Chapter Seventy-One: Quarrelsome Lovers

Xu Jingyu was a woman of action; she went straight to the supermarket and bought a large bag of vegetables and meat. When she arrived at the villa, she was stunned. “Zhang Ma isn’t here?”

Shu Ran replied, “Last month Zhang Ma was taking care of me and hadn’t been home for over a month. Now that my foot is healed, Coach Fu gave her a short holiday.”

Xu Jingyu looked defeated. “What should we do? I bought beef brisket, but I don’t know how to cook it.”

To Shu Ran, it seemed this celebration would end up rather perfunctory. Among the four of them, Xu Jingyu was the best cook. But then Qin Liubei scoffed and began rolling up his sleeves, as if preparing for battle.

Fu Yiqing laughed softly. “Since when did you learn to cook?”

Qin Liubei replied, “Are you kidding? Did you forget that last New Year’s Eve you ate the longevity noodles I cooked for Shu Ran?”

Hearing this, Shu Ran’s heart skipped a beat.

Xu Jingyu exclaimed, “Now that you mention it, Shu Ran’s birthday is coming up.”

Qin Liubei furrowed his brows. “Now that you mention it, I just remembered that Old Fu’s birthday already passed.”

Silence fell over the living room.

Qin Liubei wore an awkward smile. “Did anyone here remember?”

Shu Ran bowed her head in shame.

The whole season had been too busy; Fu Yiqing’s birthday was November 19th, and at that time they were busy with the Russian event. No one had remembered.

“I forgot too,” Fu Yiqing offered, giving everyone a way out.

Xu Jingyu helped lighten the mood. “How about we make up for it by celebrating his birthday today?”

“That’s a good idea,” Qin Liubei said.

With Qin Liubei and Xu Jingyu chiming in, their meal gained a new theme: in addition to celebrating Shu Ran’s recovery, they would make up for Fu Yiqing’s missed birthday.

Qin Liubei and Xu Jingyu teamed up in the kitchen, with Fu Yiqing assisting them.

Shu Ran, freshly healed, was ordered to sit and rest.

“Qin Liubei, bring me an onion,” Xu Jingyu called.

“Alright, but Goldfish, why do you only call me by my full name? Didn’t we agree you’d call me Little Bei Bei?” Qin Liubei teased.

Xu Jingyu shot him a glare. “Quick, now, get it!”

Qin Liubei grinned, “Old Fu, you’re the assistant, you fetch it. Goldfish is too embarrassed to order you around, but shouldn’t you have the sense to help?”

Fu Yiqing stopped washing vegetables, slowly turned off the water, and faced him silently. “Is this supposed to make up for my birthday?”

Qin Liubei was suddenly at a loss for words.

Prompted by Fu Yiqing’s reminder, he was “banished” from the kitchen and granted the opportunity to rest with Shu Ran.

The two sat on the sofa watching dramas, but Shu Ran had her back to the TV, quietly observing Xu Jingyu and Qin Liubei’s lively antics.

Fu Yiqing was puzzled. “What are you watching?”

Shu Ran explained with interest, “Watching them. They’re quite entertaining.”

Fu Yiqing joined her in watching.

“Goldfish, do you ever feel,” Qin Liubei began.

“What?” Xu Jingyu asked.

“Like the two of us have become Fu Yiqing and Shu Ran’s slaves?” Qin Liubei mused.

Xu Jingyu paused while chopping vegetables, then turned thoughtfully. “Now that you mention it, I do feel that way. Before, you always did these things, but now that I’m with you, my status has dropped too?”

Qin Liubei waved his hand. “Don’t say that, as if it’s my fault.”

“Whose fault could it be if not yours?” Xu Jingyu continued chopping potatoes. “Maybe I chose the wrong person. I should’ve asked Fu Yiqing instead. Don’t you agree?”

The smile vanished from Qin Liubei’s face.

Hearing Fu Yiqing’s name, Shu Ran instinctively glanced at him. Both paused, and the atmosphere grew a shade more awkward.

“Do you regret it?” Qin Liubei’s voice was low. Even Shu Ran sensed his heartbreak and unease.

“Yes,” Xu Jingyu replied. “I regret it.”

Qin Liubei seemed utterly devastated, his silhouette particularly desolate, the space around him suddenly shrinking.

Shu Ran felt Xu Jingyu had gone too far and was about to side with Qin Liubei, when Xu Jingyu continued, “I really regret it. I shouldn’t have listened to you and chosen a white countertop. I should have followed Fu Yiqing to see his kitchen!”

Qin Liubei looked bewildered, then quickly recovered, snuggling up to Xu Jingyu’s arm.

Xu Jingyu pushed him away. “Go away, I’m chopping vegetables. Do you want me to die?”

“No, don’t say that word.” Qin Liubei covered her mouth gently, his eyes tender. “I’ll help you chop. You go rest—leave it to me.”

And so, only Qin Liubei remained in the kitchen.

Shu Ran was also confused.

Fu Yiqing curled his lips, turned to watch TV, and gave the earlier drama a succinct review, “It was quite interesting.”

Xu Jingyu washed her hands, dried them, and sat on the sofa, hiding her accomplishment. She winked playfully at Shu Ran, as if asking, “How was my move just now?”

Shu Ran frowned, “Do you… often do this?”

