Chapter 76

Since she had snagged such a good deal, Summer's mood was significantly better in the afternoon.

After finishing the half-day of classes and seeing off the students, she and Logan stayed in the office to grade assignments and handle some unfinished tasks while it was still light outside.

Summer finished grading the day's assignments first. While waiting for Logan, she started thinking about what to cook for dinner. Eating alone, she never bothered much, but now with someone else, she wanted to put in more effort.

By the time she finished thinking, Logan was done with his work.

She slung her backpack over her shoulder and asked, "How about making sweet potato noodles for dinner?"

Logan, packing up his things, looked at her. "You can make noodles out of sweet potato flour?"

Summer replied, "It's tricky. It's easier if you mix in some white flour, but we don't have any. Pure sweet potato flour is hard to work with; if not cooked properly, the dough won't form well, and even if it does, it might break while cutting. It's a real test of skill."

Logan said, "Then let's see your skills in action."

Summer smiled at him, "The usual routine, let's go pick some vegetables first."

Since their garden's vegetables were not fully grown yet, most were just barely edible. They hadn't harvested much at once, always leaving enough for the plants to continue growing.

They locked up the school and headed to the garden.

Walking in the last rays of the sunset, they reached the garden and saw Henry, Gabe, and four other boys loosening the soil and working the garden, occasionally laughing and joking.

Summer and Logan didn't greet them, just picked their vegetables and left.

Back at the community center, Logan got a bowl of sweet potato flour for Summer. She rolled up her sleeves and began showcasing her culinary skills.

Lily and the other girls weren't working in the garden; they had already eaten dinner, so the kitchen was quiet with just Summer and Logan.

Making noodles from sweet potato flour was tough. Summer boiled the flour in water first, then kneaded it into dough. She rolled the dough into thin sheets and cut them into finger-width strips.

Lifting two strips of noodles with her fingers to show Logan, she smiled, "See? They don't break. Not bad, right?"

Logan, sitting across the table, gave a thumbs up with a straight face.

Summer, pleased, continued cutting the noodles until all the dough was done.

She stir-fried some greens and boiled the noodles. Once cooked, she placed the noodles in two bowls, added some broth, and topped them with the stir-fried greens.

Summer and Logan sat across from each other with their bowls.

Summer didn't start eating immediately but watched Logan take the first bite.

After he swallowed, she asked eagerly, "How is it?"

Logan nodded, "Trading my snacks for your cooking is worth it."

Rarely hearing such straightforward praise from him, Summer beamed, "I told you I wouldn't let you down."

Then she dug into her own bowl, taking a big bite of noodles and greens together.

Logan, hungry, ate quietly.

After finishing his bowl, he set down his chopsticks and spoke, "With your cooking skills, you could run a noodle stand or a restaurant easily."

Summer finished her last bite, set down her chopsticks, and replied, "I'd love to, but in this environment, even selling vegetables in secret could get you labeled as a profiteer. How could I open a restaurant?"

Logan considered this. "Where do those market stalls at the community center come from?"

Summer thought about it, "Those are probably state-run."

Logan suggested, "Let's go ask about it on Sunday."

It was rare for him to propose doing something together, so Summer immediately agreed, fearing he might change his mind, "Sure, let's do that."