It was yet another ordinary evening, with golden sunlight slanting into my small kitchen, bathing the whole room in a warm, honey-like glow. Wearing an apron, I was focused on preparing the ingredients for tonight's dinner.

"What should I make today..." I muttered to myself as I washed the vegetables.


It wasn’t entirely a monologue, though, because I knew that Ashen and Starson would be arriving soon. This had become an unspoken routine among the three of us—every few days, they would always coincidentally appear in my little kitchen, and we would share dinner and talk about lighthearted topics.

"Hmm, let's make braised pork belly today," I nodded with satisfaction while looking at the sliced pork belly on the chopping board, "and then steamed egg custard, a stir-fried seasonal vegetable, and..."

I stood on tiptoe to take a small earthen jar from the shelf, which contained the broth I had made last time. Opening the lid, I took a whiff, and the rich aroma immediately filled my senses.


"I'll use this to make a radish soup."

I hummed a tune as I busied myself. First, I cut the pork belly into cubes, fried them until slightly browned, then added rock sugar to caramelize, and poured in soy sauce and cooking wine... The entire process felt like a ritual, bringing me a deep sense of comfort.


The kitchen gradually filled with an enticing aroma. The braised pork simmered gently on low heat, bubbling and gurgling; the steamed egg custard quietly solidified into a smooth and tender texture in the steamer; the vegetables, washed clean, were placed aside, awaiting their turn in the pot.

Just as I was preparing the seasoning for the steamed egg custard, I heard the sound of the courtyard gate being pushed open.

"Lin, I'm back," came Ashen's deep voice from the entrance.

"Huh? You're back so early today?" I peeked out, somewhat surprised. Normally, Ashen wouldn’t show up until it was completely dark outside.

He took off his coat and hung it on the hook by the door, then carefully pulled out something wrapped in cloth from his chest.

"What’s this?" I curiously leaned closer to take a look.

Ashen opened the cloth bundle, revealing a few strangely colored mushrooms. They displayed a faint purple hue, with delicate patterns on their surfaces, emitting a fragrance I had never smelled before.

"Found them while patrolling the border," Ashen said briefly. "The locals say they're edible, and the taste is quite unique."

My eyes lit up, and I immediately took them to examine closely. The texture of these mushrooms looked tender, and the distinct aroma told my professional intuition that they must be delicious.

"Wow, these look amazing!" I exclaimed excitedly. "Ashen, you know me so well, always finding me the most intriguing new ingredients to explore."

The corner of Ashen's mouth curled into an almost imperceptible smile, but I noticed it. Every time I saw that faint smile of his, a warm feeling would surge in my heart.

"Lin! I’m here too!"Starson’s clear voice came from the courtyard, "I’ve brought you something good today!"

I walked to the door with Ashen and saw Starson hurriedly entering, holding a thick ancient book in his arms.

"Look, look, this 'Cloud Dream Culinary Classic' was discovered deep in the palace library,"Starson said excitedly, "It records many lost ancient recipes, some of the methods are simply unheard of!"

"Wow, another discovery!"I clapped my hands in delight, "Today is truly a double surprise."

Noticing the mushrooms in Ashen’s hands, Starson asked curiously, "What’s this?"

"A local specialty from the border,"Ashen replied.

"That's great!" Starson's eyes lit up, "We can use this mushroom to try the method mentioned in the ancient book. Look here," he flipped through the pages and pointed, "There's a recipe for 'Purple Mushroom Snow Soup,' which uses purple mushrooms stewed in clear broth. It’s said to clear heat, moisturize, and taste incredibly delicious."

I leaned over to look at the text in the ancient book. Although it was a bit convoluted, I could roughly understand the method.

"Then let's try this today!" I decided, "I’ve just made some broth, and it should be perfect for stewing these mushrooms."

The three of us returned to the kitchen. I continued preparing dinner, while Ashen and Starson sat at the small table studying the ancient book.

"Hey, Lin, listen to this," Starson read with great interest, "'Take three taels of purple mushrooms, soak them in clean water for a quarter of an hour, then stew them gently in clear broth over a low flame. When the broth turns slightly purple and the aroma fills the air, it’s ready to serve.' This description already sounds so fragrant!"

"How poetic the ancients were even when writing recipes," I chuckled while handling the mushrooms, "though it is indeed quite lyrical."

Ashen listened quietly to our conversation, occasionally interjecting with brief remarks. Though he spoke little, I could sense he was enjoying this moment.

After washing and slicing the mushrooms, I followed the ancient method of soaking them in clear water before adding them to the broth for stewing. Soon, an unprecedented aroma wafted from the pot, more enticing than I had imagined.

"Wow, it smells amazing!" Starson couldn’t help but exclaim.

Even Ashen gave a slight nod of approval.

The other dishes were also progressing smoothly. The braised pork belly had turned tender and flavorful, with a glossy red hue; the steamed egg custard was completed, smooth as silk; the greens had just been tossed into the wok, vibrant and fresh.

"Alright, it’s time to eat!" I called the two of them to the table.

The small table was filled with steaming hot dishes, and the warm light spilled over the food, making everything appear exceptionally cozy. The purple mushroom snow soup, in particular, emitted a refreshing aroma, its broth displaying an elegant purple hue, just as beautifully described in ancient texts.

