Welcome, everyone! I appreciate your interest in my translated novels. I hope my translations enable you to fully enjoy these stories.
I want to clarify that I will not be posting this novel on Patreon or asking you to visit there for access to advanced chapters, as many other translators do. However, I am human, and like everyone else, I need motivation to continue my translation work.
What motivates me the most? Financial support. I would appreciate any help you can offer to support my translations. If you can spare some funds, it would go a long way in providing me with a bit of pocket money for my efforts.
Thank you for your support, and I sincerely hope you enjoy my translations! Please note that in my country, PayPal is not supported.
Here are some methods to support me:
PAYEER: P1134728698
Skrill : [email protected]
Webmoney (WMZ Purse): Z820148229030
-------------------------------------------------
Chapter 42 – I Just Can't Do It!
As the key turned in the lock, the long-unopened door creaked open once more, releasing a faint cloud of dust that drifted into the air.
Looking around at the slightly dust-covered home, Nannan's mother tilted her head apologetically at Huo Yuhao, offering a gentle smile.
"Sorry about the mess. It's been too long since we last came back, so the house gathered a little dust."
She had originally planned to go out for a meal, but because Huo Yuhao insisted, and unable to resist his persistence, she ended up buying some ingredients to cook at home herself.
"Mom, let me help clean."
Jiang Nannan spoke as she began walking into the house with practiced ease, immediately taking up the task.
"All right," Nannan's mother nodded. "Yuhao, you should rest for a while. I'll start preparing the meal."
Before she could finish her sentence, Huo Yuhao, with a cheerful smile, spoke up.
"Auntie, I can help Nannan too…"
Nannan's mother's expression instantly turned serious. "No, that won't do. You don't let guests do housework."
"Auntie, we're here today to celebrate your discharge. What's the difference between guest and family?"
"That's still not acceptable. Child, if word got out, people would laugh at us."
Huo Yuhao, seeing her hesitation, let out a helpless expression. His gaze happened to fall on the ingredients she was carrying, and suddenly his eyes lit up.
"Auntie, surely you won't let me just stand by, right? I'm pretty skilled at cooking—tonight, you can finally taste it."
"This…"
"Come on, Auntie. Guests usually bring gifts, but I came empty-handed. The least I can do is help with something, right?"
With that, Huo Yuhao didn't wait for her reply. He gently took the ingredients from her hands and strode toward the kitchen, leaving Nannan's mother and Jiang Nannan staring at each other in surprise.
Seeing her mother's conflicted expression, Jiang Nannan couldn't help but laugh.
"Mom, you can see how he is. If we don't let him help, he probably wouldn't have come at all."
"Ah… such a good boy."
Hearing her mother's sigh, Jiang Nannan recalled Tang Ya boasting about her culinary skills back at the academy, and her heart filled with an unexpected anticipation for tonight's dinner.
"Mom, Xiao Ya said Yuhao is amazing at cooking. We might be in for a treat tonight."
"Really?"
Nannan's mother's curiosity piqued as she entered the kitchen. Seeing Huo Yuhao's knife skills—surpassing even her own—any lingering doubts vanished completely.
Throughout the process, her role was reduced to handing him utensils and seasonings, truly acting as a mere assistant.
Watching Huo Yuhao bustling about, Nannan's mother suddenly seemed to remember something. Her face flushed. She cautiously glanced toward the doorway, ensuring Jiang Nannan was busy cleaning the bedroom, then mustered the courage to speak to the boy with his back turned.
"Yuhao."
"Hmm?"
Huo Yuhao paused mid-motion, instinctively turning around, only to be momentarily stunned by the intense shyness on her face.
"What's wrong, Auntie?"
"Well… it's just that—"
Every time she tried to speak, a wave of embarrassment surged within her.
"After my heart recovered, I… I actually have a little… a sort of aftereffect."
"Aftereffect?"
Huo Yuhao froze slightly. During her checkup, she had seemed perfectly healthy.
"Don't get too worked up, Auntie. Can you tell me exactly what the symptoms are?"
"Don't tell Nannan… it's just… certain… areas have been… persistent…"
Huo Yuhao's words only deepened her embarrassment, and after some hesitant stammering, she finally explained her condition. Yet, through this, she felt her spirit strangely uplifted, her voice gradually stabilizing.
