Chapter 8: A Chemical Weapon?

Lin Yi helplessly spread his hands, unable to do otherwise as he needed to keep up with this act. Otherwise, how could he deceive her parents? "Old man, how do you make chicken soup again? Could you look it up on your phone?" In just half a minute, Zhang Xiu emerged with half a chicken in hand. Seeing her mother's actions, Xia Qianqian was covered with a full forehead of black lines, wondering if her mother could actually make chicken soup. Could it even be edible if she made it? "Auntie, why don't I give it a try?" Lin Yi put down his chopsticks and stood up. "You?" Both Zhang Xiu and Xia Qianqian were surprised. Could he actually cook? She had just written that without really thinking. "Lin Yi, it's your first time here. How could we let you cook?" Zhang Xiu said awkwardly. "Auntie, please don't say that. When Qianqian and I live together, I'm usually the one cooking. Qianqian might not like anything else, but she loves the chicken soup I make." Lin Yi boasted with a smile. "Bragging..." Xia Xiaoxiao uttered disdainfully. "Actually, you're right. He also makes a wonderful beef jerky. I'll make some for you one day," Lin Yi quickly picked up on Xia Xiaoxiao's remark. "I couldn't care less…" Xia Xiaoxiao retorted angrily. Lin Yi responded with a pure smile but didn't continue the banter. "Auntie, Uncle, please continue eating. I'll go make the chicken soup." Lin Yi decisively took the half-chicken from Zhang Xiu's hands and headed towards the kitchen. "I'll help Lin Yi with the cooking. You all eat first!" Xia Qianqian followed Lin Yi into the kitchen, seeing the near mishap earlier; she felt the need to remind him. "These two kids, always together, even when cooking," Zhang Xiu sighed and sat back down. "Don't worry so much. Let them be. They're about to become parents, after all," Xia Hongjun chuckled, "Come, Zhiwen, let's have a drink." "Sure..." Wang Zhiwen lifted his glass to clink with Xia Hongjun. "Zhiwen's dishes are so delicious. I still prefer Zhiwen. Mom, dad, I have something to ask." Xia Xiaoxiao casually started as she ate. "What is it?" Xia Hongjun frowned. "Aren't you suspicious of Lin Yi? Don't you think my sister is just pretending? I always feel that Lin Yi is a fake boyfriend my sister hired, and as for the pregnancy, she must be faking it." Xia Xiaoxiao stated seriously. "This…" Both Xia Hongjun and Wang Zhiwen were stunned. Zhang Xiu, however, became angry. "Foolish girl, what nonsense are you spouting? How can one pretend to be pregnant? Don't talk if you don't understand." Zhang Xiu angrily tapped her daughter on the head. "I was just saying. Is it necessary to hit me?" "It is you who needs to be hit. Now eat your food…" Zhang Xiu knew the impact pregnancy rumors could have on a woman's reputation. Even if Lin Yi wasn't her daughter's boyfriend, pretending to be pregnant would be too far. Such a ruse could tarnish her for life. Yet, Xia Xiaoxiao's unintentional remark caught Wang Zhiwen's attention. "What's that smell? So fragrant..." Just as Xia Xiaoxiao was about to eat another piece, she suddenly exclaimed. "Yes, it's fragrant. It's the smell of chicken soup..." Zhang Xiu also noticed the aroma. "Chicken soup?" Xia Hongjun and Wang Zhiwen were also drawn by the scent, looking towards the kitchen where the delicious aroma was coming from. Next door. "My dear, eat something. You haven't eaten for three days, this isn't good. Please, for mom?"

A woman, holding a bowl of food, squatted in front of a girl who was barely twelve or thirteen years old. The girl was skin and bones, disturbingly thin. "Mom, I can't eat this," the little girl said. Ever since her father left with another woman, the girl had developed avoidant syndrome. She disliked talking, didn't enjoy being with classmates, and preferred to be alone in her room. Over time, the condition worsened, and she even began to loathe food. To cure this illness, her mother had taken her to dozens of hospitals across the country, yet doctors said eating was voluntary; if she refused to eat, they could only prepare for the worst. Now, the girl hadn't eaten for three days again, and as a mother, how could she not be worried? "My daughter, if you don't eat something, your body will break down. Please, could you eat for me?" The woman was almost at the point of kneeling to plead with her daughter. "Mom..." The girl's expression was frantic as she tried to stop her mother when a delightful aroma wafted in through the window. "Mom, it smells so good... I want to eat that..." The girl stared out the window, her eyes wide. "What? You... you want to eat?" The woman was shocked and also looked out the window, "It smells like chicken soup. Wait, sweetheart, I will make you some chicken soup right away." "Mom, I don't want the chicken soup you make. I want to eat this kind of chicken soup... I want to drink it..." The girl licked her lips, eager to speak. "You want this kind? Alright, alright, I'll go find it for you..." The woman quickly got up and headed for the door, only to find the aroma wafting down the hallway, clearly originating from the Xia residence. ... "Lin Yi, this chicken soup smells amazing! How did you make it?" Xia Qianqian was thrilled as she watched the steaming pot of chicken soup. Though the preparation seemed similar to regular chicken soup, the aroma was especially rich, inducing a pleasant feeling and increasing one's appetite. Xia Qianqian had been by Lin Yi's side through the entire process, aware of all the ingredients and cooking time he used. Yet, she was astounded by the aroma. "A secret recipe. If you want to learn, I could teach you!" Lin Yi said with a smile. "Lin Yi, I really want to know now. What kind of person are you? So handsome and cooking so well. You know? I'm really thinking about making you official now." Xia Qianqian eyed Lin Yi. "Sure! Let's make it official tonight and while we're at it, let's get pregnant too." Lin Yi joked. "Get lost..." Xia Qianqian raised her fist, pretending to hit him. "Stop it, the chicken soup's ready. Come on, let's have dinner." Lin Yi served the chicken soup, calling Xia Qianqian for dinner. "It smells so good..." As soon as they opened the kitchen door, Zhang Xiu, Xia Hongjun, Xia Xiaoxiao, and Wang Zhiwen all stood up, deeply inhaling the aroma of the chicken soup. Just the mere dispersion of the steam made them salivate. Nearly the entire house, no, the entire building seemed enveloped in this delicious fragrance. The aroma of the chicken soup left Wang Zhiwen mind-blank and upset, realizing his last bit of confidence was shattered. Being outdone in looks, he had accepted his fate. Not being as quick in action, he had made peace with that. But now… even in cooking, he was surpassed...