Leisurely Traveler with Check-in System

Although it’s already the end of October, the weather in Chengdu remains damp and chilly, and Liu Li hasn’t seen the sun for several days.

The doctor had advised that she needed more sunlight for her condition. Yet, unlike previous years, she didn’t feel the same kind of depression: instead, there was a bright light shining from within her heart.

It was already late at night, and Liu Li, accustomed to her reversed day-night routine, was still awake, sitting by the window.

It was drizzling outside, the patter of rain blending silently with the dampness creeping in, gradually filling the space, but she didn’t mind.

Her thoughts were focused on the efforts she had made recently.

She had already discussed with Li Younan, and she knew he wanted to go home because he hadn’t seen his mother for a long time... He’s such a kind and filial person, and he has a fantastic relationship with his mother; someone like that must be very gentle.

But since it was too late today, Li Younan couldn’t head straight home; he would stay in Chengdu overnight.

So they agreed to meet up the following day.

The thought of being able to show Li Younan her recent progress tomorrow filled her with excitement.

Liu Li was wearing a fleece pajama set; she tightly hugged herself, daydreaming a bit before deciding to go to bed, but she couldn’t sleep even after lying down for a long time.

After contemplating, she got up again.

She didn’t like wearing shoes, and her brother had installed underfloor heating at home; though it was only in the living room area, the warmth spread through, leaving the floor not cold, making walking barefoot on the floor feel reassuring, though she didn’t know why.

But since she was heading into the kitchen, she put on slippers.

She got up and went outside the living room; her brother was not home, having gone to the office to work overtime and was scheduled for a business trip early in the morning.

The babysitter was supposed to come to cook tomorrow, but she had informed her not to come last minute.

She went to the kitchen, opened the fridge, and stared at the ingredients inside, absentmindedly touching her lips with her fingers.

She decided to practice one more time tonight.

Li Younan wouldn’t have expected her progress during his absence.

Liu Li had seriously delved into learning culinary skills.

Initially, after Li Younan left, she was truly bored, having lost an essential anchor in her life, leaving her feeling aimless and directionless.

That’s when she realized she wasn’t as well as she had imagined... It was just that she felt a bit better when Younan was around.

The brightness wasn’t from the sun, but from him.

Still unable to go out, and for a few severe days, she lay in bed the whole day, didn’t even feel like taking a shower.

Eventually, she slowly adjusted and found her footing again, supported by... cooking.

It was a sudden whim; she thought of the dishes Li Younan had cooked.

She would turn 20 after the New Year, and in these 20 years, she had tasted countless things, but what left the deepest impression was the feast that Younan made for her covertly under her brother’s instructions.

Thinking of the taste, the memory stirred a surprising impulse—she wanted to try cooking, too.

She was initially afraid of cooking, due to her illness, she avoided open spaces and crowded places, and naturally had an aversion to the kitchen.

But somehow, when she thought of Younan confidently cooking and showcasing his culinary skills, the space didn’t seem so intimidating.

In the following days, she proactively tried her hand at cooking.

Of course, it was clumsy at first; unfamiliar with the kitchen, she had to learn everything from scratch and didn’t even know how to use the microwave or oven at first or how much water to use for cooking rice.

She looked up tutorials online, learning step by step; she wasn’t in a hurry, the time was not an issue for her.

Initially, the messiness didn’t discourage her, and she was surprised by the improvements she made over time.

Originally, she thought making delicious and beautiful dishes was complicated, but as long as she used the right seasonings and followed the tutorial’s timings and techniques, even complex things became clear.

She’s still slow at cooking, very cautious when cutting ingredients; she doesn’t have much strength, especially when cutting meat, her clumsy efforts amused her.

But it was okay; she learned little by little.

She still didn’t know many dishes, but they were presentable now.

Her best dishes were braised pork and sweet and sour ribs because they were her favorites.

For tomorrow’s dinner, she planned to make braised pork, sweet and sour ribs, along with a vegetable stir-fry. Though there were only three dishes, they had to be perfect.

Right now, Liu Li was busy in the kitchen; there was enough pork belly in the freezer that didn’t need defrosting, so she took out a piece.

She had made this dish many times by now, and she handled it skillfully.

Although still slow, she knew every step by heart—how much seasoning to use, the right level of heat, and could even imagine the corresponding taste once the seasonings were put in the pot.

She was surprised by her ability, and felt a bit of pride: perhaps she really had a talent for cooking.

Li Younan was among the few people she could sincerely call a friend, and this was the first time she initiated hosting a dinner since being confined in this small space.

Tomorrow was a significant day for her!

While thinking wildly, her hands continued working.

The night had deepened; the quietness made every sound in the kitchen even clearer.

The sauce in the pot began to thicken; she skillfully adjusted the flame to the right level and just lightly lifted the lid, being greeted by a satisfying aroma.

Again, she carefully placed the lid back.

The other dish, sweet and sour ribs, was also a common home-cooked dish.

By the time the two dishes were complete, it was already one or two in the morning.

