“Yan-yan—”
An urgent shout echoed from the lakeside in front of the villa, but aside from the whistling wind and the lapping water, there was no response.
“Jin Yan!” The person by the lake clearly lost a bit of patience, his tone turning sharp.
“Ge, I’m coming!”
“...” As expected, a little sternness was effective.
“Bring a bucket out for me!” Zhou Shu shouted with full lungs across the considerable distance. “The one from the kitchen!”
“Okay!”
Thirty seconds later, Jin Yan emerged from the house carrying a bucket, breaking into a light jog as he approached the shore.
“Such a big fish! Ge, did you catch this?”
Zhou Shu hastily placed the fish into the bucket, looking up with a helpless expression. “I didn’t catch it. I bought it.”
The two shared a few seconds of silent eye contact before bursting into laughter together.
“Ge, my mistake.” Jin Yan set the bucket aside and leaned into Zhou Shu’s side, acting spoiled.
Zhou Shu suppressed a smile and arched an eyebrow. “And what exactly did you do wrong?”
“Hmm...” Jin Yan thought for a moment. “I shouldn’t have indulged in ‘redundant logic.’ Given that there isn’t a supermarket within a ten-mile radius and you’re holding a fishing rod, I shouldn’t have asked such a stupid question.”
“It was simply superfluous, asking what I already knew,” he added at the end.
This speech left Zhou Shu speechless. He had originally intended to tease the younger man, but who knew the boy would analyze it so logically? “To be able to infer so much from one instance—you truly are the smartest kid in the world.”
After saying this, he leaned in and planted a kiss on the corner of Jin Yan’s lips, which earned him an even deeper reward in return.
*Mhm... he’s probably also the best-kissing kid in the world.*
The two packed up the fishing gear by the river and headed back inside. Following a tutorial, Jin Yan cleaned and prepared the fish with impressive skill.
Zhou Shu sat on a high stool at the kitchen island, watching his effortless movements. A thought suddenly struck him, and he chuckled softly. “It’s a good thing your awakening skill doesn’t let you hear the thoughts of these ingredients, otherwise I’m afraid I’d be eating grass with you for the rest of my life.”
Jin Yan laughed along, responding softly, “Yeah, I’m very lucky.” He washed the slime off the fish and patted it dry with a paper towel. “Ge, how do you want to eat this?”
Zhou Shu raised an eyebrow. “When did your culinary skills improve enough to take orders?”
“You underestimate me. I did all my own cooking back in Country A, after all.” Jin Yan glanced at the ingredients in the fridge and offered some choices. “Steamed, braised, dry-fried, or...”
“Fish soup?” The two spoke in perfect unison.
The fish was freshly ‘caught,’ so making soup would definitely yield the most delicious flavor.
“Alright, fish soup it is.” With eyes crinkling into crescents, Jin Yan began processing the fish.
He deftly filleted the meat and separated the head. He split the head in two and chopped the bones into four sections. The fillets were sliced into thin pieces at an angle and set aside, while the remaining bones and head were wiped dry with paper towels.
Zhou Shu watched with great interest, thinking to himself that the kid really did have a hidden talent.
Jin Yan’s work was usually exhausting, so Zhou Shu couldn’t bear to let him cook after he got home. However, Zhou Shu himself was a complete novice in the kitchen. Consequently, they usually just made do with simple meals or ordered takeout. On lucky days when their four parents were in a good mood, they could head home to snag a feast.
Zhou Shu marveled at the fact that his ‘kid’ was a treasure trove of endless discoveries.
“Do you need oil for fish soup?” Zhou Shu asked, somewhat puzzled as he saw Jin Yan pouring oil into the pan. In his memory, fish soup was always clear and translucent.
“Well, now is the time to witness the magic.” Jin Yan wasn’t in a hurry to explain, intentionally acting mysterious.
Zhou Shu shot him a smiling glance. “Look at you, showing off.”
Once the oil was hot, Jin Yan placed the dried fish bones and head into the pan. A sharp *sizzle* erupted instantly, accompanied by a few stray droplets of oil. Zhou Shu quickly pulled Jin Yan back. “Stand back a bit, be careful of the splatter.”
Jin Yan took a moment to plant a tender kiss on his older brother’s face, coaxing him, “It’s fine. Just sit tight and wait for the food.”
