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Chapter 228: Chapter 186: Life Under Lockdown
Outside, cold ice rain was falling.
A layer of blurry mist formed on the glass, obscuring the view of the street.
On the windowsill, there were small pots containing several lush plants and delicate flowers.
The light inside the room spilled onto the wooden floor and the light yellow walls, creating a particularly warm and pure atmosphere.
Fang Cheng was sitting by the dining table, eating breakfast and drinking lean meat porridge while surveying the Zhou Family’s living room.
The TV screen was bright, broadcasting the morning news.
There were also some cute ornaments on the cabinet.
Hanging on the wall behind was a family portrait.
In the photo, the girl sitting on her father’s lap, around eight or nine years old, was particularly eye-catching.
With two ponytails, round cheeks, large eyes, her expression was slightly shy but incredibly adorable.
Looking at the childhood photo of Zhou Xiumei, Fang Cheng’s mouth curled into a smile, and his gaze shifted toward the kitchen, where the sound of pots and pans resonated.
Through the frosted glass door, an ever-busy silhouette could be seen.
Fang Cheng then put down his chopsticks and called out:
"Xiu Mei, breakfast doesn’t need so much effort, stop busying yourself and come eat together."
"Okay, it’ll be ready soon!"
A crisp response was followed by a wave of rich aroma of meat drifting from the kitchen.
After a short while, the glass door swung open with a sound.
Zhou Xiumei carefully carried a thermal pot out of the kitchen.
She then placed the pot on the table, opened the lid, and using delicate fingers, she scooped a bowl of soup.
After carefully skimming off the foam on the surface, she personally brought it to Fang Cheng.
"This is the corn goji beef stew I just made. Try it and see if it suits your taste?"
Smelling the strong scent of meat and looking at the rich ingredients,
Fang Cheng couldn’t help but feel his appetite surge, taking over with a smile:
"Thanks, I’m so hungry right now, as long as there is meat, I’m satisfied."
While talking, he immediately scooped a large piece of tenderly stewed beef into his mouth unabashedly enjoying his meal.
This beautiful soup must have been simmered for at least 2 hours; the beef was juicy, tender, and flavorful.
The carrots, corn kernels, and goji berries mixed in the soup offset some of the grease, adding a fresh and sweet taste.
It could be said to be perfect in color, aroma, and taste, not much inferior to chefs at big restaurants.
Watching the man devour the food with great gusto and completely unreserved behavior, Zhou Xiumei’s lips slightly pursed, revealing a genuine smile.
"Brother Cheng, eat slowly, I made a big pot, you can take some home for lunch later."
Fang Cheng kept nodding, his mouth never stopping.
His current way of eating was already very restrained and polite.
If not to frighten the girl, he could even swallow the bowl of meat soup without chewing much.
The table was full of tantalizing scents, including several other carefully cooked breakfast dishes.
Soft-boiled eggs, chilled jellyfish stripes, chicken meatballs, potato shred egg roll wrap, and crystal shumai.
To make this sumptuous breakfast, Zhou Xiumei must have spent a lot of energy and time.
She was merely squinting her eyes at the moment, looking happily at the man willing to eat her cooking.
Occasionally, she would pick up a pair of chopsticks to pick some side dishes onto the plate in front of him.
"Brother Cheng, I remember these were all your favorites when you were a kid, right?"
Fang Cheng swallowed the chewed meat, and smiled:
"Do you still remember that clearly?"
Zhou Xiumei pursed her lips smiling, then picked up a shumai with the chopsticks tenderly offering it to his mouth.
"Try this, how is it this time, is it better than before?"
Fang Cheng initially wanted to refuse.
But seeing Zhou Xiumei’s big eyes staring intently at him as if twinkling with hope,
he bit into the shumai, chewed slowly, and after a meaningful appreciation said:
"I have to officially admit now, your cooking skill indeed surpasses mine by a level."
Hearing this, Zhou Xiumei’s eyes and eyebrows curved into crescent moons, her cheeks appeared like a spring breeze had brushed over them, fair with a hint of rosy glow.
Her demeanour seemed much more cheerful, no longer so melancholic.
Outside, the drizzle was misty and damp, inside it also seemed to be filled with a gentle breeze.
The two conversed simply, sitting at each end of the dining table, quietly enjoying this ordinary moment’s breakfast.
"Xiu Mei, the soup you made really suits my taste."
After finishing the last bit of soup in the bowl, Fang Cheng couldn’t help but praise again: "When you have time, we can exchange some cooking skills."
"Is it really that tasty?"
Seeing his reaction, Zhou Xiumei immediately stood up joyfully: "I’ll get you another bowl."
Just as she was diligently picking up the bowl, ready to ladle the soup.
Suddenly, the sound of boots stepping on the ground was heard from outside.
Followed by a "creak", the wobbly door was pushed open.
A tall middle-aged man dressed in a black trench coat entered, muttering:
"How could this door have broken?"
Fang Cheng and Zhou Xiumei turned around to see that Zhou Yongnian had returned.
"Dad!"
Zhou Xiumei immediately put down her bowl, calling out in surprise.
Zhou Yongnian also looked up at the two, his expression slightly odd:
"Xiu Mei, Ah Cheng, what’s this?"
"We... we..."
Zhou Xiumei opened her mouth, trying to explain something, but she stammered, unsure of what to say.
Her face was hot and flushed to her ears, resembling a child caught by a parent doing something wrong.
Seeing Zhou Xiumei’s embarrassed appearance, Fang Cheng afraid of any misunderstandings, quickly took over the conversation:
