank.

Jiang Qing ordered a medium-sized blackfish. The chef scooped it up, stunned it, scaled it, and gutted it, all in one smooth motion.

Looking at the slippery fish body, Chen Duling subconsciously shrank back, her face showing a "keep your distance" expression.

"Scared?"

Jiang Qing took the fish, which was packed in a thick plastic bag, put it in the cart, and teased her with a smile.

"Who's afraid! I just think it's...slippery and hard to handle."

Chen Duling remained defiant, but her eyes darted elsewhere.

After buying all the main dishes, I went to the condiment section and bought cooking wine and oyster sauce.

As the cart passed the snack section, Chen Duling noticeably slowed her pace, her eyes scanning the snacks on the shelves like radar.

"Teacher Chen."

Jiang Qing pushed the cart without stopping, her voice tinged with a hint of teasing.

"Pay attention to your image management."

Chen Duling pouted, quickened her pace to catch up, and muttered to herself.

"I just want to take a look..."

However, she still secretly took a small box of her favorite dark chocolate, quickly threw it into the corner of the cart, and tried to cover it up with a bag of vermicelli.

Jiang Qing pretended not to see her little gesture, her eyes filled with a smile.

There was a queue at the checkout counter.

Looking at the mountain of ingredients in the cart, Chen Duling suddenly patted Jiang Qing's arm, her tone bold and unrestrained.

"Don't worry! I'll be your assistant tonight! I guarantee the mission will be accomplished!"

She puffed out her chest, looking like she was saying, "I'm very reliable."

Jiang Qing couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"Assistant Chen, I'm really looking forward to your performance."

"Hmph, just you wait and see!"

Chen Duling raised her chin.

Back at my home in Binhu Shuangxi, the warm lights dispelled the chill of the autumn night.

The two changed into comfortable loungewear and carried their bags into the kitchen.

The spacious and bright kitchen was instantly filled with the aroma of cooking.

Jiang Qing was naturally the head chef.

He tied on his apron and began processing the ingredients, his movements fluid and efficient.

Chen Duling kept her word and took the initiative to take on the auxiliary work.

She first rinsed the rice, poured the grains into the inner pot of the rice cooker, added water, and carefully measured the water level with her fingertips, her expression as focused as if she were conducting an experiment.

She pressed the cook button and clapped her hands in satisfaction.

Next comes washing the vegetables.

The tap was running, and lettuce leaves, bok choy, and asparagus were being tossed between her slender fingers. The water washed away the dust, making the vegetables look even fresher.

She washed them very carefully, not even missing the crevices between the vegetable stalks.

"All done washing!"

She placed the drain basket next to Jiang Qing.

"high efficiency."

Jiang Qing is slicing ginger into even slices, her knife skills are swift and precise.

He praised her without even looking up.

Encouraged, Chen Duling became even more enthusiastic.

She picked up the washed asparagus, found the cutting board and knife, and, recalling Jiang Qing's usual movements, tried to cut off the tough, old parts at the base.

At first, I was a bit clumsy and cut the pieces to varying lengths, but I quickly got the hang of it and started cutting them more and more neatly.

"Look how well I cut it?"

She proudly presented the chopped asparagus pieces to Jiang Qing.

Jiang Qing glanced at it and nodded slightly.

"Hmm, you've made great progress." Chen Duling's lips curled up, her eyes sparkling, and she went to get the tomatoes to slice them.

Although her knife skills were not as professional as Jiang Qing's, they were still quite good, and the red tomato slices gradually filled the small plate.

However, when the prepared blackfish was placed on the cutting board, Chen Duling's "culinary brilliance" was instantly extinguished.

The slippery fish body, the feel of the remaining scales, and the fish's unseeing eyes... She held the knife and gestured at the fish several times, her brows furrowed, her expression conflicted and somewhat disgusted, completely at a loss for what to do.

In the end, she was defeated.

She turned around, put her hands together and raised them to her chin, facing Jiang Qing who was heating the pot. She frowned and spoke in a soft, drawn-out voice, sounding extremely pitiful.

"Dr. Jiang~~~ Please help me~~~ This fish... it's so slippery, I can't handle it..."

She blinked her big eyes, trying her best to make the most innocent and needy expression.

Jiang Qing turned around, saw her like this, and couldn't help but laugh out loud. He deliberately put on a stern face to tease her.