At those words, Zhou Shu’s heart gave two heavy thumps. He felt as though he had been struck by the kid’s sudden display of ‘boyfriend energy.’
Thus, he didn’t go up to interfere. He simply sat back on his stool with his tea and continued to watch Jin Yan radiate charm.
Jin Yan fried the fish bones and head until both sides were golden brown. Once the bones were softened and crispy, he used the spatula to crush the head and bones as much as possible.
Zhou Shu had never seen this method before, so he didn't even blink. He never would have imagined that he would one day be so captivated by someone cooking.
Seeing his brother watching him without blinking, Jin Yan felt a bit smug and reached out a hand toward Zhou Shu. “Ge, come here for a second.”
“Hmm?” Zhou Shu walked over.
“Want to experience a bit of it yourself?” Zhou Shu nodded with an expectant look. Jin Yan pointed to the freshly boiled water nearby. “Bring me the kettle, Ge.”
Participating in such a ‘luxurious’ production for the first time, Zhou Shu felt a bit nervous. He carefully carried the kettle over, only for Jin Yan to step aside.
“Go ahead, pour the hot water into the pan.”
“Into the pan?” Zhou Shu blinked twice. “Isn’t the fish still frying in there?”
Though at this point, it looked more like fish paste...
“Trust me, go ahead.” Jin Yan guided him patiently, and only then did Zhou Shu dare to move.
With a loud *hiss*, the hot water and the oil in the pan instantly mixed and boiled over. Zhou Shu instinctively flinched back, but after a few seconds, the pan settled down.
Seeing the half-smile in Jin Yan’s eyes, Zhou Shu felt a wave of embarrassment for his overreaction.
He cleared his throat unnaturally and shot a side-eye at the other. “It seems Dr. Jin is quite addicted to bullying novices.”
“Hey, how can you say that?” Jin Yan adjusted the flame to medium-low, covered the pot, and pulled the man into his arms. “Ge, how could you be a novice?”
“You’re clearly the main course...”
“Shut up!”
“Yes, sir.” Someone became instantly obedient.
Zhou Shu really had no way to deal with him. He turned and waved a hand. “I’m going out to feed the kids.”
“Okay.” Jin Yan called out to him again. “By the way, Ge, what vegetables do you want in the soup? There are king oyster mushrooms, greens, and winter melon in the fridge. Any of them will work.”
Zhou Shu thought for a moment. “King oyster mushrooms.”
Jin Yan nodded, thinking that he and his brother truly were in sync.
Once, by chance, Jin Yan had added mushrooms to fish soup and accidentally discovered a rare, delicious flavor. He hadn’t expected that even though his brother’s manual skills were zero, his sixth sense was quite strong...
After escaping the dining room, Zhou Shu went to the backyard. As soon as he opened the door, a group of lively little lives swarmed around him.
A few years ago, Jin Yan and Zhou Shu had bought a plot of land in this suburban area surrounded by green hills and clear waters. They came here every summer for vacation to escape the heat and live a secluded, pastoral life.
Later, the two grew even more enthusiastic and simply redesigned and rebuilt the villa. Now, it was essentially a manor.
There was a natural lake not far from the front door. The front yard was for flowers and vegetables, while the backyard had become a leisurely sanctuary for small animals.
Among them were free-roaming dogs and cats, as well as several lop-eared rabbits and guinea pigs.
Zhou Shu held several bags of feed and distributed the food into different zones. These little ones of different species hurried to their respective bowls and waited in an orderly fashion.
They had all been drawn here by Jin Yan. Usually, they wandered and played outside, but they would come to this backyard to meet other friends. Consequently, more and more small animals came here to play and rest.
At first, Zhou Shu had been very worried. He wondered if so many different species—some of which seemed naturally inclined to hunt each other—could truly be attracted to one another and coexist in peace.
But over time, his doubts gradually vanished.
After all, his partner’s awakening skill was communicating with animals...
With Jin Yan acting as a translator, the guinea pigs knew the dogs wouldn't eat them, and the rabbits understood that the cat’s fur stood on end because it was afraid of them.
Thus, strange things began to happen in this magical backyard...
The guinea pigs would chase the dogs for fun, and the rabbits would leap up to try and catch the cats. It gave Zhou Shu a massive headache.
“Too mischievous...” Zhou Shu helplessly picked up a rabbit that had bumped into a guinea pig. “You brats are way too mischievous.”
