Omegaverse: Salted Fish Life in the Yaoi Novel

Chapter 93: Ch 93: Lunch and Family Warmth

The four exited the bus together, still in that tight knit formation. Currently, Su Wanyan, Mo Xingxue, and the children are headed to a resting area outside, earning curious glances from people around them. When they arrived, they found a table and seats, but unfortunately there were only two chairs.

Su Wanyan looked around, trying to find an extra seat they could borrow, but they were all claimed. She shook her head softly. "I’ll just stand up," Su Wanyan said, setting down the packed brunch she had prepared for them earlier and laughing at her unfortunate luck.

Shen Guoxing looked up at Su Wanyan and shook her head. "No! I’ll stand up!" Shen Guoxing said, then puffed out her chest. "Don’t worry, Aunt Wanyan, I’m strong now!" she declared proudly.

Su Wanyan smiled at that. She stretched out her right hand and ruffled Shen Guoxing’s hair. "That’s good," Su Wanyan said with a wide grin. That’s good, it worked on her, Su Wanyan said inwardly, enjoying the smiling face of Shen Guoxing who leaned into Su Wanyan’s hand like a contented cat.

Mo Xingxue, who was carrying Shen Guoxing, shook her head. "Why are you guys fighting over who’ll stand?" Mo Xingxue said, chuckling softly.

Immediately, the two looked at her. "Xuexue/Aunt Xingxue, you can’t stand! I’ll do it!" Su Wanyan and Shen Guoxing said simultaneously. The two paused and looked at each other in amazement.

Meanwhile, Mo Yan in Su Wanyan’s arms looked unbelievably shocked by how loud the two were. Seeing her baby’s reaction, Mo Xingxue laughed harder, shaking her head. She stepped closer to Mo Yan and calmed the baby by caressing her cheek. "I’m not standing," Mo Xingxue said, stepping back after Mo Yan finally looked at the two normally.

The two breathed a sigh of relief and Su Wanyan looked down at the baby in her arms. "I’m sorry, little one," Su Wanyan said gently, caressing Mo Yan’s cheek with the back of her index finger.

"I’m sorry too, meimei," Shen Guoxing said, kissing her meimei’s chubby knees. Mo Yan finally returned to normal, looking at the three. She let out a soft huff and a gummy smile as if saying she forgave them. Because of that, the three laughed, amused by what Mo Yan was doing.

But Su Wanyan broke the peaceful atmosphere. "Where do we get an extra chair?" Su Wanyan asked, looking around again in case someone finally stood up. Unfortunately, there weren’t any, causing Su Wanyan to sigh.

"Like I said, Aunt, I’ll stand up!" Shen Guoxing said, patting her chest gently but firmly stating that she would be the one standing. Mo Xingxue looked at the child in her arms, her mouth forming a tender smile. "You can just sleep on my lap," Mo Xingxue said, pinching Shen Guoxing’s nose gently.

"Urk!" Shen Guoxing let out, but not pushing Mo Xingxue away at all. Mo Xingxue laughed, letting go of Shen Guoxing’s nose. Shen Guoxing covered her nose, looking aggrieved at Su Wanyan. Seeing Shen Guoxing like that, Su Wanyan just chuckled, already taking her seat. Mo Xingxue sat down on the chair across from her, settling Shen Guoxing comfortably on her lap.

Su Wanyan gently prepared the lunch with one hand. She opened the lunchboxes, and the pleasant, mouthwatering aroma immediately hit their noses. "It smells good, Aunt Wanyan!" Shen Guoxing exclaimed, wiping the drool that escaped. Su Wanyan laughed softly, looking tenderly at Shen Guoxing, then shaking her head.

The first meal that greeted them was Chicken and Mushroom Stir-Fry. Although the steam had long since faded, the well-insulated lunch box had kept it warm for hours after preparation.

"Yum!" Shen Guoxing said, looking hungrily at the food, her eyes shining with anticipation. The tender slices of chicken rested beside glossy shiitake mushrooms, both coated in a beautiful amber-colored sauce that gleamed under the light.

The mushrooms had absorbed the savory flavors completely, looking plump and irresistibly juicy, while the chicken appeared succulent enough to fall apart with a gentle bite. Bright green scallions scattered across the top added a touch of freshness, making the simple dish look both comforting and elegant.

"I want to eat it quickly!" Shen Guoxing said, causing Mo Xingxue and Su Wanyan to shake their heads fondly. Next, the second lunchbox revealed a burst of color that instantly brightened the eyes. Vibrant broccoli, emerald snow peas, golden baby corn, tender mushrooms, and thin slices of carrot were neatly arranged inside, each vegetable retaining its natural color and fresh appearance.

A delicate sheen coated every piece, making them glisten invitingly. The subtle fragrance of garlic blended with the vegetables’ natural sweetness, creating an aroma that felt warm, wholesome, and unexpectedly appetizing.

