Go to Page threePages: 1 THE NOVELS AND STORIES OF
IVÁN TURGÉNIEFF
FIRST LOVE AND
OTHER STORIES
FIRST LOVE
II
I had a habit of prowling about our garden every evening, gun in hand, and standing guard against the crows.—I had long cherished a hatred for those wary, rapacious and crafty birds. On the day of which I have been speaking, I went into the garden as usual, and, after having fruitlessly made the round of all the alleys (the crows recognised me from afar, and merely cawed spasmodically at a distance), I accidentally approached the low fence which separated our territory from the narrow strip of garden extending behind the right-hand wing and appertaining to it. I was walking along with drooping head. Suddenly I heard voices: I glanced over the fence—and was petrified…. A strange spectacle presented itself to me.
A few paces distant from me, on a gra.s.s-plot between green raspberry-bushes, stood a tall, graceful young girl, in a striped, pink frock and with a white kerchief on her head; around her pressed four young men, and she was tapping them in turn on the brow with those small grey flowers, the name of which I do not know, but which are familiar to children; these little flowers form tiny sacs, and burst with a pop when they are struck against anything hard. The young men offered their foreheads to her so willingly,{10} and in the girl"s movements (I saw her form in profile) there was something so bewitching, caressing, mocking, and charming, that I almost cried aloud in wonder and pleasure; and I believe I would have given everything in the world if those lovely little fingers had only consented to tap me on the brow. My gun slid down on the gra.s.s, I forgot everything, I devoured with my eyes that slender waist, and the neck and the beautiful arms, and the slightly ruffled fair hair, the intelligent eyes and those lashes, and the delicate cheek beneath them….
"Young man, hey there, young man!"—suddenly spoke up a voice near me:—"Is it permissible to stare like that at strange young ladies?"
I trembled all over, I was stupefied…. Beside me, on the other side of the fence, stood a man with closely-clipped black hair, gazing ironically at me. At that same moment, the young girl turned toward me…. I beheld huge grey eyes in a mobile, animated face—and this whole face suddenly began to quiver, and to laugh, and the white teeth gleamed from it, the brows elevated themselves in an amusing way…. I flushed, picked up my gun from the ground, and, pursued by ringing but not malicious laughter, I ran to my own room, flung myself on the bed, and covered my face with my hands. My heart was fairly leaping within me; I felt very much{11} ashamed and very merry: I experienced an unprecedented emotion.
After I had rested awhile, I brushed my hair, made myself neat and went down-stairs to tea. The image of the young girl floated in front of me; my heart had ceased to leap, but ached in an agreeable sort of way.
"What ails thee?"—my father suddenly asked me:—"hast thou killed a crow?"
I was on the point of telling him all, but refrained and only smiled to myself. As I was preparing for bed, I whirled round thrice on one foot, I know not why, pomaded my hair, got into bed and slept all night like a dead man. Toward morning I awoke for a moment, raised my head, cast a glance of rapture around me—and fell asleep again.
III
"How am I to get acquainted with them?" was my first thought, as soon as I awoke in the morning. I went out into the garden before tea, but did not approach too close to the fence, and saw no one. After tea I walked several times up and down the street in front of the villa, and cast a distant glance at the windows…. I thought I descried her face behind the curtains, and retreated with all possible despatch. "But I must get acquainted,"—I thought, as I walked with ir{12}regular strides up and down the sandy stretch which extends in front of the Neskútchny Park … "but how? that is the question." I recalled the most trifling incidents of the meeting on the previous evening; for some reason, her manner of laughing at me presented itself to me with particular clearness…. But while I was fretting thus and constructing various plans, Fate was already providing for me.
