Heartbeat - Chapter 23

Su Jianyue had no idea what the online community was thinking. After tying Yu Lin’s apron, she asked, “Is this too loose?”

 

Yu Lin tugged at the apron strings, her gaze returning to Su Jianyue’s face. “No, it’s perfect. You put yours on first, and I’ll help you tie it.”

 

“Okay,” Su Jianyue replied, slipping into her apron. Yu Lin tied the waist ties behind her.

 

Seeing they were still filming, the shop owner’s enthusiasm surged. “Ladies, since it’s quiet today, just let me know if you need anything.”

 

“Thank you,” Su Jianyue replied, gesturing to two stools beside a pottery wheel. “Let’s sit down. Do you have anything you want to make?”

 

Yu Lin pondered for a moment before asking, “Would making a little figure be too difficult for a first-timer?”

 

Su Jianyue immediately nodded. “Yeah, it’s best to start with something simpler, like a cup, bowl, or a small animal.”

 

“Let’s make a cup together,” Yu Lin suggested.

 

“Great! We should probably tie our hair up first,” Su Jianyue said, already pulling her hair into a ponytail. She then scooped a small handful of clay from the basin.

 

Seeing that Yu Lin had also tied her hair back, Su Jianyue said, “Just place the clay on the wheel and we can start shaping it. It might take a few tries at first. Ready? I’m turning on the wheel.”

 

“Mhm, ready!” Yu Lin replied, her eyes crinkling into a smile as she looked at Su Jianyue.

 

As the wheel spun to life, the circular plate began to rotate.

 

Su Jianyue cupped the clay in her hands. “See? As the wheel turns, we smooth out the edges. Soon, the cup will start to take shape.”

 

“Okay, I’ll try,” Yu Lin said, placing her hands around the clay as well. Their fingers briefly brushed against each other, but Su Jianyue didn’t notice. She added a little water to keep the clay moist and pliable.

 

“I’ll shape the outside,” Yu Lin said. “Can you work on the inside?”

 

“Ao Ao, okay!” Su Jianyue quickly leaned in, pressing her fingers against the inner wall of the clay. In moments, the shape began to form.

 

“This is actually quite therapeutic,” Yu Lin said, her mood noticeably brightening. “When work gets stressful, I might actually visit a pottery studio to unwind. You don’t have to think about anything while shaping the clay.”

 

Sharing the pottery wheel brought them close, their fingers occasionally brushing. Yu Lin found this intimate interaction quite enjoyable.

 

Su Jianyue, however, was focused entirely on the cup. “Oh no, the wall’s too thin! It’s a failure.”

 

She looked at Yu Lin with an innocent expression, making Yu Lin laugh. “Don’t worry, let’s try again.”

 

“Mm-hmm,” Su Jianyue replied, turning off the wheel. She kneaded the clay back into a ball before restarting the wheel.

 

This time, they worked with noticeably greater skill.

 

Su Jianyue glanced at Yu Lin and suggested, “Should we make it cuter? Maybe add little ears to the cup?”

 

Yu Lin’s gaze turned to Su Jianyue, her smile never fading. “Sure, let’s try it together.”

 

As expected, Little Milk As are just so adorable, Yu Lin thought. Even when making a cup, she has to add little ears.

 

“I’ll stop the wheel first and use this clay strip to make the ears,” Su Jianyue said, already shaping the clay.

 

The live stream’s bullet comments flooded the screen in layers, so dense viewers had to clear them to see the content above.

 

Ahhh, how can our baby be so cute?!

 

LOL, Yu Lin’s totally smitten with Xiao Yueliang too! Making a cup with little ears? Our baby’s still so young at heart!

 

Yu Lin’s been grinning non-stop since she sat down. Haha, when you’re working with clay, physical contact is inevitable!

 

If it were me, my face would be frozen in a smile! Su Jianyue is such a rare kind of Alpha—who gets it?!

 

I can’t even imagine the chaos if Shen Xun finds out about this!

 

Ahhh, this is great! More drama, please! I want to see Shen Xun scold her Little Puppy!

 

Su Jianyue was completely unaware of any of this. She pinched two small ears onto the rim of the cup and then used a small sculpting knife to trim away the excess clay. Before long, an adorable little cup was finished.

 

“All done! What do you think? Isn’t it cute?” Su Jianyue asked.