Zhou Shu didn't stay idle in the yard, catching one here and another there. Twenty minutes later, when Jin Yan came out to the yard, he was met with a very lively scene.
He couldn't help it and burst out laughing. “Ge, what are you doing?”
“You’re still laughing? This is all your fault.” Zhou Shu pulled a kitten that was about to go wild into his arms, comforted it for a moment, and then stuffed it into Jin Yan’s arms. “It’s all because of your Enigma awakening skill. All the naughtiest brats within ten miles have gathered here.”
Sure enough, as soon as Jin Yan entered the yard, all the animals excitedly crowded around, wanting him to pet them.
“No, I can’t pet you all.” Jin Yan gently placed the kitten on the ground and tapped the head of the most mischievous dog. “My brother will get jealous.”
“Who’s jealous? I can’t be bothered to be jealous.”
“Oh, really?” Jin Yan hugged Zhou Shu from behind. “I wonder who it was last time who wouldn't even let me into the bed at night because I spent half an hour counseling a heartbroken dog.”
“Shut your mouth...” Zhou Shu cleared his throat a few times, rubbing his slightly burning ears as he looked toward the house. “Is the food ready?”
“It’s ready. Come in and eat.”
The animals were very good at reading the room. They quickly dispersed and went back to playing with each other. The two gave them a helpless yet fond look before heading inside.
“This... this is the pot of fish soup from earlier?” Zhou Shu swallowed hard. “Wasn't it just cloudy water a moment ago? How is it like milk now?” He looked up at Jin Yan, narrowing his eyes. “Did you secretly add milk?”
Jin Yan shook his head and pressed the man down into his seat. “Ge, it seems your misunderstanding of my cooking skills runs deep.”
He didn't explain further, quietly ladling the soup.
The milky-white fish soup, topped with finely chopped green onions, instantly stimulated Zhou Shu’s taste buds. He couldn't wait to pick up a spoon, gently blowing on the soup before bringing it to his mouth.
The freshness of the fish collided with the delicate fragrance of the king oyster mushrooms, perfectly rounded out by the taste of white pepper. This kind of seasoning, which could subtly stir up warmth, was perfect for a slightly cool late-summer evening.
“This is simply too delicious...” Zhou Shu didn't stop until he had finished more than half a bowl, full of praise.
“Don't just drink the soup, eat some fish fillets.” Jin Yan pushed forward the soy sauce fried rice he had quickly whipped up. “You need to eat some staples too.”
In the past, Zhou Shu had to maintain his physique for filming year-round, so he tried his best not to touch carbohydrates. Since he announced his retirement, Jin Yan finally had the chance to coax his brother into eating a few bites of rice.
Zhou Shu was naturally willing and ate heartily to show his appreciation.
After the meal, they tidied the dining room together and cleaned the entire house.
Because tomorrow, they would be temporarily saying goodbye to this place.
“I hate to leave. Every time I come, I never want to go.” The two said their goodbyes to the animals in the backyard. Zhou Shu reluctantly stroked the heads of the little ones.
Jin Yan helped translate, saying that Zhou Shu was very reluctant to leave them and telling them to take care of themselves.
The little ones nudged Zhou Shu one after another, comforting him with remarkable intuition.
Zhou Shu was amused, his face filled with tenderness.
“Brother Jin Yan, Brother Zhou Shu.” A low call came from outside the backyard gate. Jin Yan opened the door to welcome the visitor.
It was a boy who lived nearby. Last year, he had been drawn by the sight of the backyard ‘zoo’ and had run in, clutching a kitten and refusing to let go. Eventually, his parents had to take him home.
Who knew that from that day on, he would hide by the backyard gate every day, peeking inside. Jin Yan and Zhou Shu told him that if he really liked the kitten, he could consider taking it home.
The animals here were all strays living on their own. They only gathered here to play when the owners of the yard visited each year, like a pre-arranged annual reunion of friends.
The boy’s eyes had lit up upon hearing that, but the light vanished in an instant.
Jin Yan and Zhou Shu asked if his parents didn't agree, but the boy shook his head and said, “I’m worried the kitten won't want to go home with me...”
Jin Yan smiled and patted his head, comforting him. “If the kitten is willing to go home with you, can you promise to be responsible for it for the rest of its life?”
The boy looked up sharply and nodded repeatedly.
The two watched and smiled. Only then did Jin Yan tell the truth: “The kitten likes you very much too. It’s willing to stay by your side.”