During my absence, my mother had received a letter from her new neighbour on grey paper sealed with brown wax, such as is used only on postal notices, and on the corks of cheap wine. In this letter, written in illiterate language, and with a slovenly chirography, the Princess requested my mother to grant her her protection: my mother, according to the Princess"s words, was well acquainted with the prominent people on whom the fortune of herself and her children depended, as she had some extremely important law-suits: "I apeal tyou,"—she wrote,—"as a k.n.o.ble woman to a k.n.o.ble woman, and moarover, it is agriable to me to makeus of this oportunity." In conclusion, she asked permission of my mother to call upon her. I found my mother in an unpleasant frame of mind: my father was not at home, and she had no one with whom to take counsel. It was impossible not to reply to a "k.n.o.ble woman," and to a Princess into the bargain; but how to reply perplexed my mother.{13} It seemed to her ill-judged to write a note in French, and my mother was not strong in Russian orthography herself—and was aware of the fact—and did not wish to compromise herself. She was delighted at my arrival, and immediately ordered me to go to the Princess and explain to her verbally that my mother was always ready, to the extent of her ability, to be of service to Her Radiance,[3] and begged that she would call upon her about one o"clock.
This unexpectedly swift fulfilment of my secret wishes both delighted and frightened me; but I did not betray the emotion which held possession of me, and preliminarily betook myself to my room for the purpose of donning a new neckcloth and coat; at home I went about in a round-jacket and turn-over collars, although I detested them greatly.
IV
In the cramped and dirty anteroom of the wing, which I entered with an involuntary trembling of my whole body, I was received by a grey-haired old serving-man with a face the hue of dark copper, pig-like, surly little eyes, and such deep wrinkles on his forehead as I had never seen before in my life. He was carrying on a platter the{14} gnawed spinal bone of a herring, and, pushing to with his foot the door which led into the adjoining room, he said abruptly:—"What do you want?"
"Is Princess Zasyékin at home?"—I inquired.
"Vonifáty!"—screamed a quavering female voice on the other side of the door.
The servant silently turned his back on me, thereby displaying the badly-worn rear of his livery with its solitary, rusted, armouried b.u.t.ton, and went away, leaving the platter on the floor.
"Hast thou been to the police-station?"—went on that same feminine voice. The servant muttered something in reply.—"Hey?… Some one has come?"—was the next thing audible…. "The young gentleman from next door?—Well, ask him in."
"Please come into the drawing-room, sir,"—said the servant, making his appearance again before me, and picking up the platter from the floor. I adjusted my attire and entered the "drawing-room."
I found myself in a tiny and not altogether clean room, with shabby furniture which seemed to have been hastily set in place. At the window, in an easy-chair with a broken arm, sat a woman of fifty, with uncovered hair[4] and plain-featured, clad in an old green gown, and with a variegated{15} worsted kerchief round her neck. Her small black eyes fairly bored into me.
I went up to her and made my bow.
"I have the honour of speaking to Princess Zasyékin?"
"I am Princess Zasyékin: and you are the son of Mr. B—?"
"Yes, madam. I have come to you with a message from my mother."
"Pray be seated. Vonifáty! where are my keys? Hast thou seen them?"
I communicated to Madame Zasyékin my mother"s answer to her note. She listened to me, tapping the window-pane with her thick, red fingers, and when I had finished she riveted her eyes on me once more.
"Very good; I shall certainly go,"—said she at last.—"But how young you are still! How old are you, allow me to ask?"
"Sixteen,"—I replied with involuntary hesitation.
The Princess pulled out of her pocket some dirty, written doc.u.ments, raised them up to her very nose and began to sort them over.
""Tis a good age,"—she suddenly articulated, turning and fidgeting in her chair.—"And please do not stand on ceremony. We are plain folks."
"Too plain,"—I thought, with involuntary disgust taking in with a glance the whole of her homely figure.{16}
At that moment, the other door of the drawing-room was swiftly thrown wide open, and on the threshold appeared the young girl whom I had seen in the garden the evening before. She raised her hand and a smile flitted across her face.
"And here is my daughter,"—said the Princess, pointing at her with her elbow.—"Zínotchka, the son of our neighbour, Mr. B—. What is your name, permit me to inquire?"
"Vladímir,"—I replied, rising and lisping with agitation.
"And your patronymic?"
"Petróvitch."