 

Yu Lin beamed. “It’s adorable! Let’s make another one—one for you and one for me.”

 

“Sure, we’ve got the whole morning anyway. No rush,” Su Jianyue replied without a second thought, and continued working.

 

After shaping another similar cup, Su Jianyue paused and asked, “Do you have a favorite animal? Let’s sculpt some animals this time.”

 

“Great idea! How about a little puppy? I’ll try sculpting it, and you can guide me,” Yu Lin said, her gaze fixed on Su Jianyue.

 

Su Jianyue nodded. “Okay, first, take a palm-sized piece of clay and roll it into a long strip. That’ll make it easier to shape with the sculpting knife.”

 

“Like this? What about over here? It looks so ugly! Help me!” Yu Lin said, pushing the clay strip toward Su Jianyue.

 

Su Jianyue quickly leaned in, took the clay strip, and began kneading it in her hands. “Let’s make a chubby little puppy,” she suggested.

 

In just a few quick movements, she shaped the puppy’s body and handed it to Yu Lin. Then, Su Jianyue started working on the puppy’s limbs and ears.

 

Before long, the basic form of the little puppy was complete.

 

“Now comes the refining of the puppy’s facial features,” Su Jianyue said. Having previously carved a jade pig, she had some experience. Using a clay knife, she meticulously refined the puppy’s face and body, shaping the details bit by bit.

 

“See? That’s about right,” Su Jianyue said, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at the puppy in her hands.

 

But Yu Lin’s gaze hadn’t been focused on the puppy at all. Instead, she had been watching Su Jianyue the entire time. Only when Su Jianyue announced it was finished did Yu Lin finally look at the puppy.

 

“Hmm, it’s so cute! Does it need to be painted later? How does that work?” Yu Lin asked.

 

“First, we need to fire it in the kiln to harden it. Once it cools, we can paint it. Since we finished this morning, we can fire it now and paint it after lunch. But the final piece won’t be ready until tomorrow morning.”

 

As Su Jianyue spoke, she turned to Yu Lin. “Are you getting bored? If there’s anywhere else you’d like to go, we can change our plans anytime.”

 

“Not at all,” Yu Lin replied enthusiastically. “It’s actually quite interesting. Plus, my room is so empty. Once we get the finished pieces, I’ll put them right in there.”

 

As lunchtime approached, Su Jianyue realized it wouldn’t be appropriate to take someone she barely knew to the street food stalls. She abruptly changed her mind. “What would you like for lunch? How about Korean barbecue?”

 

“Sounds good. I’ll leave it to you.”

 

The two left the pottery studio. The owner would handle the initial firing of their clay pieces to set the shape at high temperatures. By the time they returned from lunch, the pieces would be ready for painting.

 

This time, Su Jianyue chose an upscale Japanese barbecue restaurant. She ordered short ribs, ribeye, beef intestines, and various sides like mushrooms and lettuce.

 

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Su Jianyue said, “I’m sorry for taking you to those street stalls this morning. Please have plenty of beef for lunch. I’m actually quite good at grilling, so just leave it all to me.”

 

“No worries,” Yu Lin replied with a smile. “Breakfast was great too. I really enjoyed the tofu pudding.”

 

The dishes were served quickly. This restaurant used charcoal grills, which gave the meat a richer, smokier flavor.

 

Su Jianyue placed a large slab of beef on the grill, flipping it occasionally with tongs. When the meat was nearly cooked, she used scissors to cut it into bite-sized pieces.

 

“It’s almost ready. You can start eating now.” Su Jianyue piled the grilled beef pieces in front of Yu Lin, feeling responsible for taking care of her since they were out together. She didn’t want to repeat the awkwardness of the morning.

 

“You should eat first too. Don’t rush with the grilling.”

 

“It’s fine, you go ahead. I’ll grill another big piece.” With that, she picked up the tongs and resumed grilling the beef.

 

Yu Lin’s eyes darted around, realizing this arrangement suited her just fine. She wiped her hands with a wet wipe, dipped a piece of beef in sauce, wrapped it in a small lettuce leaf, and then stood up to bring the wrapped bite to Su Jianyue’s lips.

 

Caught off guard by Yu Lin’s gesture, Su Jianyue hesitated, feeling slightly uncomfortable. “You should eat it,” she said. “I can get my own later.”

