3.8 Cooking

Xiang Li was feeling so happy and giddy right now. He was editing the video they made last time, he was also making notes on how to make the video shooting better.

After he had finished editing, Xiang Li read the comments for the first video and made some evaluations. Then he opened Shu XinYi's email to check on sponsors, from the 4 offers Xiang Li thought that the rpg mobile game ad about love and wars would be the best for their second video.

He didn't know how to manage socials but he liked doing it, more than anything he had done before. Xiang Li even wrote a plan on how to do a sponsor clip and wrote a reply to email the mobile app sponsor about their response and further negotiations. Before sending it, Xiang Li obviously confirmed it with his Xiao Qi who was busy cooking.

Shu XinYi's cooking had obviously improved a lot by now, in any of the previous worlds even before snow's system updated he had rarely cooked apart for survival. Even when he could control his body freely, because of LiFeng and his versions being present, Shu XinYi never had the chance to practice cooking. Obviously Shu XinYi could make food for survival but that's about it.

Shu XinYi had always been curious to learn about new things be that art or craft or any profession, when he started his journey from the first world. Only one thing he could never learn... or never wanted to learn almost subconsciously, like he feared something. When Shu XinYi thought about it now as he was mixing and frying spices, it seemed clear that in the first 20 worlds he very obviously feared cooking or professional cooking at least.

Even when he was really hungry and he had to make food himself, which was a rare occasion, then he would just make some simple dishes without even trying to experiment or craft, which is what he usually does with any other thing. At that time Shu XinYi couldn't understand this behavior or even that, it was fear of something that was stopping him, but now when he thought about it, the picture became clearer.

Shu XinYi looked at Xiang Li, who was talking with the sponsor client on the sofa, and he smiled a little. Shu XinYi obviously knew that LiFeng knew him before these worlds, when he called him Shu XinYi in the previous world, but he didn't know if they shared strong emotions for each other. Almost subconsciously looking after and looking for each other was a clear sign. If this Xiang Li was the real Xiang Li then he wouldn't be helping him with his social management for free at all but this Xiang Li looked genuinely happy to do do it when they haven't even discussed the pay.

Shu XinYi left the cooker at low flame to steam the fried rice and the room smelled really good. Shu XinYi walked to Xiang Li, who had just finished his call with the client saying "I have discussed the terms with the client, you will have to promote their link and say a little about the game, I have written down the main points the client wants us to discu- mmph" Xiang Li was going on about the client but Shu XinYi just wanted to kiss his lover right now and have a nice meal with him so he did just that.

After the kiss Shu XinYi said "Go wash you hands and join me for dinner. We can talk about this later."

Xiang Li obediently nodded, happily doing what he said. During dinner Shu XinYi was a little nervous as he served him his improvised and professional dishes. Since the time he met LiFeng in the first world, he was no longer afraid to cook and so right now the food he made was on a somewhat professional level, much better then what he made in the previous two worlds.

While Shu XinYi was clearing the dishes with Xiang Li, he thought about a complication and thought of addressing it saying "Xiang Li, I am sorry I didn't tell my brother that today was our date."

Xiang Li looked at Lan Xiao with wide eyes as if Lan Xiao had said something unbelievable saying, "We... we were on a date today?"

Shu XinYi was a bit taken aback and found it a little funny saying "Yeah, do you think I would go to buy art supplies with anyone in a store I know doesn't have the best products, hmm?"

Xiang Li was even more flustered but he calmed down before saying "Then you don't have to worry, I am glad that we could spend time together. You can tell your brother about it whenever you feel comfortable."

"Hmm." Shu XinYi said looking at the unwashed dishes and contemplated about whether he should do the dishes first or do Xiang Li first. Hmm such complications in my life ah.

He looked constantly between the dishes and Xiang Li thinking real hard, It was his turn to do the dishes today and he would hear a lot from Lan Cheng if he didn't do it. Lan Cheng was a really strict elder brother.

Xiang Li was all the more confused looking at Shu XinYi who was also confused. The little bunny had a tiny frown in his eyebrows when the little bunny looked Xiang Li in the eyes and said without any hesitation "Ah fuck it, I am doing you."

Xiang Li : (´･ω･`)?

Shu XinYi : ／(˃ᆺ˂)＼

Shu XinYi didn't expect that he had actually said it when he had only thought about it. Although Xiang Li was confused by XiaoXiao's firm "declaration", seeing a very flustered and embarrassed XiaoXiao, he finally understood.

Shu XinYi tried to save the situation saying "I mean I -"

When he was interjected by Xinag Li who at some point had gotten really close "You will do me? Heh, you're my Xiao Qi, I am the one who 'does' and pleasures you."

