With three girls crowded into the kitchen, Chen Shi'an stayed out rather than joining the bustle.
He carried the watering can out to the balcony. Although it was already November, the weather was not too cold yet, and the large foam boxes filled with soil on the balcony were still lush and green.
These were some vegetables he had planted in his spare time.
Space was limited, so Chen Shi'an had not planted much: some scallions, garlic, cilantro, chives, and tomatoes, all vegetables he could keep harvesting.
Although he used no chemical fertilizer or pesticides, his vegetables all grew exceptionally well, to the point that anyone who knew how to cook would look at them and exclaim hungrily, "These scallions are so tender!" "These chives smell amazing!" "These tomatoes are so juicy!"
Fetching a small basket, Chen Shi'an picked some scallions and cilantro, then plucked a few tomatoes that had just ripened red.
After harvesting the vegetables, he cleared away the little weeds poking out of the soil, then watered everything with his watering can. He really did tend these vegetables as though they were flowers.
It had long since grown dark outside. The girls' voices drifted faintly from the kitchen, but Chen Shi'an did not deliberately listen closely. He liked this indistinct atmosphere, like background music, which suddenly made the place feel very much like a home.
Basket in hand, Chen Shi'an walked into the kitchen.
The three girls turned around together. Seeing that it was Stinking Taoist, they fell silent in unison, though they had been chatting just a moment ago.
"Why do you stop talking every time I come in?"
"Hmph, we're having girl talk. What are you doing coming in here to eavesdrop?"
"I came to bring you vegetables."
"Ah, little tomatoes! Taoist, did you grow