Chapter 84: A Leisurely Day

Yan Rushan said, “You won’t be able to get your graduation certificate right now.”

“It doesn’t matter, as long as you keep my record. I just need the certificate a few years later.” After all, she’d eventually study medicine, and her foundation in that field was rather limited; learning would take time, but it wasn’t a big issue.

“If you’re certain, go ahead. I support you.” In this way, she’d be like him, returning for her certificate when the time came. “You’re already employed at the school. If you pass, do you still want to stay?”

Zhong Yuxiu nodded, “I’ll stay. I can help Professor Ding when I have nothing else to do; otherwise, being idle is terribly dull.”

Unlike the prosperous times to come, when one could wander the city, shop, or enjoy snacks in leisure.

“This is good, too—the schedule is relatively steady.” No need to run about, she could focus on what she wanted to do.

“Yes, I like a stable environment.” Zhong Yuxiu nodded, took a bite of the beef noodles, savoring the lingering flavor. “Delicious, the taste is rich and well-seasoned.”

Yan Rushan’s lips curled in a faint smile, the warmth spreading to his eyes. “Have Goudan save the soup base for you. Tomorrow morning, I’ll cook noodles with it.”

“I wonder how much soup is left.”

“When I left, there was still half a pot,” Yan Rushan replied.

Zhong Yuxiu was tempted, but then changed her mind. “Never mind, if I want more, Goudan can just make it again.”

Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo each brought out a large bowl, sitting together at the table. They devoured their food in a few quick bites, even finishing the soup.

Beef-broth soup was nutritious, a rare delicacy not found elsewhere.

After their midnight snack, it was late, and Yan Rushan had to take his leave.

Once he was gone, Zhong Yuxiu felt an emptiness beside her; the urge to linger vanished. She washed up and went upstairs with Goudan to sleep.

With no classes, Yuxiu slept until she woke naturally. Outside, the sky was faintly bright, the wind howled coldly, but the room was so warm that Yuxiu decided to stay in bed a little longer.

“Goudan, it’s time to make breakfast.”

“Yes, Master.” Goudan walked out of the laboratory, stepped to the door, opened it, and said, “Master, staying in bed isn’t a good habit. Please get up soon. I’ll call you again once breakfast is ready.”

Zhong Yuxiu burrowed deeper into the covers, unwilling to be roused.

Goudan shook its head, displaying a human-like gesture, closed the door, and left the room. No other machine was as agile as it was in front of Zhong Yuxiu; Goudan thought it ought to be called a disguised robot.

Next door, Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo heard movement and came out, only to see Goudan.

“Goudan, has Comrade Zhong woken up?”

Goudan went straight downstairs, as if they didn’t exist.

But Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo knew Goudan was aware of their presence; as for its occasional indifference, it was probably due to some programmed instructions—and the one who set those could only be her.

She carried an inexplicably heavy burden, yet she wasn’t aware of it.

“Let’s go.”

The two headed downstairs, to help Goudan prepare breakfast. With limited ingredients, breakfast was usually porridge and buns, with few pastries; soy milk was out of the question—not only were beans hard to find, but making it was troublesome and time-consuming.

By the time soy milk was ready, the buns and steamed bread would already be shaped and placed in the steamer.

Once the buns and bread were steaming, the two went outside to exercise.

Goudan slowly simmered the porridge, not on high heat, but gently, to extract the rice oil for better absorption.

For the sake of its master’s health, today Goudan worked with meticulous diligence.

When the porridge was ready and the steamer was hot, Goudan sensed its master hadn’t come down yet; it went upstairs, pushed open the door, and found her still buried under the covers, unmoving.

“Master, breakfast is ready.”

A hand stretched out from the covers, smacking the headboard. “I’ve been kidnapped.” It wasn’t that she didn’t want to get up.

Goudan let out a mechanical chuckle, eerie and unsettling.

Zhong Yuxiu threw off the covers and glared, “Goudan, be quiet. Your laugh is too creepy.”

“Is it? I think it’s fine. Master, won’t you get up?”

“I don’t want to.”

Goudan bent slightly, hands behind its back, speaking leisurely, “There are steaming buns and bread, stuffed buns with meat and vegetables, and vermicelli. The bread is fragrant and sweet, paired with porridge—truly delicious. Don’t you want to try?”

“You made meat buns with vermicelli?”

“Not only that, there are cabbage and meat buns, and salted vegetable buns. If you don’t get up soon, the food will cool and won’t taste as good.”

Reluctantly, Zhong Yuxiu dragged herself out of bed and ordered, “Go, fetch my clothes.”

“Which would Master like to wear?” Goudan asked, walking sideways.

“The black ones, anything will do.” There were only a few outfits, hardly room for choice; but that suited her fine—she had no intention of shopping now, clothes outside were ugly and overpriced.

Goudan opened the closet, took out a black top and pants, plus warm layers, and brought them to her.

“Master, please get up. Goudan will go set the table.”

“Got it.”

Goudan closed the door. Zhong Yuxiu yawned delicately, changed into the thick clothes Goudan brought, slipped into her shoes, went downstairs to wash up, combed her hair into a ponytail, and strolled leisurely to the dining hall.

Just as she entered, two hurried footsteps approached. Zhong Yuxiu turned and saw Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo; their hair was still wet—if it were snowing, it would freeze solid on their heads.

“Did you two go out to exercise again?”

“Yes, good morning, Comrade Zhong.” Hao Nan glanced at her with a smile.

Tian Shangguo nodded, “Good morning, Comrade Zhong. Since you’re not going to school today, why not sleep a little longer?”

“I would have liked to,” Zhong Yuxiu sighed, “but Goudan woke me up.”

Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo exchanged smiles. Tian Shangguo’s was fleeting, but Hao Nan’s was bright and open. Goudan was a robot made by Zhong Yuxiu, programmed to put her first—waking her up was likely part of its settings.

Goudan walked steadily between Hao Nan and Tian Shangguo, carrying dishes and a single-tier steamer tray to the dining hall.

“I’ll go dry my hair and help out,” Hao Nan said, heading quickly to the bathroom. Tian Shangguo followed; inside, they grabbed towels, dried their hair, washed their hands, and then helped carry porridge and buns from the kitchen.

Goudan’s tray held bread, followed by steamed buns, each kind filling a whole tray; every steamer compartment had seven or eight buns, plenty for all.

When the steamers were opened, sweet, fragrant wheat scents wafted around the dining table.

Zhong Yuxiu picked up a bun with her chopsticks and took a small bite; the sweet flavor spread through her mouth, making her squint her eyes in satisfaction.