 

“I’ve already brought it to your mouth. Are you really not going to eat it?” Yu Lin’s hand remained steady.

 

Su Jianyue saw Yu Lin’s expectant gaze and didn’t want to embarrass her, especially with the live stream still running.

 

Su Jianyue smiled at Yu Lin. “Okay, thank you.”

 

She took a bite. The dipping sauce was excellent, and the beef was grilled to tender perfection. Wrapped in a crisp lettuce leaf, the combination was heavenly.

 

“Mmm, delicious! You should try some too. This piece will be ready soon,” Su Jianyue said happily, her love for meat shining through.

 

Meanwhile, the live stream’s bullet comments were buzzing with excitement:

 

OMG, Yu Lin is so smooth! She even fed Su Jianyue beef!

 

Yeah, Yu Lin’s really good at creating intimate moments. Aaaah, Xunxun Baby, your home is in danger! Come back quick!

 

Xiao Yueliang is so thoughtful, helping grill the meat. If Shen Xun finds out, she’ll be so jealous!

 

But Yu Lin’s pretty great too… Aaaah, it’s so hard to choose! I’m worried for Xiao Yueliang!

 

Honestly, all three female omegas this season seem really nice. It’s just a shame Xiao Yueliang is only one person—not enough to go around!

 

Aaaah, my Xun Yue CP can’t be broken up!

 

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Shen Xun had been driven by the production crew to a local tea restaurant, where Jiang Ying was already waiting.

 

Jiang Ying was surprised to see Shen Xun arrive. Their eyes met, and both smiled.

 

“Didn’t expect it to be me, did you?” Shen Xun said, breaking the silence.

 

Jiang Ying nodded. “You’re right, I didn’t. Let’s go inside and talk.”

 

“Sure.”

 

After they settled into their seats, Jiang Ying ordered some Cantonese dim sum. “How did you guys choose gifts?” she asked curiously. “Was it a blind selection?”

 

“We drew lots,” Shen Xun explained. “Whoever drew the earliest number got to pick first.”

 

“So you didn’t get an early pick?”

 

Shen Xun nodded. “Not exactly. I drew third.”

 

Jiang Ying nodded, and they began eating breakfast.

 

Jiang Ying had initially chosen Liang Wenjing, while Shen Xun had chosen Su Jianyue. Since neither had gotten their first choice, they felt less pressure to be overly cautious around each other.

 

After breakfast, Jiang Ying took Shen Xun to a café. She hadn’t planned anything special, figuring that their first meeting should focus on conversation to get to know each other better.

 

Meanwhile, Su Jianyue and Yu Lin returned to the pottery studio after lunch. The pieces they had fired that morning had cooled, just in time for them to start painting.

 

The owner had already prepared paints and brushes for them. “Ladies, the paints and brushes are ready. After you’ve finished coloring, I’ll need to fire them one last time. This final firing takes quite a while, so you can pick up the finished pieces tomorrow at your convenience.”

 

“Alright, thank you, sir,” Su Jianyue said with a smile.

 

The two settled at the table. Yu Lin picked up the fired Little Puppy and turned to Su Jianyue. “What color do you want the puppy to be?”

 

Su Jianyue glanced at the puppy and blurted out, “White! White is the cutest.”

 

“Okay, I’ll go with white then,” Yu Lin said, her lips curving into a smile. Tomorrow, when she got the finished piece, she planned to display the Little Puppy in the most prominent spot in her room—a reminder of the time she spent creating it with Su Jianyue.

 

Unaware of Yu Lin’s thoughts, Su Jianyue had already begun painting her cup.

 

The cup’s base color was white, and Su Jianyue decorated it with adorable little animals. She even painted the cup’s tiny ears pink.

 

The live stream’s bullet comments were practically flooded with the word “cute.”

 

Ahhh, our baby is so cute! She painted the cup’s little ears pink!

 

Xiao Yueliang is such a good girl! The little animals on the cup are so adorable! I want that cup!

 

Where can I get a Little Milk A this cute? Ugh, I want to kidnap her and take her home!

 

I want to kidnap the baby and take her home too! +1

 

Hey, upstairs! Xiao Yueliang belongs to Shen Xun, hmph! Don’t even think about it! My Xun Yue CP is real!

 

Su Jianyue, oblivious to these online discussions, meticulously painted her pottery, adorning each piece with adorable little animals.

