Chapter 4: Grapes

Jiang Bomu’s official height was 167cm. Gu Yu was a bit shorter, 165cm. Even though she was already in university, who’s to say she couldn’t grow a little more? She really should drink more milk.

Steeling her resolve, she took a sip with a scrunched-up face and almost spat it out.

Gu Yu had disliked milk since she was a child, always detecting a strange taste. Especially when held in the mouth for careful tasting, a fishy flavor almost overflowed. She closed her eyes and took another big gulp, swallowing it whole.

Seeing her reluctance, Jiang Bomu raised an eyebrow slightly and was about to speak, but her phone rang.

Gu Yu felt like a prisoner granted amnesty. She immediately put down the glass and answered the video call from her parents.

The moment it connected, the other end couldn’t wait to blurt out: “Xunxun, your dad and I are about to board!”

Gu Yu wished she could dig a hole and bury herself. First called a little kid, now her nickname was used. A bit embarrassed, she acknowledged it and glanced stealthily at Jiang Bomu.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Bomu showed no surprise at the nickname “Xunxun” and continued to eat slowly.

Stars being thin truly had a reason. Eating a single piece of bread took at least five minutes, yet it looked so aesthetically pleasing.

Gu Yu withdrew her gaze and reminded them, “Make sure you check thoroughly, don’t leave anything behind.”

“Don’t worry, your dad has everything.”

The screen flipped a few times, and Gu Yu saw her dad laden with large and small bags, like a bodyguard next to a wealthy heiress. The wealthy heiress carried only a tiny, delicate chain bag, completely unburdened.

Gu Yu sympathized with her dad for two seconds, then felt relieved she wasn’t there—otherwise, she’d be one of the bodyguards too.

She shifted her position. The camera caught the half-empty glass of milk. Yu Qing exclaimed in shock, “You actually drank milk?”

Jiang Bomu across the table raised her eyes.

Gu Yu coughed lightly and explained, “Sister Jiang told me to drink it.”

Since she was mentioned, Jiang Bomu leaned slightly forward, gesturing for Gu Yu to hand her the phone.

Her unique fragrance filled Gu Yu’s nostrils. Gu Yu dazedly placed the phone into her palm, watching her effortlessly greet her parents.

“Hello, Uncle, Auntie. I’m Jiang Bomu. I heard you’re going on a trip. I wish you a wonderful time.”

Her voice was soft; lowering it made her sound even more gentle and approachable. Transmitted through the electrical current to Yu Qing’s ears, it was quite enchanting.

Jiang Bomu had been explosively popular for seven years. Yu Qing had seen several of her dramas. Seeing she was even more beautiful than on TV, she was instantly overjoyed, somewhat understanding why her students liked her so much. Who wouldn’t like her!

“Good, good, good,” Yu Qing said, beaming. “Next time, Auntie will invite you over to our house. You mustn’t refuse!”

Resting her chin on her hands, Gu Yu thought: Meeting the parents?

Jiang Bomu agreed, then brought up the milk: “I told her to drink it. Does she not usually drink milk?”

Before her mom could answer, Gu Yu cut in, “I do! Just not very much!”

Yu Qing didn’t argue, going along with it and laughing, “Alright then. So Xunxun, finish that glass of milk for us.”

The coaxing tone made Gu Yu wrinkle her face.

Next, Jiang Bomu tapped the screen, probably flipping the camera, as the next moment, the gaze fell upon her.

Being watched by three pairs of eyes to drink milk, Gu Yu steeled herself, lifted the glass, and finished it in one go. Holding her breath, she immediately took a bite of fried egg to suppress the taste.

“Xunxun is so good. How about one glass a day from now on?” Yu Qing negotiated with a smile.

Gu Yu didn’t want to agree, but feared her mom’s nagging even more. She readily agreed; after all, she wouldn’t see her during this period.

But Jiang Bomu, as if unwilling to miss the fun, chimed in: “Auntie, rest assured. I’ll supervise her from now on.”

“Good, good. With your word, I’m definitely at ease.”

The gentle female voice announcing boarding instructions came through the speaker. Yu Qing spoke a few more words to Gu Yu, then quickly hung up.

Putting down the phone, Gu Yu asked with a sliver of hope, “Sister, you were just kidding with my mom, right? You won’t actually supervise, will you?”

“Depends on my mood,” she said unhurriedly. “But you’re still young. Drinking milk is good for you.”

Gu Yu felt a bit unhappy. Why did everyone treat her like a child? She had to emphasize her age: “I’m already twenty. Not young anymore.”

Jiang Bomu said nonchalantly, “I’m twenty-seven. In front of me, aren’t you just a little kid?”

Gu Yu had no comeback. Despondently, she thought, When will she ever see me as a woman?

The fried egg had already been bitten; throwing it away would be wasteful. She continued eating, then couldn’t help defending herself in a tiny voice, “But I’ve been an adult for a long time now.”

Jiang Bomu remained silently noncommittal. What was wrong with being a child? Having someone to dote on and pamper you, still having the right to be willful.

Only those who grow up surrounded by love insist on being adults.

After breakfast, Gu Yu volunteered to wash the dishes, clearly defining the duties: “From now on, you cook, I’ll wash the dishes.”

She wanted to leave the best impression.

But Jiang Bomu simply pointed at the dishwasher.

Gu Yu: “…” She’d almost forgotten about that high-tech gadget.

Thinking about it, she proposed instead, “Then how about I help you prepare and secretly learn some skills along the way?”

Naturally, Jiang Bomu had no objections.

Humming a tune, Gu Yu returned to her room and opened her tablet to start drawing.

