Gu Ya bought some meat and vegetables at the market.
In this world, the most commonly consumed meat product comes from an artificially bred animal called a "Cha Yu," a land mammal resembling a crocodile. Its meat is similar to beef and can be prepared in many ways.
However, Gu Ya searched all the recipes but couldn't find "Xiong Guo Beef" from his original world, which was his favorite.
But it didn't matter; he remembered its preparation methods clearly.
Moreover, Brother Wu's home had all the necessary seasonings, so he didn't need to worry about buying anything else for now.
Gu Ya bought the meat and vegetables and excitedly rushed to Ye Ying's residence.
As soon as he entered, he smelled a faint fragrance on Ye Ying. It wasn't the chemical scent of toiletries but a natural aroma that emanated from Ye Ying herself.
Gu Ya's face instantly turned red. He knew the source of this scent very well.
It was the same principle as Liu Feng being able to smell Fu Ya Fang's body scent in a crowd.
"I bought a lot of meat; we can make two substantial dishes today," Gu Ya said, lowering his head, not daring to look at Ye Ying, and retreated into the kitchen.
This was the second time Gu Ya was cooking for Ye Ying.
If the first time was an accident, this time it was a deliberate act.
More precisely, it was their third date.
Three times, Gu Ya thought excitedly in his heart.
Generally speaking, if a girl is willing to go on a date with a guy alone three times, it means she has feelings for him.
This excludes "anglers" and "oceanographers," of course.
But given Ye Ying's personality, she wasn't that kind of woman.
Gu Ya just needed to proceed steadily, without haste or impatience, continue to tolerate and cherish Ye Ying,
and she would eventually accept him.
Then, he would pick a propitious day, a time when heaven, earth, and humanity were in harmony, and Gu Ya would confess his deep feelings.
Everything would be perfect.
"What are you thinking about?" Ye Ying's soft voice came from behind, interrupting Gu Ya's thoughts.
"Ah? Nothing, nothing. I was thinking about recipes," Gu Ya replied.
If Ye Ying knew Gu Ya's thoughts, she would surely think he was trying to manipulate her.
However, when interacting with girls and maintaining a stable, developing relationship, a little bit of strategy was indeed necessary.
Gu Ya sped up his chopping, skillfully preparing the ingredients, boiling water, marinating, seasoning, stir-frying, and stewing. After a flurry of activity, he finally finished preparing the meal before noon.
Ye Ying picked up a chopstick and gently picked up a piece of meat, putting it into her mouth.
"It's hot, eat slowly," Gu Ya reminded her.
As Ye Ying chewed, the aroma of the meat mingled with the sweet, sour, and spicy flavors, flooding her mouth and rolling on her taste buds.
Ye Ying's eyes lit up, and she immediately picked up another piece.
Gu Ya smiled with satisfaction.
Nailed it!
Ye Ying's reaction gave Gu Ya a great sense of accomplishment, and his heart bloomed like a flower, making even the rice taste more delicious.
After they finished eating, Ye Ying rubbed her full little belly, leaned back on the sofa, and smiled as she browsed the information on her wristband.
She really hadn't felt this comfortable in a long time, Gu Ya thought, wishing she could be this happy and content forever.
A farmer's only desire is for his efforts to yield good results.
In an era dominated by hunters, a farmer who awoke without becoming a hunter was, in Gu Ya's eyes, the most desirable identity.
This was a good relationship built on equal footing.
Gu Ya also looked forward to the day when his careful efforts would bear fruit.
"You're spacing out again. You've been spacing out a lot lately. What are you thinking about?" Ye Ying said, leaning against the kitchen doorframe and looking at Gu Ya, who was washing dishes in the kitchen.
Gu Ya smiled and replied, "I'm thinking about what to make for you next."
"I'll help you."
As Ye Ying spoke, she moved towards Gu Ya and casually picked up a plate. However, her hand slipped, and it fell directly into the sink basin.
Gu Ya said with a smile, "Let me do it."
Ye Ying looked at the plate and said dejectedly, "I'm always causing trouble for you."
"How could that be? I said I would always help you," Gu Ya said earnestly.
"Yesterday, after Anai appeared, what did you do?" Ye Ying asked softly, her tone laced with probing and evasion, as if she was afraid of something.
Gu Ya briefly recounted yesterday's events to Ye Ying and finally asked, "Why was Anai afraid?"
Ye Ying gazed at the plate in Gu Ya's hand and said dreamily, "She has an unyielding protective instinct, but when she's idle, she becomes useless and feels superfluous. And..."
"She's afraid of loneliness and darkness."
"But yesterday, I was angry. I was sulking and didn't want to come out, so I let her take my place the whole time," Ye Ying said.
"When you woke up in the bathroom, didn't you communicate? Actually, I was very awkward and a bit scared at the time because Anai is indeed very fierce," Gu Ya said with a smile.
"She's never appeared for such a long time; she's already extremely exhausted. It's all my fault for being so willful."
"Don't blame yourself," Gu Ya said calmly, putting the washed plates into the cabinet after draining them.
"Although, she gives me a completely different feeling from you."
Ye Ying's eyes flickered, and she swallowed the words back.
Gu Ya saw through her thoughts and said, "That's still you. No matter what you become, I will help you."
Ye Ying asked softly, "So, do you prefer being with her or..."
"With you," Gu Ya replied decisively. Gu Ya knew the weight of those two words. A single "you" encompassed all of Ye Ying, and no further explanation was needed.
After Gu Ya finished clearing the dishes and wiped down the stove and countertops, he said, "Let's go back to school together this afternoon."
Ye Ying nodded shyly.
They rested at home for about an hour, and then Gu Ya took Ye Ying back to school.
During this brief hour, Ye Ying didn't say a word, as if she was deliberately avoiding Gu Ya.
Gu Ya knew it was the effect of those words, "with you."
Those two words were like a catalyst, rapidly germinating the seeds in Ye Ying's heart.
On the way back to school, Ye Ying sat sideways on the back of the motorcycle, her legs crossed ladylike. The hand that rested on Gu Ya's waist was less stiff, more gentle.
They parted ways at the girls' dormitory. As they were about to say goodbye, Ye Ying softly called out to Gu Ya and asked, "Do you think I've been stringing you along? I mean..."
Gu Ya understood what Ye Ying meant and replied with a smile, "No, I'll wait for you."
Ye Ying looked at the ground, nodded, and turned to return to the dormitory.
Gu Ya gazed dotingly at Ye Ying's retreating figure, his heart melting.
He really wished he could win her heart quickly.
But this matter couldn't be rushed.
Slowly, surely, there would be a day of success.
...
At night, Gu Ya lay in bed, too hungry to sleep.
Lately, the feeling of hunger had become more noticeable.
Not only that, but Gu Ya realized his pants seemed to have become shorter.
In just a week, had he grown so much that it was visible to the naked eye?
Gu Ya leaned against the wall, pressed his hair, drew a shallow mark, and used his communication bracelet's measurement function to measure his height from top to bottom: 171.2 cm.
To be his friend, one had to be extremely cautious.
Just then, Gu Ya's wristband lit up.
It was a message from Ye Ying.