 

Yu Lin picked up her own cup, which she had already decorated with flowers and plants, and slid it toward Su Jianyue. “Could you paint some animals on this for me? And color the little ears on top?”

 

“Sure!” Su Jianyue replied without hesitation. It was a simple request, and she was happy to help.

 

She painted little rabbits, cats, dogs, and other creatures, coloring the tiny ears pink—because, in her mind, all cute animals had pink ears!

 

“Look, all done! Isn’t it adorable?” Su Jianyue proudly showed her finished work to Yu Lin.

 

Yu Lin glanced briefly at the cup before her gaze settled on Su Jianyue’s face. “Cute,” she murmured.

 

She hadn’t even looked at the cup when she said it, but Su Jianyue remained completely unaware.

 

Ahhh, someone’s got their eye on our baby!

 

Yu Lin didn’t even look at the cup when she said it was cute. She was clearly talking about how cute our Xiao Yueliang is.

 

Waaah, how could anyone not adore our baby?

 

Yu Lin is so clever! She painted half of it herself and then had Su Jianyue finish it, making the cup a collaborative effort between them.

 

Exactly! Both cups even have pink little ears—aren’t they obviously couple cups?

 

Hiss… I can’t even imagine the chaotic scene that would unfold if Shen Xun ever saw these.

 

Painting ceramics takes a considerable amount of time, and requires a steady hand when drawing patterns and filling in colors. One mistake could ruin the entire piece.

 

Although their date was supposed to end in the afternoon, Su Jianyue and Yu Lin had molded so many pieces in the morning that leaving them unpainted felt like a waste.

 

So they stayed, their hands busy with brushes and paints.

 

Still mindful of their date, Su Jianyue asked Yu Lin considerately, “If you want to head back early, that’s fine. I can take you home first and come back tomorrow morning to finish painting the rest.”

 

Yu Lin, however, was desperate to spend more time alone with Su Jianyue. This rare moment of intimacy was too precious to cut short. How could she possibly want to leave?

 

“No, no, I actually quite enjoy this,” Yu Lin said quickly. “Plus, coloring together will make it go faster, and there’s not much left.”

 

“Oh, okay then! Let’s finish up and head back together,” Su Jianyue said cheerfully.

 

By three o’clock in the afternoon, Jiang Ying and Shen Xun had returned to the villa. Their date had been pleasant enough; after lunch, Jiang Ying took Shen Xun for a walk in a nearby park, where they discussed future plans and career goals, acting more like business partners than a couple.

 

When Shen Xun and Jiang Ying arrived back at the villa, they found it deserted. Only the host was in the living room. Seeing them return, he smiled and asked, “Back already?”

 

Shen Xun nodded. “Yeah. Where is everyone else?”

 

“The others haven’t returned yet. You two are the first couple back from your dates. Feel free to rest for a bit and come down later,” Yang Rui said with a smile.

 

“Okay,” Shen Xun replied, glancing instinctively at her phone. Three o’clock—it was getting late. Why hadn’t anyone else returned yet? She was particularly worried about Xiao Yueliang; she wondered how her date was going.

 

Feeling slightly uneasy, Shen Xun turned to Jiang Ying. “I’m going to go freshen up. I’ll come down later.”

 

“Okay, let’s go together,” Jiang Ying agreed, planning to shower and come downstairs later.

 

Their date today had been a complete bust. Instead of sparking any chemistry, Shen Xun and Jiang Ying had nearly turned it into a career planning forum, discussing nothing but work-related topics. A day spent on a date felt no different from a day at the office.

 

Well, that’s for the best, Jiang Ying thought. Now we can be straightforward friends. Romance is completely out of the question.

 

After returning to her room, Shen Xun removed her makeup and showered. Once she was ready, she changed into a long black dress and went to the living room to wait.

 

She was genuinely worried about Su Jianyue. Her younger sister was only a freshman in college and had never been in a relationship before. Shen Xun feared someone might take advantage of her.

 

Sitting on the sofa, she clasped her hands tightly, her gaze frequently darting toward the villa entrance, eager to see Su Jianyue return.

 

As time ticked by, the second group of guests arrived, but it wasn’t Su Jianyue and her partner. Instead, it was Liang Wenjing and Zheng Tianming. The necklace Liang Wenjing had chosen earlier had been a gift from Zheng Tianming.

