In the living room, Xu Fuqiang and his son, who were originally engaged in playful bickering, dropped their mutual confrontation.
Xu Ze's nose twitched, and he unconsciously walked toward the source of the aroma in the air.
"What's that smell?"
This scent... how to describe it...
Delicious!
Simply delicious, yet not overwhelming. Just a slight inhale triggers a large appetite, making one feel a surge of hunger throughout their body.
He hadn't walked far when the kitchen door opened.
"Creak~"
Xu Liang's figure appeared, holding two bowls of rice in his hands.
"Make way, make way."
He said as he squeezed through the gap between father and son.
Xu Ze stared intently at the fried rice in Xu Liang's hands, his eyes never leaving it for a moment.
Not until Xu Liang had placed everything on the dining table did Xu Ze, with a flattering face, move closer to Xu Liang.
"Brother, what is this?"
"Fried rice, try some."
Xu Liang chuckled and then turned back to the kitchen for a third portion.
When he returned, he found Xu Fuqiang and Xu Ze already seated on opposite sides of the dining table.
"Dig in." Xu Liang spoke as he sat down in the chair.
"Is this really for me to eat?"
Xu Ze lowered his head and glanced at the fried rice in front of him.
The fried rice was glistening gold, each grain loose, encased in egg liquid. A slight stir sent waves of aroma wafting into the air, irresistibly diving into his nostrils.
The instant he sensed the fragrance, every cell in his body immediately transmitted hunger to his mind!
"Gulp~"
Xu Ze couldn't help but swallow, his eyes fixated on the fried rice.
The next moment, without waiting for Xu Liang to reply.
He grabbed the spoon and stuffed it into his mouth.
With one bite.
The salty, savory flavor spread instantly across his taste buds, akin to sipping a spoonful of seafood soup, flowing from the tongue to the back of the tongue, then straight to the stomach.
Simultaneously, an indescribable emotion brewed within his heart and spread.
This emotion was called sadness.
"Boohoo..."
"Now this is what eating should be like!"
Xu Ze couldn't hold back suddenly, tears spilling down both sides of his eyes, choking up uncontrollably.
He wanted to suppress it, but memories from before flooded his mind, and he couldn't hold back anymore.
Mooncakes stir-fried with cucumbers, honey-dipped fried dough sticks, homemade bean juice...
Each fear-inducing dish surfaced vividly in his mind.
Picky eater? Eating disorder?
He only wanted to live, what was wrong with that!?
Thinking of this, tears of bitter sorrow trickled down Xu Ze's eyes as he continued to scoop fried rice into his mouth.
"Delicious, so delicious... this is sheer enjoyment!"
"What kind of tough days were those before!?"
He murmured indistinctly, crying as he spoke.
Xu Fuqiang was stunned by his son's demeanor.
"Is it really that good?"
He muttered to himself, but then also grabbed a spoonful to try.
As his teeth slightly chewed, Xu Fuqiang's eyes brightened instantly.
"What the hell, kid, do you want my opinion on becoming a lawyer?"
"Switch careers and become a chef, your skills are undoubtedly superb, fame awaits you!"
Xu Fuqiang praised.
Xu Liang didn't say anything. He observed the reactions of the two, then tasted it himself.
Indeed, it was rather good. There's probably nothing better in his past life combined with this lifetime!
He savored it once more.
"How come eating it stirs a sense of melancholy?"
Xu Liang wondered to himself.
Many delicious foods evoke positive emotions, but to be exceptionally tasty and still arouse negative emotions... that's rare.
It's unknown whether these emotions can be released.
Thinking of this, Xu Liang glanced worriedly at Xu Fuqiang and Xu Ze.
Negative emotions accumulate in the heart over a long period, becoming a massive mental burden that can easily affect psychology in the long run.
However, he simply gave them a look and no longer felt concerned.
"You brat, didn't you say yesterday that your dad has slimmed down these days and needs to eat more? Allow me a few bites of yours..."
"Hm? Other fathers let their kids have the good eats, why are you the one shoving it into my mouth!?"
Xu Ze said with a face full of horror.
"Dad, are you really my dad!?"
Xu Fuqiang replied disdainfully, "Others don't call their own dad 'Old Man'!"
"Old Man, do you have any idea why they call you 'Old Man!'?" Xu Ze fumed.
"What's it got to do with me? Isn't it your lack of filial piety, can't even spare a bite of fried rice?" Xu Fuqiang retorted.
"..."
With that, Xu Fuqiang and Xu Ze reverted back to their sharp-tongued, bared-teeth state.
Xu Liang felt a bit speechless.
These two were real jokers. If not for Zhao Ying managing them, they'd have turned the house upside down ages ago.
As he thought this, speak of Cao Cao, Cao Cao arrives.
"Creak~!"
The front door suddenly swung open with a creak and a voice followed.
"Heard you all tussling from a far distance, what's going on?"
Zhao Ying stepped in, leaning against the doorframe with one hand and changing shoes with the other, casting an unfriendly look at the three.
Xu Ze let out a 'wah' and burst into tears, rushing to Zhao Ying.
"Mom, dad's being a bully!"
"He even snatches food from kids!"
Zhao Ying remained unmoved, she was about to flick his forehead, then her nose twitched.
"What's that smell? Quite fragrant."
She raised her eyebrows slightly, scanning the room before her gaze rested on the leftovers on the table.
She approached the table and took a bite out of Xu Fuqiang's bowl, her eyes lighting up instantly.
"You made this?"
She looked at Xu Fuqiang, as if viewing a rare animal.
"Not me."
Xu Fuqiang shook his head, "Hair did it, his culinary skills are truly impressive!"
Zhao Ying was surprised, instinctively looking at Xu Liang, then clicked her tongue in amazement.
"Didn't see that coming, Hair, you have this skill..."
"Just whipped it up casually."
Xu Liang responded perfunctorily, then got up.
"Aunt, have you eaten? There's some left in the pot, I'll get you a bowl."
Although Zhao Ying had eaten, she hadn't had much, and the smell whetted her appetite.
She removed the bag from her shoulder with a smile and sat down at the dining table.
"Then I'll give it a try."
Upon hearing this, Xu Liang stood and went to the kitchen.
He scooped a portion of the reserved fried rice into a bowl and carried it out.
But, when he reached the living room.
A sound suddenly rang in his ears.
"Zzzzz~"
The television made buzzing noises.
Xu Liang instinctively looked at the TV.
The screen was broadcasting the news, a program specific to Hanhai City, showing a male reporter standing with...
Several officers escorting a prisoner in a jumpsuit onto the prison van.
Watching this scene, Xu Liang paused slightly.
The speaker broadcasted the reporter's voice.
"Welcome to Hanhai Daily, I'm your host, Wang Yi."
"Recently, the Hanhai City Hongfu District's criminal police team solved a murder case, the victim's death was extremely horrific, and the suspect is currently being transferred to court..."
"According to personnel, the trial is scheduled for June 28, at 5 PM..."
Xu Liang stared at the TV in silence, his brow furrowing.
After a long pause, a voice suddenly sounded.
"That's not right..."
"Where's Chen Jian?"