Lost in her wild thoughts, Bibi Dong did not notice that Qian Xunji had already finished preparing the fish and started on the ribs.
He took a bowl, poured in flour and starch, added a little water to make a batter, then tossed in the chopped ribs and mixed them evenly by hand.
"Dong'er."
"You've been spacing out for a while now. What are you thinking about?"
Bibi Dong startled back to her senses, her face flushing slightly. "N-No, nothing..."
"Really nothing?" Qian Xunji tilted his head to look at her. "I can tell at a glance what that little head of yours is thinking."
"I... I mean..."
Bibi Dong bit her lip. After hesitating for a moment, she finally asked.
"Where did you go today, Teacher? Why did you come back so late?"
Qian Xunji's hands paused briefly. He then placed the batter-coated ribs into the oil one by one, where they sizzled loudly.
"I went to the western outskirts."
"The Soul Tool Research Institute will be built there. I went to inspect the site today and lend a hand."
"I see. You've worked hard, Teacher."
"It was nothing."
Qian Xunji set the fried ribs aside and began preparing the sweet-and-sour sauce.
Then he poured oil into the wok and added sugar, vinegar, and soy sauce. The liquid bubbled away with a hearty gurgle.
"But Dong'er, what did you think I went off to do?"
"Did you think I went behind your back to do something bad?"
"Of course not!"
Bibi Dong immediately denied it, though her face grew even redder.
She muttered softly, "I just... I was worried about you."
"You smelled sweaty, and you came back so late. I was afraid you might have run into some danger."
"I wouldn't."
"With you here, how could I bear