The exchange of information with the Special Operations Bureau, along with waiting for the laboratory to finish sampling the "umbilical cord," had taken longer than expected. By the time Yu Sheng returned home, it was already completely dark outside—and the moment he pushed open the door, he saw a horrifying scene that nearly stopped his heart:
Huli and Eileen were huddled by the kitchen entrance, discussing what to make for dinner.
Eileen suggested frying eggplant sandwiches and stewing the half a chicken in the refrigerator.
Huli suggested stewing everything left in the refrigerator, including the two jars of newly purchased chili sauce.
When Yu Sheng came through the door, the two of them were voting with raised hands. Eileen shamelessly raised six hands.
But Huli raised two hands and nine tails.
Fortunately, Yu Sheng managed to avert another fox-in-the-kitchen disaster in time. He prevented The Crossroads from exploding on this peaceful winter night.
"Didn't I tell you not to enter the kitchen when I'm not home?" Yu Sheng said helplessly as he tied on an apron. "Did you forget the last time you made Iron Pot Stew Eileen, or the last time you burned the wok spatula until it warped?"
The fox and the doll sat pitifully side by side on chairs by the kitchen door, lowering their heads as they listened to Yu Sheng's lecture. Then Eileen raised her head. "I—I wasn't planning to go in this time. I was just going to remotely direct Huli..."
"I can cook," Huli hurriedly raised her eyes as well and carefully lifted a hand. "Benefactor, have you forgotten that the dish I stewed last time was pretty tasty?"
Yu Sheng paused slightly as he recalled the mysterious substance that the fox girl had stewed last time. He somewhat acknowledged her "culinary skills,"