novelslam Chapter 42 The porridge he cooked... was really delicious!
Chapter 42 The porridge he cooked... was really delicious!
Chen Mo opened the refrigerator. There weren't many things inside, but it had everything you needed: eggs, vegetables, some instant food, and a small bag of sealed rice.
He took out rice, a few eggs, and a bunch of green vegetables.
Rinse the rice, add water, and turn on the heat.
Chen Mo's movements were skilled and methodical.
Cooking porridge may seem simple, but it actually requires a lot of skill.
The heat, the amount of water, and the time – every detail affects the final taste.
He didn't understand any of these things before.
I thought cooking porridge was just about throwing rice into water and that was it.
As for whether it's cooked or not, just scoop some out and taste it to find out.
Fortunately, the system had recently granted him the [Cooking Skill].
Although it's still in its early stages, cooking a pot of porridge is enough.
As the rice grains slowly tumble in the pot, the water gradually thickens, and the aroma of rice begins to fill the air.
While the porridge was cooking, Chen Mo chopped some vegetables and beat some eggs for later use.
Twenty minutes later, the porridge was almost cooked.
He added chopped greens and beaten egg, stirred gently, cooked for another two minutes, and finally sprinkled on a little salt and sesame oil.
A simple yet fragrant vegetable and egg porridge is ready.
Chen Mo ladled out a bowl and brought it to the living room.
"Sister Qingyue, the porridge is ready. Please get up and have some."
Shen Qingyue smelled the fragrance and struggled to sit up.
Chen Mo handed her the bowl of porridge and a spoon, reminding her, "Be careful, it's hot."
"Um."
Shen Qingyue took the bowl and looked at the bright green vegetables and golden egg flowers in it. The porridge was cooked just right, neither too thin nor too thick, and the rice grains were soft and tender.
She scooped up a spoonful, blew on it gently, and put it in her mouth.
The porridge was at the perfect temperature, melting in your mouth. The freshness of the greens and the smoothness of the eggs blended perfectly, and the saltiness was just right, enhancing the flavor without overpowering it.
Shen Qingyue's eyes widened slightly.
She took another bite and savored it carefully.
"How is it?" Chen Mo asked.
"..."
Shen Qingyue looked up at him, her eyes full of surprise, and said, "Chen Mo, your porridge... is really well cooked."
This isn't just polite talk; it really is great.
She had eaten porridge at many high-end restaurants, but this simple bowl of home-style porridge unexpectedly suited her taste.
Warm, light, yet flavorful.
"I'm glad you like it."
Chen Mo smiled and said, "This is the best thing to eat when you have a fever. It's easy to digest and can also replenish your energy."
Shen Qingyue didn't say anything more, and lowered her head to eat her porridge in small bites.
The bowl of porridge was quickly emptied.
Chen Mo took the empty bowl and asked, "Want more?"
Shen Qingyue shook her head: "That's enough... I can't eat anymore."
But her complexion was noticeably better than before, and her eyes were clearer.
Chen Mo poured her another glass of warm water and watched her drink it before saying, "Then you should rest for a while longer. Your fever should subside once the medicine takes effect."
"Um……"
Shen Qingyue lay back down, covered herself with the blanket, and watched Chen Mo clear the dishes. She said softly, "Chen Mo, thank you for today..."
"You're too kind, Sister Qingyue."
Chen Mo took the bowl to the kitchen to wash it, dried his hands, and returned to the living room.
"You can rest well at home today. I'm going to the company now. Call me anytime if you need anything."
"Um."
Shen Qingyue smiled and said, "Be careful on your way. If you're late for the company today, I'll take care of it for you and won't deduct your full attendance bonus."
"Haha...it's nothing."
Before leaving, Chen Mo checked one last time to make sure the medicine and water glass were within Shen Qingyue's reach before turning to leave.
The door closed gently, and the room fell silent again.
Shen Qingyue lay on the sofa, listening to the sound of the elevator gradually fade away.
She reached up and touched her forehead; it was still very hot, but she felt a little better than before.
Involuntarily, the image of Chen Mo squatting by the sofa, his eyes filled with concern as he checked the temperature of her forehead, flashed through her mind.
He patiently fed her the medicine, his movements gentle.
His busy figure in the kitchen.
And that bowl of unexpectedly delicious porridge...
Shen Qingyue closed her eyes.
This junior student seems to be... becoming more and more surprising.
She suddenly remembered herself in college.
Back then, she once jokingly told her best friend about her ideal boyfriend criteria:
First, you have to sing well.
Because she herself is tone-deaf, yet she loves music and especially envies those who sing well.
Second, you need to know how to cook.
She had never lifted a finger as a child, had a nanny at home, and relied on takeout or restaurants for meals after starting work, but she had a strange fondness for men who could cook.
Third, one must possess certain work abilities.
After all, her family owns a business, and what she needs is a partner who can fight alongside her, not a "big boy" who needs her to take care of him.
However, while these three conditions seem simple, it is not easy to meet them all at the same time.
A man who sings well may have an exaggerated personality.
A man who can cook may have an average career.
A successful man probably won't spend time on trivial things like cooking.
Over the years, her family has introduced her to many suitable partners.
Some are second-generation entrepreneurs, some are young talents, and some are even elites who have returned from studying abroad.
But Shen Qingyue always felt that... something was missing.
Either the other party is too materialistic, only seeing the benefits and the value of the marriage alliance.
Either their personalities clash, making their relationship dull and uninteresting.
Or they simply have no feeling for it and aren't even interested in chatting with it for more than a few minutes.
So, in the years since graduation, she has remained single, devoting all her energy to her work.
She wanted to prove herself, to shed the label of "relying on her father," and to earn respect through her own abilities.
She had hardly ever thought about matters of the heart.
Until Chen Mo appeared...
Shen Qingyue opened her eyes, looked at the ceiling, and sighed softly.
Undeniably, Chen Mo is indeed moving closer to the type of person she once dreamed of.
She can sing, her work skills are recognized, and now she can even cook...
Moreover, he is decent-looking, has a gentle and calm personality, and is easy to get along with. I have a strange fondness for him.
but……
Shen Qingyue shook her head, forcing herself to stop thinking about it.
Chen Mo was her subordinate in the company, her junior from school, and the project manager she had personally promoted.
Falling in love with one's subordinate?
What is this?
Moreover, the company explicitly prohibits office romances.
How could she, as the company's vice president, lead the way in violating regulations?
If word gets out, what will people say?
"Did Shen Qingyue abuse her power to sexually harass her subordinates?"
"No wonder Chen Mo was promoted so exceptionally; it turns out there was a personal connection involved?"
"Ha, so Chen Mo really did climb to the top by relying on women!"
Shen Qingyue closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
No, no.
She has worked so hard to get to where she is today, and has earned some respect through her abilities. She must not let something like this ruin everything.
not to mention……
My feelings for Chen Mo are probably just admiration and affection.
He is indeed outstanding, but that's far from "liking" him.
Her views on love are not superficial or casual; she won't easily fall for someone just because they can sing or cook.
Love requires deeper understanding and resonance, and it needs the passage of time and shared experiences.
and……
What if Chen Mo doesn't have those feelings for her at all?
Wouldn't she have been presumptuous and made a huge embarrassment?
Shen Qingyue, wake up!
You're a patient right now, and you're delirious from the fever, which is why you're having these kinds of wild thoughts.
She closed her eyes again, forcing herself to stop thinking about it.
The medicine took effect, and drowsiness crept in.
Before drifting off to sleep, the last thought was:
The porridge he cooked... was really delicious.
……