Ah Yin, the Cook

After bathing.

Jiang Nian brought Qian Renxue to the training ground and took out the Black Demon Cauldron, ready to teach her alchemy techniques.

Ah Yin was in charge of cooking.

But for some reason, Jiang Nian had a nagging feeling that Ah Yin might not be reliable in the kitchen. The sight of her trembling as she held the ingredients refused to leave his mind.

Jiang Nian shook his head, casting the thought aside, and muttered, "Maybe I'm overthinking it. Ah Yin is one of the few beauties in Douluo I who fits the good wife and loving mother mold. It'd be ridiculous if she couldn't cook."

By then, Qian Renxue had learned how to draw the fire element out of her Soul Ring on its own and control it.

She ran up to Jiang Nian. "Teacher, I can control the flames now. What next?"

Jiang Nian crouched down and tossed the Bone Spirit Cold Flame beneath the Black Demon Cauldron. "Next, you need to learn how to spread the flames evenly across the bottom of the cauldron."

As he spoke, Jiang Nian tossed in a large pile of medicinal herbs he had gathered in the Star Dou Forest. "For today, get used to putting the herbs in the cauldron and charring them without burning them. I'll start giving you tasks tomorrow."

"Mm! Don't worry, Teacher. Xue'er will definitely do her best to complete them!"

The girl was so obedient it made his heart ache.

Jiang Nian sighed. He understood that Qian Renxue was behaving so sensibly because she feared he would abandon her.

In fact, when they went shopping, she would stare at the desserts, unable to look away, and itch to try the children's toys.

If Jiang Nian didn't bring it up, Qian Renxue wouldn't ask, afraid others would think she was a nuisance.

Jiang Nian watched her concentrate on controlling the fire. When batch after batch of herbs burned onto the bottom of the cauldron, she stomped her foot in frustration, then stole nervous glances at him.

She couldn't resist rubbing the girl's head. "Don't rush. These are for you to practice with, Xue'er. Take your time. Feel the rhythm of the flames as they dance, then even out the temperature."

Jiang Nian rose as he spoke. "I'll only distract you if I stay here. I'm going to see how your junior sister Ah Yin's cooking is coming along. Keep practicing at your own pace."

Qian Renxue nodded earnestly. "Mm-hmm! Teacher doesn't need to worry about Xue'er!"

Oh, girl, it's the child who acts spoiled who gets the candy... Jiang Nian knew he couldn't rush Qian Renxue into becoming more cheerful overnight.

He left the training room and headed toward the kitchen.

Before he even got close, Jiang Nian heard the clatter of kitchenware from afar, accompanied by a woman's cries of alarm.

Jiang Nian's bad feeling grew stronger.

He reached the kitchen and had just opened the door when a fish suddenly flew at his face, followed closely by a cleaver.

"Try running now! I'll chop you to death... Ah... Master, m-move!"

Jiang Nian stepped aside, and the fish and cleaver fell to the floor one after the other.

Ah Yin tilted her head, the sound of the fish's tail slapping the floor striking her as particularly grating.

Jiang Nian raised an eyebrow. He had damn near been solo-killed by a fish!

He stared at Ah Yin. "You can cook?"

Ah Yin fidgeted with her legs, her eyes darting about. "I... I can... How could I not know how to cook?"

Jiang Nian pointed at the fish flopping about. "Then how do you explain this?"

Ah Yin lowered her head and found she couldn't see her toes, so she could only say quietly, "I'm kindhearted... I don't kill..."

"Brilliant!" Jiang Nian applauded. He finally understood that this woman had played him.

Then he turned, picked up the cleaver, and brought it down hard, chopping off the fish's head. "I'm the one who killed it. Now, my disciple, you can go and show off your cooking skills."

Ah Yin looked at the fish, its head and body going their separate ways.

She felt that Jiang Nian wasn't asking her to cook, but telling her that if she didn't make a meal today, he would chop off her grassy head.

"Master is m... mighty!" Ah Yin forced an awkward laugh, then bent down to pick up the fish.

Smack!

The dead fish triggered its deathrattle, whipping Ah Yin across the cheek with its tail and bringing tears to her eyes.