"Yes! I once had an acquaintance, a chief of police, whose name was Vladímir Petróvitch also. Vonifáty! don"t hunt for the keys; the keys are in my pocket."
The young girl continued to gaze at me with the same smile as before, slightly puckering up her eyes and bending her head a little on one side.
"I have already seen M"sieu Voldemar,"—she began. (The silvery tone of her voice coursed through me like a sweet chill.)—"Will you permit me to call you so?"
"Pray do, madam,"—I lisped.
"Where was that?"—asked the Princess.
The young Princess did not answer her mother.
"Are you busy now?"—she said, without taking her eyes off me.
"Not in the least, madam.{17}"
"Then will you help me to wind some wool? Come hither, to me."
She nodded her head at me and left the drawing-room. I followed her.
In the room which we entered the furniture was a little better and was arranged with great taste.—But at that moment I was almost unable to notice anything; I moved as though in a dream and felt a sort of intense sensation of well-being verging on stupidity throughout my frame.
The young Princess sat down, produced a knot of red wool, and pointing me to a chair opposite her, she carefully unbound the skein and placed it on my hands. She did all this in silence, with a sort of diverting deliberation, and with the same brilliant and crafty smile on her slightly parted lips. She began to wind the wool upon a card doubled together, and suddenly illumined me with such a clear, swift glance, that I involuntarily dropped my eyes. When her eyes, which were generally half closed, opened to their full extent her face underwent a complete change; it was as though light had inundated it.
"What did you think of me yesterday, M"sieu Voldemar?"—she asked, after a brief pause.—"You certainly must have condemned me?"
"I … Princess … I thought nothing … how can I…." I replied, in confusion.
"Listen,"—she returned.—"You do not know{18} me yet; I want people always to speak the truth to me. You are sixteen, I heard, and I am twenty-one; you see that I am a great deal older than you, and therefore you must always speak the truth to me … and obey me,"—she added.—"Look at me; why don"t you look at me?"
I became still more confused; but I raised my eyes to hers, nevertheless. She smiled, only not in her former manner, but with a different, an approving smile.—"Look at me,"—she said, caressingly lowering her voice:—"I don"t like that…. Your face pleases me; I foresee that we shall be friends. And do you like me?"—she added slyly.
"Princess…." I was beginning….
"In the first place, call me Zinaída Alexándrovna; and in the second place,—what sort of a habit is it for children"—(she corrected herself)—"for young men—not to say straight out what they feel? You do like me, don"t you?"
Although it was very pleasant to me to have her talk so frankly to me, still I was somewhat nettled. I wanted to show her that she was not dealing with a small boy, and, a.s.suming as easy and serious a mien as I could, I said:—"Of course I like you very much, Zinaída Alexándrovna; I have no desire to conceal the fact."
She shook her head, pausing at intervals.—"Have you a governor?"—she suddenly inquired.{19}
"No, I have not had a governor this long time past."
I lied: a month had not yet elapsed since I had parted with my Frenchman.
"Oh, yes, I see: you are quite grown up."
She slapped me lightly on the fingers.—"Hold your hands straight!"—And she busied herself diligently with winding her ball.
I took advantage of the fact that she did not raise her eyes, and set to scrutinising her, first by stealth, then more and more boldly. Her face seemed to me even more charming than on the day before: everything about it was so delicate, intelligent and lovely. She was sitting with her back to the window, which was hung with a white shade; a ray of sunlight making its way through that shade inundated with a flood of light her fluffy golden hair, her innocent neck, sloping shoulders, and calm, tender bosom.—I gazed at her—and how near and dear she became to me! It seemed to me both that I had known her for a long time and that I had known nothing and had not lived before she came…. She wore a rather dark, already shabby gown, with an ap.r.o.n; I believe I would willingly have caressed every fold of that gown and of that ap.r.o.n. The tips of her shoes peeped out from under her gown; I would have bowed down to those little boots…. "And here I sit, in front of her,"—I thought.—"I {20}have become acquainted with her … what happiness, my G.o.d!" I came near bouncing out of my chair with rapture, but I merely dangled my feet to and fro a little, like a child who is enjoying dainties.
