A flurry of hurried footsteps approached, and before Tong Sui and Chi Xingyu could react, Jiang Ciyan had already turned off the flame, turned on the tap, and grabbed Tong Sui’s hand to wash away the stinging heat under the flowing water.
“… Jiang Ciyan?”
Because he had rushed in too quickly, Jiang Ciyan was almost half-embracing Tong Sui from behind, his ringed hand gripping him firmly.
It was rare to see his expression this serious, his brows knitted tightly. “Wash it off yourself; I’ll get something.”
Jiang Ciyan released Tong Sui’s hand.
He clearly had just woken up, with bloodshot eyes and still wearing his pajamas, but he reacted incredibly quickly upon seeing Tong Sui’s burned hand.
After a moment, Jiang Ciyan returned with a tube of ointment in hand.
Tong Sui, under the running water, could barely feel the pain now. “It doesn’t seem too serious.”
Probably no need for medication.
Jiang Ciyan said, “Did I take too long to come?”
It was rare to sense strong emotion in his tone, but now the negative energy around him was particularly palpable.
“Did they not give you food, making you starve to the point you had to cook for yourself?”
He said this while glancing at a few staff members outside, the chill in his eyes making everyone present shiver, yielding to his powerful presence.
How dare they.
Jiang Ciyan was a guest to them, but in reality, he was the largest investor in the program. If he got truly angry, no matter how popular the show was, their jobs would still be at risk.
Tong Sui quickly explained, “No, I’ve eaten; I was just trying to cook for Chi Xingyu…”
Jiang Ciyan snorted coldly, squeezing the ointment onto Tong Sui’s injured fingers. “Then you really are noble, not just dealing with the marks he left on your neck but also on your hands.”
His fingers, slightly rough, seemed almost punitive as they rubbed against Tong Sui’s delicate fingers.
The fire brought a tingling sensation.
Tong Sui couldn’t help but want to curl his fingers, but Jiang Ciyan forcibly pried them open.
“What else do you intend for me to take care of later?”
Tong Sui let out a sound, completely not understanding the implications of Jiang Ciyan’s words.
“… Is there anything else?”
Jiang Ciyan lowered his head and didn’t answer, his furrowed brow making him seem even less approachable, the pressure in the air nearly suffocating.
But only Tong Sui felt how gentle his application of the ointment was, as though he feared hurting him, even his fingertips were trembling.
Tong Sui’s skin was tender and injured, causing him to gasp when touched.
The ointment smeared onto Jiang Ciyan’s hand.
Tong Sui was taken aback, ready to be scolded by Jiang Ciyan again, but Jiang Ciyan acted as if he hadn’t noticed, continuing to apply the medicine with even more care.
Jiang Ciyan placed the remaining ointment into his pocket and instructed, “Remember not to touch water.”
Tong Sui could only hold his hand and obediently reply, looking at the half-made noodles, “So what do we do now?”
Jiang Ciyan cast a faint glance at him; though he didn’t say anything, the meaning was clear—“You still want to continue cooking for Chi Xingyu?”
Tong Sui lowered his head, feeling guilty.
Continuing to cook was obviously unrealistic, but they couldn’t let him go hungry.
The crew members were starting to get anxious; what was there to continue for? If he just said the word, anything he wanted would be brought immediately.
Jiang Ciyan rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, revealing his strong and fluid arm lines. “I haven’t eaten either; let’s have a meal together.”
Tong Sui was slightly taken aback. “You’re coming?”
He remembered Jiang Ciyan couldn’t cook; he had even picked up a cooking book during their last supermarket trip.
“Yeah,” Jiang Ciyan replied. “I learned some things these past few days, not that skilled yet.”
But it was certainly better than Tong Sui burning his hands.
He took out chicken from the fridge to defrost, while preparing vegetables on the other side—onions, mushrooms, and various seasonings.
Jiang Ciyan was really going to cook for himself?
The crew, fully aware of his identity, found it hard to believe.
Although Jiang Ciyan stood in the kitchen, amidst the high ranks he’s used to, he appeared calm and composed, as if he were in a conference room.
His knife skills were not exceptional, but he was steady and patient enough to slowly prepare the ingredients.
Tong Sui folded his arms and complimented, “You learned just by reading, that’s impressive.”
Seeing that Tong Sui’s attention was drawn to Jiang Ciyan, Chi Xingyu felt a pang of bitterness; was that all it took to be impressive?
He could do it too.
But it was completely different from cooking in a game.
Chi Xingyu, who had no concept of cooking, found his mind filled with insecurities and questions—was it really that difficult?
He dropped a remark, “I have something to take care of first.”
Tong Sui called out in surprise as he turned to see Chi Xingyu hurriedly heading upstairs, mumbling to himself, “What could he possibly have to do…”
Upon returning to his room, the sound of the door closing prompted a noise of annoyance from Zhong Yi on the other bed.
However, Zhong Yi paid him no mind and leaned against his bed, opening up an educational app, deeply engrossed in it.
Zhong Yi glanced at him with furrowed brows and turned back, trying to sleep again.
Chi Xingyu had no interest in these things. He had never forced himself to do things he didn’t like; that was why he had escaped confinement to choose a career he enjoyed.
But this time was different.
He recalled how Tong Sui had burned his hand. If he could learn to cook, he wouldn’t have to put Tong Sui at risk of getting injured again.
Zhong Yi had no idea what Chi Xingyu was up to, nor did he have the urge to find out. It wasn’t until he had slept comfortably that he realized Chi Xingyu was no longer in the room.
Feeling pleased with himself, he dressed up a bit before heading downstairs leisurely.
The sky had started to darken.
The kitchen on the first floor was lit, and upon taking a closer look, Zhong Yi realized it was none other than Chi Xingyu, who had been mysterious in the room earlier.