By linking my account to the check-in system, I became a leisurely traveler.

Chapter 231 Dragon Sister: I just miss you
Although it was already the end of October, the weather in Chengdu was cold and damp, and Liu Li hadn't seen the sun for several days.

The doctor had advised her to get plenty of sunshine for her illness. But this time, her mood wasn't as gloomy as it had been in previous years; instead, a bright light seemed to shine from within her.

It was already very late at night, and Liu Li, who was used to having her days and nights reversed, was not asleep. She sat by the window.

It was drizzling outside, and the dampness seeped in silently, filling the space little by little, but she didn't care.

All I could think about were the efforts I had made recently.

He had already spoken with Li Younan, and he knew that Li Younan wanted to go home because he hadn't seen his mother for a long time... He was such a kind and filial person, and he had such a good relationship with his mother. Such a person must be very gentle.

But it was already very late, so Li Younan couldn't go straight home; he had to stay in Chengdu for the night.

So we agreed to come over tomorrow.

The thought of being able to show Li Younan the results of her hard work over the past few days made her excited.

Liu Li was wearing a fleece-lined pajama set. She wrapped herself up gently, let her mind wander for a while, and then prepared to go to bed. However, she couldn't fall asleep for a long time after lying in bed.

After thinking about it, I got up again.

She doesn't like wearing shoes. Her brother installed underfloor heating in the house. Although it's only in the living room area, the heat comes in and the floor isn't cold. Walking barefoot on the floor gives her a very solid feeling, and she doesn't know why.

But since she was going into the kitchen later, she put on slippers.

At this moment, she got up and went outside the living room. Her brother was not at home; he had gone to work overtime at the company and was going on a business trip early the next morning.

The nanny was supposed to come and cook tomorrow, but she told the nanny at the last minute that she didn't need to come.

She went to the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and while looking at the ingredients inside, she unconsciously touched her lips with her finger.

She decided to practice again tonight.

Li Younan certainly didn't expect that he would make such great progress during the time he was away.

Liu Li diligently studied and learned culinary skills.

In the initial period after Li Younan left, she was really bored. Suddenly losing an important pillar in her life made her feel like she had lost her center and direction.

It was then that she realized she wasn't actually getting better as she'd imagined... it was just that when Li Younan was around, she felt like she was getting better.

The bright light wasn't from the sunshine, it was from him.

I still couldn't go out, and on several days when it was more serious, I would lie in bed all day and didn't even want to take a shower.

She gradually recovered and adjusted, and what helped her adjust was... cooking.

On a whim, she suddenly thought of the dishes Li Younan made.

As the new year approaches, she will turn 20. In her 20 years of life, she has eaten countless things, but what truly impressed her was the feast that Li Younan secretly prepared for her at her brother's behest.

As she thought about the taste, an impulse suddenly struck her—she wanted to try it too.

Actually, she was afraid to cook. Her illness meant that in addition to being afraid to go to open spaces or crowded places, she also had an instinctive aversion to places like the kitchen.

But for some reason, the thought of Li Younan confidently cooking and showcasing his culinary skills inside made the place seem less repulsive.

Over the next period of time, she actually started to try cooking on her own initiative.

At first, it was a complete mess. Having basically never been in the kitchen before, she had to learn everything from scratch. At first, she was so clumsy that she didn't even know how to use the microwave or oven, and she didn't even know how much water to put in when cooking rice.

She searched for tutorials online and learned them step by step. She wasn't in a hurry; time was the last thing she needed.

The initial setbacks didn't discourage her; instead, as she continued, her progress surprised even herself.

She originally thought that making delicious and beautiful dishes must be a very complicated thing, but as long as the seasonings are used correctly and the time and methods written in the tutorial are followed, the complicated thing becomes clear and easy.

She's still slow at cooking, and she's very careful when chopping vegetables. She's not very strong, especially when chopping meat; her clumsy movements are funny to herself.

But it didn't matter; she learned little by little.

Even now, she doesn't know how to cook many dishes, but they are all presentable enough to be served at a formal event.

Her best dishes are braised pork belly and sweet and sour pork ribs, because these are her favorite dishes.

For tomorrow's dinner party, she plans to make braised pork, sweet and sour pork ribs, and a stir-fried vegetable dish. Although there are only three dishes, she wants them to be perfect.

At this moment, Liu Li started fussing in the kitchen. There was plenty of pork belly in the refrigerator's chilled compartment, so she took out a piece without thawing it.

She had made this dish countless times, so she was very skilled at it this time.

Although it was still slow, she knew every step by heart, how much seasoning to add, what temperature to control, and even the taste she could imagine when she put the corresponding seasonings into the pot.

She was somewhat surprised by her own ability, and then felt a little proud: perhaps she really did have a talent for being a cook.

Li Younan was one of the few people she could call friends, and this was the first time she had taken the initiative to host a dinner party since she was locked in this small space.

Tomorrow is a very important day for me!

While lost in thought, he didn't stop working on the process.

The night outside was deep, so quiet that every sound coming from the kitchen was exceptionally clear.

The sauce in the pot had already begun to reduce. She skillfully adjusted the heat to the right level, and with just a slight lift of the lid, she could smell that satisfying aroma.

She carefully put the lid back on the pot again.