I felt as much at my ease as a fish does in water, and I would have liked never to leave that room again as long as I lived.
Her eyelids slowly rose, and again her brilliant eyes beamed caressingly before me, and again she laughed.
"How you stare at me!"—she said slowly, shaking her finger at me.
I flushed scarlet…. "She understands all, she sees all,"—flashed through my head. "And how could she fail to see and understand all?"
Suddenly there was a clattering in the next room, and a sword clanked.
"Zína!"—screamed the old Princess from the drawing-room.—"Byelovzóroff has brought thee a kitten."
"A kitten!"—cried Zinaída, and springing headlong from her chair, she flung the ball on my knees and ran out.
I also rose, and, laying the skein of wool on the window-sill, went into the drawing-room, and stopped short in amazement. In the centre of the room lay a kitten with outstretched paws; Zinaída was kneeling in front of it, and carefully raising its snout. By the side of the young Princess, taking up nearly the entire wall-s.p.a.ce between the{21} windows, was visible a fair-complexioned, curly-haired young man, a hussar, with a rosy face and protruding eyes.
"How ridiculous!"—Zinaída kept repeating:—"and its eyes are not grey, but green, and what big ears it has! Thank you, Viktór Egóritch! you are very kind."
The hussar, in whom I recognised one of the young men whom I had seen on the preceding evening, smiled and bowed, clicking his spurs and clanking the links of his sword as he did so.
"You were pleased to say yesterday that you wished to possess a striped kitten with large ears … so I have got it, madam. Your word is my law."—And again he bowed.
The kitten mewed faintly, and began to sniff at the floor.
"He is hungry!"—cried Zinaída.—"Vonifáty! Sónya! bring some milk."
The chambermaid, in an old yellow gown and with a faded kerchief on her head, entered with a saucer of milk in her hand, and placed it in front of the kitten. The kitten quivered, blinked, and began to lap.
"What a rosy tongue it has,"—remarked Zinaída, bending her head down almost to the floor, and looking sideways at it, under its very nose.
The kitten drank its fill, and began to purr, affectedly contracting and relaxing its paws. Zi{22}naída rose to her feet, and turning to the maid, said indifferently:—"Take it away."
"Your hand—in return for the kitten,"—said the hussar, displaying his teeth, and bending over the whole of his huge body, tightly confined in a new uniform.
"Both hands,"—replied Zinaída, offering him her hands. While he was kissing them, she gazed at me over his shoulder.
I stood motionless on one spot, and did not know whether to laugh or to say something, or to hold my peace. Suddenly, through the open door of the anteroom, the figure of our footman, Feódor, caught my eye. He was making signs to me. I mechanically went out to him.
"What dost thou want?"—I asked.
"Your mamma has sent for you,"—he said in a whisper.—"She is angry because you do not return with an answer."
"Why, have I been here long?"
"More than an hour."
"More than an hour!"—I repeated involuntarily, and returning to the drawing-room, I began to bow and sc.r.a.pe my foot.
"Where are you going?"—the young Princess asked me, with a glance at the hussar.
"I must go home, madam. So I am to say,"—I added, addressing the old woman,—"that you will call upon us at two o"clock."
"Say that, my dear fellow.{23}"
The old Princess hurriedly drew out her snuffbox, and took a pinch so noisily that I fairly jumped.—"Say that,"—she repeated, tearfully blinking and grunting.
I bowed once more, turned and left the room with the same sensation of awkwardness in my back which a very young man experiences when he knows that people are staring after him.
"Look here, M"sieu Voldemar, you must drop in to see us,"—called Zinaída, and again burst out laughing.
"What makes her laugh all the time?" I thought, as I wended my way home accompanied by Feódor, who said nothing to me, but moved along disapprovingly behind me. My mother reproved me, and inquired, with surprise, "What could I have been doing so long at the Princess"s?" I made her no answer, and went off to my own room. I had suddenly grown very melancholy…. I tried not to weep…. I was jealous of the hussar.
