Reborn to Stew Soup (GL) 73

Chapter 73: Another Hug

The pillow was removed, revealing Ji Junxin huddled in the corner of the sofa, her eyes and nose red, tears clinging to her lashes, threatening to spill with every blink.

Mi Hongdou’s grip on the pillow tightened, leaving two dents in the fluffy surface.

“I…” Mi Hongdou tried to speak, but the single syllable came out strained and unnatural.

Ji Junxin’s lips trembled, her expression full of wronged vulnerability, as she silently looked at Mi Hongdou. She seemed to be holding back her tears after the pillow was taken away, a silent, unspoken sense of injustice more heartbreaking than any outburst.

That one look made Mi Hongdou’s heart clench, her mind go blank, her voice lost, as if she were no longer herself.

How could she, the one who had vowed to protect and cherish Ji Junxin, be the one to make her cry?

Nothing was more disheartening and self-reproachful than hurting the person you treasured the most.

Sadness and guilt almost made Mi Hongdou put the pillow back, as if by not seeing it, by not knowing, she could deny Ji Junxin’s sadness, deny her own unforgivable mistake. But she didn’t.

“I wasn’t lying…” Mi Hongdou steadied her voice, but her grip on the pillow trembled slightly. Avoiding the issue wasn’t an option, comforting the pitiful little foodie was the priority.

Mi Hongdou’s expression was patient and sincere, but Ji Junxin just looked at her silently, without responding. She pulled her knees closer, her arms, which had been clutching the pillow, now wrapped around her legs, her entire body curled up in the corner of the sofa.

Although Ji Junxin didn’t speak, her actions spoke volumes.

This defensive posture almost broke Mi Hongdou’s heart. Only those who cared would feel hurt, only those who had been close would erect defenses, Mi Hongdou knew this. But at this moment, she didn’t have time to rejoice in Ji Junxin’s implicit display of affection, because she knew that if she didn’t resolve this quickly, their newly formed bond might shatter, beyond repair. This wasn’t the ending she wanted…

Having experienced Ji Junxin’s cuteness and coquettishness, who would want to be just a food buddy!

“Listen to me…” Mi Hongdou put down the pillow and moved closer to Ji Junxin. “Do you remember, I told you before that I’ve liked you for a long time, that I’ve been your fan for a very long time? I remember, two years ago, a magazine interviewed you, initially to promote ‘The Battle of Jinzhou,’ which you were filming then. But when the interview was published, a third of it was about the local cuisine, and you even complained about the crew meals. It was probably just casual chatter between you and the reporter, but the magazine must have found it interesting and included it. That’s how your fans found out about your love for food, and your picky eating habits.”

Mi Hongdou’s voice was soft and gentle, her recounting of past events like a story. Ji Junxin, huddled in the corner, didn’t speak, but her gaze remained fixed on Mi Hongdou’s face, her expression serious, either listening intently or trying to determine whether Mi Hongdou was telling the truth. Only when “love for food, and picky eating habits” were mentioned did she shift slightly.

Pretending not to notice the faint blush on Ji Junxin’s face, Mi Hongdou continued, “My mother used to be a pastry chef, specializing in traditional Chinese desserts. She was very skilled. When I was young, my father ran a pastry shop, and my mother made the pastries. She was skilled, and he was good at business, so the shop quickly became successful. Then they divorced. My mother stopped making pastries after that and changed careers. When I grew up, I asked her why she gave up her passion and became an accountant. Guess what she said?”

Ji Junxin didn’t answer, her gaze now filled with… sympathy?

