Chapter 7 – Fragrant 2

The first layer of the bento box was the sweet and sour ribs. The ribs were glistening with oil and had a rosy hue, sprinkled with white sesame seeds.

The second layer was steamed green vegetables. The tender and vibrant greens were laid out delicately, topped with ginger, minced garlic, soy sauce, and oyster sauce.

The third layer was the highlight—braised pork rice.

She had chosen both fat and lean pork belly, boiled it, and then minced it into smaller pieces. In a clay pot, it was then simmered on low heat until the fat was bubbling with sound, and the gelatin in the pig skin perfectly melted into soup.

The marinated egg was cut in two, with a crispy egg yolk served alongside a variety of carefully pickled vegetables.

The pumpkin congee was contained in a separate small bowl. Steaming the pumpkin in advance so it could be mashed into a puree, she had also boiled white rock sugar and lilies into the porridge while it was still steaming hot.

Xiang Feng recalled the delicious meals his niece used to make. The deliciousness from his memory merged with the aroma in the room, and he began to swallow.

“I…I’ll try one bite! Let’s see if you really made this, or if it’s takeout!” Xiang Feng found an excuse for himself and picked up a pork rib with his chopsticks.

Uh oh. It was delicious! And his favorite level of sweetness!

Xiang Feng had an undisclosed little secret, and it was that he loved sweets. For dishes like sweet and sour pork and sweet and sour fish, he preferred them a bit sweeter than normal.

After skillfully slurping the meat off the bones, Xiang Feng picked up some vegetables to relieve the greasiness. Suddenly, his eyes widened.

Heh? How can the texture of these vegetables feel so good?

He completely forgot about the ‘just one bite’ statement he had made just now. His chopsticks moved with lightning speed as he stuffed his face full.

Xiang Yi didn’t speak as she sat across from him, smiling as she watched him.

Xiang Feng coughed awkwardly, but he had already finished eating. There was no point in stopping. He was just about to pick up his chopsticks to start on the minced pork rice when Xiang Yi handed him a spoon. “Hey, take this.”

At that moment, Xiang Feng felt as if his old niece had returned.

It was as if his little niece had been possessed by some strange being this past year.

However, his brain was not advanced enough to process such a notion. He scooped a spoonful of braised pork rice and stuffed it in his mouth.

The fatty meat melted in his mouth, while the lean meat was soft and al dente. The rich soup had been poured over the distinct rice grains, like soaked in brown sugar. It was fragrant, but not greasy, and suitably sweet and salty.

Oh!

Oh oh oh!

Had it not been for years of family etiquette, Xiang Feng would have wanted to smack the bento box with his spoon!

How could it taste so good?

‘Is this heaven? Why does such delicious food exist ah!’

Xiang Feng buried his face in the food and scarfed it down. Xiang Yi felt that he resembled the piglet she had raised.

Yes, once her piglets grow up, she will kill them all to make minced pork rice for her uncle!

Xiang Yi had made enough portions for two, but in ten minutes, Xiang Feng had cleaned out the box like a tornado.

Only then did he begin to choke up.

Xiang Yi happily handed him the pumpkin congee.

Xiang Feng only wanted to take a sip to clear his throat, but it was too delicious. He couldn’t refrain from gulping down the entire bowl.

Ah! What a delicious meal!

“Burp.” Xiang Feng rubbed his belly, flopping back into his chair like a lazy, satiated salted fish. “Little Xiang Yi, your uncle forgives you!”

Xiang Yi blinked. “Uncle, then do you believe that I’ve recovered my memory?”

Xiang Feng slapped the arm rest. “You’re my niece by blood! If I don’t trust you, who else would I trust?”

“Cheh.” It was a chuckle that sounded as if it was grasping the apex of a person’s heart, deep and teasing.

Xiang Feng suddenly felt awake. Shi Sui was still here!

He remained silent for a few seconds and then introduced him to Xiang Yi. “This… This is the man that you’ve ruined.”

Xiang Yi: “….”

‘Perfect, it was this ‘ruined’ word again.’

She looked sideways, her eyes suddenly gazing into an abyss in her line of sight.

After a long pause, Xiang Yi finally regained her consciousness. The outer corners of her eyes grew moist.