Shadows of desire || SVT ||

(54) Why Him ?

After returning from Minghao's art studio, Yuri ran into Mingyu in the stairs. He was heading to his room when he stopped and told her, "Wait for me in the living room."

Curious, Yuri nodded and made her way to the living room, wondering what Mingyu had in mind. A few minutes later, he appeared, looking determined. Without saying much, he gestured for her to follow him to the kitchen.

"I’ve thought a lot about what you said earlier," Mingyu began as they entered the kitchen. "And I’ve decided—I want to cook for you. But this time, no help from you. I want you to just sit here and watch me, okay?"

Yuri raised her eyebrows, surprised but amused. "Hmm, alright," she replied with a soft smile, taking a seat at the counter, where she could see him work.

Mingyu wasted no time, getting straight to business. His movements were confident and precise as he gathered ingredients, the clinks of pots and pans filling the space. Yuri watched him with fascination. It wasn’t just about the cooking; it was the concentration on his face, the way his brows furrowed when he focused, and how every action was done with care.

As he chopped vegetables and stirred sauces, there was something calming about the scene. Mingyu, who was usually teasing or light-hearted, seemed to be in his element here. It was like watching a different side of him, one she hadn’t seen before.

"You look like you’ve done this a thousand times," Yuri remarked, breaking the comfortable silence.

Mingyu glanced at her with a small grin. "I have, but it’s different cooking for you."

Yuri tilted her head slightly, a playful glint in her eyes. "Is it enough for 14 people?"

Mingyu paused mid-chop, clearly caught off guard. "Huh?" He looked confused for a second before shaking his head, "But I’m not cooking for them... I’m cooking for you."

She smiled softly at his response, warmth creeping into her voice as she asked,"why"?

Mingyu met her eyes for a moment before focusing back on the food. He kept his voice low, almost as if he was talking to himself. "Because... They don't care."

Yuri smiles at him "but they really loves your food".

Mingyu paused for a moment, absorbing her words. He glanced at Yuri, his expression softening. "You really think so?"

She nodded, a gentle smile on her face. "Gyuu, I’ve seen it. Every time we cook together, they eat like they know it’s you behind the meal. Even if they don’t say it out loud, they appreciate it. They really love your food."

Mingyu chuckled softly, shaking his head as he returned to the cutting board. "I guess I never really noticed... But hearing that from you, it feels nice."

Yuri watched him, warmth in her gaze. "They might not always say it, but they know how much love and effort you put into your cooking. And they feel it. Its just they don't share." Mingyu smiled, the tension in his shoulders relaxing.

Yuri hesitated for a moment before she softly asked, "Gyuu… what was your family like before all of this like before you came here?"

Mingyu froze mid-motion, his hand stilling as he held the knife. The atmosphere in the kitchen shifted, and she could sense the weight of her question. Regretting bringing it up, she quickly added, "Ah, you don’t have to answer. I didn’t mean to—"

But he stopped her. His voice was low and distant. "No… it’s okay."

He set the knife down and leaned against the counter, staring off into space. "I don’t talk about them much. My parents... they were beggars. My father, he... he was an alcoholic. A violent one. He used to beat my mother and my little sister. I remember… being so young and not being able to do anything about it."