MG2018 - Compilation: One Shots

Hot Pot (London: A Variation)

"We have one more stop to go," Daoming Si said to Shancai with a smile. After running out of the mansion together, Si and Shancai had explored the entire city of London the entire afternoon. Shancai looked up at him and asked, "Where are we going?" Si lifted his hand and pinched her cheek, "I have to fulfill my promise to you!" Shancai clapped her hands excitedly, "We're having hotpot!" Si leaned in so that his face was inches away from hers. "And I know just the place," he wriggled his eyebrows at her and planted a kiss on her nose, making her giggle.

Si led the way to Feng Shui Inn and pushed the door open, letting Shancai in first before following her into the restaurant. "Shancai! Si!" They both turned to see Mrs. Yue looking at them in confusion. When she took in the sight of their hands clasped together, she clapped her hands and beamed at them in delight. "Ah Si, do you know, when Shancai first came in here, she talked about coming to London to look for her boyfriend and her eyes were full of love," Mrs. Yue said as she ushered them to a table. Si smiled at Shancai across the table and told Mrs. Yue, "We're celebrating the best day we've ever had together. Please give us the most sumptuous hotpot." Shancai nodded excitedly, and Mrs. Yue hurried away to prepare their meal.

Soon, their meal arrived and Shancai took Si's bowl to serve him first. He took his first bite and closed his eyes. "This is delicious," he said through a mouthful of food, and Shancai laughed. She swatted his arm playfully, "Don't you know it's bad manners to talk with your mouth full?" He grinned at her and said while chewing, "You understand me anyway!" She rolled her eyes and chided, "Daoming Si!" He laughed and helped himself to another mouthful, and Shancai began to eat as well. Mrs. Yue joined them for a while and they told stories over the delicious meal. 

When they were done eating, Si turned to Mrs. Yue and said, "I forgot to tell you! Shancai is the creator of the Eight Treasure Spicy Noodles!" Mrs. Yue turned to Shancai, "Oh my goodness! You must cook one for us now!" Shancai turned to Si, who nodded at her with a smile. "Okay," she said to Mrs. Yue, and they all went to the kitchen together. As Shancai set about cooking her signature recipe, Si decided to call the mansion and check on things. "Ah Si," Mrs. Yu answered the phone, "Huaze Lei is here and--" Lei's voice suddenly came on the line, "Ah Si, there's been a tragic accident. Your mother was running on her treadmill and it appears she slipped and hit her head. You're free-- I mean, she's gone." Si felt like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He couldn't find it in himself to mourn a woman he had never really known. All he could think of now was that he was finally free to love Shancai. He and Zhuang would figure out how to run the company together, and that could wait. "Just take care of Mrs. Yu," Si said to Lei before hanging up. 

He turned to Shancai, who had just finished cooking and was now plating the dish for him. He took in this sight of her preparing a delicious meal for him, and his heart felt full at the realization that this would be the first of many meals she would make for him and he would eat heartily to the last bite. She looked up at him, a hint of concern in her eyes. "Daoming Si? Is everything all right?" she asked. He smiled and replied, "Yes. For the first time, everything is just fine." He would tell her everything later, while they were packing for their trip back to Shanghai. For now, all that mattered was his favorite dish, in his favorite restaurant, with the woman he loved.