 

After spending most of the day together, Zheng Tianming and Liang Wenjing didn’t really click. Perhaps because Zheng Tianming was a high-ranking executive, he tended to be self-centered in his words and actions. Liang Wenjing, however, disliked Alphas like that. So, after completing their filming tasks in the afternoon, they returned early.

 

Just after four o’clock, Ren Peng and Chen Zhibin, along with Mao Ning and Zhao Qifei’s groups, also returned. Only Su Jianyue and Yu Lin’s group remained unaccounted for.

 

Noticing Shen Xun’s sour expression, Zhao Qifei deliberately remarked, “Hey? All the other groups are back. Looks like only Su Jianyue and Yu Lin are still out. They must be getting along really well—so well they don’t want to come back?”

 

Shen Xun shot Zhao Qifei a cold glare but didn’t reply.

 

Chen Zhibin, who had also endured an awkward date that day, chimed in. He had never liked male omegas, and spending the entire day with Ren Peng had been excruciating. That morning, he had taken Ren Peng to the basketball court, intending to show off his skills, but the results were disastrous.

 

Ren Peng insisted on playing too, leading to a series of one-on-one matches. Chen Zhibin lost four or five times in a row, leaving him on the verge of tears. His attempt to impress had backfired spectacularly, leaving him thoroughly humiliated by Ren Peng. No wonder he was in such a foul mood.

 

“Yeah, it seems Su Jianyue and Yu Lin are quite pleased with each other,” Chen Zhibin quickly chimed in.

 

Shen Xun remained silent, her expression cold. Sensing her foul mood, Jiang Ying hurried to smooth things over. “You just got back—go freshen up. We’ll be drawing lots for cooking duties soon.”

 

“Alright, we’ll head upstairs then,” Zhao Qifei said, leading the group up the stairs.

 

Su Jianyue and Yu Lin returned to the villa at 5:30 PM. They had spent the entire afternoon painting the clay figures they’d sculpted that morning—the table was completely covered with their creations.

 

As they entered the living room, Su Jianyue immediately spotted Shen Xun. She smiled and greeted her, “Sister, you’re back too?”

 

Shen Xun’s gaze swept over Su Jianyue, noting the Little Puppy’s cheerful mood. This only deepened her irritation. “I’ve been back since 3 PM. Did you have fun today?”

 

“Mhm!” Su Jianyue nodded enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling.

 

Yu Lin joined them, smiling. “We were busy all day. We might even have to go out again tomorrow morning.”

 

“Smooch, smooch, smooch! A whole day together really makes a difference,” Mao Ning teased with a grin.

 

“You bet,” Yu Lin replied, not denying it. She had genuinely enjoyed her day.

 

Shen Xun’s gaze locked with Yu Lin’s, neither woman willing to break the stare.

 

Sensing the tension, Su Jianyue hurried over, interrupting their silent exchange. “Sisters, how was your day?”

 

“It was fine,” Shen Xun replied. Seeing Su Jianyue’s cheerful expression, she felt an urge to pinch the Little Puppy’s cheek and interrogate her about everything she’d done that day.

 

Noticing Shen Xun’s reluctance to talk, Su Jianyue fell silent. With so many people in the living room, she decided to wait until bedtime to play with her sister.

 

“Oh right, shouldn’t we draw lots now? The head chef hasn’t been chosen yet, has it?” Yu Lin asked.

 

“Not yet,” Jiang Ying replied. “Go change and freshen up first. We’ll draw lots once everyone’s downstairs.”

 

Su Jianyue nodded obediently, glancing at Shen Xun. “Sister, I’ll go change and be right back.”

 

Shen Xun glanced at Su Jianyue and gave a slight nod.

 

Yu Lin was already calling Su Jianyue over. “Come on, let’s go upstairs together.”

 

“Mm-hmm,” Su Jianyue replied, hurrying to follow Yu Lin upstairs.

 

Shen Xun pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed deeply. Little Puppy is still too naive, she thought. It’s a good thing I came along this time, or she might have been easily led astray.

 

Meanwhile, in the live stream’s bullet comments section, viewers were excitedly gossiping.

 

LOL, when Shen Xun and Yu Lin locked eyes earlier, sparks practically flew where their gazes met!

 

Seriously, Shen Xun was clearly jealous. She acts like she doesn’t care, but she’s actually dying inside. She was downstairs waiting for Su Jianyue by 3:30 PM!

