Chapter 3: Uninvited Guests and Burnt Rice
The sky was bright and clear over Jingyang Village that morning. In the Yu family's backyard, Lan Yueran sat on a short wooden stool wearing a slightly oversized kitchen apron. A bowl of batter rested in her lap, and she was fully focused on stirring.
"Are you sure it has to be clockwise?" she asked without looking up.
"Mother said so," Yu Zhen replied calmly as he washed rice at the basin. "If you go the other way, it might turn bitter."
"That sounds ridiculous."
Yu Zhen chuckled. "Maybe it's just a village myth. But better safe than sorry, right?"
This morning was their first time cooking together. After a light morning training session, Madam Yue had handed over the kitchen keys with a warm smile.
"You two need to start learning to live together," she said.
"A household begins in the kitchen!"
Lan Yueran had blushed. Yu Zhen merely nodded with the quiet surrender of a man walking into battle without a sword.
---
As she stirred, Yueran glanced sideways at Yu Zhen, who was slicing scallions with unsteady hands. The knife nearly slipped from his fingers three times.
"Careful! Don't slice your finger off," she scolded.
"I already said, this isn't my specialty."
"For someone who supposedly led a thousand soldiers…" she paused, realizing her words. "Er, I mean, you're the eldest son—you should know how to cook."
Yu Zhen gave a faint smile.
In his mind, he almost answered: I led millions of demons, not vegetables.
But instead, he said only, "I'm better at controlling fire than cooking over it."
---
Suddenly, the front gate slammed open with a loud clang.
"ZHEEEN!! I came bearing gifts!!"
Fang Wuji barged in, waving a pouch of dried tea leaves and a small box of sweets. Behind him walked Mei Lin, Lan Yueran's graceful friend, exhaling deeply.
"Apologies. He's overly enthusiastic."
Lan Yueran nearly dropped her bowl.
"Wuji! We're cooking!"
"Exactly why I'm here! I want to taste the fruits of your newly budding love!"
Yu Zhen sighed. "You've read too many romance scrolls."
---
Eventually, Wuji and Mei Lin made themselves comfortable on the veranda, peeking into the kitchen as they chatted and giggled.
"Do you think they suit each other?" Mei Lin whispered.
"Perfectly," Wuji replied. "Did you see the way she looked at him? That's the kind of look that melts mountains. Or demons."
Mei Lin chuckled. "Maybe one day they'll find out each other's pasts."
Wuji grinned. "But the best love stories are built on secrets neither one remembers."
---
Inside the kitchen, Yueran lifted the steamer lid.
"Hmm... it smells good—wait, why is it turning black?"
Yu Zhen leaned over, eyes narrowing. His face went still.
"Yueran, you forgot to add water."
"What?! I—oh no…"
A thin wisp of smoke began curling up from the base of the steamer. The smell of burnt rice crept into the air.
"Zhen!!" Yu Lian's voice rang from the main room. "Your first love meal is burning?!"
Yu Zhen and Lan Yueran stared at each other in horror—then burst out laughing, helpless.
---
In the end, they salvaged the situation with an emergency meal: plain white rice, boiled greens, and sweet tea donated by Fang Wuji.
Around the table, the Yu family and their two guests shared lunch with curious expressions.
"I've never had tea and sweets with rice before," said Yu Jiang, chewing slowly.
"It's experimental fusion," Wuji said proudly. "Love cuisine!"
Everyone laughed. Even Lan Yueran, who had turned crimson at first, couldn't stop giggling by the end of the meal.
---
After lunch, Yu Zhen escorted Yueran and Mei Lin to the front gate.
"Sorry about the rice," Yueran muttered.
"It's alright," Yu Zhen said calmly. "But if we get married, you'll have to promise to practice more."
Yueran frowned playfully. "Only if you promise to learn how to chop scallions without nearly stabbing yourself."
They laughed softly. Then there was a quiet pause.
"You know," she said after a moment, "I've never felt this relaxed around anyone before."
Yu Zhen looked at her. "Me neither."
---
That night, Yu Zhen sat beneath the qi tree in the courtyard, staring at the starlit sky. His heart felt light. At some point, Yueran's laughter had started to feel like part of the house—a gentle rhythm that made things feel complete.
He let out a slow breath.
His past as a Demon King felt like a distant memory now. Faded and insignificant.
If she ever finds out who I used to be… would she still laugh like that?
But he shook the thought away.
Tonight, there was no crown, no battlefield. Only stars, the soft hum of night wind, and the lingering sweetness of shared tea.
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