Shu XinYi didn't hold back anymore and the dirty dishes were left alone. This time they did it in the bedroom so it was more comfortable.

A month passed in succession without anything major happening. The only thing worth noticing was that Lan Cheng introduced Xue Yao formally to Mrs.Lan as his lover two weeks after the mall incident. By then Shu XinYi had already bought Xue Yao to the studio several times to examine their body. Both Xue Yao and Shu XinYi had created a comfortable environment for each other to work together and their friendship had improved a lot.

Shu XinYi had uploaded his second video, the project he was working with Xue Yao wasn't for his channel but for his gallery show, like the faceless violinist and the unfinished arm. For this fallen angel too Shu XinYi had only posted some snippets on his social media to make people curious. For the third video he made little artifacts as a teaching video and telling people about what inspired him to make art and how the young artists, with no background, should approach their career.

The third video had gotten the most views and many people even famous artists had applauded to Lan Xiao's insight about art. Xiang Li was a great help in all of this, he was actually really good at managing social media. In this world social media had been around for only 10 years and had just started gaining popularity so for Xiang Li to know the inner workings of how these platforms and their algorithms work was really commendable. Shu XinYi had become consistent on posting every Thursday as Xiang Li had suggested and his views and earning had become consistent.

As for the case, the third trial was due for tomorrow so Xiang Li was busier then usual with his work. Shu XinYi was also busy experimenting with a new painting. Shu XinYi wanted to paint an inception so he was kind of experimenting, this painting too was for the gallery show so it didn't need recording.

Xue Yao and Lan Cheng were also present in the studio, Shu XinYi wanted some inspiration so he had practically begged Gege to play violin for him. Xue Yao was just there to enjoy the art and they maintained appreciative silence. Shu XinYi thought of a lot of things of how he should paint but he just couldn't get there, it was like he knew what he wanted to paint but he couldn't visualize it. It was frustrating.

Shu XinYi understood the concept of bottle neck so he didn't torture himself anymore after 3 unsuccessful tries of painting, what he painted in these 3 tries was not bad but Shu XinYi didn't want to see these paintings on the canvas he coloured. For now he didn't know how to make what he wanted to see so he stopped and waited for natural inspiration.

The next morning Shu XinYi woke up with the ringtone which he had set for Xiang Li's number, Shu XinYi answered while he was still half asleep.

"Hmm." Shu XinYi

"Good morning, did you slept late last night?"

"Hmmmmm."

"Ah, then go back to sleep. I will be turning my phone off and head to the court. You don't have to attend if you are tired okay."

"No, I'll be there but I'll sleep for now. Can you keep talking to me until you are driving there?"

Xiang Li talked for a while until he could hear XiaoXiao's breathing even out. Xiang Li smiled as he hung up and headed for the court. In his report he had written a detailed analysis of the case up to now along with all the evidence. According to Xiang Li, Xue Fan is not the killer but he can't write this in his report since only the jury can make such conclusions.

The murder weapon was still unidentified, except for the fact that Bai Jiao had been poisoned, there still had been no concrete evidence as to HOW he had been poisoned. So it was unlikely that the jury would announce Xue Fan as the culprit.

Xiang Li submitted his report and talked to both the lawyers then conversed with some members of the jury. After about 2 hours the court finally assembled. Still lamenting on the fact that Song XingChen hadn't shown up even once since Shu XinYi came to this world, Shu XinYi sat down beside Xue Yao.

Bai meng's lawyer was the first one to speak up "Your honor, with how Xue Fan was present at the murder vicinity and how the poison that he has recently been charged against for trading, is the same one as used on the victim. On July 4th around 7 p.m The evidence that Xue Fan was present near the vicinity is not only admitted by him but there is also video evidenc-"

"I object your honor." Xue Fan's lawyer said.

The judge allowed Xue Fan's lawyer to continue and so he did "Your honor, as my client said before, they were present on the vicinity but there was very careful planning behind that. Allow me to explain Your Honor and Mr.Lin."

The judge gave him permission and allowed Mr.Lin, Bai Jiao's lawyer, to sit down.

Xue Fan's lawyer, on the other hand, walked towards his table and picked up a document handing it over to be passed do the judge. He waited until the document reached the judge and the judge examined it carefully then the lawyer said "As you can see, your honor, these pictures are of the conversations between my client and their customer. That very customer was the one who called my client to the vicinity to negotiate a deal. We have tried to find the location of this customer but we have failed to do so."

The judge looked at the photocopy of screenshots of the conversation between Xue Fan and the client but every one in the court knew how such evidence could easily be faked and was not always reliable. So the judge said "Mr.Xue, you are obviously aware that I can tread this kind of evidence in court. Mr.Feng please give valid evidence for your claims."