“Yang Anyu, what happened? You have to act according to the script ah!” Director Zhou got angry.
“A… Apologies!”
Yang Anyu responded by immediately apologizing and hastily supporting Yi Chenyan. The shock in Yi Chenyan’s eyes had been fleeting, and now they were calm again.
The next moment, Manager Li Ye had yet to open his mouth and say anything when Yu Siyuan went forwards instead.
“Brother Chenyan, are you alright?”
Yu Siyuan eagerly asked. They were both artists from Shang Huan. He was a newbie fresh-meat, but Yi Chenyan was a front-line big name, so of course, he very much wanted to get closer to Yi Chenyan.
“En.” Yi Chenyan replied without emotion and involuntarily glanced at Yang Anyu.
Just now, when Yang Anyu pressed him down, Yang Anyu’s whole person had clearly been in a daze. Yi Chenyan had always felt him look past himself, as if looking at some other person. And that lost gaze had been the same one Yang Anyu had used to look at him when Yi Chenyan had gone to the hospital in the beginning.
Yang Anyu’s gaze averted slightly. His emotions had also become messy.
He was a bodyguard. Because he received training for most of the year, sometimes his offensive and defensive actions would be almost involuntary. Also, in the ancient era, as long as the General had time, he would always test his skill.
General Yi’s martial art skills were higher than Yang Anyu by quite a lot. He would frequently warn him about places he should not have hesitated at, doing all he can to bring out his fullest strength. Otherwise, once he entered the battlefield, having the slightest hesitation when facing the enemy would be fatal.
However, the current ‘Yi Chenyan’ was no longer a General with high and mighty martial arts skills.
“Ai, one more time.” Director Zhou sighed, also realizing that he had been a little fierce just now. “Little Yu, relax, I trust that you’ll do fine. This time you must remember, after being captured by Chenyan, be obedient and don’t randomly move.”
“En, I know now.” Yang Anyu nodded his head.
As a result, this time, Yang Anyu had indeed been ‘obediently’ captured by Yi Chenyan. But he had also been too obedient, too compliant, his previous movements of resistance had slowed greatly, his spirit and att.i.tude weren’t good too. The camera shot had totally lost the tension that scene should have possessed.
“Cut!” Director Zhou shook his head. “Little Yu, adjust your att.i.tude, let’s do it again.”
Yang Anyu – “Alright.”
But time after time, Yang Anyu constantly NG. Even if he restrained his nerves, forcefully completed the shot, the results would be undesirable, making Director Zhou increasingly frustrated. The Director had become angry, naturally, the other drama crew staff members also had very stifled feelings.
Li Ye saw this, and although he very much wanted to go forwards to comfort and encourage him, it wasn’t convenient to show his face now. As for a certain Film Emperor? He was already sitting by the side and resting. Yi Chenyan had lowered his brows and withdrawn his gaze, making people unable to guess his thoughts.
“Apologies.”
Yang Anyu hung his head. Ai, acting was truly very hard, mistakes would occur if you weren’t careful.
Every time he thought of the concern, love, and protectiveness the General had towards him in the past, and compared it with this current Film Emperor, his heart would have a moment of desolation. Everything around him had long since changed. He had to get used to it as soon as he can.
“Director Zhou.”
Yan Feng opened his mouth, blatantly reminding him that, on this side, Yu Siyuan was still waiting. It was just a temporary stunt-double. Since Yang Anyu’s att.i.tude was unsatisfactory, then don’t waste their valuable time and delay the schedule of the shots.
Director Zhou had certainly heard the meaning of his words, as well as the other intelligent people at the site. Yang Anyu was a little speechless. Previously, whose activities had clashed, delaying the schedule?
The other actors didn’t speak. Even though everyone’s impression of Yang Anyu wasn’t bad, no one wanted to offend Shang Huan’s Yu Siyuan. Today, Gu Xin had an endors.e.m.e.nt activity and wasn’t present, otherwise, she certainly would have helped Yang Anyu by speaking up. Usually, she looked after Yang Anyu very much.