 

Exactly! She was so worried Su Jianyue would get snatched up, but their group ended up being the last to return.

 

Did you see how Shen Xun wouldn’t even acknowledge Su Jianyue? Now Su Jianyue’s got some serious groveling to do.

 

Our little darling is so carefree, only thinking about having fun. Meanwhile, Shen Xun is burning with jealousy. It’s hilarious!

 

True! Our baby is such an innocent Little Milk A, clueless about romance and just wanting to play.

 

I can’t wait to see Xiao Yueliang get scolded by Shen Xun! I’m so excited! (starry-eyed emoji)

 

Soon after, Su Jianyue washed her face, changed clothes, and came downstairs. By the time she arrived, everyone else had already gathered.

 

Seeing everyone had arrived, Zhao Qifei announced, “It’s getting late. Let’s draw lots to determine today’s four chefs.”

 

“Alright, let’s begin,” Shen Xun nodded in agreement.

 

Zhao Qifei immediately produced the prepared slips of paper. He placed the five omega slips into the left cup and handed it to Shen Xun. “These are for the omegas. You five draw lots.”

 

Then, Zhao Qifei folded the remaining five slips and placed them into the right cup. “As for us, how should we decide the order? Rock-paper-scissors?”

 

Su Jianyue’s eyes lit up. Rock-paper-scissors? She loved playing that!

 

“Yes, let’s do rock-paper-scissors!” Su Jianyue eagerly suggested.

 

As she spoke, Shen Xun chuckled softly and shook her head. Did she not know Su Jianyue? She just wanted to play again.

 

The five of them began playing rock-paper-scissors. Su Jianyue’s luck was astonishingly good; she won outright, securing the first chance to draw a slip.

 

She rubbed her hands together, grinned at the others, and declared, “Well, I won’t hold back. I’ll draw first.”

 

With that, Su Jianyue shook the cup vigorously. Moments later, a small crumpled slip of paper tumbled out.

 

Su Jianyue happily took the small paper ball into her palm, her face beaming as she slowly unfolded it. Her smile froze when she saw the number 1 written boldly on the slip.

 

She looked at the camera with a pitiful expression. “Then I’ll just have to wait for another chef to guide me. I’m not very good at cooking.”

 

Jiang Ying chuckled. “You got the first one! This makes it easy. Only one of us four can draw a numbered slip now. Let’s each take one—no need for rock-paper-scissors.”

 

The others agreed. Since Su Jianyue had already taken one numbered slip, only one of the remaining four was in danger.

 

They drew their slips and unfolded them one by one. The remaining person with a numbered slip was Zheng Tianming.

 

On the omega side, Yu Lin was the first to draw a numbered slip.

 

Yu Lin glanced at Su Jianyue, a faint smile playing on her lips. Her luck had been remarkable these past two rounds. Su Jianyue had drawn cooking, and so had she.

 

In contrast to Yu Lin’s elation, Shen Xun looked at Su Jianyue with concern.

 

My sister is so naive. If she keeps interacting with other omegas so frequently, she might actually get stolen away! No, I have to try my best to draw cooking too!

 

With a deep breath, Shen Xun picked up a crumpled piece of paper and slowly unfolded it. To her dismay, it was blank.

 

The other person who drew a numbered slip was Ren Peng. He chuckled when he saw his slip, “My luck is unmatched. I got it yesterday, and I got it again today.”

 

Su Jianyue glanced at the other three people who needed to cook, her eyes lighting up. She didn’t know Zheng Tianming or Ren Peng well, but she was close to Yu Lin—they had spent the entire day together.

 

Thinking this, Su Jianyue cast a pleading look at Yu Lin. “Yu Lin, I’ll stick with you later. I’m not very good at cooking.”

 

Yu Lin smiled reassuringly. “No problem. Just stand beside me and help with the prep work. Cooking is actually quite simple.”

 

“Okay, I’m counting on you,” Su Jianyue said obediently.

 

Ren Peng looked at the group and suggested, “Let’s get started. It’ll be late by the time we’re done.”

 

“Alright,” Yu Lin replied with a smile, then turned to Su Jianyue. “Come on, let’s go cook.”

 

“Mm-hmm,” Su Jianyue nodded obediently, rising to her feet. She glanced at Shen Xun. “Sister, I’m going to work now. I’ll come back to find you later.”

