On a rainy night, the school beauty knocked on my door and asked for shelter

Chen Mo's initial slight annoyance at his mother's "interference" vanished instantly.

An involuntary smile crept onto his lips. He shrugged resignedly, walked to the dining table, and sat down like a child waiting for a meal, his gaze fixed on the two women in the kitchen who were the most important to him.

The kitchen quickly became Chen Xi's domain.

She tied on her apron and moved with the efficiency of a seasoned chef.

The refrigerator door opened, and the ingredients were quickly taken out: fresh eggs, milk, high-gluten flour, a small piece of butter, red beans that she had texted Chen Mo to soak the night before, and several kinds of seasonal fruits.

Therefore, even when Chen Xi cooked herself, she still habitually instructed Chen Mo to prepare some things for her in advance.

Looking back on the days when my mother cooked, it really wasn't often. Mainly because my father, Chen Miao, was also a good cook, so at home, my mother never had the chance to show off.

At my grandparents' house, my grandmother was the one who did the cooking, and she didn't have to do anything.

She only had a chance when she was alone at home taking care of Chen Mo.

But she used all of this opportunity to teach Chen Mo to be independent, which resulted in Chen Mo not having cooked much in his memory.

"Breakfast should be both nutritious and visually appealing," Chen Xi said as she skillfully began to prepare.

She first poured the red beans into a small pot, added rock sugar and water, and simmered it over low heat on the stove. Soon, sweet steam rose from the pot. "This is my secret red bean paste, which I'll use as filling later."

Next, she began to work with the dough.

Flour, milk, eggs, and melted butter were quickly mixed, kneaded, and slapped together in her hands.

Her movements were fluid and graceful, exuding a confident beauty. The dough seemed to come alive in her palms, gradually becoming round and bouncy, and soon becoming smooth and supple.

"The key to making pancake dough is kneading it well; that's how you get a soft and fluffy texture." She explained softly to Su Yuqing, who was watching in a daze, as she demonstrated.

She still habitually imparts knowledge to her children.

While the dough was rising, Chen Xi took out a frying pan.

She melted the butter in the pan, and the aroma instantly filled the air.

With a deft twist of her wrist, she poured in a spoonful of batter, which quickly solidified in the hot pan, forming a perfect circle.

Chen Xi stared intently at the heat. A few seconds later, with a flick of his wrist, the golden pancake flipped beautifully in the air and landed steadily back in the pan. The other side was also fried to perfection, with tempting slightly charred and crispy edges.

"Wow..." Su Yuqing couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation, her eyes sparkling as she watched Chen Xi's smooth movements, admiring them while also trying to learn from them.

She had never seen anyone cook with such elegance and power.

Chen Xi smiled and placed the fried pancakes on a preheated plate.

She picked up a small spoon, scooped up the thick and sweet red bean paste, and spread it evenly between the layers of muffins. At the same time, she took out whipped cream from the refrigerator, piped pretty cream flowers on the top of the muffin tower with a piping bag, and then garnished it with chopped strawberries.

In another small pan, she simultaneously fried soft-boiled eggs, the edges crispy and the yolks trembling perfectly. When Chen Xi carried the plate of pancakes, red bean tarts, and soft-boiled eggs—a true work of art—out of the kitchen, Chen Mo's nose immediately twitched like a dog's.

The pancakes were layered and golden, tempting to look at. The deep red of the red bean paste intertwined with the snow-white cream and bright red strawberries, exuding a rich aroma of milk, fruit, and sweet bean fragrance.

The soft-boiled egg next to it was fried to perfection.

"Here, have a taste! Chen's Secret Recipe Pancakes with Red Bean Tarts and Soft-boiled Sunny-side-up Eggs. Exclusive recipe, limited supply!" Chen Xi placed the plate on the dining table, looking smugly at her son who was eagerly anticipating the food and Su Yuqing who was full of admiration. "Come on, let's eat as a family."

"Where's Uncle? Aren't we waiting for him to come?" Su Yuqing was still as thoughtful as ever. Although Chen Miao wasn't here, she still thought of him.

"His hotel provides breakfast, so it would be a waste not to eat it. We don't need to wait for him."

Seeing this, Su Yuqing nodded and focused on the food in front of her.

She carefully cut off a small piece of muffin and put it in her mouth.

The pancakes had a perfectly crisp outer layer and were incredibly soft inside. The red bean paste was smooth, sweet, and not cloying, and the combination of light cream and refreshing fruit created a rich and layered flavor that made her eyes widen in amazement.

"It's so delicious! Auntie, you're amazing!" she exclaimed sincerely, without a trace of flattery, her face showing undisguised admiration and satisfaction.

Chen Mo also took a bite, and the familiar and long-lost taste of his mother instantly swept over his taste buds, even more perfect than the few times he had remembered his mother's taste.

Looking at his mother's slightly smug and energetic smile, and then at Su Yuqing's completely relaxed, happy, and dependent expression, the bitter feeling of "having his place taken" in his heart was completely dispelled by a huge warm current.

"Well, you brat, are you convinced or not?" Chen Xi raised an eyebrow at his son.

Chen Mo swallowed the delicious food in his mouth and looked at the two women who were the most important to him. He was filled with an unprecedented sense of fulfillment.

He smiled and nodded vigorously, his voice filled with sincere admiration and a hint of barely perceptible emotion: "With such skills, you should cook more often, otherwise my memories wouldn't be filled with the taste of my father's cooking."

"You're so proud of me. I only made this for Qingqing's sake. You can't eat it every day." Chen Xi had her own pride.

But hearing her son's praise and the satisfied look on her future daughter-in-law's face when she ate the food she had made was truly moving.

She also found more interest and enjoyment in cooking delicious meals for the two of them.

The atmosphere at the dining table was warm and harmonious.

Chen Xi enthusiastically served Su Yuqing a pancake and asked her what she liked. Su Yuqing answered softly, occasionally glancing shyly and happily at Chen Mo. As Chen Mo devoured this long-awaited, unforgettable deliciousness, he watched their intimate interaction and felt that this bright and sunny morning, along with this meticulously prepared breakfast, had become one of the most precious moments in his life.

Last night's heartfelt conversation and warm embrace had already melted away all the barriers and anxieties in Su Yuqing's heart.

Under this small roof, a new, close, blood-like bond quietly grows and intertwines amidst the aroma of food and laughter.

Su Yuqing's wandering and lost heart finally found a safe and warm harbor in this place filled with warmth and human connection. (End of Chapter)