She was tired but immensely satisfied and tasted a bit of each dish.

She was confident they were delicious, but a bit hesitant: he, after all, was a top chef.

Thinking this over, she let out a light snort.

He’s not likely to say it’s not good. If he does... she’ll just cry in front of him.

Hehe.

The night grew deeper, and the silence of the air deepened.

...

The next day was bright and sunny.

When Li Younan entered, he was momentarily taken aback, for there stood JK Long wearing an adorable chef outfit, with a skirt just the right length, reaching her knees, her fair and flawless calves and flats exuding a hint of liveliness and purity.

Even though there wasn’t any suggestive look, Li Younan’s heart suddenly skipped a beat twice.

The last time Li Younan saw her was still in the hospital room.

”What’s up?”

”Hmm, it’s nothing, this outfit looks... quite fitting on you.”

”Does it look good?”

”It’s not about whether it looks good or not... ha, it looks very professional.”

”Professional, right? You’ll see when the dishes are served later.”

”Where’s your brother?”

”My brother’s not here, he’s gone on a business trip.”

”Oh.”

”Why? Do you miss him?”

”I miss him not being here.”

”Hahaha.”

”Just wait a moment, there’s one more vegetable dish that’s almost done.”

As she spoke, JK Long put on an apron and continued busying herself in the kitchen.

Li Younan sat on the sofa, watching JK Long’s back, feeling a bit out of it for a moment.

How to say this? The JK Long he saw today was somewhat different from the one he usually imagined and the one he saw in the hospital last time. It seemed like she was a lot brighter and more energetic.

It seems that during the time he wasn’t around, she adjusted quite well.

Suddenly, a hard-to-describe feeling rose in Li Younan’s heart.

He realized that, actually even without him, JK Long could gradually adjust on her own.

Although he never considered himself that important before, even when at the hospital, JK Long didn’t feel scared or uncomfortable because of him. But confirming her current state—that she could manage on her own—made Li Younan feel happy, but also brought some other indescribable emotions to his heart.

He shook his head to shake off these tangled thoughts and started thinking about JK Long cooking.

When it comes to cooking, Li Younan undoubtedly had a say.

Although it’s not a good idea to look down on others’ cooking, to be honest, Li Younan didn’t have any real expectations about JK Long’s culinary skills.

However, later he still needed to say words of praise and encouragement. Li Younan had already planned several appropriate lines to compliment Sister Long for bravely taking this step.

However, when JK Long brought out three homemade dishes, Li Younan was stunned.

JK Long cautiously raised her head, observing Li Younan’s expression. Seeing the astonishment in his eyes, a sweet feeling arose in her heart, and a little smugness came with it, like ”I knew I’d surprise you,” but she hid that emotion and said, ”It’s very ordinary, just make do with it.”

Li Younan blinked and, without saying a word, started eating directly.

If he was surprised with a tinge of doubt earlier, then with the first bite of braised pork, Li Younan was completely blown away.

As someone with cooking skills, Li Younan seldom felt this emotion from food cooked by others—it was really delicious.

It wasn’t precisely extraordinarily good, but it had a unique charm, like you could feel the care put into the braised pork, a truly magical feeling.

JK Long asked, ”Is it good?”

Without saying a word, Li Younan picked up two more pieces of braised pork for his bowl.

As a chef, he knew how best to respond to truly affirm a chef’s cooking.

Seeing this, JK Long finally broke into a smile.

...

”You’ve recovered very well.”

”Really?”

”Hmm, it’s not bad... I mean it. You see, now you can cook by yourself and even invite me to your home; that’s a big step forward. It seems you really are getting better slowly.”

”Hmm... actually, it’s okay.”

”Was suddenly inviting me over to eat because of this?”

”Hmm? What?”

”I mean, to celebrate your recovery?”

Liu Li paused for a moment, hesitated, shook her head, then lightly bowed her head and chuckled softly, ”It’s not for that reason. I just... just...” She hesitated, raised her head, and suppressed a laugh, ”It’s nothing, just a gathering between friends, right? Aren’t we friends? We haven’t seen each other for so long...”

”That’s right.”

”By the way, was I really the first person you called when you got back from the wilderness?”

”Why?”

”Hehe, am I that important to you?”

”We are, after all, all-weather strategic partners, right? Otherwise, what? Are you suggesting I like you? You think I’m a kid...”

”Humph.”

...

”When are you going back?”

”Heading out this afternoon.”

”Hmm, head back early; your aunt is waiting for you at home, and you miss her too, right?”

”Hmm.”

Liu Li walked Li Younan out to the door.

Li Younan waved to Liu Li as he left.

After Li Younan’s figure disappeared down the corridor, Liu Li returned to her room and looked out of the window, spotting his figure once more. The sunlight was shining on his hair, giving it a light golden glow.

With her chin resting on her hand and a smile in her eyes, Liu Li bowed her head deeply: ”I just... miss you.”

This voice was as light as a whisper, and after saying it, she looked up again, the sunlight was just right.