Xu Jingyu was used to it. “Of course. I scare him with something big, then give him a treat. He always falls for it. In every family, one laborer is enough!”

From the kitchen came Qin Liubei’s cheerful voice, “Goldfish, I peeled an apple for you. Come and get it.”

Suddenly, Shu Ran understood why Qin Liubei once said his life with Xu Jingyu was like riding a roller coaster—happy in daily thrills and excitement.

She withdrew her gaze and focused on the television.

Though Qin Liubei was quick, he couldn’t handle all four dishes alone. Eventually, Xu Jingyu and Fu Yiqing pitched in, and dinner was finally served.

Xu Jingyu brought out the last dish, and Qin Liubei called, “Wait a moment.”

Sounds of tearing packaging echoed from the kitchen. No one knew what Qin Liubei was up to.

He emerged with a plate, covered mysteriously.

Xu Jingyu frowned, “What are you doing? Aren’t all the dishes out?”

Qin Liubei threw her a flirtatious glance. “This is the highlight of the meal.”

He held the lid dramatically, building suspense before finally lifting it.

“Ta-da—look!”

A loaf of bread lay on the pristine plate; apparently, the packaging he’d torn was for bread.

Shu Ran pointed at it, speaking with difficulty, “If I’m not mistaken, this is a substitute for a birthday cake?”

Xu Jingyu crossed her arms, looking solemn. “And it’s supermarket bread.”

Qin Liubei was unapologetic. “Don’t say that. It’s a special situation, so we can only give Old Fu a rough birthday.”

“Why not just order delivery?” Xu Jingyu asked.

“You always say the wrong thing. After last time, Old Fu said there’d be no takeout in this house ever again.” Qin Liubei smiled at Fu Yiqing, “Old Fu, are you satisfied with this birthday?”

Fu Yiqing raised an eyebrow. “It’ll do.”

That single “it’ll do” was all the praise Fu Yiqing would give. Qin Liubei, well versed in their dynamic, was content and invited everyone to eat.

The real test of culinary skill lay in the vegetables: preserving their natural look, avoiding over-seasoning, and ensuring they tasted good.

Shu Ran tried a bite of stir-fried greens—the leaves were verdant, not mushy, with a hint of sweetness.

Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Qin Liubei. “Did you cook this?”

“Who else? Don’t you people in City D like to add sugar to everything? Sweet and sour fish, sweet and sour ribs. So this dish was inspired by City D—Sweet Greens.”

Fu Yiqing had just taken a sip of water and coughed.

Seeing Fu Yiqing’s reaction, Shu Ran burst into brighter laughter.

Xu Jingyu mocked him mercilessly. “Can’t you choose a more cultured name?”

Qin Liubei, puzzled, faced Xu Jingyu. “What’s wrong with the name Sweet Greens? I’ll name our daughter too! I’ve already got one in mind.”

Xu Jingyu cleared her throat and frantically signaled him with expressive eyes to mind his words.

Fu Yiqing took the water from Shu Ran and asked, “Oh? What name?”

“Qin Ai. How about it? Sounds nice, doesn’t it? Don’t you just know she’ll be a beauty?”

Shu Ran repeated “Qin Ai” softly, then pondered aloud, “If her classmates want to borrow something from her, wouldn’t they say, ‘Let me borrow Qin Ai’s things?’ Doesn’t it sound like they’re taking advantage?”

Qin Liubei was struck by the thought, seriously considering it. “You’re right, I can’t let others take advantage. I’ll think of another name for my daughter.”

Xu Jingyu tugged at his sleeve. “Are you so sure it’ll be a daughter?”

Qin Liubei replied, “If it’s a son, and you play with him all day, I’ll be lonely.”

Xu Jingyu retorted, “And you think I wouldn’t love my daughter, only play with the son?”

As the two bickered, Shu Ran felt she’d been force-fed another dose of their sweet antics.

Only Fu Yiqing remained unmoved, ignoring the banter and serving Shu Ran more food. “Eat this.”

Shu Ran took another bite of greens. Fu Yiqing added a piece of deboned fish to her bowl. “No bones, go ahead.”

She ate it with natural ease.

Xu Jingyu raised her eyebrow and placed a piece of fish in Qin Liubei’s bowl, clearly expecting him to debone it.

“Thank you,” Qin Liubei said happily, deboning the fish and eating it himself.

Still unaware, he said, “Goldfish’s food is delicious.”

Xu Jingyu was speechless.

Shu Ran struggled to hold back her laughter.

After dinner, the four sat together on the sofa watching dramas.

Qin Liubei and Xu Jingyu’s banter never ceased, their quarrels unending.

Fu Yiqing’s words finally silenced them. “Training resumes tomorrow morning.”

Shu Ran unconsciously clenched her hand, a surge of anxiety rising in her heart.

She felt uncontrollably afraid.

“Phew—finally my turn to shine,” Qin Liubei said, swinging his arms as if ready to take the stage.

Xu Jingyu glared at him. “It’s not your competition. Tomorrow I need to help Shu Ran get familiar with the revised short program!”

Qin Liubei retorted, “Don’t underestimate your boyfriend!”

The two started quarreling again, but this time Shu Ran felt her unease dissipate, lightened by their argument.

She relaxed her brows, and her shoulder grew heavier.

Fu Yiqing’s hand rested gently on her shoulder, comforting her wordlessly. Though he said nothing, warmth flowed through her, enveloping her completely.