My wife is a witch princess.

Song Che's heart skipped a beat, and he replied, "Okay. We'll go there around five o'clock."

"Okay, tell Xiaoli not to be shy and to make herself at home."

Zhang Shushu gave one more instruction before hanging up the phone.

Song Che's phone vibrated again; it was a screenshot of a chat message from Jiang Shuo. It contained several blurry photos of Jiang Xiaoxiao's report card, along with a bunch of crying emojis saying things like, "Waaah, I didn't do well on my math test again. I didn't simplify the fill-in-the-blank questions, so I only got 145."

Song Che replied with a simple text message, "Send it over so I can laugh at you?"

"No, it's not Che-ge. We did well on the exam, and my mom gave us a lot of money. Want to go out and have some fun?"

"Not today, let's do it another day."

He turned off his phone.

“Mom wants us to go out for dinner tonight,” Song Che said.

Xia Li nodded: "Okay."

She paused for a moment, then asked, "Is there anything I need to bring?"

“No need, just go there.” Song Che thought for a moment and added, “But… when my mom is cooking, if you want to go to the kitchen to check on things or lend a hand, she’ll probably be even happier.”

"Give a hand?" Xia Li repeated the word, her eyes asking.

"It means helping out. Like handing someone something, washing vegetables, or something like that," Song Che explained. "It's a way of showing affection and gratitude."

Xia Li understood.

She looked down at her hands.

"I'm already good at peeling carrots and breaking broccoli."

Song Che couldn't help but laugh: "Yeah, that's enough."

When the two arrived, Zhang Shushu was already busy in the kitchen. The range hood was humming, and soup was simmering in the pot, steaming gently. Song Jianguo was sitting on the sofa watching the news. When he saw them come in, he smiled and nodded, "You're here. Did you do well on the exam?"

"It's alright," Song Che replied, placing a bag of fruit he was carrying on the coffee table. These were all things Xia Li insisted on buying, saying that bringing a gift was basic etiquette. Xia Li wasn't that polite; she probably learned it from searching on her phone.

"Hey, you're here, why did you buy anything? I'd buy it for you two little devils anyway." Zhang Shushu poked her head out of the kitchen, an apron tied around her waist and a spatula in her hand. "Xiao Li, sit down and watch TV. The kitchen is smoky, and these chilies are a bit pungent... cough cough."

Xia Li stood still.

She glanced at Song Che, then turned to Zhang Shushu and said, "Aunt Zhang, I can help."

His tone was his usual one, neither cold nor warm.

Zhang Shushu was taken aback for a moment, then burst into laughter: "Oh dear, this child is really... Alright then, why don't you help Auntie pick the vegetables? Perfect timing, the celery leaves need to be removed."

Xia Li doesn't like to eat celery.

But she nodded, took off her coat and handed it to Song Che, rolled up her sleeves to reveal her fair wrists, and walked into the kitchen.

Song Che felt a mix of amusement and unease at her alarmed demeanor. He sat down next to Song Jianguo, and the father and son remained silent for a moment, listening for any sounds coming from the kitchen.

Song Che wanted to hear what Xia Li would do, and also give her some hints in his mind so he wouldn't be caught off guard. Song Jianguo was listening to see if there was anything interesting. He felt that Xia Li was a very interesting girl, and he always liked her way of thinking.

This thought process of hers, when she talks to Shu'er, should be quite interesting.

In the kitchen.

Zhang Shushu instructed: "Yes, just discard these old leaves, they're inedible... but keep the stems, we'll chop them up and stir-fry them with meat later... Yes, that's it, Xiaoli did a great job."

My mom praises people like she's coaxing a child.

I wonder if Xia Li blushed from the praise.

She's actually very serious.

Song Jianguo took a sip of tea and glanced towards the kitchen. "This girl seems calm, but she's quick-witted and has a funny way of talking. By the way, when you have time, take Bruce over. This little cat is quite clever and intelligent."

Song Che hummed in agreement.

He thought to himself that Xia Li wasn't actually interested in helping, but rather treated it as a commission from the Adventurers' Guild or some kind of mission.

As for Bruce, he would never let his dad touch him again, even if it meant his life.

In the kitchen, Zhang Shushu sliced ​​ginger while glancing at Xia Li.

The girl's eyelashes were lowered as she worked with the celery in her hands. You couldn't tell what other emotions she had, or what she was thinking. In short, she was very focused.

She removed every yellow leaf and neatly arranged the celery stalks she had picked, making sure they were all about the same length.

"Xiao Li, you used to cook a lot at home, right?" Zhang Shushu asked casually.

Xia Li paused for a moment while picking vegetables, then continued picking.

“No,” she replied. “We didn’t need to do these things before.”

Zhang Shushu's movements as she chopped ginger were a beat slower.

These words sounded a bit strange, but looking at Xia Li's calm expression, it didn't seem like a complaint or a spoiled act. It was more like she was stating a fact. However, Xia Li's hands clearly indicated that she was from a well-to-do family. Zhang Shushu and Song Jianguo seemed to be of the same ilk, and they thought that Xia Li was actually a rich young lady.

"Will you find it troublesome to learn how to do it now?" Zhang Shushu asked in a different phrasing.

“It’s no trouble.” Xia Li shook her head and picked up another stalk of celery. “It’s an essential skill. Song Che said that you need to master it to live independently.”

Zhang Shushu felt that strange feeling welling up inside her again.