Mi Hongdou smiled and continued without waiting for a reply. “She told me that after the divorce, whenever she made traditional Chinese pastries, she would be reminded of the past. A person’s mood greatly affects their cooking. My mother felt that she could no longer make good pastries. She didn’t even want to eat them anymore. I thought what she said made sense. In this world, forcing things brings no happiness.” Mi Hongdou moved even closer, and Ji Junxin didn’t pull away. Mi Hongdou’s voice softened further, and she looked at Ji Junxin earnestly. “When you didn’t know me yet, when I found out that you loved food and were a picky eater, I thought, if one day, I could cook for you, and you happened to like my cooking, that would be wonderful. Do you remember, in that interview for ‘The Battle of Jinzhou,’ you mentioned saozi noodles, rou jia mo, braised mutton, guokui, and liangpi? I learned how to make them all. Now, I can make them all.”

Ji Junxin had a good memory, how could she forget something from two years ago? The magazine had indeed asked her many questions about “The Battle of Jinzhou.” Later, as the interview was ending, because the reporter was quite chatty and also a foodie, they talked about the food during filming. Unexpectedly, that casual conversation took up a significant portion of the published interview. Ji Junxin had been a little embarrassed about having her foodie nature exposed. But Qiao Rubai said it was fine, it might even attract some new fans. Ji Junxin rarely cared about things outside of acting, so since Qiao Rubai said it was fine, she let it go. She hadn’t expected… that small, casual mention to become something worth remembering for Mi Hongdou. She had even specifically learned how to make those dishes… By now, Ji Junxin’s heart had softened. All her embarrassment, feelings of being wronged, and unhappiness were gone.

Thinking about Mi Hongdou’s thoughtfulness and all the delicious food she had made for her these past few days, and she had become sad and upset, even giving her the cold shoulder, just because of a few teasing words… she had been so stubborn and silent, even making Mi Hongdou reveal her own painful past… she was terrible! The realization filled Ji Junxin with shame.

Her arms, which had been wrapped around her knees, slowly loosened, her hands reaching for Mi Hongdou’s clothes, wanting to grab the hem of her coat like she usually did.

Perhaps because she was too embarrassed, her movements were slow. Before her hand could reach Mi Hongdou’s coat, Mi Hongdou, who had been watching her expression, spoke again.

“So, what I said earlier about the empty meatball bowl, it was really just a joke. I like cooking for you, just the thought of making food for you, the thought of you enjoying it, makes me happy. I’m not lying…” Looking at Ji Junxin, who had clearly been crying, Mi Hongdou became anxious. And with this anxiety, sweet words tumbled out. All her reservations, her fear of being seen through, were gone in the face of Ji Junxin’s sadness. She pointed at the soup on the coffee table. “Words can lie, but food can’t, right?”

Yes… food can’t lie… Ji Junxin paused, her hand stopping mid-reach.

Three months ago, during the estate test shoot, Mi Hongdou had made egg fried rice, and she had eaten it all. Later, when Qiao Rubai asked her how it tasted… what had she thought then? That bowl of egg fried rice, just like the peanut candy before, had been special, as if she could feel the maker’s care through the food, the kind of heartfelt detail that made the food especially delicious.

“That peanut candy earlier, did you also make it for me?” Ji Junxin asked, her voice soft and slightly hoarse from crying, her eyes and nose still a little red, looking incredibly pitiful.

Peanut candy? Mi Hongdou paused. That was what she had brought when she first joined the crew… if it were any other time, Mi Hongdou wouldn’t have admitted it. Admitting it would mean revealing her special intentions from the beginning. But now was different, she wanted to show Ji Junxin her sincerity, to have her believe her, to stop being sad.

So, Mi Hongdou nodded.

As expected… a look of understanding dawned in Ji Junxin’s eyes. She had sensed it from that time. She loved the food Mi Hongdou made, not just because it was delicious, but because she could feel the care in every dish. Her gaze fell on the meatball soup on the table. What had Mi Hongdou said earlier? Lots of vegetables, just the leaves, not the stems she didn’t like.

