Chapter 24

When I got home that night, I was surprised to find out that Jason knows how to cook now.

You see, he used to either order takeout or eat instant noodles. Occasionally, a big meal would be prepared by his friends.

He made sweet and sour fish and pan-fried duck, which are my favorite dishes.

"Uncle, when did you learn how to cook?" I asked in disbelief.

"What's so difficult about it?" he replied.

"It's not difficult, but you didn't learn it for the past 31 years," I said.

"It's not that I didn't learn it, there was no need to," he explained.

"And now there is a need?" I asked him with a smile.

He looked at me, unsure of what to say, "It seems like there is a need."

"Of course there is," I hugged him from behind, "You cooked dishes that I love. were you just waiting for me to come back and eat?"

"Let go," he held a spatula and threatened me, "Who said I cooked for you?"

"I won't let go," I held onto his waist, "In my heart, you did."

"If you don't let go, do you believe that I..." he paused.

"Will you hit me?" I looked at him with a playful smile.

"Let go. Didn't you say you like someone else? Let them cook for you. Who wants to cook for you?" he said with a hint of sarcasm.

He still holds grudges.

"Alright then, I'll leave," I let go and started walking towards the door.

"Come back," his voice came from behind me.

I couldn't help but laugh and obediently walked back to help him.

"Put it there, be careful not to cut yourself," his gaze was fixed on me.

"Then let me wash the vegetables," I put down the knife and went to wash the vegetables.

"Don't wash, let me do it," he immediately stopped me.

"What's wrong with washing vegetables?"

"It's not that, but aren't you... feeling unwell?" he hesitated, looking at me.

I was startled.

How does he know?

After a moment, I remembered that a long time ago, in the middle of the night, my period suddenly came and I didn't have any sanitary products with me.

I hesitated for a long time then ran to him, asking for help and a solution.

He rode his bike out, despite the stores being closed, and got them from his friend's wife.

I didn't expect that he would remember such a small thing.

And remember it for so long.

No wonder, every time during those days, he wouldn't let me touch water, and I couldn't wash the car either.

"Uncle, do you remember every girl's days?" I blushed and asked him.

He didn't respond.

He glanced at me and said, "Now you have grown, do you remember what happened that day?"

"Do you... still remember me?"

"Because that night, you were in so much pain and secretly cried all night. I couldn't sleep well because of it," he sighed, "This old house has poor soundproofing. I can hear you humming even inside."

"Huh?"

"I wanted to ask you before, you occasionally call my name at night. I thought something happened to you and came out to check on you, only to find you sleeping peacefully," he stared at me, "Why, are you cursing at me in your dreams?"

"What am I cursing at you?" My heart was about to jump out of my chest.

"Cursing at me to get lost," he replied.

My face instantly turned red.

He heard it, and he still came out?

I wished I could find a place to hide.

"Well, you were quite aggressive during that period," I stuttered, trying to explain.

"That's just how I talk. Honestly, have I ever hit you? Do you have a conscience?"

"I..." I didn't know what to say, feeling pressured by him.

In any case, my heart was beating fast, and I dare not look at him anymore.

After dinner, we watched TV together.

"You should sleep inside tonight," he glanced at the sofa in the living room and said to me.

"Huh?"

Sleep inside?

What does he mean?

"You're grown up now, it's not convenient to sleep in the living room," he explained.

"Then I'll sleep inside, is that convenient for you?"

"What are you thinking? I'll sleep in the living room. Why, do you want to sleep with me?" he looked at me, amused.

"How could that be?" I immediately retorted.

"It's not like you've never slept before, what are you afraid of?" he looked at me, laughing mischievously.

"I don't want to sleep on a bed that someone else has slept on," I couldn't help feeling upset, thinking about his ex-girlfriend sleeping on it.

"Who slept on it? Besides me, no one else has slept on that bed."

"You're lying, didn't your ex-girlfriend come over?" The more I thought about it, the angrier I got, and I felt like exploding.

"Who told you that? She never came over. Besides you, no one else has slept on that bed."

"You're lying, isn't your room so clean because of her?"

He stared at me, unable to hold back his anger. "I cleaned up for weeks for your return, but every week, I waited in vain. Do you still have a conscience?"

"That's true, being with the boys in our class every day, how could you think of coming home?" I was stunned.

"Uncle, were you waiting for me?"

"Of course, why else? Even a dog knows to come back for a visit after a while. Who knew I raised a ungrateful kid like you, who didn't come back home for months and only came back to see me," he became a little angry, stood up, took off his shirt, and went to shower.

I sat there stunned, watching his back in a daze.

My dead heart started to waver again, and the embers ignited.

Maybe he does like me a little bit?

But we never spoke of it later.