"Huh? Who are you? Where did you hide my aloof and elegant teacher, Chen Duling?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Duling was not embarrassed at all. Instead, she raised her chin, spoke confidently and clearly.

"She's Chen Dudu now! Not Teacher Chen! Chen Dudu is responsible for being cute, and Teacher Chen is responsible for being aloof! Clear division of labor!"

He nodded vigorously after speaking to reinforce his persuasiveness.

This righteously absurd reasoning, coupled with the instantaneous shift in identity declaration, completely captivated Jiang Qing, leaving her utterly charmed.

He smiled and shook his head, put down the spatula, walked a few steps to her, raised his hand and ruffled her hair, turning her soft, long hair into a bird's nest.

"Ah! Jiang Qing! My hair!"

Chen Duling immediately covered her head and jumped up and down in protest, her feigned pitiful appearance instantly replaced by a huff.

"annoying!"

She's so delicate, all traces of her usual aloofness are gone.

Jiang Qing smiled and withdrew his hand, then casually took the knife from her.

"Alright, alright, Chen Dudu, step aside and watch Chef Jiang."

He skillfully held the fish down, the blade slicing diagonally, neatly slicing the fish into evenly thick slices, his movements clean and beautiful.

Chen Duling, with her messy hair, glared at him angrily, but seeing his smooth and flowing movements, she couldn't help but lean closer to take a look and mutter to herself.

"You're awesome."

For the next hour or so, the kitchen resounded with the sounds of spatulas clattering, hot oil sizzling, and soup boiling, mingling with the sweet aroma of sweet and sour sauce, the savory aroma of braised sauce, and the fresh aroma of fish soup.

Jiang Qing was in absolute control, managing the situation with composure and ease.

Chen Duling became the most enthusiastic assistant, handing out plates, getting seasonings, tasting the flavors, offering exaggerated praises, and washing used spatulas. She was busy as a bee, and occasionally Jiang Qing would give her instructions such as "pass me some salt" or "turn the heat down."

The two worked together seamlessly, each command and action perfectly executed, and even their occasional glances conveyed an unspoken understanding.

When the last stir-fried vegetable dish was finished and plated, all the dishes were finally placed on the table.

Under the warm yellow light, the sweet and sour pork ribs gleamed with an enticing amber luster, the braised pork belly was glossy and red, the tomato fish soup was a beautiful mix of red and white, the stir-fried vegetables were bright green, and the white rice was glistening with every grain, exuding a fragrant aroma.

"and many more!"

Chen Duling stopped Jiang Qing, who was about to sit down, and quickly took out her phone from her pocket, snapping several pictures of the dishes on the table from various angles. She even placed Jiang Qing's plate of sweet and sour pork ribs, which was the most beautifully presented, in the center of the picture.

"Alright! Let's eat!"

She put down her phone contentedly, picked up her chopsticks, and looked at Jiang Qing with sparkling eyes.

Jiang Qing smiled and sat down, picking up the prettiest piece of sweet and sour pork ribs and placing it in her bowl.

"Thank you for your hard work, Chen Dudu."

"No hard work, no hard work!"

Chen Duling couldn't wait to take a bite. The outer skin was crispy, the inside was soft and tender, and the sweet and sour sauce perfectly enveloped the meat's aroma, instantly exploding on her tongue.

She squinted her eyes contentedly, puffed out her cheeks, and mumbled a vague exclamation of praise.

"Mmm! Delicious! I've been craving this taste so much! Jiang Qing, it's a huge loss to the catering industry if your cooking skills don't lead to a restaurant!"

She took another bite of the braised pork. The fatty part melted in her mouth, and the lean meat was tender and flavorful, with a rich soy sauce aroma and a hint of sweetness.

Wow! This braised pork is so good! It's fatty but not greasy, lean but not dry! The cooking time is perfect!

Next comes tender fish slices, coated in a sweet and sour tomato soup.

"The fish slices are so smooth and tender! The soup is delicious too!"

Finally, there are refreshing and crisp seasonal vegetables.

"Mmm! The vegetables are stir-fried just right, they'll cut through the greasiness!"

She launched into praise mode, every compliment coming from the heart, her expression vivid, as if she had tasted the finest delicacies.

Jiang Qing watched as she received continuous praise, and the corners of her mouth never left her lips.

He loved seeing her so relaxed and content; it was more real and touching than any carefully crafted image she projected on camera.