“Forget it, Little Yu, you can return first and rest for today,” In the end, Director Zhou helplessly said this.
Yang Anyu nodded, too lazy to say anything else. After giving the director a bow, he left. Although he had yet to truly step into the entertainment circle, he more or less understood some of its unwritten rules.
S City, Ten Thousand Prosperity Garden.
Shutting himself in the house, Yang Anyu was doing a handstand again. This was a habit he had nurtured since he was small. Every time he encountered any frustrations, he would always calm himself down in this manner.
He quietly vowed – tomorrow, he had to be as if he had replenished his blood and been reborn. He would no longer think about those complicated things and complete his scene well.
However, at this moment, Yang Anyu’s body was wearing a little yellow dog-pyjamas. His hood was a childish and cuddly dog head, and there was even a tail dragging behind the back of his shorts. Even the slippers on his legs were matching ones.
Speaking of this cartoonish sleep-wear, actually, Yang Anyu had let Tang Guo help him buy it.
When Yang Anyu had first held it in his hands, the corner of his eyebrows twitched. “Tang Guo, although I said to casually buy an outfit, but you… you couldn’t have bought a normal one?”
“Young Master, didn’t you say that you like dogs last time.” Tang Guo was very serene. “And my mom once said, it’s still better for boys to be a little cuter ah.”
Yang Anyu: “……”
This little bodyguard truly wasn’t sorting him out?
Before Yang Anyu was eight years old, when he had yet to enter the General’s Residence and was only a petty thief who drifted everywhere, he would frequently play with the wandering stray dogs, so he liked dogs very much.
Now, Yang Anyu would look at this dog pyjamas, blink his eyes, and feel that the more he looked, the easier on the eyes it was. Although this body was already twenty-one years old, in actual fact he was indeed still a sixteen, seventeen years old boy.
Besides, he was wearing it at home, and no one would see. Even if it got more shameful who the heck would care.
Suddenly, Yang Anyu heard the sound of the door opening. He shivered, then got up and ran, rushing out of the room. “Tang Guo?”
His voice had yet to fall when his body froze at its original spot. Because…… At the door stood Yi Chenyan.
Yi Chenyan faced the ‘Little Yellow Dog’ Yang Anyu who was in front of his eyes. His heart suddenly moved.
“Yi… Yi Senior?” Yang Anyu said in shock.
Hearing this moniker always felt a little strange. Yi Chenyan couldn’t help it, he directly said, “Just call my name.”
Yang Anyu paused slightly, then nodded. “En, Yi Chenyan.”
In this world, Yi Chenyan was no longer a General, they were also no longer master-and-servant. He had to get used to and get to know the current Film Emperor Yi again.
Yi Chenyan’s thoughts turned. He felt that the previous Yang Anyu was arrogant and headstrong, but now he had become charmingly obedient and polite. However, sometimes he would be foolish and simple-minded as if he was a little afraid of him.
“In the future, when there are no outsiders around, just call me that way.”
Seeing that Yi Chenyan had already removed his coat, and Li Ye had not followed him back, Yang Anyu cautiously asked a sentence, “You want to stay here tonight?”
“En,” Yi Chenyan’s tone was indifferent and without inflection. “For me to return home and stay the night, is there a problem?”
“No, of course there’s no problem!” Yang Anyu smiled.
Although the current Yi Chenyan was very cold, their relationship was regarded as ‘husband and wife’. Getting along in this manner was good, if they were truly like a sweet couple and joined at the hip, then he’d definitely be extremely awkward.
Regarding the reason for their marriage, Yang Anyu couldn’t obtain it from the original owner’s memories. The people around him also deliberately did not want to raise the issue. But at least, right now, he could still remain by Yi Chenyan’s side.
In his last life, he had regrets. Presently, he wanted to try to understand this seemingly cold Yi Chenyan and rely on a new way to once again ‘protect’ his Great General.