If before, Ji Junxin thought that the meticulousness and care in Mi Hongdou’s cooking were just her passion for food, then at this moment, she started to think… perhaps, it was all for her? Although the thought made her happy, it seemed too good to be true…

Ji Junxin’s thoughts were a mystery to Mi Hongdou, who only saw her sitting quietly, her eyebrows furrowed, lost in thought.

“I really made it for you…” Mi Hongdou’s voice was a little shaky… She suddenly thought of Lu Gaoshi, she didn’t want to become someone Ji Junxin couldn’t trust, like Lu Gaoshi. She had never resented Ji Junxin for eating a lot, never…

Ji Junxin’s little tantrum and feelings of being wronged had been dispelled by Mi Hongdou’s repeated confessions. Now that she had calmed down, she could sense Mi Hongdou’s nervousness and anxiety. It was her own childishness that had caused Mi Hongdou so much worry, and she felt incredibly guilty.

“I know…” Ji Junxin’s hand finally reached Mi Hongdou’s coat and grabbed the hem. “I’m sorry…” She had wanted to apologize since Mi Hongdou started explaining. Now, saying it out loud, she felt even worse, like she had been terrible to Mi Hongdou, who was so sincere, while she had been so difficult. She might even drive her away with her behavior.

The thought of her own actions driving Mi Hongdou away, of her moving out, of them no longer being friends… Ji Junxin imagined herself alone in this room, and her heart ached, tears welling up from the imagined loneliness.

Mi Hongdou was stunned, seeing her cry just as they were about to reconcile.

Ji Junxin was softly sobbing, one hand covering her eyes, the other still clutching Mi Hongdou’s coat.

“Hey… hey… don’t cry, don’t cry… it’s my fault… don’t cry…” Mi Hongdou said, leaning forward to reach for the tissues on the coffee table.

As Mi Hongdou moved, Ji Junxin’s hand, still clutching her coat, was pulled along. With her hand suddenly empty, her heart also feeling empty, Ji Junxin cried even harder, leaning towards Mi Hongdou, her hands reaching for the pillow.

Both were reaching for something. Mi Hongdou grabbed the tissues and, as she quickly retreated, accidentally bumped into Ji Junxin, who was reaching for the pillow with tear-filled eyes.

So Ji Junxin, her nose bumped, cried even harder.

Mi Hongdou felt incredibly stupid! She almost had a meltdown! She threw the tissues aside and anxiously tried to pull Ji Junxin’s hands away from her face to check her nose. But just like with the pillow earlier, Ji Junxin wouldn’t let go.

“Let me see, let me see if it’s hurt… does it hurt? … Don’t cry, don’t cry… it’s okay…” Facing the crying Ji Junxin, Mi Hongdou was at a loss, just trying to pull her hands away.

Ji Junxin was heartbroken. She had started crying because of her own imagined scenario, then felt embarrassed and tried to hide her face with the pillow, only to be bumped, how tragic. And Mi Hongdou kept trying to pull her hands away. She was already crying so uglily, her eyes and nose red, probably even her face… She had already been so difficult, and her only redeeming quality was her looks. Now, crying so uglily, if Mi Hongdou saw her, she would have no redeeming qualities left. She would definitely stop being her fan, would leave… Just the thought made Ji Junxin cry even harder. And Mi Hongdou kept pulling… Ji Junxin, unable to resist, let herself fall into Mi Hongdou’s arms.

Mi Hongdou’s hand froze, her rambling comfort also stopping. She sat there, frozen, unable to move.

The room fell silent, only Ji Junxin’s sobs could be heard.

Ji Junxin’s forehead rested against Mi Hongdou’s right collarbone. This position, the point of contact slightly sensitive, normally, Mi Hongdou would have jumped back, embarrassed. But now, she just sat there, frozen, feeling Ji Junxin’s warm breath and the hot tears falling on her skin.

She had almost persuaded her, they were almost reconciled, why did she suddenly apologize and start crying again? … Mi Hongdou looked down at Ji Junxin’s slightly disheveled hair and gently stroked it.