He ate while constantly piling food onto her plate, watching as her bowl grew into a small mountain.

"Well, it's alright."

"Come on! It's super delicious!"

With food stuffed in her mouth, Chen Duling mumbled her rebuttal.

The meal was quite enjoyable until Chen Duling was too full to eat anymore and slumped in her seat, rubbing her belly and saying, "I'm so full, I'm so full!"

Seeing this, Jiang Qing smiled and shook her head, then poured her a glass of warm water and pushed it over to her.

After resting for a while, Chen Duling took the initiative to clean up the dishes and put them in the dishwasher, while Jiang Qing went to wipe the kitchen counter clean.

The kitchen was quickly restored to its clean state.

Outside the window, a crescent moon had climbed into the dark blue sky, its soft light spilling onto the tranquil artificial lake, shimmering with tiny silver sparkles.

Only ambient lighting was on in the living room, providing soft illumination.

Jiang Qing walked to the single sofa by the French windows and sat down. She patted her leg and gestured to Chen Duling, who was wiping her hands.

Without the slightest hesitation or coyness, Chen Duling dried her hands, walked over naturally, sat on his lap, found a comfortable position, and gently leaned her back against his chest.

Jiang Qing's arms naturally wrapped around her slender waist, holding her securely.

The two gazed at the bright moon outside the window, enjoying the tranquility after their meal.

"this time."

Jiang Qing gently brushed his chin against the soft strands of hair on her head.

"Does this mean we can finally rest for a long time?"

"Ah."

Chen Duling found a more comfortable spot in his arms and nestled in it, like a lazy cat.

"I've been busy for the past six months, and I haven't taken on any new projects yet. I'm just doing some pre-signed commercials, magazine cover shoots, and other work. The work is scattered, and I'm not in a rush."

She counted on her fingers.

"I think... I can rest until around November."

"November?"

Jiang Qing tightened her grip slightly.

"OK."

Chen Duling nodded, feeling the strength of his embrace, and the corners of her mouth curved up.

"When you visited me on set last year, the drama I was in, 'Our Prime of Life,' was about to air, so I'll probably need to help with promotions and appear on variety shows. Before that..."

She turned her head to the side, looked up at him, and her eyes reflected the moonlight from the window.

"It's mostly free time."

Moonlight streamed softly through the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the two people in their embrace.

Jiang Qing lowered his eyes, looking at the upturned face of the girl in his arms.

Her clear eyes held the moonlight, or seemed to contain fallen stars, reflecting his silhouette.

His eyes were clear and focused, filled with unreserved intimacy.

Jiang Qing's heartbeat gradually quickened.

His arms around her waist tightened unconsciously, as if trying to imprint this warm and reassuring feeling even more deeply.

His gaze slid slowly from her smooth forehead to the tip of her upturned nose, finally settling on her slightly pursed lips with a pale pink sheen.

Her lips were beautifully shaped, like newly blossoming petals, silently exuding an allure that made one want to pluck them.

Time seemed to be infinitely stretched at this moment.

The lake outside the window was calm and still, reflecting the dark blue of the sky and the silvery glow of the moon.

Inside, the only sound was the soft, yet highly perceptible breathing of the two people mingling together.

Chen Du felt his gaze linger on her, his gaze intense and focused, making her feel the temperature of her cheeks rise considerably.

She didn't flinch, nor did she put on a cold mask as she usually did when being watched by outsiders. She simply looked back at him quietly, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly like butterfly wings.

She gently tugged at the fabric at his chest, a silent hint.

Jiang Qing slowly lowered her head.

His movements were slow, and the distance between them gradually shortened. Their warm breaths mingled before their lips met, brushing against each other's cheeks.

Chen Duling's heartbeat suddenly became erratic, as if a little deer was running wild inside her.

She watched his face slowly enlarge before her eyes, saw her reflection in his eyes, and noticed his high, straight nose... Finally, she obediently closed her eyes.

Like a silent invitation, she tilted her head slightly, completely enveloping herself in his aura, her body softly nestled in his embrace, awaiting the inevitable touch.

The moonlight, like water, flowed quietly over them, gently enveloping their nestled figures.

The city lights outside the window stretched into a hazy band of light in the distance, while the moon's reflection on the lake was broken by the breeze and then slowly gathered again.

Inside, it had become a world of its own.

(End of this chapter)