Although the living expenses from her parents were quite generous, and her grandmother occasionally gave her pocket money, in her spare time, she also took commissions to earn money. One reason was her passion for it; the other… who would complain about having too much money?

She drew until half past eleven, saved her progress, stretched, and then sprawled on the bed playing with her phone.

At ten to twelve, a WeChat message popped up.

sunset: 【What do you feel like eating?】

Gu Yu practically bounced off the bed. Typing as she slipped on her sandals: 【I’ll be right out.】

Pushing open the door, Jiang Bomu was cutting tomatoes. Slightly reddish juice spread; her plain hands were stained with a gorgeous color, yet her fingernails held a healthy luster—an extreme contrast of red and white.

Putting the cut tomatoes into a bowl, Jiang Bomu glanced her way briefly and said, “I’m planning to make tomato brisket soup.”

Gu Yu had already averted her gaze in time. Smiling as she approached, she asked, “Should I cut the brisket then?”

“You cut the tomatoes,” Jiang Bomu said, washing her hands. “Just two more will do.”

Gu Yu obeyed and began cautiously cutting the tomatoes.

She wasn’t a frequent kitchen visitor, so her technique was clumsy. Afraid of cutting her own hand, the resulting tomato pieces were large one moment, small the next. Blushing slightly, she turned her body to block Jiang Bomu’s view.

How embarrassing if she saw!

Finishing one, Gu Yu quickly placed it in the bowl and stole another glance at Jiang Bomu. Seeing her cutting the brisket with focused precision, she felt relieved.

Looking down, the brisket pieces were almost identical in size. Gu Yu felt utterly ashamed, even more grateful she hadn’t seen.

Jiang Bomu’s lip curved upwards ever so subtly, secretly.

While cutting the second tomato, Gu Yu grew bolder, and her cuts became slightly more presentable. She finished smoothly and placed it into the bowl, covering the disfigured pieces underneath, finally breathing a sigh of relief.

After washing her hands, she watched Jiang Bomu cut brisket and asked, “Is there anything else to do?”

“Open the fridge first.”

Gu Yu complied, scanning the contents. She hadn’t expected so many ingredients. She’d always assumed celebrities lived otherworldly lives, but Jiang Bomu was truly living a grounded life.

This made her feel that the distance between them had closed significantly.

Here, Jiang Bomu wasn’t a big star; she was just Jiang Bomu.

But Jiang Bomu still hadn’t told her what to do next. Gu Yu had to ask, “And then?”

Without looking up, Jiang Bomu placed the brisket into a pot and said, “Then see what you like to eat, and I’ll make it.”

Gu Yu: “…” It was like ordering from a menu.

So she ordered a minced pork with eggplant and mapo tofu—both home-style dishes.

Gu Yu helped wash the eggplant and rinse the rice, then had nothing left to do. So she took a bunch of grapes from the fridge, washed them, placed them in a fruit bowl, and ate while watching Jiang Bomu cook.

The minced pork hit the pan, and a delicious aroma soon wafted out. Gu Yu was truly getting a bit hungry, staring eagerly at the pan.

Jiang Bomu added cooking wine, advising, “Cooking wine removes the gamey smell. Remember to add some when you’re making meat dishes.”

Gu Yu paused, realizing only then that she was being taught to cook. She indicated she’d remember it, and by the way, leveraged her studious and inquiring nature to ask about the function of every seasoning Jiang Bomu added.

Jiang Bomu answered each one. Finally adding a bit of white sugar, she explained unhurriedly, “White sugar enhances the flavor.”

She tossed in green onion, ginger, and garlic, glancing fleetingly at Gu Yu. She asked knowingly, “You’ve never been in a kitchen before, have you?”

Though phrased as a question, her tone was flat, and she had clearly seen through her act. Gu Yu felt a bit embarrassed and ate another grape.

Afraid Jiang Bomu would continue, Gu Yu quickly asked, “Sister, do you really like cooking?”

Jiang Bomu didn’t speak, adding the blanched eggplant strips.

From the age of eight, she had already been standing on a stool, fumbling to cook. Back then, it was just to fill her stomach—she had no choice.

Later, entering the entertainment industry, she gained fame and wealth. She didn’t need to cook just to survive anymore, but she still preferred to do it herself.

Whether she liked it or not, she had never really pondered the question. The word ‘like’ seemed very distant to her.

She watched the eggplant strips and minced pork churning in the pan and thought, Perhaps she did like it, or at least, didn’t dislike it.

So she said softly, “I like it.”

Hearing her answer, Gu Yu relaxed. The matter of her never having been in a kitchen was finally set aside.

The minced pork eggplant was plated, and Jiang Bomu told her to taste it.

Gu Yu tried a bite and praised endlessly, “This is even better than any minced pork eggplant I’ve ever had before!”

Jiang Bomu smiled gently. “You and your sweet talk.”

Her coolly aloof expression blooming into a radiant smile. Gu Yu was dazzled by her smile, her heartstrings quivering. Flustered, she lowered her head, randomly grabbed a grape, and popped it into her mouth. A sweet, refreshing flavor instantly filled her senses.

Jiang Bomu’s gaze shifted over as well. She asked, “Is it sweet?”

Only then did Gu Yu remember—after washing the grapes, she hadn’t even offered her one! Feeling mortified, she quickly picked one up and offered it over.

Her hand stopping an inch away from Jiang Bomu’s lips.

Gu Yu suddenly snapped back to reality. This person seemed to be a stickler for cleanliness. She instinctively wanted to pull her hand back to avoid awkwardness, but not pulling back also seemed awkward.

Just as she hesitated, soft, warm lips gently brushed her fingertip, taking the grape.

Jiang Bomu answered her own question: “Quite sweet.”