Irene Xu was busy in the kitchen. Evan Lin had originally come out intending to help, but Irene immediately shooed him back to his room.
Around six in the evening, Stella Huang got off work and returned home. As soon as she walked in, she was hit by a wave of delicious aroma and was surprised to see Irene Xu hustling around, cooking dinner.
"Quick, quick, quick! Give me a hand here—it's burning hot!"
Irene Xu, carrying a freshly made pot of rich soup, saw Stella come in and called her over to help bring the dishes.
She placed the bowl of soup on the table, and as soon as she set it down, she started blowing on her fingers—clearly, she'd burned herself pretty badly.
"Smells amazing! Didn't you swear you'd never cook again? Normally it's harder than climbing to heaven just to get a bowl of your soup—what's got you in the mood today?"
Stella leaned in and took a deep sniff. The whole pot of black-bone chicken soup was loaded with goji berries and ginger, and the chicken was stewed till it practically fell apart. The broth looked rich but not greasy, making her mouth water just looking at it.
"Just felt like having some, so I made it. I just got home and didn't have anything else to do anyway." Irene grinned and rubbed her fingers together.
She grabbed a small spoon from the side, scooped up a taste from the soup, and tried it—the flavor was just right.
Irene's eyes curved into a smile. Acting all casual, she said to Stella, who was excitedly grabbing a bowl and chopsticks, ready to dig into the chicken, "Hey, go call that guy out to eat with us too. There's no way we can finish this whole pot by ourselves."
Evan? Is he back? Oh, okay, I'll go call him.
Stella Huang quickly walked over to Evan Lin's room, knocked on the door, opened it, and saw Evan leaning against the bed reading a book: "Come out and eat, Irene made chicken soup."
Stella dragged Evan to the dining table. Irene, the whole time, was too embarrassed to look at Evan directly; instead, she quickly served three bowls of chicken soup and watched Evan nervously as he tasted it.
How does it taste?
Stella asked.
Pretty good.
Evan took a small sip, nodded.
Hearing that, Irene finally relaxed, a proud smile appearing on her face: "Of course! I learned how to cook from my mom since I was little. Black-bone chicken soup is my specialty. If it weren't to 'replenish' you, I wouldn't have had the patience to make it."
Replenish? Replenish what?" Stella asked curiously.
N-nothing! Hurry up and eat, there's plenty of dishes left!" Irene flustered, clearly unable to explain.
After saying that, she regretted it even more. Stella kept glancing back and forth between Irene and Evan, making Irene feel inexplicably awkward.
Evan looked completely indifferent, as if he knew nothing. Just as he was about to lift his bowl for another sip of soup and eat some more, his phone started buzzing.
Evan picked up his phone and glanced at it. He thought it might be Joy Zheng calling, but to his surprise, it was Lynn Chen.
Who is it?
Irene, sitting across the table, tried to hide her embarrassment but couldn't help her curiosity. She craned her neck, trying to sneak a peek.
Classmate.
Evan yawned and answered the call.
Evan, where are you right now?
On the other end, Lynn Chen's tone was a little strange, but still gentle.
At home, where I live.
"Oh, do you have time right now?"
Lynn Chen asked, "If it's inconvenient, then forget it."
"Just say what you need to say." Evan replied bluntly.
"I'm downstairs in your complex right now. Let's have dinner together—someone wants to meet you." Lynn paused, then added, "If you don't want to see them, you don't have to come. I'll tell them."
"Someone wants to meet me?" Evan thought about it, then didn't refuse: "Alright, I'll come down soon. Just wait at the gate."
Evan hung up the phone.
"It's a girl, huh? Could she be one of your admirers at school? That's impressive—I never would've guessed you were so popular. She even came all the way to the gate just to wait for you." Stella looked genuinely impressed.
"Doesn't sound like just a normal classmate." Irene also leaned in, a bit annoyed that she hadn't stuck her head forward earlier and missed hearing the voice on the phone.
"It's not as dramatic as you think. I have to head out now—enjoy the soup, it's really good. Thanks." Evan got up, went back to his room, quickly changed clothes, and headed out.
"Hey, even if you're in a hurry, at least finish your bowl of soup!"
Irene shouted after Evan's back, but the door had already closed and Evan didn't look back.
Irene pouted, propping her chin with one hand, gazing wistfully at the half-full bowl of soup Evan left behind.
"I knew it, this soup wasn't really meant for me." Stella rolled her eyes, then suddenly looked at Irene in surprise: "When you said replenish... could it be that you two...?"
Stella considered the possibility, her face full of amazement.
"It's not what you're thinking! What are you imagining? I'm not about to be an old cow eating young grass!" Irene waved her hands frantically, her face turning bright red under Stella's gaze.
"That's a relief. Honestly, I wouldn't mind if you did go for a younger guy—Evan's way better than most guys. He's responsible, upright, and has helped us so many times without ever asking for anything in return. If it were any other guy, they'd have tried to take advantage ages ago."
Stella said seriously. After she finished, she and Irene exchanged a glance, both suddenly thinking of the girl downstairs. They quickly put down their soup bowls and rushed to the balcony.
Looking down from the balcony, Irene and Stella quickly spotted a girl standing outside the main gate, while Evan had just walked out of the building, heading her way.
"From a distance, she's got a pretty good figure," Stella commented.
"Her looks probably aren't bad either, and she seems to have a good temperament," Irene nodded in agreement.
They sized up Lynn Chen from afar, standing outside the complex.
Lynn Chen was dressed in a white shirt with a light yellow sweater, black leggings, and sneakers.
She stood under a tree by the security booth, head down, clutching her phone, pacing back and forth along the bluestone crosswalk, the shattered red sunset casting mottled orange light over her. She looked nervous and unsure.
Occasionally, boys passing by on bikes couldn't help but glance over, watching the breeze stir Lynn Chen's long hair as if time had stopped.
Evan walked closer with his hands in his pockets, looking completely at ease.