Thinking of this, the corner of Yang Anyu’s lips unknowing lifted up again.
Seeing a certain person giggling to himself again, Yi Chenyan coughed. “Yang Anyu, previously, didn’t you say that you want to cook for me?”
“En.” Yang Anyu fiercely nodded his head. In the end, he opened the fridge and saw that the insides were empty and hollow. Instantly, he was 囧.
Even the most skilful housewife could not cook a meal without rice ah!*
“I’ve bought the groceries, they’ve already been placed in the kitchen.”
Big Film Emperor Yi could foresee things like a G.o.d and had long since done ample preparations. Furthermore, he had even thought that if this little Young Master had been bragging, and really couldn’t make it, he’d just cook it himself.
Yang Anyu ran into the kitchen and looked. So it happens, it was as such. His eyes instantly brightened up. “Yi Chenyan, in that case, you just wait to eat a feast.”
With these words, he rolled up his sleeves. Whistling a little tune, he began to wash the vegetables.
The corner of Yi Chenyan’s lips had also slightly curved up. He took out a blue-coloured ap.r.o.n from inside the closet and walked to Yang Anyu’s side. “Wait a moment.”
The movements of Yang Anyu’s hands paused. Dazed, he stared at the ap.r.o.n in Yi Chenyan’s hands.
“Wear it, don’t get your dog pyjamas dirty.” Yi Chenyan said as he held the ap.r.o.n.
Actually, it was not only Yang Anyu who liked dogs but a certain Film Emperor as well.
Looking at the dog-ears on Yang Anyu’s hoodie, as well as the dog-tail behind his bottom, Yi Chenyan’s gaze seemed to have become a little hotter than usual. But Yang Anyu did not realise this because presently he was feeling distinctly ashamed. His whole face had warmed.
Really, he couldn’t wear this kind of childish cartoon pyjamas in front of other people, it was too shameful!
“I… I should go change for another pair of clothes.”
Yang Anyu hung his head and wanted to leave. But Yi Chenyan captured his wrist. “Just wear this, it suits you.”
Yang Anyu froze, hastily withdrawing his hand, also backing away, feeling that his cheeks had become even hotter.
Yi Chenyan also paused slightly, suddenly recognising that his previous action seemed a little intimate. In the past, he would never have done that. Afterwards, Yi Chenyan once again looked at Yang Anyu with an indifferent eye. He didn’t say much and simply returned to his room.
During the day, Yang Anyu’s mood hadn’t been good. He’d suffered an injustice in the drama crew and swiftly left. After Yi Chenyan had finished shooting his scenes today, Li Ye had thought he would want to return to the hotel. However, he said two words——return home.
Li Ye was shocked and somewhat didn’t dare to believe him. And Yi Chenyan himself didn’t say the reason either, he suddenly just wanted to return and accompany Yang Chenyan. Perhaps, he was beginning to feel guilty.
It was past 7 o’clock at night. The living room had a hard-to-obtain, warm and harmonious atmosphere.
In the ancient past, Yi Chenyan was a first-cla.s.s Great General. The skills of the residence’s chef was on par with the Imperial Kitchen, frequently making some Almond Buddha’s Hand*, Phoenix Tail Sharks-fin*, Five-Coloured Beef Tenderloin*, and Hydrangea Bulb Scallops, etc. The Madame and Little Miss would often eat Lotus Cakes* and Flowering Crab-apple Biscuits*, and other pastries.
Yang Anyu remembered that the General liked eating duck very much. When he wanted to eat food that was lighter, a bowl of mixed tofu soup* Yang Anyu had made would be able to easily satisfy him. After coming to the modern era, Yi Chenyan still seemed to simply love duck.
The modern era’s kitchen appliances were many, so it was very convenient. However, as for the secret recipes of a few matching sauces, very little of them had been pa.s.sed down. The food ingredients were limited. Yang Anyu fried Twice Cooked Pork*, Red Braised Fish*, etc, and several common family dishes. The final dish that arrived at the table was Glutinous Rice Stuffed Duck* – he had meticulously prepared it for Yi Chenyan.