"Veggies....." Shen Guoxing murmured, her expression unwilling to consume that. Mo Xingxue chuckled and thought of a bright idea. "If you eat that, you’ll grow very strong," Mo Xingxue said, "in other words, eating vegetables will help you protect your meimei," Mo Xingxue continued, appealing to Shen Guoxing’s jiejie side.

Immediately, Shen Guoxing shed off her unwilling expression. "Is that true, Aunt Xingxue?!" Shen Guoxing asked, looking at Mo Xingxue excitedly.

Mo Xingxue chuckled and nodded seriously. "Yeah, look at your Aunt Wanyan," Mo Xingxue said, pointing at Su Wanyan, "she ate many vegetables when she was a kid, look how strong and talented she is," Mo Xingxue said, laughing inwardly at Su Wanyan’s confused expression. Shen Guoxing nodded thoughtfully. I don’t know why talent was involved but if Aunt Xingxue says it, it must be true, Shen Guoxing thought.

Su Wanyan smiled wryly at Mo Xingxue’s plan but didn’t try to interfere, after all, it was working. "Here," Su Wanyan said, pushing another lunch box at Shen Guoxing. "One of your favorites," Su Wanyan said with a small smile, and seeing all the unwillingness in Shen Guoxing’s eyes dissipate. "Wow! Thanks, Aunt Wanyan!" Shen Guoxing said, looking at the third lunch box with greed.

Fluffy golden eggs filled the container, their folds light and tender, cradling plump shrimp that looked almost like pearls nestled among clouds. The shrimp were perfectly cooked—firm yet juicy—while the eggs appeared impossibly soft and silky. Sprinkled with fresh green onions, the dish radiated warmth and comfort, inviting anyone who saw it to immediately pick up their chopsticks for a taste.

"Aunts, let’s eat! Quickly!" Shen Guoxing said, taking her chopsticks and immediately digging in on the Shrimp and Egg Stir-Fry. Shen Guoxing hummed in satisfaction as the silky eggs melted almost immediately on her tongue, impossibly soft and light, while the shrimp remained wonderfully plump and juicy. Its natural sweetness paired perfectly with the creamy richness of the eggs, creating a combination that was both delicate and satisfying.

The faint aroma of sesame oil lingered at the end of each bite, tying everything together without overwhelming the dish.

"It’s so good!" Shen Guoxing said, already going in for another bite. Su Wanyan laughed softly. "Leave some for us," she said, reaching out for a bite. Earning her a mock glare from Shen Guoxing.

Su Wanyan gasped. "I’m the one who cooked that!" Su Wanyan said, looking so shocked at what Shen Guoxing did. In response, Shen Guoxing just stuck out her tongue at Su Wanyan and continued eating, causing Su Wanyan to gasp louder.

Mo Xingxue shook her head fondly at their little exchange and stretched out her chopsticks for the Stir-Fried Mixed Vegetables. The broccoli offered a satisfying crunch before giving way to its natural sweetness. The snow peas remained crisp and refreshing, while the baby corn added a delicate sweetness that balanced the savory garlic perfectly.

Every vegetable retained its own flavor and texture, yet somehow complemented the others beautifully. It wasn’t heavily seasoned. Instead, the simplicity allowed the freshness of each ingredient to shine.

"This one is also good," Mo Xingxue said, nodding in satisfaction. Su Wanyan laughed. "Eat more then," she said, looking tenderly at her. Mo Xingxue smiled and picked up one and brought it to Su Wanyan’s lips. "Ah~" Mo Xingxue said, smirking at Su Wanyan’s embarrassed smile.

Su Wanyan looked around, and seeing no one was looking at them, she sighed and gave in, eating the food she herself cooked. It tasted a little sweeter than earlier. Weird, Su Wanyan thought, not noticing the growing heat on her face as a red blush appeared on it. Mo Xingxue chuckled softly at that, shaking her head fondly at Su Wanyan before doing the same thing with Shen Guoxing, who was resistant at first but after tasting it immediately asked for another one.

Lastly, Mo Xingxue stretched out her chopsticks to the chicken and mushroom stir-fry. She grabbed a piece and immediately brought it to her mouth. The moment her teeth sank into it, the tender meat yielded effortlessly, releasing its rich, savory juices.

The glossy sauce coated her tongue with a gentle umami flavor, while the shiitake mushroom that followed carried an earthy sweetness, having absorbed every bit of the fragrant seasoning. Together, they created a comforting harmony that lingered pleasantly with each bite, making it difficult to put her chopsticks down.

"Mmm," Mo Xingxue let out a hum, her mouth curling up outward in satisfaction. Su Wanyan smiled and also took one, then nodded to herself after tasting that it tasted the same as earlier. Meanwhile, Mo Yan in her arms stared at the food Su Wanyan kept bringing into her mouth. Mo Yan’s little mouth watered seeing the food, but unfortunately the little one still couldn’t eat those. All she could do however, was just to glare at the mean people in front of her.

The three continued to eat, feeding each other in a light-hearted manner.

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I’m literally so sleepy LMAO!