Fireworks Beneath the Rain Curtain

The keyboard clattered in the study, like the only urgent heartbeat in this late-spring cold rain.

Outside, the sky was gloomy, and raindrops pattered against the glass, winding down in streaks like tears. Gu Yue's company had declared a holiday due to the extreme weather, but for her, as a department director, it merely meant changing battlefields and continuing the fight.

"What?" Hearing the knock, Gu Yue did not even look up. Her fingers still flew over the keyboard.

The door opened softly, and Tang Wulin entered sideways with a steaming cup of tea. He set it securely on the corner of her desk piled high with documents—the only spot barely large enough for the bottom of a cup.

"Working, Little Moon?" His voice carried a smile as his gaze swept over her tightly furrowed brows and the faint sheen of sweat on the tip of her nose from her concentration.

Gu Yue finally stopped typing, picked up the cup, and took a huge gulp. She inhaled lightly from the heat, then rolled her eyes in her signature fashion. "At least you've got a conscience." Setting down the cup, she deliberately stuck out her tongue at him. "But it still tastes awful. It's all leafy."

Tang Wulin did not get annoyed. Bracing his hands against the armrests on either side of her chair, he leaned down slightly, closing the distance between them. "Want me to help? Though I don't really understand your... whatever quarterly report year-on-year analysis."

"No need. Go rest." Gu Yue lightly kicked his shin with the tip of her foot. "You're blocking my light standing there."

"Then remember to take a break, Little Moon. Don't keep at it nonstop." Tang Wulin straightened, his tone turning more serious. "You're going to stare yourself cross-eyed."

"I know, I know. Such a nagging old housewife." Gu Yue impatiently waved him off and turned her attention back to the screen, though the corner of her lips softened for an imperceptible moment.

Tang Wulin smiled and shook his head, closing the study door behind him and sealing off its brightness and silence. Instead of returning to the bedroom to rest, he headed straight for the kitchen.

When he opened the refrigerator, cold air rushed over him. Tang Wulin's gaze moved across the ingredients before finally settling on the head of a bighead carp—one he had deliberately bought yesterday. Its flesh was thick and tender, perfect for chopped chili fish head. He remembered how, the last time he had made the dish, Gu Yue had eaten until sweat beaded on her nose and had nearly wanted to mix the remaining red oil and minced garlic at the bottom of the plate with rice. He could not help smiling.

"I'll make a plate of chopped chili fish head for our Little Moon," he muttered to himself, his voice especially clear in the empty living room. "Last time, she nearly licked the plate clean."

Preparing the fish head was delicate work. Tang Wulin tied on an apron and rolled up his sleeves, revealing his sturdy forearms. He first washed the fish head thoroughly, carefully scraping away the black membrane inside the cavity, the source of its fishy smell. Then he rubbed the inside and outside with cooking wine, ginger slices, scallion segments, and a little salt to marinate it. His movements were practiced and efficient; clearly, this was far from his first time in the kitchen.

While it marinated, he began preparing the seasonings. The chopped chilies were bright red and richly spicy. He chopped a generous amount of garlic and ginger, along with the indispensable fermented black beans. The chopped scallions and cilantro were set aside, awaiting the final garnish.

The kitchen gradually filled with the aroma of food. First came the warm scent of scallions, ginger, and cooking wine removing the fishiness; then came the fierce spice that erupted when hot oil was poured over the chopped chilies and garlic. Mixed with the damp air of the rainy day, it formed a strange, reassuring scent of home-cooked life.

Tang Wulin drained the marinated fish head and placed it face-up on a plate. He spread a thick layer of sauce mixed with minced garlic, minced ginger, fermented black beans, and plenty of chopped chilies over the entire fish head, then drizzled on a spoonful of steamed fish soy sauce and a spoonful of lard.

Once the water in the steamer boiled, he placed the plate inside, covered it, and started timing it. Ten minutes.

Tang Wulin did not sit idle during those ten minutes. He quickly cleaned the stove, then straightened the cushions in the living room, which had become slightly messy because of Gu Yue's work. Once he had finished, he went to the study door and listened closely. The keyboard was still clattering rapidly inside.

He sighed softly, his eyes filled with helplessness, but even more indulgence.

"Ding!" The steamer timer rang.

Wearing heat-resistant gloves, Tang Wulin took out the fish head and sprinkled it with scallions and cilantro. For the final step, he heated a spoonful of oil and poured it over the scallions. With a sharp sizzle, the fragrance burst forth at once and filled the entire house.

Carrying the bright red, steaming plate of chopped chili fish head, he carefully walked toward the study.

Inside the study, Gu Yue was frowning at a set of abnormal data on the screen and had not even noticed when Tang Wulin came in. Only when an overwhelmingly rich, fresh, spicy aroma slipped into her nose did she suddenly look up.

"Wow! That smells amazing!" she blurted out, her eyes lighting up instantly like two purple crystals submerged in a cold pool, suddenly illuminated.

"Try it. See if it's better than last time." Tang Wulin placed the plate on the relatively clean corner of her desk, then replaced the tea she had disliked with a freshly poured cup of plain hot water.

Gu Yue no longer cared about appearances. She grabbed her chopsticks, picked up a piece of fish, blew on it, and stuffed it into her mouth. The spiciness traveled down her throat, and warmth instantly spread through her body, driving away all the chill of the rainy day and the exhaustion from work.

"Mmm... delicious!" she said indistinctly, eagerly picking up another bite. Fine beads of sweat soon appeared on the tip of her nose, and a faint blush spread across her cheeks, like peach blossoms after rain.

Leaning against the desk, Tang Wulin watched her devour it, his eyes full of amusement. "Slow down. No one's taking it from you. Careful, it's spicy."

"It's so good..." Gu Yue finished a large piece of fish and narrowed her eyes in satisfaction. Only then did she remember to ask, "Why didn't you call me to eat? You just brought it straight in?"

"I was afraid you wouldn't be able to stop pounding that keyboard." Tang Wulin reached out and wiped the red oil from the corner of her mouth with a tissue. "Eat first, then keep fighting. Balance work and rest, Director Gu."

Gu Yue huffed, but her body honestly set down the chopsticks. Instead, she picked up the cup and gulped down several large mouthfuls of water. Looking at Tang Wulin, she suddenly said, "Actually... the tea wasn't that bad."

Tang Wulin raised a brow. "Oh?"

"It was mainly too weak. It had no flavor." Gu Yue defended herself with complete confidence. "Unlike this fish head. It's got some kick!"

"Fine, next time I'll brew your tea stronger." Tang Wulin laughed. "Have another piece. Feed that brain of yours so you'll work more efficiently this afternoon."

"Tang Wulin!" Gu Yue raised a hand as if to hit him.

The two began fooling around in the study, shoving the keyboard and documents aside.

Gu Yue leaned back in her chair, rubbed her round belly, and let out a long breath. "I'm full. You finish the rest."

"As you command." Tang Wulin picked up the chopsticks and naturally began eating the fish she had left behind. "Waste is shameful."

"Hey," she called softly.

"Mm?"

"Thank you for the fish head." Gu Yue blinked. This time, she did not stick out her tongue, instead revealing a faint smile still tinged with spice. "And... the tea."

Tang Wulin paused and looked up at her, his gaze deep, as though he wanted to carve her appearance into his heart. Then he lowered his head, the corners of his lips curving into an incomparably gentle smile. "You're welcome, Little Moon. I'll make it for you every day from now on."