Volume One, Chapter 8: If You Wash My Socks, I'll Let You Eat

Shen Qi prepared four dishes in just over 40 minutes: plum sauce pork ribs, stuffed tiger skin peppers, mushrooms in oyster sauce, and vinegar-braised cabbage hearts. Alongside these, he steamed a pot of fluffy, piping-hot rice. The food was a feast for the senses, but it was Shen Qi’s relaxed, skillful, and masterful demeanor—and especially the profound sense of ritual he conveyed through his expressions and words—that added a layer of devotion to a meal that appeared simple yet was anything but. All of this made the meal feel like so much more than just food.

[I’m stunned! If someone could cook for me like that, why would I still be unmarried at 48?]
[I’m truly in love; this is simply the perfect man. If it were me, I’d be happy to let him eat my “soft rice”... er, I mean, let him live off me.]
[This guy is truly detestable. He’s single-handedly raised the bar for being a kept man and lying flat. If every woman in China watches this stream, where am I going to find a rich woman to support me?]

Li Huangge felt incredibly conflicted. Shen Qi had lived up to her expectations, which was something to be happy about. However, she had never realized that every meal Shen Qi prepared for her was made with such care, even when she wasn’t home and he was cooking for himself. She was deeply moved. This meal made her feel even hungrier than usual.

Shen Qi habitually started to say, "Huan—," then smiled and scratched his head. "She’s not home..."

Li Huangge felt a pang in her heart. *Shen Qi, oh Shen Qi, ours is only a contract marriage. You... could it be that you’ve fallen in love with me?* Her face flushed slightly, but then she saw Shen Qi glance toward the stairs. "If it weren't to whet Shen Xiaokun’s appetite, would I even bother putting in this much effort?"

Li Huangge: ...

"Speaking of which, why hasn't that kid come down yet? If he doesn't come down, how am I supposed to make him crave this?"

[Pfft, hahaha! Shen Qi is too funny. Don’t get me wrong, I’m actually looking forward to seeing Shen Xiaokun’s reaction.]
[It’s cruel! Little Kun is so handsome, how can he bear to let him go hungry?]
[After watching Shen Qi cook, I’ve changed my mind. Shen Qi does everything; can’t Shen Xiaokun at least wash the dishes?]
[Kun-zai is only five. He’s been practicing calligraphy and piano; does he not even deserve a meal?]

Finally, Shen Xiaokun came downstairs. Shen Qi seemed to be waiting for this exact moment and only began to eat when he saw the boy looking over.

"Hiss... hysterical!"

Shen Xiaokun’s face darkened immediately. "If I’m not mistaken... were you speaking English?"

Shen Qi chuckled. "The English word for 'delicious' can easily turn into 'hysterical,' and you might just get to experience that firsthand."

Shen Xiaokun saw that there were no bowl or chopsticks for him on the table. He walked into the kitchen, grabbed a set, and went to the rice cooker to dish out some rice. A large hand suddenly pressed down on the lid.

Shen Qi said sternly, "I said it before: no dishwashing, no food!"

"You..." Shen Xiaokun was furious.

"Even though you are small, I need to treat you like a man! A man’s word must be gold. If you eat this meal now, in the days to come, you’ll automatically stop taking my words seriously. As a father, I need to maintain my authority, and you need to earn your food through your own efforts."

Shen Xiaokun stared blankly at Shen Qi. He hadn’t expected that as soon as Li Huangge went on a business trip, Shen Qi would actually grow a backbone. "Are you for real?"

Shen Qi nodded. "I’m teaching you to be sensible at home now, which is much better than you being taught by society later that you can’t get something for nothing!"

The atmosphere suddenly turned cold.

[This... Shen Qi’s words are reasonable, but why does it feel like he’s overreacting?]
[Actually, I don’t think Shen Qi is wrong. Children are good at finding an adult’s weak spots. If an adult can be firm, a child will develop good character.]
[It’s too cruel; having exquisite dishes placed right in front of you and not being able to eat is suffering.]

Lin Xiaolu was even angrier than before. "Nonsense! This is nonsense! Shen Qi has gone too far!"
"A child’s health should be the priority. You can teach a child to do chores through gentle persuasion; why be so extreme?" Bai Qinghe was so angry she stood up.

Zhuo Yiyi shook her head slightly; she felt Shen Qi was right. It was only one missed meal, and it might just instill a good habit of doing chores in Shen Xiaokun.

Li Huangge felt torn again. She treated Shen Xiaokun as her own, and while she wanted him to be talented and versatile, she naturally wanted him to be sensible and well-mannered in his dealings with others. However, she felt Shen Qi’s method was a bit excessive. No matter what, he shouldn't deny the child food. Shen Xiaokun usually had a healthy appetite because he spent a lot of energy on his hobbies.

But Shen Qi looked firm and unyielding. At this point, no one thought Shen Xiaokun would succeed in getting his lunch. Yet, Shen Xiaokun was precocious; he wouldn't resort to crying or throwing a tantrum like other children his age. He understood that if Shen Qi wouldn't even let him eat lunch, crying wouldn't soften his heart.

*Gurgle...*

The sound of his stomach growling made Shen Xiaokun’s face flush, and the fragrant dishes on the table made his mouth water. "Shen Qi, what do I have to do to get my lunch?"

[???]
[Holy crap! Can you believe this is how a five-year-old solves a problem?]
[I knew Shen Xiaokun was precocious, but he can analyze human nature and negotiate terms?]
[Damn it, you’re making me want to have a son again.]

Shen Qi chuckled. "You didn't wash the dishes from the last meal, so logically, you shouldn't eat this one! But since you’re handling this with me like an adult, I’m pleased, so I’ll give you a chance. You left the socks you took off last night in your shoes; go wash them now!"

Shen Xiaokun nodded. "Fine. After all, they are the socks I wore, so I should wash them."

Just as Shen Xiaokun was about to leave, Shen Qi suddenly shouted, "Wait."

"Hmm?" Shen Xiaokun looked back at Shen Qi.

Shen Qi said, "Those are the socks you wore; you were supposed to wash them anyway. How does that have anything to do with this meal?"

"So what do you mean?" Shen Xiaokun regretted speaking too soon.

Shen Qi pointed to the shoe cabinet by the door. "You need to wash my socks. That signifies that by contributing to me, you have earned the meal I have provided! How about that?"

Shen Xiaokun yelled, "Not good at all!"

"Alright then, it seems you don't want to eat this meal." Shen Qi sat down and began to pick at his food and eat. Shen Xiaokun swallowed hard.

[This... this father is too ruthless, right?]
[He’s definitely not his biological father! My own son has been knocked out by the smell of my socks before.]
[The way these two interact is exactly like a tug-of-war negotiation between adults.]
[Hostess, come out quickly! Your son is going to be poisoned!]

Li Huangge was stunned. She seemed to realize something. When at home, she never washed anything other than her undergarments—not because Shen Qi wouldn't wash them, but because their marriage was a contract, and she didn't want him to wash her intimate items. But he did wash her socks. Shen Qi was willing to wash her clothes and socks because she paid him, and he viewed it as his professional duty.

So now... Shen Xiaokun also needed to pay a price to get a return? Li Huangge felt she understood Shen Qi better now, but she didn't think the proud Shen Xiaokun would actually wash Shen Qi’s socks.

In the frame, Shen Xiaokun gritted his teeth and looked toward the shoe cabinet. "Then I must first determine if your socks are... stinky or not..."