Ji Junxin in her arms suddenly cried even harder. Mi Hongdou could feel the dampness on her clothes near her collarbone.

Mi Hongdou felt a sense of unreality.

In her previous life, she had become food buddies with Ji Junxin through Qiao Rubai’s introduction, shortly after Ji Junxin was betrayed by Zhang Zijing and retired. At that time, Mi Hongdou had thought that if one day, Ji Junxin remembered the past and was sad and wanted to cry, she would be there for her, comfort her, and try to make her happy. But it never happened. During their four years of friendship, Ji Junxin had only cried once, after watching Jiang Lingling and Dong Yuannan’s videos. And before Mi Hongdou could comfort her, she had already wiped away her tears.

Mi Hongdou looked down at the pitiful little foodie crying in her arms. Regardless of the reason for her sadness, her actions now suggested that she wanted to be comforted.

Mi Hongdou, who had initially frozen from the surprise and embarrassment of Ji Junxin’s sudden embrace, gradually relaxed, her hand moving from Ji Junxin’s hair to her shoulder.

At this moment, nothing in the world was more important than comforting her…

All her reservations vanished, only her true feelings remained.

Mi Hongdou gently tightened her embrace, and Ji Junxin, who had been leaning against her, nestled closer. Ji Junxin’s face, no longer against Mi Hongdou’s tear-soaked collarbone, now rested on her shoulder, her tears falling on Mi Hongdou’s neck. Mi Hongdou could feel the brush of her lashes, a tingling sensation.

Ji Junxin’s soft, warm body was now in her arms, embraced by her. Mi Hongdou gently patted Ji Junxin’s back, her heart pounding… although this was a comforting gesture, would Ji Junxin find it too intimate? … Mi Hongdou had acted on instinct, but now she was worried.

Just as she was hesitating, Ji Junxin’s arms reached up and wrapped around Mi Hongdou’s neck, pulling herself closer.

Initiating a hug and having someone hug you back… the difference was significant… Ji Junxin’s movement made Mi Hongdou’s heart skip a beat, and her body felt weak. This sudden, strange physical reaction made her lean back against the sofa, using it to support herself and the little foodie in her arms.

Ji Junxin’s scent, a fruity sweetness, she always used shampoos and body washes with fruity fragrances. Mi Hongdou could usually smell it when they were close, but never this close. She unconsciously nuzzled Ji Junxin’s hair, suddenly wanting, so badly, to steal a kiss… just one. Mi Hongdou almost couldn’t control herself, her hand, patting Ji Junxin’s back, trembling slightly. If she missed this opportunity, she might never have another chance to kiss her. But reason prevailed…

Mi Hongdou’s body was warm. Wearing a nightgown and a thin jacket, and after crying for a while, Ji Junxin was cold. But nestled in Mi Hongdou’s arms, she felt much warmer. Warm and safe… It was as if this closeness was proof that their bond wouldn’t be easily broken. The hand on her back, also warm, chased away not only the chill but also the sadness in her heart. Crying in Mi Hongdou’s arms like this, Ji Junxin was embarrassed, but she couldn’t bring herself to leave. The inexplicable fear and uncertainty gradually dissipated in Mi Hongdou’s warmth, and Ji Junxin’s sobs subsided, only an occasional sniffle as she clung to Mi Hongdou.

Neither of them had ever imagined being this close, it was like a dream.

Mi Hongdou, her heart aching for the pitiful little foodie in her arms, thought selfishly, if only this dream could last forever.

But you couldn’t stay in a dream forever, just like dreams always ended.

Ji Junxin stopped crying, and Mi Hongdou also stopped patting her back. But they didn’t separate immediately, holding each other a little longer.

The silence after the crying, the prolonged embrace, it became a little awkward… Ji Junxin, always the more easily embarrassed one, although she still wanted to cling to Mi Hongdou, couldn’t take it anymore.