 

As she spoke, Su Jianyue fell into step beside Yu Lin, asking, “What delicious dish should we make later?”

 

“I see there’s still plenty of vegetables in the fridge, and we have chicken drumsticks and wings frozen downstairs,” Yu Lin said after a moment’s thought. “Let’s make curry chicken with rice noodles as the main course.”

 

Su Jianyue’s eyes lit up at the mention of food. “Ao Ao! That sounds delicious!”

 

Zheng Tianming chuckled beside them. “Alright, I’ll handle the noodles. We had pasta yesterday, so today everyone can enjoy my homemade noodles.”

 

“Okay, I’ll take care of the vegetables,” Ren Peng chimed in.

 

Listening to the chefs’ plans, Su Jianyue nodded obediently. “Mm-hmm, sounds good! I’ll be your assistant.”

 

With that, the group dispersed to begin their tasks.

 

Su Jianyue took charge of washing the vegetables, dutifully scrubbing them at the sink and passing the cleaned produce to Yu Lin and the others for preparation. Before long, a large basin of vegetables was washed and ready.

 

“What else can I do?” Su Jianyue asked, brimming with enthusiasm.

 

“Can you rinse the chicken wings and drumsticks? Then pat them dry with kitchen paper,” Yu Lin replied, chopping potatoes and onions as she spoke.

 

“Okay!” Su Jianyue, who had been worried about not being able to help, eagerly began washing the chicken wings at the sink, her motivation renewed.

 

Nearby, Shen Xun watched Su Jianyue. Seeing her standing next to Yu Lin, Shen Xun’s mood inexplicably soured.

 

She rose from the sofa and went to the kitchen, where she took a glass from the upper cabinet and poured herself a cup of warm water.

 

Carrying the warm water, she walked past the others but stopped beside Su Jianyue.

 

Shen Xun’s gaze fell on the Little Puppy, who was diligently working. She’s actually quite cute when she’s focused like this, Shen Xun thought, a faint smile curving her lips. “Want some water?”

 

Seeing it was Shen Xun, Su Jianyue nodded eagerly. “Mm-hmm, I’m really thirsty.”

 

“Don’t move. I’ll feed you.”

 

Su Jianyue still held a chicken wing in her hand, leaving her unable to free her hands. She obediently nodded. “Mm-hmm, thank you, Sister.”

 

Shen Xun smiled gently and brought the glass to Su Jianyue’s lips, slowly feeding the Little Puppy the water.

 

Su Jianyue was genuinely parched. After rushing back to change clothes, she had immediately come downstairs to draw lots, forgetting to drink anything. No wonder she was so thirsty now.

 

With Shen Xun’s help, Su Jianyue quickly drained most of her glass of water.

 

Meanwhile, Yu Lin glanced at Shen Xun, who met her gaze and nodded slightly.

 

Completely unaware of the silent exchange between the two omegas, Su Jianyue smiled sweetly at Shen Xun. “Thank you, Sister. I haven’t had a chance to drink anything since I got back.”

 

“Still being so formal with me?” Shen Xun teased, then asked, “Want more?”

 

Su Jianyue shook her head vigorously. “I’m full, Sister. Go rest over there. We’ll make plenty of food later, so you can eat your fill.”

 

“Alright.” Shen Xun’s eyes softened as she gazed at her adorable Little Puppy, her lips curving into a gentle smile.

 

The live stream chat exploded with bullet comments:

 

Hahaha, I’m dying! Shen Xun and Yu Lin’s eyes met again, and Little Puppy is completely clueless.

 

Su Jianyue is so well-behaved, diligently washing chicken legs and wings.

 

Shen Xun finally couldn’t stand it anymore! If someone else took my Little Puppy out for the whole day, I’d be green with jealousy too.

 

I love seeing omegas make the first move! When Su Jianyue was drinking, her Little Puppy’s tail was wagging like a propeller. She definitely likes Shen Xun too, right?

 

It’s clear Yu Lin doesn’t stand a chance. Su Jianyue is warm and friendly to everyone, but anyone can see her feelings for Shen Xun are different.

 

Shen Xun had just finished feeding Su Jianyue water, and her mood had visibly improved. See? Little Puppy is still closer to me.

