novelraw Chapter 56
Chapter 56
Chapter 56The hotpot broth began to bubble—first a low murmur, then a steady, rolling boil—while pale steam drifted above the pot like mist over a lake.
Bowls of raw ingredients crowded the table until almost every inch of it was covered.
Kakayan stared at the yin-yang split: one side creamy white, the other fierce crimson. A ribbon of drool slipped down her throat before she could stop it.
Maybe it was the rising heat, but Jiang Li found the faint beads of sweat at the corners of her mouth... oddly endearing.
"Jiang Li, why is the soup two different colors?"
Kakayan's tongue flicked across glossy lips, imagination racing as the twin broths glimmered.
The white side looked like pearls dissolving in a clear spring, turning the liquid into a milky pool; the red side churned like molten lava.
"You'll understand once you taste it."
Not wanting to spoil the experience, Jiang Li kept the explanation to himself and quietly set up his phone on its tripod.
"Time to start."
When the water reached a rolling boil, he slid the first slices of meat into the pot. Then he reached for the small dishes beside him.
"When the color changes, it's ready. Want dipping sauce?"
"Dipping sauce?"
"Something to go with it—adds flavor."
"Yes, please."
Kakayan had no idea how hotpot worked; nodding was always the safe answer.
"What kind—salty, sweet, savory, sour?"
"Same as yours!"
"All right."
Jiang Li rose to head for the condiment station, but halfway there he turned back. "Careful—it's hot."
"I got it."
Kakayan lifted her chin, then fixed her amethyst eyes on the roiling broth.
Instinct told her to start with the white side, simple reason being—it was closer.
Following Jiang Li's instructions, she watched a slice of beef until the last trace of crimson vanished, then stabbed it with her chopsticks.
The moment it left the pot, creamy broth dripped from the meat's fine grain; its tenderness was almost luminous.
She couldn't wait. The beef was halfway to her lips when she remembered something.
Half a second of hesitation, then she reluctantly lowered the chopsticks, presenting the slice to her phone camera the way she'd seen in videos.
In a deliberately flat tone she announced, "You guys eat first."
After a quick flourish she snapped the chopsticks back.
Chomp. Gone.
"Mmm—delicious!"
Sweet white-broth flavor burst across her tongue, followed by the rich chew of beef.
Her eyes sparkled; a small, satisfied curve lifted her lips. One bite and she was already floating.
"How is it?"
Jiang Li had returned with the dipping sauces and caught the look on her face.
"Tasty." Kakayan tapped a finger to her mouth, savoring. "It's got this milky aroma, and the meat's so fresh."
She paused, then added, "This is cheating—it's so good I want to scream for help."
Jiang Li's brow creased. "Where did you pick up lines like that?"
"Weren't you the one who told me to copy others?" Kakayan tilted her head, eyes asking if she'd done anything wrong.
"You don't have to copy them exactly." Jiang Li chuckled. "Use your own words."
"Oh... Then—super yummy!"
Kakayan raised her chopsticks and shouted it loud enough for the whole table to hear.
More white-side beef followed.
"This sauce is amazing too."
"Eat some vegetables; don't just inhale meat."
"Vegetables are also amazing."
"..."
Jiang Li said nothing, simply watching her cheeks puff as she chewed.
At some point her chopstick skills had become flawless; she no longer needed him to ferry food for her.
If he didn't start serving himself, the remaining meat would vanish entirely.
Still, he kept watching—the way she enjoyed every bite, the way her cheeks rounded. A strange satisfaction settled in his chest.
Lines of Bai Juyi drifted through his mind.
"Green lees of newly brewed wine, a tiny red-clay stove. Evening falls, sky threatening snow—can you share one cup with me?"
"..."
Kakayan turned. "What were you babbling just now?"
"A poem."
"A po-em?"
"Rhythmic language—expresses feelings, reflects life."
"Oh. Why recite one all of a sudden?"
"Not everyone is like you," Jiang Li teased. "You're happy and all you can say is 'yummy' and 'really yummy.'
This—this is called elegance."
"No idea what you're on about." Kakayan pouted. "Anyway, if you're not eating, I'll finish everything."
"..."
The white side was already empty. Jiang Li had put in plenty of meat, but it had disappeared in moments.
Kakayan's chopsticks scoured the bottom until she hooked one last hidden slice.
"You're thorough."
Jiang Li refilled her glass with cola. The woman's stomach was a black hole whenever good food was involved.
If he kept feeding her like this, would she turn soft and plump?
His gaze drifted downward—seemed the calories had found all the right places instead.
Kakayan said nothing, but while fishing for more meat she sneaked a glance at Jiang Li's bowl—still pristine, untouched.
Realizing he'd been watching her the whole time, she pressed her glistening lips together and leaned slightly toward him.
"Want this slice?"
The question caught Jiang Li off guard—had her conscience finally shown up?
He decided to tease her a little.
"Ahh." He opened his mouth.
"?"
Kakayan's eyebrows twitched; she stared at him as if he'd sprouted a second head.
After a moment's pause she slowly brought the chopsticks toward his face.
Jiang Li's eyes flicked up just as Kakayan met them.
Their gazes locked.
In the next heartbeat her face twisted with reluctant surrender and she dropped the meat into his bowl.
"Feed yourself."
She turned away with a huff.
Jiang Li laughed softly, dipped the slice in sauce, and ate it.
Hmm... a little overcooked.
"How full are you?" he asked.
"About halfway."
Kakayan fished the last scraps from the pot, then licked her chopsticks with a satisfied click.
"You ready?"
"Ready for what?"
"Time to test the red broth."
Jiang Li lifted a plate of paper-thin beef rolls and slid them into the bubbling, lava-red cauldron.