“Will you still make me fried meatballs?” Ji Junxin’s slightly muffled voice broke the silence.

“Yes,” Mi Hongdou said, knowing that this brief embrace was about to end. She gave Ji Junxin a final, gentle pat, a hint of sadness in her heart, but her voice was cheerful. “If I could, I would fry all the pigs in the world into meatballs for you.”

“Pfft…” Ji Junxin couldn’t help but laugh, then felt embarrassed. She had just been crying, and now she was laughing… how mortifying! Mi Hongdou was the worst! Ji Junxin, annoyed and embarrassed, playfully punched Mi Hongdou’s arm. “Smooth talker!” She quickly pulled away and went to the bathroom to wash her face.

The sound of running water came from the bathroom. Mi Hongdou leaned back on the sofa and touched the spot where Ji Junxin had just punched her. It was right over her heart… What a fool… Mi Hongdou smiled faintly.

In the bathroom, Ji Junxin washed her face repeatedly and even used a warm towel, but the redness from crying was still visible. She felt so embarrassed… She lingered in the bathroom, not wanting to go out.

Until Mi Hongdou’s voice came from outside: “The soup is reheated, if you don’t come out soon, it will be cold again.” Ji Junxin reluctantly left the bathroom, her head lowered.

She walked with her head down, sat down on the sofa with her head down, and decided to keep her head down until she went back to bed and turned off the lights.

The large bowl of meatball soup on the table was steaming again. Mi Hongdou ladled a full bowl for Ji Junxin and placed it in front of her. “I reheated it, the egg dumplings broke a little, but the taste should be fine, try it.”

Ji Junxin looked at the dumplings in her bowl. They had been intact when she first saw them in the pot…

“I’m sorry…” she whispered.

“It’s okay…” Mi Hongdou smiled. “The egg dumplings are honored to be eaten by you, they’ll forgive you.”

Why were you so smooth-talking now! Ji Junxin looked up, annoyed. “I wasn’t apologizing to the egg dumplings… I was apologizing to you.”

Mi Hongdou’s smile was gentle, her voice soft. “It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have teased you. Will you forgive me?”

“It was clearly my…” Ji Junxin’s words were cut off by Mi Hongdou’s hand covering her mouth.

“It’s my fault, will you forgive me?” Mi Hongdou’s gaze was filled with apology, anticipation, and a lot of… friendship?

Ji Junxin, her mouth covered, was stunned by that gaze and nodded dumbly.

“Eat quickly, it will be cold soon.” Mi Hongdou removed her hand.

Ji Junxin pursed her lips, still wanting to apologize.

“You never have to apologize to me.” Mi Hongdou lowered her head and slowly ate her soup. “If one day, you have to apologize to me, it means I must have done something terrible. Do you understand?”

So, if she had to apologize, it meant it was Mi Hongdou’s fault? Ji Junxin was confused, what kind of logic was that? She might as well say that if she apologized, all the pigs in the world wouldn’t be turned into fried meatballs.

Although Mi Hongdou’s logic was strange, her tone was firm. Ji Junxin hesitated, then asked, “Are we… still friends?”

“Of course, I’m the friend who would turn all the pigs in the world into fried egg dumplings for you!” Mi Hongdou smiled and added another dumpling to Ji Junxin’s already full bowl.

“…” Ji Junxin was speechless. “You just said you would turn all the pigs in the world into fried meatballs!”

“I’ll make whatever you like,” Mi Hongdou said, as if wondering why she was being so nitpicky.

Ji Junxin was exasperated… but she couldn’t deny that both options, fried meatballs or fried egg dumplings made from all the pigs in the world, sounded… amazing…

The fried meatballs, having absorbed the soup, were less greasy and more refreshing, a different texture from when they were eaten fresh out of the wok. The egg dumpling skins, although slightly broken, were still delicious. Softer than the fried meatballs, but more fragrant than boiled ones, they were truly a delight. The stems of the dried mushrooms had been removed before slicing, rehydrated until plump and tender, their aroma even richer than fresh mushrooms. Combined with the bok choy leaves, it was a perfect match. A bite of meat, a bite of vegetables, a sip of soup, Ji Junxin couldn’t stop eating.

