Shen Qianqian knew the two people were busy in the kitchen.
So when Shen Yiyue was just about to reach the kitchen door, she ran over and opened it.
Sure enough, Ji Mengyao and Wu Di were standing outside.
Unusually, Ji Mengyao wasn't wearing her baseball cap today, probably because she was coming for dinner, though she still had her signature golden braids.
She wore a white tank top and light blue shorts, exuding a youthful and lively energy.
Surprisingly, Wu Di wasn't wearing his eternal suit either, but had changed into fresh, casual clothes and was sporting rose-gold rimmed glasses.
He looked refined yet boyish, though unfortunately maintained his poker face.
It reminded one of those gloomy top students who spend all day buried in their studies.
"We're here~~"
Ji Mengyao cutely made a 'Y' sign with her hand, greeting Shen Qianqian at the door and Shen Yiyue at the kitchen entrance.
"Please have a seat, we're still preparing!"
Shen Yiyue greeted them before turning back to help Ning Yu with the cooking.
"Hello, big brother and sister!"
Shen Qianqian also politely greeted the two.
"Are you two a couple? You look so good together!"
She blinked her innocent eyes, looking at the man and woman who had just entered - one pretty and cute, the other handsome albeit a bit stiff.
The two seemed quite familiar and close with each other.
"C-c-c-couple?"
Ji Mengyao had just brought in her private collection of drinks and beverages when she was suddenly ambushed by Shen Qianqian's question.
Her face turned bright red and she started stammering.
Seeing Ji Mengyao's reaction, Shen Qianqian realized she might have said something wrong.
"Ah! Never mind! Please come in~~"
She hurriedly started looking for slippers for them, acting as if nothing had happened.
Ji Mengyao glanced at Wu Di, who maintained his innocent, expressionless face.
"Hey, dummy, you're blocking my way."
She poked Wu Di in embarrassment, urging him to put on the slippers and go in.
"Hold these!"
She shoved the plastic bags with drinks into Wu Di's hands and followed him inside.
Wu Di quickly walked over and started arranging the various drinks they brought on the dining table.
His movements were precise and mechanical, like a bartender.
As Ji Mengyao had mentioned earlier, they brought low-alcohol, visually appealing sparkling drinks.
The colorful array made for a beautiful display on the dining table.
Shen Qianqian was immediately drawn to the colorful "drinks" on the table and called out to the kitchen:
"Sister!! Can I drink those?"
"No! Children aren't allowed to drink alcohol."
Shen Yiyue's merciless rejection came from the kitchen, instantly deflating Shen Qianqian's excited expression.
"Do you need any help?"
Ji Mengyao curiously asked the two busy people in the kitchen.
"No need~ We can't have guests helping out."
Ning Yu, wearing an apron and marinating meat, turned around and smiled at her.
"OK~"
"Hmm... I thought Shen Yiyue would be the head chef, didn't expect it to be Ning Yu..."
She nodded and mumbled something as she walked out.
Shen Yiyue heard this and could only smile awkwardly, then looked at Ning Yu who was still focused on preparing ingredients.
She went over and thoughtfully tucked a few strands of Ning Yu's hair behind her ear to keep them from falling into the food.
Then she stood beside her and asked softly:
"Ning Yu... could you teach me how to cook sometime?"
Ning Yu was surprised by this sudden request and turned to look at her:
"Sure, but why are you asking this all of a sudden..."
"Not telling!"
Having gotten Ning Yu's agreement, Shen Yiyue just smiled and turned back to continue helping with the preparations.
......
The dining table was now laden with an impressive spread - appetizing cold dishes, simple vegetable dishes, and several main courses.
Everything was impeccably presented in terms of color, appearance, and aroma, perfectly arranged in a circle on the table.
The five of them sat around the table ready to eat. Everyone except Shen Qianqian, who had orange juice, was drinking the alcohol Ji Mengyao had brought.
Ning Yu's glass contained a light red drink - she had specifically chosen the strawberry passion fruit flavor.
"Cheers!"
Everyone except Wu Di had bright smiles as they clinked their glasses together.
The scene before them felt not like the apocalyptic world they lived in, but rather like a normal, pleasant gathering at a friend's house for a party.
"Mmm!! This is delicious!!!"
Ji Mengyao's eyes widened as she exclaimed after putting a piece of braised pork in her mouth.
"I had no idea Ning Yu was such a good cook! Whoever marries her will be super lucky~"
She couldn't help but sigh in appreciation.
Faced with such direct praise, Ning Yu could only smile shyly, not knowing what to say.
She had never experienced anything like this before - sitting together with close friends, sharing a meal.
Everyone was drinking, chatting, and gossiping, enjoying a wonderful and lively evening.
For a moment, she seemed to fall into a kind of trance.
She wondered if she could have lived like a normal person all along?
This kind of happiness had seemed so out of reach that she had never even imagined it, yet here it was happening right before her eyes.
Ning Yu was struck by a surreal feeling: what if everything happening right now was just a dream?
Would she wake up tomorrow back in her cold hideout apartment, waiting for the organization's next orders?
If that were true, was she dreaming about Shen Yiyue and Ji Mengyao, or were they dreaming about her?
Would this dream... ever end?
"Ning Yu? Ning Yu?"
Shen Yiyue, sitting next to Ning Yu, noticed that her silver-haired companion had fallen into some kind of daze.
She picked up some braised pork and vegetables, placing them in Ning Yu's bowl.
Then she waved her hand in front of Ning Yu's eyes, trying to snap her out of it.
"Sister, you're playing favorites! Why are you only getting food for Ning Yu and not me! Am I not your sister anymore..."
Beside them, Shen Qianqian puffed her cheeks while drinking her orange juice, protesting against her sister's apparent favoritism.
Shen Yiyue turned her head and glanced at Shen Qianqian:
"I told you, you're temporarily expelled from sisterhood!"
Ji Mengyao was also whispering something to Wu Di, seemingly complaining:
"Look at Ning Yu, and then look at yourself - all you can make is instant noodles! And you always add too much seasoning!"
Ning Yu suddenly snapped out of her reverie, taking in the warm scene before her:
Everyone joking with each other, the warm lighting over the dining table filling the nighttime apartment with a cozy, homey atmosphere.
She quickly ate the food Shen Yiyue had placed in her bowl, then returned the favor by picking out some dishes for her.
Shen Yiyue looked at Ning Yu with surprise, as if seeing a different person.
Only Ning Yu knew how precious these moments of normalcy were to her, even if they were brief.
If this really was a dream,
She hoped she would never wake up.