In short, her tolerance for embarrassment had grown.
As for Huo Yuhao, he was utterly dumbfounded. He could never have imagined such a bizarre aftereffect.
Could it be some kind of naturally hypersensitive constitution?
For some reason, Huo Yuhao recalled the playful little "bean" that had once sat in his palm a few days ago after her heart treatment, but Nannan's mother's voice dragged him back to reality.
"These past few days, I've tried many methods, but nothing seems effective. I wanted to ask if you have any suggestions."
I just… can't!
Huo Yuhao wanted to protest that this was far beyond his knowledge, but seeing her shy yet troubled expression, he resolved to at least think of a solution.
After a mental brainstorm, an idea suddenly struck him. Hesitating for a moment, he looked up at her.
"Perhaps… Auntie, you could try drinking alcohol?"
"Drink alcohol?"
Seeing her confusion, Huo Yuhao cleared his throat and explained earnestly.
"This kind of condition is likely due to extreme sensitivity, requiring a long adaptation period. To accelerate this, the body needs stronger stimulation."
"Moderate alcohol consumption can increase blood circulation, which should help with… well, your aftereffect."
In short, once the body experiences a few 'storms,' such minor inconveniences no longer have an impact.
"I understand. Thank you, Yuhao."
Understanding his suggestion, Nannan's mother's eyes brightened. She nodded gratefully and returned to the kitchen.
The mother-daughter conversation resumed for a moment before the front door opened and closed again, as Nannan's mother went back to assisting him with a resigned sigh.
"This girl insisted on buying alcohol herself because she didn't trust me."
Huo Yuhao smiled. "Nannan is just worried about you, Auntie."
Hearing this, Nannan's mother felt slightly disheartened. "My illness caused her to worry. Since starting the academy, she's only home about a month a year, yet she's stayed by my side at the medical hall… It's been tough on her."
Then, Nannan's mother seemed to remember something. She paused, turning her head toward him with a smile.
"Yuhao, I heard you live in Heaven Dou City, too. Come visit whenever you have time. With Nannan at the academy, it's usually just me here. It'd be nice to have some company."
Huo Yuhao smiled and nodded. "Sure. I'll come by for meals when I can, just don't kick me out."
"Of course not. You're always welcome."
By the time Jiang Nannan returned with the alcohol, the final dish had just been placed on the table.
"Nannan, come quickly! Dinner's ready. Today, the food will be so delicious you'll barely notice where your tongue ends and your stomach begins."
Seeing the colorful, aromatic dishes spread before her, Jiang Nannan was momentarily stunned.
"Mom, you made all this?"
Her mother's face flushed at the shocked look in her daughter's eyes.
"Don't be silly. Yuhao made it all; I just assisted."
Originally meant to host the meal, she had ended up being served by the guest himself. Her naturally modest nature made her even more embarrassed.
"All Yuhao made it?"
Jiang Nannan instinctively looked at Huo Yuhao. "Yuhao, you can cook so well at such a young age? Where did you learn?"
"I like experimenting on my own. Fortunately, I have some talent… now, try it and see how it tastes."
At his words, Jiang Nannan picked up a piece of meat with her chopsticks. The moment it touched her tongue, her eyes lit up. She looked at Huo Yuhao in surprise.
"Yuhao, now I understand why Xiao Ya always praises your cooking. This isn't just talent—it's extraordinary!"
"As long as it suits your taste," Huo Yuhao replied with a smile.
Beside him, Nannan's mother took the wine Nannan handed her and teasingly said,
"You two are still young, so fruit juice will have to suffice."
Jiang Nannan glanced at the bottle, hesitated, and asked, "Mom, have you ever had wine before?"
Jiang's mother paused. "I don't think so."
But she waved it off, pouring a small cup for herself without concern.
"It's fine, just a little. With Yuhao here, nothing will happen."
After all, there's always a first time. And compared to changing her clothes multiple times a day due to her aftereffect, a little wine was nothing.
Half an hour later…
Watching her collapse onto the table mid-conversation without warning, mumbling incoherently, both Huo Yuhao and Jiang Nannan exchanged a glance, their minds instantly deep in thought.
(End of Chapter)