The other dish, sweet and sour pork ribs, is also a common home-style dish.

It was already one or two in the morning when both dishes were finished.

She was a little tired, but very satisfied, and she tasted a bite of both dishes.

She was certain the two dishes were delicious, but after a moment's hesitation, she became somewhat worried: he was a master chef, after all.

After thinking about it for a while, she let out a soft hum.

I doubt he'd dare say it's not good. If he does say it's not good... I'll cry in front of him.

laugh.

The night grew deeper and deeper, and the air grew quieter and quieter.

……

The next day was a bright and sunny day.

When Li Younan entered, he was genuinely stunned for a moment, because JK Long in front of him was wearing a very cute cook's outfit. The skirt was neither too long nor too short, just reaching her knees, revealing her flawless white calves. She was wearing a pair of flat shoes, exuding a lively yet innocent charm.

Despite the fact that the styling was not at all inappropriate, Li Younan's heart skipped a beat.

The last time Li Younan saw her was in the hospital room. "What's wrong?"

"Hmm, it's nothing. This dress fits you quite well."

"Does it look good?"

"It's not a matter of whether it looks good or not... Heh, it looks very professional."

"Isn't that professional? You'll see when the food is served."

"Where's your brother?"

"My brother isn't here; he's away on a business trip."

"Oh."

"What's wrong? Are you missing him?"

I think he's not here.

"Ha ha ha ha."

"Please wait a moment, one more vegetarian dish will be ready soon."

As he spoke, JK Long put on an apron and went back to work in the kitchen.

Li Younan sat on the sofa, gazing at JK Long's back, feeling somewhat dazed.

Well, the JK Dragon I met today was quite different from the one I had imagined, and also from the one I saw at the hospital last time. He seemed much more sunny and energetic.

It seems she's adjusted very well while I was away.

Suddenly, a strange and indescribable feeling welled up in Li Younan's heart.

He realized that JK Long could gradually adjust even without him.

Although he hadn't taken himself that seriously before, even in the hospital, JK Long hadn't shown any fear or discomfort because of him. But now that Li Younan was certain that JK Long was able to get through this little by little on his own, besides feeling a bit happy, he also had some other emotions that were hard to process.

He shook his head, clearing his mind of these random thoughts, and began to think about JK Dragon cooking.

When it comes to cooking, Li Younan is undoubtedly a person with a lot of authority to speak on the subject.

While it's not a good idea to look down on someone else's cooking, to be fair, Li Younan certainly didn't have any real expectations for JK Long's culinary skills.

However, he still had to say some words of praise and encouragement later. Li Younan had already thought of several appropriate lines to praise Long Mei for taking this step bravely.

However, when JK Long brought out the three home-style dishes, Li Younan was stunned.

JK Long cautiously raised his head to observe Li Younan's expression. Seeing the surprise in his eyes, a sweet feeling welled up in his heart, a little smug that thought, "I really scared you." However, he still concealed this small emotion and said, "It's just so-so, please make do with it."

Li Younan blinked, said nothing, and started eating.

If he was surprised and somewhat skeptical just now, he was completely stunned when he took the first bite of braised pork.

Having acquired culinary skills, Li Younan rarely felt this emotion when eating food made by others anymore—it was truly delicious.

It's not the kind of deliciousness that's outrageously precise, but rather it has a wonderful charm, as if you can feel the care put into this braised pork. It's truly a magical feeling.

JK Long asked, "Is it delicious?"

Li Younan didn't say anything, and put two more large pieces of braised pork into the bowl.

As a chef, he knew exactly how to respond in a way that best affirmed the chef's abilities.

Seeing this, JK Dragon finally smiled.

……

"You have recovered very well."

"is it?"

"Hmm, it's...it's alright."

"I'm serious. Look, you can cook for yourself now and even invite me over. That's a huge improvement. It seems you're really getting better."

"Hmm...it's actually not that bad."

"Is this the reason you suddenly invited me to dinner?"

"Huh? What?"

"I mean, let's celebrate your improved condition?"

Liu Li paused for a moment, hesitated, then shook her head, lowered her head slightly, and chuckled softly, "It's not for that reason. I just... I just..." She hesitated, then looked up, suppressing a laugh, "It's nothing, it's just a friend's treat. Aren't we friends? It's been so long since we last saw each other..."

"That's right."

"By the way, when you came out of the wilderness, you really called me first, didn't you?"

"what's wrong?"

"Hehe, am I that important to you?"

"We're all-weather strategic partners, what else? Do you mean I like you? You're a child..."

"Humph."

……

"when are you going back?"

"I'm leaving this afternoon."

"Okay, go home early. Auntie is waiting for you at home. You miss Auntie too, right?"

"Ah."

Liu Li saw Li Younan out and escorted him to the door.

Li Younan waved to Liu Li.

After Li Younan's figure disappeared into the corridor, Liu Li returned to her room and looked out the window. Li Younan's back came into view, the sunlight shining on the ends of his hair, giving off a pale golden glow.

Liu Li rested her chin on her hand, her eyes filled with laughter, but she lowered her head deeply: "I just... missed you."

The voice was so soft it was like a whisper. After she finished speaking, she looked up again, and the sunlight was just right.

(End of this chapter)