Noticing that the other three people at the table seemed to have stopped eating and were looking at him, Xiang Kun asked curiously, "What's wrong? Why aren't you eating? Why are you all looking at me?"
Yang Zhen'er said, "Shouldn't we be asking you that? You were the one who picked up your chopsticks and didn't move, then looked at us with those 'kind' eyes..."
What the heck is "compassion"...?
Xiang Kun's lips twitched slightly, and he quickly said, "I was just thinking about how to make new dishes and improve the recipes. How are the dishes I made today?"
Tang Baona immediately held out her hand and gave a thumbs up. "Great! Delicious!"
Yang Zhen'er nodded, "Yes, I thought these dishes wouldn't have changed much from when I ate them at your house last time, but they taste a little different. I don't know if it's the ingredients or something else, but they seem to taste even better? These dishes don't need any improvements; they're perfect as they are!" She was a little worried that Xiang Kun made any further "improvements," the taste would change and they wouldn't be as good as they are now.
Xia Libing said with certainty, "It's even better than last time."
Xiang Kun nodded with "gratification." Although this was within his expectations, he was still quite happy and felt a sense of accomplishment to receive direct praise.
"They're all delicious, but this dry pot rabbit would be perfect if it were a little less spicy and less flavorful," Tang Baona suggested softly.
However, Yang Zhen'er, who was next to her, immediately retorted, "No way! The taste is just right now. If it's any weaker, we might as well steam it."
Yang Baona muttered to herself, "Eating something light is healthier."
Yang Zhen'er snorted, "Nana, how old are you? You're already starting to focus on health?"
Xia Libing then said, "I think we could prepare some seafood."
Tang Baona immediately suggested, "Let's get some vegetables. Xiang Kun, don't you think the table is full of meat? It was the same at your house last time... Although meat is delicious, we still need vegetables for a balanced diet."
Yang Zhen'er excitedly added, "I know a restaurant that's really good at seafood. I'm quite familiar with the owner. Next time I'll take you there, and then we'll find an excuse to go check out their kitchen. Xiang Kun, how about you sneak a peek and learn a few tricks while you're there..."
Xiang Kun nodded with a smile at their suggestions, but when he thought of Yang Zhen'er's word "compassionate"... he put away his smile and began to seriously consider them.
In fact, Xiang Kun probably knows their tastes better than they do themselves.
At least regarding the dishes on the table, he clearly captured their reactions, body language, and various other information as they ate. Combining this with the situation at his house last time, he was able to make more detailed and accurate judgments.
He knew exactly who each dish was for, so he wasn't confused by their seemingly contradictory comments. However, to better understand their tastes, relying on the same few dishes wasn't very efficient anymore; he needed to switch to a few different types of dishes.
After dinner, although it was still early, Yang Zhen'er and Tang Baona both had to go back to their homes in the city to enjoy the moon and eat mooncakes with their families on Mid-Autumn Festival.
Because they were going in different directions, Tang Baona didn't need Yang Zhen'er to take her; she called a car herself.
Xiang Kun naturally said there was no need to send anything, and he volunteered to stay and help Xia Libing tidy up the table and kitchen, and wash the tableware and kitchen utensils.
After Tang Baona and Yang Zhen'er left, Xia Libing took care of simple tasks such as wiping the table and clearing away the dishes. Xiang Kun was responsible for washing the dishes and cleaning the kitchen and utensils—mainly because he had used the kitchen before and had already mentally rehearsed the cleanup process after cooking. If it weren't for him cleaning up, it wouldn't have mattered, but since he stayed to "help," he preferred to do it according to his plan, especially since Xia Libing didn't seem like someone who often did housework.
Although there is a dishwasher here, there is still a lot of things to organize and tidy up in the kitchen besides dishes and utensils.
Xia Libing quietly helped from the side, without telling him to leave it alone, as a housekeeping service would come to clean up tomorrow.
