Chapter 773 Cooking Together

Hu Jia Sheng found it inconvenient to operate with one hand, and the doctor watched him openly as he prepared. His expression was full of gossip. "Where is she? How can she be so thoughtless? Doesn't she know you were injured for her? She didn't even help you." Tang Nan Nan felt so awkward behind the shelves that her toes were curling. "Alright, that's good." The doctor playfully injected something just below Hu Jia Sheng's waist. "Your wound shouldn't get wet. Be careful when you bathe for the next few days. Don't do any physical labor. Don't sweat, especially not profusely, as it can easily cause inflammation." "I'll leave you my number. Call me immediately if anything comes up." Although she joked around, it was evident the doctor had good medical ethics. Hu Jia Sheng nodded. Hearing that things were sorted outside, Tang Nan Nan ambled out. As the doctor dispensed medicine, he gave Tang Nan Nan similar instructions, such as avoiding spicy and greasy foods, seafood, and getting adequate rest. Tang Nan Nan was experienced in taking care of patients. "Okay, I know all that." "The most important thing is when washing your hair or bathing, you have to help him. Absolutely do not let the wound get wet, or you'll definitely have to go to the hospital." Tang Nan Nan took the medicine, and the two of them left. She was about to hail a taxi when Hu Jia Sheng stopped her. Although the street wasn't bustling, the streetlights were quite bright. Moreover, a gentle evening breeze blew, feeling very comfortable against his skin. He wanted to walk. The two of them weren't well acquainted, so they didn't have much to talk about. The recent medical visit had also been a bit awkward, leading to a quiet walk, with them moving mechanically one after the other. Upon arriving at the doorstep, Tang Nan Nan used her key to unlock the door and asked Hu Jia Sheng what he wanted to eat. "I saw there are vegetables in the fridge. I'll make some simple food. You have to eat before you can take your medicine, so please wait a moment." Hu Jia Sheng was indeed hungry, but he feared he wouldn't be able to eat as the kitchen was unusable. There was no natural gas, no propane, not even an induction cooker. Tang Nan Nan went into the kitchen and took a look around, but it didn't stump her. The place where they lived wasn't far. In the neighborhood she used to live in, there was a lonely old lady. Tang Nan Nan, feeling pity for the elderly woman who had difficulty moving, had always helped her change the gas cylinders. Grateful, the old lady didn't want to trouble her too much and would store two cylinders at a time in Tang Nan Nan's small storage area. Tang Nan Nan could borrow one to use now and return it later. Hu Jia Sheng, however, didn't know any of this. After checking the kitchen, she asked Hu Jia Sheng to sit down, poured him a glass of water, and, as if tending to a disabled person, turned on the TV for him and placed the remote control within his reach. "You sit here for a moment, I'll be back soon." *Dong dong dong dong*, she ran downstairs. Hu Jia Sheng, having just slept for a few hours, had gone out for a stroll and was feeling energetic. However, he had no interest in watching television and aimlessly scrolled through his phone. He heard Tang Nan Nan's footsteps returning. The door opened, and there she was, carrying a gas cylinder on her shoulder. She walked straight to the kitchen, opened the cabinet door, skillfully placed the gas cylinder inside, connected the hose, tested it, confirmed that fire could be produced, and then washed her hands before returning to talk to Hu Jia Sheng. "I noticed there's no rice at home, and it takes too long to cook rice, so let's just have noodles." "I'll blanch the noodles in cold water and stir-fry some celery with beef, and some garlic bok choy. How does that sound?" Even though Hu Jia Sheng was uninterested in her personal affairs, by this point, he had become curious about Tang Nan Nan. He had heard she was once a pampered young lady. What had she experienced to become like this, able to carry a gas cylinder with one hand and casually list several dishes like an ordinary person? Hu Jia Sheng wasn't picky, so he nodded. Tang Nan Nan opened the refrigerator, took out the ingredients, and entered the kitchen with nimble movements. After sitting outside for a few minutes, he couldn't suppress his curiosity any longer and went to the kitchen doorway. Tang Nan Nan's movements were so swift, as if she had spent many years in the kitchen. Watching her not-so-delicate fingers work with such proficiency, Hu Jia Sheng thought for a moment. "Miss Tang..." "Don't be so formal, Mr. Hu. Just call me Tang Nan Nan." Hu Jia Sheng tried to call Tang Nan Nan a couple of times but couldn't bring himself to do it, so he simply remained silent. "Can I ask you a question?" "Of course, ask whatever you like." "Do you... really love to cook?" What kind of question was that? Which woman enjoys cooking? She seemed to guess what he wanted to ask. She looked up at him, smiled, and then continued her work. "Do you want to know why I can cook, and what I've been through to become like this?" It was late at night, and digging into someone's past and asking about their private affairs seemed rather heartless. Hu Jia Sheng regretted it again. "I don't necessarily need to know..." "It's fine. Everyone in Su City knows. There's nothing I can't talk about." Tang Nan Nan smiled, appearing unconcerned. "Do you know who the previous mayor of Su City was?" Hu Jia Sheng didn't know, but since she put it that way, it must have something to do with her. Sure enough, Tang Nan Nan said, "He was my father." "From childhood to adulthood, my life was very happy. Although my father's job always changed, and we moved frequently, and I always had to transfer schools, I was proud and honored by my parents' work. I always looked up to them." "But I never expected... In short, it was all my fault. If I hadn't made bad friends, none of what happened later would have occurred." At this point, Hu Jia Sheng had a general understanding and didn't need further explanation. He appropriately changed the subject. "You seem to have a talent for cooking. I sometimes try to cook myself, but I'm much more clumsy than you." Tang Nan Nan smoothly steered away from that topic. "Everyone says the kitchen is a woman's domain in daily life, but in reality, look at the chefs in star-rated hotels; they are all men." Hu Jia Sheng leaned against the doorframe. "Indeed. It's a peculiar phenomenon." "I just remembered you're injured and can't eat beef, so I've switched it to pork. I've invented a method to make pork taste really delicious. You can try it later." "Okay." "Dinner will probably be ready in about fifteen minutes. Why don't you sit down first?" Hu Jia Sheng had been lying down for hours and really didn't want to sit anymore. He found Tang Nan Nan's voice and tone very pleasant. Perhaps being alone in a foreign land was lonely, but he was still willing to talk to her. "No need, I'm not tired since I'm not cooking." "Besides, as I said, I'm helping you because I want to compensate for my own shortcomings, not because I'm particularly great or selfless. Don't be so polite to me all the time." Tang Nan Nan paused for a moment, then nodded. "Mr. Hu, can I ask you a question then?" "You say." "What do you do for a living? Why don't you stay in a hotel when you're on a business trip, and instead come to a place like this?"