Chapter 38: Chicken Fight.

“I’m gonna change first. Qingxin, go help Lu Zhao in the kitchen if you’re free,” Yu Baowei said, heading to her room.

Yan Qingxin stood, walking toward the kitchen, grumbling, “I’d love to, but he always says I’m clumsy and make things worse.” She pouted, showing a hint of dissatisfaction.

Yu Baowei chuckled. “You gotta learn, girl. Can’t always let Lu Zhao cook. What if he’s not home? You gonna starve?”

“I’ll order takeout!”

“Sure, sure, until you complain it tastes bad.”

“Makes sense…”

Lu Zhao, in the kitchen, overheard and felt a strange familiarity. Different world, same parental vibe?

He’d thought about it yesterday, and now Yu Baowei was saying it.

Feeling arms wrap around him, a familiar softness pressed against his back.

Yan Qingxin rested her chin on his shoulder. “Baby, need help?”

He glanced at her. “Inspired by Miss Yu?”

“Yeah, let’s try. What can I do?”

What can you do? Eat.

He kept that to himself, not wanting to dampen her enthusiasm.

Handing her a potato, he said, “Peel this and cut it into chunks. You know how to do that?”

“Uh… maybe not. Hold on!”

Her brief hesitation followed by bold confidence made him regret this already.

She can’t possibly know how.

Minutes later, she returned, dejected.

“Baby… I failed…”

He’d expected as much, but not this. A fist-sized potato whittled to a quail egg? Really?

His mouth twitched. “Qing… Qingxin, maybe this isn’t your thing. Just wait to eat, okay? No crying, go play.”

“Oh…”

Her slumped back screamed disappointment, but seeing the mutilated potato, Lu Zhao felt she didn’t deserve sympathy.

“Hahaha!”

Yu Baowei’s laughter erupted from the living room.

Yan Qingxin must’ve shared her “achievement,” and Yu Baowei couldn’t hold it in.

“Stop laughing, Auntie Yu! It’s my first time—it’s normal to mess up! Were you perfect your first time?”

“Haha… I wasn’t, but not that bad… okay, okay, I’ll stop.”

“Pfft, hahaha!”

“You’re still laughing! You didn’t stop!”

Lu Zhao, listening, smiled. Fifty steps laughing at a hundred—Yu Baowei wasn’t much better.

Yan Qingxin was a culinary god; Yu Baowei was an alchemical master—so masterful he couldn’t tell what was in her pot.

To keep oil fumes out, he shut the kitchen door, muffling their chatter, catching only occasional laughs.

“They’re really close, huh? Wonder how Yan Ruyue and Qingxin get along at home? Like this?”

He couldn’t picture it. Yan Ruyue’s impression was… hard to describe.

An hour later, a hearty dinner was ready.

The women helped carry dishes and set the table.

Lu Zhao hadn’t seen Yu Baowei’s change of clothes earlier. Now, she was worlds apart from her school look.

Hair loosely pinned with a wooden stick.

A baggy T-shirt—no Pikachu, probably toned down for Yan Qingxin.

Below… he couldn’t see, blocked by the shirt. Hopefully she was wearing something.

Her long, fair legs were on full display.

Comparing mentally, he noted her legs were the longest and best-proportioned he’d seen—perfectly straight, ideal thigh-to-calf ratio.

She didn’t seem to work out, so how? Pure genetics?

This casual look was nothing like the polished teacher from earlier.

“Miss Yu, do you wear glasses?”

She touched her face. “Oh, those? Just props—flat lenses. Makes me look more teacherly, right?”

“Got it. You’re… dedicated.”

Polished at school, a mess at home.

They sat—Yan Qingxin and Lu Zhao on one side, Yu Baowei across.

“Can I dig in?” Yan Qingxin was practically drooling.

This foodie, Lu Zhao and Yu Baowei thought, exchanging a glance.

“Go for it. No one’s fighting you.”

“Yay!”

Yu Baowei took a few bites, then paused. “Wait, something’s missing.”

She grabbed chilled beers from the fridge. “Good food needs beer.”

Pop. She cracked a can, chugging a big gulp.

“Hah… refreshing!”

Lu Zhao watched, amazed—her whole vibe changed with one sip.

His eyelid twitched. That good, huh?

Oh no!

He remembered their earlier talk and turned to Yan Qingxin. Sure enough, she’d cracked a can and was drinking.

Too late to stop her.

And so, a booze hound and a stubborn newbie went at it, can after can.

As predicted, Yan Qingxin, a first-time drinker, was soon tipsy.

Her pretty face flushed, one hand on Lu Zhao’s shoulder, slurring nonsense.

“H-How’s… that, Auntie Yu? Told ya… Baby’s cooking’s great… eat more.”

“…” Drunk and spilling pet names.

Catching Yu Baowei’s teasing smirk, Lu Zhao ate silently.

Yu Baowei, slightly buzzed, wasn’t as far gone, but her cheeks were rosy too.

“Baby, huh? So sweet, Qingxin.”

“Y-Yeah… hic, I love my Baby… I’m gonna… marry him…”

She didn’t finish before thud—her head hit the table.

Lu Zhao shook her shoulder. Out cold.

“Sigh, Miss Yu, it’s her first time drinking. Why compete? She can’t keep up.”

Yu Baowei, cross-legged on her chair, propped her chin, eyes hazy. “I didn’t compete. She insisted. She’s not a kid—let her drink. What, you worried?”

Her pout seemed almost jealous.

“Not worried… okay, a bit. You stop too. Help me get her back—I can’t carry her.”

She finished her can. “Fine, I’m done. Why take her back? Let her sleep here. Gives you an excuse to come for breakfast, right?”

He considered. “Fair enough.”

After dinner, Yu Baowei offered to help with dishes, but her wobbly steps made Lu Zhao insist she sit.

When he finished and came out, he froze.

Yan Qingxin was still passed out on the table. Yu Baowei, who’d promised to help move her, was sprawled on the couch, snoring.

“Talk about all bark, no bite. Both terrible drinkers, yet you go so hard? Chickens fighting chickens?”

He rubbed his forehead, head aching.

No choice—he hauled Yan Qingxin to the bedroom himself, nearly collapsing from the effort.

But…

“Wait, Qingxin, what’re you doing? Don’t pull me! I can’t stay— I can’t…”

Drunk or not, Yan Qingxin could still manhandle him.

Hugged tight, his head half-buried in her… ample assets, he sank into thought. Her drunken murmurs filled his ears.

“Hehe… Baby, don’t lick there… tickles… mm~ you’re so naughty, licking that spot.”

“???”

How… how did it come to this?