"Are you not feeling well today?" Xia Libing suddenly asked, seeing that the tidying was almost finished.
Xiang Kun was taken aback and asked curiously, "Why do you say that?"
"You seemed quite tense all day," Xia Libing said.
Xiang Kun immediately knew what was going on. He now had much better control over his muscles than the average person, and his tolerance for pain and other negative sensations was also very high. The last time they came to his house for dinner, even though he was having a hard time suppressing the churning sensation in his stomach, he was still able to maintain a calm demeanor and talk and laugh as if nothing was wrong.
But today, in order to better suppress the urge to vomit, I swallowed two pebbles. My stomach was in a "battle of the titans," which made it easier to suppress the urge to vomit and to hold more regular food, but it also made me feel more uncomfortable.
He thought he had concealed it well and had barely shown any reaction, but he didn't expect Xia Libing to see through him. Looking back, his expression might not have revealed anything, but his body probably still had some subconscious reactions; his muscles were relatively tense, and he wasn't sitting as upright as before.
Of course, he had just finished eating and had taken the opportunity to go to the bathroom to vomit up the two pebbles and everything he ate that evening. He was now completely relaxed.
"It's nothing serious, my stomach hasn't been feeling well these past few days," Xiang Kun said, half-jokingly.
He had actually noticed long ago that Xia Libing always paid special attention to him; when the four of them played together, she always seemed to devote some of her attention to him.
He didn't think Xia Libing had any special feelings for him, but rather speculated that this academic star in psychiatry, mental health, and applied psychology might have keenly sensed that he had some mental and psychological problems, which was why she always paid special attention to him.
This should be considered a "professional habit." It's like when you see someone else's program with well-designed functions, you can't help but think about how it was implemented and how you would approach it if you wanted to implement those functions yourself. When you see someone else's program with bugs, you can't help but feel sympathetic and think about where the problem might be and how you would troubleshoot and solve it if you were in their shoes.
However, mental and psychological illnesses are still quite sensitive topics in China. Many people, even if they realize that their mental state is not quite right, are unwilling to see a psychiatrist, fearing that they will be labeled as mentally ill. Therefore, even if Xia Libing had some doubts about his mental and psychological condition, she was probably too embarrassed to bring it up directly.
Unfortunately, Xiang Kun was unable to explain his situation to her so that she could actually diagnose him.
In response to Xiang Kun's explanation, Xia Libing only said one sentence, "If your stomach is frequently uncomfortable, you should get it checked out. Although you look very healthy, some underlying health conditions are not visible on the surface."
After tidying up, Xiang Kun prepared to leave, but Xia Libing asked him to come with her to the study on the first floor.
The study has two and a half walls lined with built-in bookshelves, almost 90% full, and there are even many books piled on the carpet, forming several small towers.
These books are not all medical; there are many history and philosophy books, as well as some novels. However, most of them appear to be relatively new, judging from their spines.
Seeing so many books, Xiang Kun couldn't help but think to himself that even with his current reading speed far exceeding that of ordinary people, it would probably take him a long time to finish them all. Xia Libing probably hadn't even read most of them yet, right?
However, the most eye-catching thing in the study is not the books and bookshelves, but three life-size models: one is a skeletal model, one is a torso anatomical model, and one is a full-body layered muscle model. On the table next to it is a brain model whose internal structure can be assembled.
Xiang Kun couldn't help but say, "Aren't you studying psychiatry and psychology? Do you need these things too?"
Xia Libing, who was standing next to him, didn't answer the question, but simply said, "If you want it, I'll give it to you. Anyway, I'm going to Haixi Province."
Thank you to the following readers for their donations: Book 160713002244420, Howellhang, Bukui Fallen, Suiyingxh, Hongliu Laowudong, I Just Want to Take a Look, Hanhan Zhouzhou, What Everlasting Love Does One Dream Of?, Muxuan Landong, New Moon's Words, Am I a Fake?, Lihao, and Book 20170721140100596.