“Really?” the boy asked, his eyes sparkling. “How do you know?”
“It told me itself.”
They thought the boy might be skeptical, but he immediately became overjoyed. He couldn't wait to bring his mother over, and together they promised Jin Yan and Zhou Shu that he and his family would definitely take good care of the kitten.
Jin Yan and Zhou Shu were very gratified. Before leaving, the kitten said a reluctant goodbye to Jin Yan, saying thank you for the help in giving it a home.
A year later, on the first day Jin Yan and Zhou Shu returned here, the boy had come to see them with the cat.
The cat had been raised very well—it had grown more than a few sizes rounder. Jin Yan helplessly reminded the boy that he needed to start controlling the cat’s weight.
Learning that this was the two’s last day here, the boy had specifically brought a gift and came to say goodbye with the cat in his arms.
Watching the boy’s retreating figure as he tightly hugged the cat, Zhou Shu thought of something and nudged Jin Yan with a smile.
“Hey, Yan-yan, look.”
“What?”
“He’s very much like you were when you were little,” Zhou Shu said with a laugh. “Clutching that kitten and not letting go.”
Jin Yan also smiled and nodded. “He is. Very much so.”
The two did one last cleanup of the backyard. At that moment, a fine drizzle began to fall from the sky.
Slowly, the fragrance of the grass and trees spread with the intrusion of the rain, and even the faint, elegant scent of bamboo from the distant mountain forests could be smelled.
“Ge, what were you going to say after the boy left?” Jin Yan brought the straw mats into the house and suddenly asked Zhou Shu.
“Hmm?” Zhou Shu’s expression shifted slightly, and he pressed his lips together. “Didn't I say it? He’s very much like you were when you were little.”
Jin Yan pulled him into his arms and gave his lip a punishingly light nip. “After you said that, I saw you hesitate as if you had more to say.”
“It’s nothing... mmm...” Zhou Shu’s mouth was completely blocked. The ‘culprit’ was relentless, insisting on a confession. “Fine, fine, I’ll say it...”
Zhou Shu finally couldn't hold out. He dodged the ‘attack’ and cleared his throat. “I was going to say, actually, if children could all be as well-behaved as you were when you were little, it seems like it would be quite nice.” After saying this, he looked away.
Jin Yan was stunned for a moment, then he blinked several times, his tone carrying a hint of excitement. “Ge, what did you say?”
“What are you so excited about?” Zhou Shu gave a light laugh and made a show of pushing him aside. “I just said that a child with a personality like yours would be quite cute.”
With this explanation, Jin Yan seemed even more excited.
His heart skipped a beat, and he swallowed several times, trying to calm his emotions.
Zhou Shu immediately put a stop to the thoughts in the other’s head. “Don't get any wild ideas. What I meant was...” He paused for a few seconds and burst out laughing. “When they grow up, they definitely must not learn from others and commit marriage fraud.”
“Marriage fraud is shameful,” he didn't forget to add at the end for emphasis.
“What? Marriage fraud?” Jin Yan also burst out laughing, playing dumb as if he wasn't the one who had done it. “Who committed marriage fraud? I wouldn't know.”
“Oh, you wouldn't know? Then I wouldn't know either.” The two continued their tacit game of riddles, messing around in the yard just like when they were children.
The sea breeze, carrying the unique scent of Haicheng, swept past, swirling with fine droplets of rain, seeking to wind its way into someone’s heart.
The raindrops gathered their courage and, with the help of the wind, leaned close to the ocean, whispering softly in its ear.
The spray, however, twisted its body and pushed them away.
“Shut up...” the spray said with reddened ears. “Stop talking. I already know everything you want to say.”
The raindrop leaned contentedly against the spray, repeating with a smile, “Mhm, you know everything.”
Whenever the clouds want to drop a few tears, the ocean always knows.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 废话文学 | Redundant logic / Nonsense literature | A slang term for speech that is technically correct but provides no new information. |
| 奶白色 | Milky-white | Specifically describing the color of the fish soup. |
| 骗婚 | Marriage fraud / Deceptive marriage | A recurring theme/joke in the story about how they got together. |
| 荷兰猪 | Guinea pig | Literally "Holland pig." |
| 垂耳兔 | Lop-eared rabbit | |
| 海城 | Haicheng | The name of the city (likely fictional or a specific setting). |
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