Chapter 30: You’re Already This Big and Still Get Choked Eating?
“Shh~” Ye Liang Chen suddenly clutched his stomach and gasped.
It felt like a storm was brewing inside his belly.
“Dang it, I drank too much milk tea and now I’m gonna have the runs… Gah! This is so fierce, it’s practically overflowing at the door…” he muttered, eyes wide with panic.
He looked around frantically, clutching his stomach as he hurried towards the alley’s sewer drain.
Just as he stepped into the alley, he clutched his stomach again, then dashed back out, grabbing a brick from the ground, smashing it down, then picking up two broken pieces. He sized them up quickly and bolted inside again in a mad rush.
When Dragon Brother and Hu Yu Ying arrived here, the alley was as empty as a ghost town—no sign of anyone.
Back in front of their house, Hu Yu Ying checked the lock on the door. No jammed lock, no signs of being pried open.
“Just a moment ago, I was still standing right here,” she whispered, puzzled.
“Maybe they couldn’t open the door and just left,” Dragon Brother suggested, glancing towards the alley’s other end.
The alley splits into east and west entrances, both ways accessible.
They entered from the west side, and hadn’t seen anyone on their way in.
Could be they exited from the east.
Hu Yu Ying nodded, thinking it made sense.
So she opened the door and stepped in: “Big Bro, you go first.”
Dragon Brother hesitated briefly, thinking it might be better if he stayed outside and told off any troublemakers if they dared come back.
So, he followed inside.
It was a typical small courtyard house.
A main hall, a kitchen, and in the southeast corner, a bathroom.
The yard looked a bit worn, but surprisingly tidy despite its age.
Hu Yu Ying put her shopping bags down in the kitchen.
She pulled aside the bamboo curtain in the main hall: “Big Bro, come inside first. I’ll pour you some water.”
Hearing her call, Dragon Brother stepped into the main hall.
It wasn’t small—two bedrooms on the sides.
Such a house with a courtyard was pretty standard.
Hu Yu Ying poured two cups of water, set them on the tea table, then looked a little awkwardly at Dragon Brother: “Big Bro, sit down first. I’ll turn on the fan for you.”
No one had ever come to her house before.
Her home was spotless—literally clean in every sense.
No snacks, no fruits—only open books and unfinished homework on the empty tea table.
She didn’t know how to handle a guest visiting her for the first time.
After pouring the water, Hu Yu Ying suddenly found herself at a loss for words.
The air grew still.
“Um, Big Bro, you haven’t had lunch yet, right? I’ll cook something. Let me show off my skills?”
It was mealtime, and she figured he probably didn’t get to eat much at the market, either.
“No need, I’m not hungry,” he said, just as his stomach rumbled loudly.
Because everything was so quiet…
Hu Yu Ying subtly shot a glance at Dragon Brother.
He was looking at her, just as clueless, both of them locking eyes and bursting into laughter.
“Guess I’ll be trouble then,” Dragon Brother said sheepishly.
“No worries, Big Bro. It’s to help me out. I’ll cook quickly,” she replied cheerfully, heading to the kitchen.
The refrigerator still had some vegetables, two tomatoes, and five or six eggs.
Thinking for a moment, Hu Yu Ying cooked two dishes: shredded pork with green peppers and tomato scrambled eggs.
They say kids from poor families grow up fast—and that’s no joke.
Since she was little, Hu Yu Ying helped her family make simple rice porridge.
By middle school, while her classmates just learned to microwave instant noodles, she was already skillfully cooking rice.
These two dishes had become her specialties.
“Wow, you actually look pretty skilled at cooking,” Dragon Brother said with a smile as he watched her stir-fry.
“I, uh, often cook alone at home, so I guess I got pretty practiced,” she replied shyly.
Walking into the kitchen, Dragon Brother found himself a bit restless sitting around in the living room.
He decided to check if he could help somehow.
Turns out, Hu Yu Ying’s cooking might be better than his own!
Seeing him look around, trying to figure out what he could do, Hu Yu Ying chuckled softly: “Big Bro, go sit in the room. The food will be ready soon.”
Realizing he wasn’t much help, Dragon Brother wandered back to the main hall.
Watching him lift the bamboo curtain, bow his head, and sneak into the room, Hu Yu Ying’s smile grew wider.
First time having someone over, and it wasn’t as bad as she feared—no picky comments, no disdain because her place was humble.
Hu Yu Ying put her heart into cooking.
Soon, both dishes were ready.
The rice also finished cooking just in time.
She washed the bowls and chopsticks multiple times—since she was only cooking for herself, she didn’t use many utensils, so they had been sitting there a bit longer than normal.
She filled a big bowl for Dragon Brother and carried the plates into the main hall.
“Big Bro, dinner time!”
“Smells so good,” Dragon Brother said, sitting up to receive the rice.
“There’s another dish,” Hu Yu Ying announced, bringing over the second plate—green peppers with pork.
“Try it, Big Bro. Is it tasty or not?”
Before crossing over, Dragon Brother had eaten sparingly and endured hardships.
So, even if there was only rice and vegetables, he wouldn’t complain.
He scooped some tomato egg mixture onto his rice, mixed it, took a bite, and immediately raised his thumb: “Delicious!”
Seeing him wolf down the food, Hu Yu Ying felt an immense sense of satisfaction.
“Don’t just smile stupidly—eat with me,” she said, pushing the stir-fried pork and green peppers toward him.
“You eat first. I think I’m good for now,” she quickly added, not swallowing her own rice.
“Not enough! Eat more meat to strengthen your body. Look at you, so thin—middle schoolers are more lively than you!” Dragon Brother chided.
Hearing that, Hu Yu Ying instinctively glanced at herself.
“Eat more. Stay healthy, and maybe that’ll scare off those who used to bully you,” he teased.
Secretly, he flicked her a look: “Do all guys like girls with good figures?”
“What? Is that what you think, Brother Dragon?” she teased back, sticking her tongue out.
“Don’t talk nonsense—your Big Bro is not that shallow,” Dragon Brother said with a mock-huff.
Hu Yu Ying quickly shrank her neck, thinking: He’s so handsome, has a good personality—surely he’s not shallow.
“I like girls who aren’t so perfect, too,” she blurted.
Puff!
Cough cough cough…
Hu Yu Ying choked on her own words, coughing uncontrollably.
“You’re already this big, and you still get choked eating? I’m done with you!” Dragon Brother patted her on the back and placed a glass of water beside her.
After drinking some water, her throat finally cleared.
She looked a bit embarrassed—her face was flushed red, maybe from being choked or from shame…