The way she speaks is so strange; she spits out words one by one, which isn't how a girl her age should speak. She seems delicate, yet she's willing to do anything, which Zhang Shushu can't understand. But combined with Xia Li's expressionless face, strangely, she doesn't come across as annoying; instead, she's kind of...adorably honest.

“Xiao Che is good at teaching.” Zhang Shushu smiled and put the sliced ​​ginger into the bowl. “He’s just a worrier. He’s still a child himself, but he’s always thinking about taking care of others. But he’s a good cook.”

Xia Li looked up and glanced at Zhang Shushu.

“He cooked it very well,” she said, her words carrying an unquestionable certainty, before lowering her head to continue picking vegetables.

She loves Song Che's cooking the most.

Zhang Shushu was delighted.

Regardless of what kind of girl she is or what her personality is like, her protection of her son is genuine.

Mothers are most susceptible to this.

Good girl!

"Put the celery in a bowl after you've picked it, and soak it in some water." Zhang Shushu instructed, then turned to prepare the scaled sea bass. "Auntie will teach you how to make steamed fish. Xiao Che loves this the most... I make it very well too, try it later."

Xia Li did as she was told, then washed her hands and stood next to Zhang Shushu, watching her make incisions on the fish and rub it with salt and cooking wine.

She remembered the terrible way she had cooked fish before, how she couldn't kill them no matter how many times she slapped them.

"Slice the ginger, put some under the fish and some on top of it," Zhang Shushu demonstrated. "Cut the scallions into long sections and put them on top as well, or you can use chopped scallions. Drizzle a little oil... never mind, I'll add that later, just remember the steps for now."

Xia Li watched very intently, her eyes barely blinking and never getting dry.

She felt that Zhang Shushu taught her in the same way as Song Che.

After Zhang Shushu put the fish into the steamer and set the timer, Xia Li asked, "How long should it steam?"

"After the water boils, cook for about seven or eight minutes. It depends on the size of the fish; this one will take about eight minutes." Zhang Shushu put the lid on the pot. "Don't cook it for too long, or the meat will become tough."

Xia Li nodded and turned to look at the corn and pork rib soup that was simmering. The soup had turned white and was bubbling.

"Do I have to keep an eye on the pork rib soup?" she asked again.

"No need, just let it simmer on low heat for a while." Zhang Shushu wiped her hands. "Xiao Li, where are you from before?"

In the living room, Song Che's ears immediately perked up.

“A very far place.” She chose a vague but true answer. “Not here.”

“This will be your home from now on. Come visit often.” Zhang Shushu’s tone softened, and she didn’t press Xia Li for more information. She patted Xia Li’s arm and said, “Go and rest. The auntie will be ready for the other two dishes soon. It’s a bit stuffy in the kitchen.”

Xia Li shook her head, her gaze falling on the unwashed green peppers and potatoes: "These also need to be processed."

"Okay, break the green peppers in half and remove the seeds. Then peel the potatoes and cut them into chunks."

"I can." Xia Li had already picked up the green pepper, skillfully removed the white seeds, and rinsed it under the tap. Then came the potatoes, which she peeled cleanly and neatly. These vegetables were no different from carrots.

Zhang Shushu felt relieved after seeing this.

At least she has decent life skills; she's not the lazy type. She chatted casually with Xia Li while stir-frying the vegetables.

Xia Li answered each question seriously, without any perfunctory responses.

When the food was served, the table was piled high with dishes.

A sea bass, pork ribs, green peppers and potatoes, a side of garlic greens, and a plate of sliced ​​braised meats made for a pretty good dinner.

"Xiao Li helped pick the vegetables," Zhang Shushu said with a smile, praising Xia Li. "She's so skillful and meticulous."

Xia Li sat next to Song Che without saying a word.

She wasn't used to such direct praise, especially when it came with such obvious intimacy.

Song Jianguo picked up his chopsticks and said cheerfully, "Good, good, you're all good kids. Come on, start eating, eat while it's hot."

He picked up a piece of fish belly and put it in Xia Li's bowl. "This fish is steamed until it's very tender. Song Che loves to eat this. Try it, but remember to say so if you don't like it."

"Thank you, Uncle."

"Don't be shy." Song Jianguo put another piece of food on Song Che's plate. "You should eat more too."

Zhang Shushu's eyes flickered as she watched the natural act of people serving each other food at the dinner table, but she didn't say anything. Why is no one serving me food?

She was sad for two seconds, then began to ask Song Che about his preferred career path: whether he wanted to stay in the city or consider going elsewhere.

Song Che replied that his score was high enough for some local universities, but he hadn't fully decided on a specific major yet, probably something related to science or civil service positions.

He did not mention why he preferred to stay in the local area.

There sat a silver-haired girl sipping soup.

Since Xia Li can't go to school, it's impossible for her to go to the same university as him.

“Local is good, it’s close to home and the cost of living is lower.” Song Jianguo nodded and took a sip of his drink. “But don’t just focus on proximity; the key is the school and the future prospects of your major.”

The conversation then turned to the economic situation and the job market, things men love to talk about.

Song Jianguo recounted some of the things he had heard and seen, while Song Che echoed him, occasionally raising questions. The conversation between father and son was ordinary and down-to-earth.

Xia Li ate her meal quietly, listening to the conversation.

Many terms were unfamiliar to her, whether it was employment rate, the need to be rational about postgraduate entrance exams, or the current state of civil engineering... but she listened attentively. This was the world Song Che lived in, the future he needed to consider, and she needed to consider it too.

She suddenly remembered the difficult problem in Song Che's notebook.