The yellow gravy was coated on the duck, and the duck’s back had been sliced open. Glutinous rice, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots could even be seen inside. Dense fragrance came bounding into the nose, causing people to have an intense craving for food.
Seeing the dishes on the dining table, especially that stuffed duck, Yi Chenyan’s eyes brightened.
After preparing the bowls and chopsticks, and even intimately scooping out rice for Yi Chenyan, Yang Anyu grinned again. “Quickly eat it while it’s hot.”
Yi Chenyan nodded and sat opposite Yang Anyu.
In the past, he hadn’t been observant. Presently, however, he was looking very carefully. Yang Anyu just had to smile, and two small dimples would emerge from the corner of his mouth. When he laughed heartily, even his cute little tiger tooth would appear.
Indeed, compared to himself, he was still a child.
Yi Chenyan tasted the Glutinous Rice Stuffed Duck. Seeing the slow and careful manner with which he ate – it was really beyond similar to the past General’s – Yang Anyu’s eyes were clear and vibrant, full of expectation. “How is it? Does it taste good?”
Yi Chenyan did not reply, but the corner of his lips rose, unconsciously pressing out a bland smile.
Instantly, Yang Anyu became dazed again. Yi Chenyan had been handsome to begin with, upon smiling his destructive power further became a full ten points – simply too enthralling ah!
Moreover, his smile this time was probably not an act and was from the bottom of his heart.
Hence, when Yi Chenyan put down his chopsticks and raised his eyes again, he saw a certain person obsessively ogling a flower.
Looking at Yang Anyu who had a foolish grin on his whole face, Yi Chenyan’s face was indifferent, without much expression, but his heart had some helplessness. He saw that the foolish brat opposite him had a grain of rice stuck at the side of his mouth and was still unaware, thus he reached out his hand to help him lightly wipe it off.
“……”
Yang Anyu was thoroughly stunned.
The author has something to say: Pomelo is flirtatiously lying flat*
*Almond Buddha’s Hand: 杏仁佛手;
Buddha’s hand is a citron that has no pulp. Kinda like an orange with only its skin, both inside and out.
*Phoenix Tail Sharks-fin: 凤尾鱼翅;
*Five-Coloured Beef Tenderloin: 五彩牛柳; The five-colours come from the bell peppers.
Ingredients: 200 grams of beef, 1/4 of green pepper, 1/4 of red pepper, 1/4 of yellow pepper, 1/4 of orange pepper, 1 of fungus, 2 of garlic, 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce, 1/3 of salt Spoon, sugar 1/2 tsp, 1 tsp of cooked rice wine, 2 tbsp of water, a little salt, 1/2 tsp of sugar, 1 g of baking soda powder, 1 tsp of baking powder, 1 tsp of cooked rice wine, water 1 tablespoon.
*Hydrangea Bulb Scallops: 绣球干贝; Called as such because it is shaped like a hydrangea bulb (which looks like an onion bulb.)
Ingredients: 150 grams of dried scallops, 200 grams of prawn meat, 150 grams of fat pork, 25 grams of pure winter bamboo shoots, 6 grams of salt, 4 grams of MSG, 25 grams of wet starch, and 6 grams of Shaoxing rice wine. –
Hydrangea bulb:
*Lotus Cake: 芙蓉糕;
*Flowering Crab-apple Biscuits: 海棠酥;
*Mixed tofu soup: Use google translate if you want to make it.
The word for soup was actually ‘geng.’ Geng is a type of thick Chinese soup. Its viscous texture is made by mixing corn flour with water. Here’s another delicious geng recipe to try (yes I’ve made it before) :
*Twice Cooked Pork: 回锅肉;
Wikipedia page
*Red Braised Fish: 红烧鱼;
A spicy Sichuan-style dish with fish braised in brown sauce.
*Glutinous Rice Stuffed Duck: 江米酿鸭;
*Pomelo is flirtatiously lying flat:
_(┐「ε:)_♡