 

Meanwhile, Su Jianyue continued dutifully washing chicken wings and drumsticks. After rinsing them thoroughly, she patted them dry with kitchen paper and arranged them on a plate, ready for cooking.

 

Once finished, she turned to Yu Lin and asked, “Is there anything else I can help with?”

 

Yu Lin glanced at Su Jianyue and smiled. “That’s all for now. Just watch me cook for a while.”

 

“Okay!” Su Jianyue replied eagerly.

 

Next, she inspected the two cold dishes Ren Peng had prepared: egg noodles with vermicelli and a cucumber and tomato salad dressed with Thousand Island dressing. Both looked quite appetizing.

 

Su Jianyue then moved over to Zheng Tianming, who had already kneaded the dough. He rolled the dough into thin sheets, folded them into layers, and sliced them into strips. When he shook the strips apart, a board full of handmade noodles appeared.

 

Worried there wouldn’t be enough for everyone, Zheng Tianming repeated the process, making another generous batch of hand-pulled noodles.

 

Meanwhile, Yu Lin had already started making the curry chicken. She first stir-fried the chicken drumsticks and wings in hot oil until they browned, then added potatoes, carrots, and onions, stir-frying them together. She poured in water to cover the ingredients, covered the pot, and simmered until everything was tender. Finally, she stirred in the curry powder, letting it fully dissolve into the broth, and simmered for another five minutes on low heat. The curry chicken was ready.

 

A large pot of curry chicken was enough for everyone, but to add variety, Yu Lin also stir-fried spicy shredded potatoes, providing a side dish for those who enjoyed spicy food.

 

Just as the curry chicken was finished, Zheng Tianming’s hand-pulled noodles were also ready.

 

Zheng Tianming directly served plates of noodles to each person. Su Jianyue carried the plates to Yu Lin, who ladled generous portions of curry chicken and broth over the noodles, making it easy for everyone to eat.

 

Soon, plates of curry chicken noodle soup were being served at the table.

 

Yu Lin smiled. “I also stir-fried spicy shredded potatoes, but I didn’t add them to the noodles since I don’t know if everyone likes spicy food. Feel free to help yourselves later.”

 

Su Jianyue, having finished helping serve the noodles, obediently walked over to Shen Xun and sat down beside her.

 

Seeing Su Jianyue sit next to Shen Xun, Yu Lin also moved over and sat down to Su Jianyue’s left.

 

Su Jianyue had been hungry since she was in the kitchen earlier, and now, seeing the plate of curry chicken noodles, her stomach couldn’t help but rumble loudly.

 

“Wow, this looks delicious!” Su Jianyue exclaimed enthusiastically.

 

“Everyone’s worked hard today. Let’s dig in!” Zheng Tianming said with a smile.

 

“Mmm-hmm!” Su Jianyue’s eyes lit up at the mention of food. She immediately grabbed some spicy shredded potatoes and mixed them into her curry noodles before taking a bite.

 

After just two bites, she praised enthusiastically, “The dishes today are so delicious! The noodles are smooth and tender, and I love the cold dishes too!”

 

It was clear Su Jianyue genuinely enjoyed the meal. Liang Wenjing teased with a smile, “You’re definitely the biggest cheerleader among us.”

 

“Hehe, am I?” Su Jianyue scratched the back of her neck and gave a sweet smile.

 

Everyone chuckled at her reaction. Perhaps because of Su Jianyue’s hearty appetite, the others’ appetites were also whetted. The plates of noodles and curry chicken were nearly emptied.

 

Once everyone had finished eating, Su Jianyue and the others began cleaning up the dining room and washing dishes.

 

Yu Lin stayed close to Su Jianyue’s side, washing dishes alongside her. “What time should we go pick up the pottery tomorrow morning?” she asked.

 

“No rush,” Su Jianyue replied. “We can go whenever we wake up. And if you’re busy, I can go get them myself.” It wasn’t a big deal; she figured she could handle it alone.

 

“Nonsense!” Yu Lin insisted. “I’m free anyway. We made those pottery pieces together, so of course we should pick them up together.”

 

“Alright,” Su Jianyue agreed, indifferent.

 

Meanwhile, Shen Xun, who was sitting on the sofa watching Su Jianyue, couldn’t help but notice Yu Lin talking to her. She pinched the bridge of her nose, resolving to ask Little Puppy about her activities later when they went upstairs.