I'm dead. I'm definitely dead this time.

At the sight of Ah Yin's miserable state, Jiang Nian's composure cracked a little. "I'll ask you one more time. Can you cook or not?"

Ah Yin cradled the headless fish and carefully raised her head to look at Jiang Nian, trying to rouse her master's affection. "Master... I'm your disciple."

"So you can't, then?"

"That's not entirely true. I can make congee, vegetable congee, potato congee, and..."

Seeing Jiang Nian's face darken, Ah Yin didn't dare say another word.

She ventured, "Teacher, can you be gentle when you kill me? I'm afraid of pain. Ideally, some really sweet poison would be best. I'm afraid of bitter things too."

Jiang Nian took a deep breath. He really wanted to refine this one into a pill!

Forget it. I gave her the template, after all. I chose this disciple myself, so even if she's a pile of shit, I have to accept it... Jiang Nian tried to soften his tone. "Can you learn?"

Ah Yin seized the lifeline. "Yes, yes! I'm a super-fast learner!"

I don't know how fast you learn, but you dared to lie to a Titled Douluo. You've really got guts.

Jiang Nian fetched the auntie who had cooked in the kitchen before and said to Ah Yin, "You'll learn from her today. One dish a day. Any problem with that?"

"N... no..."

"Haven't you eaten? Why are you so quiet?!"

But I really haven't eaten. You can't bully grass like this... Ah Yin nodded aggrievedly. "I really haven't eaten."

"You really dare answer that..."

"But you asked..."

Jiang Nian was so angry he laughed. "You think I'm showing concern for you?"

Ah Yin lifted her head slightly. "Teacher, you probably... aren't that kindhearted."

Jiang Nian felt his head swell and turned to leave.

He admitted he had been fooled by Ah Yin's wifely appearance. Otherwise, he wouldn't have so readily believed she could cook.

Meanwhile.

In the Star Dou Great Forest.

Tang Xiao scratched his head and muttered, "Strange. Where did Second Brother go?"

Suddenly, there was a rustle in the bushes nearby.

Just as Tang Xiao prepared for battle, a bear-like woman emerged, carrying Tang Hao on her shoulder.

The woman laughed heartily. "Brother Hao, is this our big brother?"

She called him Brother Hao with such gusto that Tang Xiao was struck dumb.

He looked at Tang Hao. "Second Brother, didn't you go to train? Wh... what's going on here?"

Tang Hao lowered his head and said nothing.

It's all for the Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring, all to increase my strength!

He forced a smile. "Big Brother, go on and greet your sister-in-law."

Tang Xiao paused. "Second Brother... I always thought my future sister-in-law would be a little bird nestling against her man, but I didn't expect... Did you leave 'a person' as your only requirement?"

Tang Hao smiled.

Big Brother, you could broaden your horizons a little more. She doesn't even count as a person!

But Tang Hao didn't dare say that to Tang Xiao. He was afraid Tang Xiao would steal his opportunity.

Tang Hao said, "Big Brother, Ah Hua and I truly love each other, but I know that if I bring her back, the sect will surely object. So go back first."

The corner of Tang Xiao's mouth twitched. "Second Brother, you'll have to go back someday, won't you?!"

Tang Hao gazed affectionately at the bear-like woman. "I'll go back once Ah Hua and I have a child, when Father can't object anymore."

Ah Hua roared with laughter. "Hahahaha! Hao! Don't worry, I'll definitely bear you a big, bouncing boy!"

Tang Xiao pressed a hand to his forehead. He really couldn't bear to watch anymore. Sure enough, Ah Yin was his true love.

Tang Xiao cupped his fists. "I wish you and your wife a lifetime together until your hair turns white, Second Brother. I'll head back first."

If he stayed any longer, Tang Xiao was afraid he would throw up.

Tang Hao reminded him, "Big Brother, remember not to reveal anything about Ah Hua and me ahead of time. My future happiness is in your hands!"

Tang Xiao nodded. "Don't worry, Second Brother. I know what to do. Farewell!"

With that, Tang Xiao left without another word, leaving only a string of cries in the Star Dou Great Forest:

"Flash Step!"

"Flash Step!"

"Flash Step!"