The sky curtain makes you a useless class monitor, yet you act arbitrarily for eternity?

Yan Cong nodded, turned around, and pushed open the door.

Step out.

The screen jumps directly to the next scene.

station.

Crowds.

The stairwells of old residential buildings.

The next second, Yan Cong pushed open the door to the house in town.

The living room was lit with warm yellow lights.

The view outside the window is of the river.

The house wasn't big, but it was kept very clean.

But from the kitchen came a clanging sound.

And wisps of black smoke were seeping out from under the door.

"Ahhh..."

Liang Rumeng's scream followed immediately.

"It's all over!"

"How did it burn so quickly...?"

Yan Cong had given her a key to this apartment.

He said he was coming back this morning.

Liang Rumeng immediately replied.

Really?

Then I'm going to give you a surprise!

Now it seems...

The surprise was that she wanted to cook herself a meal.

Although……

Yan Cong glanced at the several dark-colored plates on the round table.

I glanced again at the kitchen, which was still smoking.

He rubbed his temples and closed the door behind him.

This surprise is about to turn into a shock.

"Bang!"

The sound of the bedroom door closing drifted into the kitchen.

Liang Rumeng excitedly poked her head out of the kitchen.

"Baby!"

"You're back!"

"Please have a seat, the food will be ready soon!"

She was wearing a pink Hello Kitty apron, holding a spatula, and had two streaks of black ash on her face.

Yan Cong's lips twitched, and he walked straight towards the kitchen.

"Would you like to sit down?"

"If I sit in the kitchen any longer, it'll explode."

He came to the kitchen doorway, glared at her, and then reached out to wipe the dust off her face.

"Get out of the way."

"I'll handle it."

"No!"

Liang Rumeng spread her arms wide, her small face serious.

"I told you I was going to give you a surprise."

"The surprise will be ready soon."

"You want to intercept us halfway?"

"No, no!"

"Forehead--"

Yan Cong's lips twitched again.

Why don't you turn around and take a look?

"what?"

Liang Rumeng turned her head stiffly.

The next moment, her pupils contracted sharply.

"cluster--"

The contents of the pot burst into flames!

"Aaaaaah!"

"It's all over!"

"Why did my sweet and sour pork ribs get so greasy?!"

She screamed and tried to get water to put out the fire.

Yan Cong took this opportunity to go into the kitchen.

Turn off the heat.

Cover the pot with the lid.

Then I turned on the range hood.

The routine was so familiar it was heartbreaking.

Liang Rumeng was holding a bowl of water when she turned around and saw that the fire had been extinguished.

She lowered her head, her voice weak.

"I'm...I'm sorry, Yan Cong..."

"I was going to cook something delicious for you."

"fine."

Yan Cong didn't blame her.

It's already quite remarkable that she has this kind of heart.

"I'll do it."

"No!"

Upon hearing this, Liang Rumeng immediately raised her head, put the water bowl on the table, and called out while supporting her back.

"I said I'd let you eat something good, and I mean it!"

"Forehead……"

Yan Cong glanced at the still-smoking pot.

"Are you sure you can make something delicious?"

"I……"

Liang Rumeng's face stiffened.

Her gaze wandered aimlessly before suddenly landing on the instant noodles she had prepared for lunch.

My eyes lit up immediately.

"Of course!!"

"Don't worry!!"

As she spoke, she pushed Yan Cong out.

"You can go out now."

"I promise you'll be satisfied!"

Then, the kitchen door slammed shut again.

Soon, the sound of washing pots and pans came from inside the door, along with Liang Rumeng's defiant humming.

Outside.

Yan Cong shook his head helplessly.

He sat alone on the balcony, looking at the river, and lit a cigarette.

The smoke got into my eyes.

He blinked, but couldn't help himself and muttered a curse under his breath.

"well……"

Yan Cong touched the floor, his voice very soft.

"You damned parents."

"I'm selling this apartment tomorrow."

"You guys won't blame me, will you?"

He gave a forced smile.

"Oh."

"If you dare to blame me."

"When I go down there, I'll beat you all to a pulp."

"Who told you to leave so early?"

"I'm left to shoulder so much alone."

"Really..."

"That's outrageous!"

"Baby?"

Liang Rumeng's voice rang out from behind.

Yan Cong quickly stubbed out his cigarette, wiped his face, and turned to reveal a relaxed smile.

"What's wrong?"

Liang Rumeng bit her lip.

"The delicious food is ready."

"good!"

Yan Cong immediately got up and walked towards the dining table.

Liang Rumeng watched his retreating figure, her fingers clenching the hem of her apron.

next moment.

She rushed forward and hugged him from behind.

"Baby!"

"hug!"

Yan Cong's body stiffened.

He tilted his head back and forced back his tears.

"Okay."

"I'm fine."

"Didn't you cook me something delicious?"

"Come on, let me try it and see if it's really delicious."

"I don't believe it!"

"You were just crying!"

"I saw it all!"

Liang Rumeng pressed her face against his back, her voice trembling.

"Let me hug you."

"In a little while."

"Just for a little while."

"Um."

Yan Cong's voice choked with emotion, and he didn't move.

Soon after.

At the dining table.

"Is it tasty?"

Liang Rumeng rested her chin on her hand, looking at Yan Cong with expectant eyes.

In front of Yan Cong was a bowl of instant noodles with two eggs.

It was also sprinkled with some chopped green onions.

The two fried eggs turned out ugly.

The edges were a bit burnt, and one of the yolks was broken.

Yan Cong lowered his head and slurped up a mouthful of noodles.

It tastes just like regular instant noodles.

It was even a little bland because too much water was added.

But as he looked at the two poached eggs in the bowl, he suddenly remembered his childhood.

There was also a woman who would put two eggs in his bowl.

At that time, he complained that it was too hot, too bland, and didn't taste good.

The old woman followed him, carrying her bowl.

"Little bear, have a bite."

"Grandma will give you candy after you finish eating."

"Clatter".

A tear fell into the bowl.

Followed by.

Another one.

Liang Rumeng panicked and quickly grabbed a tissue.

"Baby, what's wrong?"

"Don't cry!"

"Was it because I cooked it too badly?"

"Then we won't eat!"

Yan Cong suddenly put down his chopsticks.

next second.

He buried his face in Liang Rumeng's arms, his shoulders trembling as he cried.

"Baby……"

"My grandma..."

"Grandma doesn't remember me at all..."

"I'll never be able to eat her steamed eggs again..."

"And no one will ever leave me candy again..."

"Waaaaah!"

"ah--"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Damn, I dropped a little pearl!

I cried my eyes out, sob sob sob.