Mr.Feng, Xue Fan's lawyer looked a little troubled then he looked at Xue Fan, who nodded at him affirming him of something. Mr.Feng went back to the table and brought forward a USB. There was only one audio file on the USB which the judge played.

Warning (mentions of rape and child abuse)

"Mr.Xue haven't I already sent you the location, or are you just nervous to meet me in person?" an unfamiliar voice sounded, it was clear that the person speaking had changed his voice in a comical manner.

"Mr.Shu I will show up as you please but I want some certainty from you that you won't do anything stupid." Xue Fan's stern voice sounded.

"HAHAHAAA WHAT? Mr.Xue I assure you I will do nothing of that sort as long as you can meet and negotiate with me. I promise to not show anyone the pictures of you and your underage "pets" HAHAHAA." A near crazy voice sounded.

"I'll kill you, You fatherless bastard." Xue Fan.

"HAHAHAAA ah yes I truly am a fatherless bastard Mr.Xue but remember if you even try to lay a hand on me I will send those pictures to your youngest child, how do you think will your precious YaoYao react if he saw you doing things to your "pets" the same way things were done to him 4 years ago hmm? HAHAHAAA."

"You have some nerves, how the fuck do you know what happened to Yao'er? WHO ARE YOU?" Xue Fan.

"HAHAH, your hypocrisy is impeccable. You can do other's children but other's can't do your children? HAHAH, Mr.Xue there is no way out of this. HAHAHA" The crazy person.

The sound of laughter echoed through the quiet court room. No one dared to speak or even make a noise. Shu XinYi didn't have to look to know that Xue Yao beside him had started to tremble. Shu XinYi couldn't even imagine the amount of pain and suffering Xue Yao was feeling right now. Shu XinYi previously didn't know that Xue Yao had faced such things but it made sense as to why the non caring Xue Yao would turn against their father bringing forth their own sorrowful end.

To get r***d was already a great mental feat, but realizing that your very own father did something like this to other people who may as well have been you, is something of utmost bearing.

Shu XinYi stood up and held Xue Yao's hand to bring them outside. They were also closer to the exit so they quietly went out. Shu XinYi had given Xiang Li a look of reassurance before heading out. The court still continued while Shu XinYi bought Xue Yao to a quieter place. Shu XinYi bought some water and called Lan Cheng without telling him the ins and outs and only saying that something had happened.

"Yao ge, here drink some water." Shu XinYi said in a calm serene tone.

Xue Yao didn't take the bottle but asked in a low voice "How could he? My father he, XiaoXiao my father ...How?"

It was sorrowful to see Xue Yao like this. Shu XinYi bent down beside them and faced Xue Yao as he said "Xue Yao do you hate your father after today?"

Xue Yao looked at Shu XinYi with dazed eyes as they said "Am I not supposed to? He is not a good person, I knew that I got used to that but how could he... XiaoXiao I am sorry I am so pathetic, my family is so pathetic."

"Yao ge, have you ever thought of changing your name?" Shu XinYi asked after some thought.

Xue Yao nodded saying "Sometimes, I don't want to be the part of Xue family at all. But my father is so loving to me and even though my sister does hate me, father has always protected me. Even after that happened, my father supported me and never let anyone look down on me.. So I feel like I am betraying them if I don't want to be a part of this family."

Shu XinYi smiled a very comforting smile asking a very simple question "Does someone who love you not care about your happiness Xue Yao? Tell me have you been happy being Xue Fan's son?"

Xue Yao had no answer, nothing came to their mind. Have they been so attached to their father after the incident 4 years ago that they refused to look at the toxic sides of things? Have they been happy being Xue Fan's "son".

"Take your time to think things through Yao ge. I have called my brother here." Shu XinYi saw Xue Yao widen their eyes so Shu XinYi quickly said "Don't worry, I haven't told him anything. If you think that he holds any importance in your life, enough to know more about you, then please do tell him. My brother really does care for you."

Xue Yao stood up and hugged Shu XinYi saying "XiaoXiao when did you become so mature, I am your gege okay I will always be your gege okay? So I am the one who is supposed to guide you, but thank you. I will think carefully what I want for my life and where I can truly be happy."

Shu XinYi hugged back humming in reassurance.

"I'll head back inside Yao Ge, if you want to stay at my place for a few days or at anytime, you are free to do so okay? Drink some water, Gege will be here soon." Shu XinYi said.

Lan Cheng came by right then so Shu XinYi didn't have to worry about leaving Yao ge alone, before going Shu XinYi advised his low eq brother "Listen to Yao ge patiently, wait for him to open up and be there for him."