With Mi Hongdou’s occasional feeding, by the time Ji Junxin realized it, she had finished most of the soup. Although their earlier misunderstanding had been cleared up, she still couldn’t help but think about the empty meatball bowl and looked at Mi Hongdou cautiously.

Ji Junxin’s cautious demeanor made Mi Hongdou’s heart ache. What had possessed her to tease the little foodie about eating too much? She regretted it deeply.

Ji Junxin carefully observed Mi Hongdou’s expression. Hmm… she seemed gentle, not at all annoyed that she had eaten so much. Ji Junxin, relieved, finished the last of her soup.

So pitiful… Mi Hongdou felt a pang.

She had gradually figured out one of Ji Junxin’s characteristics. If Ji Junxin was hurt, she would need a lot of time and a lot of love to heal. Words were empty, only time could prove everything. And Mi Hongdou wasn’t afraid of waiting.

After the meal, neither of them mentioned the earlier misunderstanding, the explanations, the crying, or the hug. It was as if they had woken up, made soup, and quietly enjoyed it together. But what had happened was etched in their hearts, a mix of emotions, good and bad, still unclear.

After dinner, it was almost 2 AM. Although they had napped in the afternoon, they still had scenes to film the next morning. They quickly washed up and went to bed.

Ji Junxin took off her jacket, got into bed, and her first thought was, it’s so cold… not as warm as Mi Hongdou…

She turned over and said to Mi Hongdou, who had also just gotten into bed, “The bed is so cold…” Her voice was soft and whiny, like she was acting spoiled.

“Mine is a little cold too.” Mi Hongdou thought for a moment. “Don’t worry, I prepared two hot water bottles, wait, I’ll fill them up.” Being prepared was always good. Mi Hongdou mentally praised herself.

Without waiting for a reply, she got up, put on a jacket, and left.

Ji Junxin clutched the blanket, a hot water bottle was coming soon, but for some reason, she felt unhappy!

Heating water was indeed quick. When Mi Hongdou returned with two warm hot water bottles, she was greeted by the little foodie in the other bed, who, for some reason, seemed to be sulking again.

As Mi Hongdou tucked the hot water bottles into Ji Junxin’s bed and was about to turn off the lights, Ji Junxin suddenly spoke: “Your gaze towards me… is very gentle. What I said earlier, about it being mischievous and bullying, I was just trying to annoy you.” She burrowed under the covers.

Mi Hongdou’s hand lingered on the light switch… then she turned off the lights.

The room was plunged into darkness.

Although they had eaten their fill and had warm hot water bottles, neither Ji Junxin nor Mi Hongdou slept well that night.

Jiang Lingling also had a restless night.

Of course, it wasn’t because of some petty argument, or some crying and hugging. As a dedicated single dog, what kept Jiang Lingling awake was studying the script, preparing to deal with the scumbags the next day.

Jiang Lingling was also quite pitiful. She had spent the entire afternoon in makeup, waiting, only to be told that they couldn’t film the next scene because everyone was too full from the porridge. She had to remove her makeup and come back the next day. Jiang Lingling blamed Jiang Duo for this and, unable to immediately retaliate, was very frustrated. She was someone who acted on her impulses, both for revenge and for kindness.

However, this frustration was somewhat relieved when she reviewed the script for the next day’s scenes. According to Dong Yuannan, for the sake of their current shared interests, she couldn’t completely destroy Jiang Duo yet. But… a little “using public office for private gain,” as revenge for today’s forced porridge consumption, should be acceptable.

So, while Jiang Duo slept soundly, the light in Jiang Lingling’s bedroom stayed on until late at night…