"Let me try this legendary purple mushroom snow soup first," Starson eagerly scooped a spoonful.

He carefully took a sip, and his eyes instantly lit up.

"It’s amazing! This flavor... how should I put it? It’s both savory and light, with an indescribable depth," Starson excitedly described. "And after drinking it, I feel refreshed and invigorated."

Ashen also took a taste and, unusually, added a few more words: "It’s truly special. The texture is excellent."

For Ashen, this was already a rather high compliment. Feeling pleased, I quickly took a sip as well.

Hmm, it's truly amazing! That umami flavor is completely different from the soup I usually make. It has a wild, fresh aroma reminiscent of deep mountains and ancient forests, yet it remains gentle. The wisdom of the ancients is truly not to be underestimated.

"Lin, your culinary skills are getting more and more impressive," Starson said while eating braised pork. "I used to think the royal chefs in the palace were already exceptional, but now I know what real gourmet food is."

"It's not that exaggerated," I replied somewhat shyly. "I'm just better at noticing the characteristics of ingredients. Besides, the mushrooms today were brought by Ashen, and the ancient text was discovered by you. I'm just the one who did the processing."

"That's still different," Starson said seriously. "The same ingredients can turn into completely different dishes in different hands. You always bring out the best in every type of food."

Ashen nodded in agreement.

"Just like this green vegetable," Starson pointed at the plate of stir-fried seasonal greens, "it's the most ordinary dish, but in your hands, it becomes so delicious. Crisp, tender, refreshing, and it retains the natural sweetness of the vegetables."

Hearing their compliments warmed my heart. But what made me even happier was seeing them enjoy the meal so much—that sense of satisfaction is incomparable.

"By the way, Starson, how have you been feeling lately?" I asked with concern. "Your complexion looks much better than before."

"Thanks to you, I'm feeling much better now," Starson said with a smile. "After following your dietary remedy for so long, most of my previous ailments are gone. Plus, my mental state has improved, and I feel full of energy every day."

"That's good to hear," I breathed a sigh of relief. "But still, make sure not to overexert yourself. Rest when you need to."

Recalling Starson's pale and haggard appearance when I first met him, and now seeing him glowing with health and vitality in his eyes, I truly feel a sense of relief.

"Lin, what about you? How have you been recently?" Starson turned his concern to me.

"Me? Well..." I thought for a moment, "Pretty good. I get to do things I enjoy every day and help others too. It feels fulfilling."

"I heard 'The Culinary Compendium' has been reprinted?" Starson asked.

"Yes, I didn’t expect it to be so popular," I said somewhat bashfully, "I originally just wanted to help people eat healthier, but it spread much wider than I anticipated."

"That’s a good thing," Starson said earnestly, "Your skills are helping more people, and that in itself is remarkable."

Even Ashen rarely spoke up, "The border soldiers are also using your recipes. Everyone says the food’s much better than before."

"Really?" I asked with pleasant surprise, "That’s wonderful!"

Thinking about the soldiers guarding the border being able to eat more nutritious and delicious food through my recipes, a warm feeling welled up in my heart. This must be what they call a sense of accomplishment.

We chatted while eating, and the atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant. Although Ashen still didn't speak much, I could sense that he was enjoying the time. Occasionally, he would add a sentence or two about his experiences at the border or briefly comment on the taste of the dishes. Starson, on the other hand, enthusiastically discussed various wondrous recipes from ancient texts with me, often sharing interesting discoveries from his research.

"Hey, did you know?" I suddenly remembered something. "Aunt Scarlet told me yesterday that she wants me to teach her how to make that 'Blood-Nourishing and Calming Soup.'"

"Aunt Scarlet?" Starson asked in confusion.

"It's the deputy director of the Imperial Kitchen, the one who has always taken good care of me," I explained. "She said she hasn't been sleeping well lately and wants to try the effects of dietary therapy."

"That soup is indeed very effective," Ashen unusually initiated the conversation. "I've been sleeping much better since I started drinking it."

Hearing Ashen say this made me particularly happy. He used to always look sleep-deprived, often with dark circles under his eyes, but now he seems much more energetic.

"Then I'll teach Aunt Scarlet how to make it tomorrow," I decided. "Actually, the method for this soup isn't complicated; the key is mastering the heat and the proportions."

"Lin, you're really amazing," Starson remarked with admiration. "Not only is your cooking delicious, but you also know so much about dietary therapy."

"Oh, no, no," I waved my hand. "I'm just more sensitive to food. Plus, a lot of this knowledge comes from ancient texts, like today's 'Cloud Dream Culinary Classic,' which has a lot of valuable content."

"Speaking of ancient texts, I remembered something," Starson's eyes lit up again, "Next month, the palace is hosting an ancient book exhibition, where many rare texts will be displayed, including a few about food culture. Would you be interested in going?"

"Of course, I'm interested!" I nodded immediately, "The chance to see more ancient texts is something I eagerly desire."

"Then it's settled," Starson said happily, "We’ll go together then."

"How about you, Ashen?" I turned to look at him.

Ashen thought for a moment and nodded, "If I have the time."

We continued chatting, the topic shifting from ancient texts to ingredients, and then to various amusing things in life. Time passed unnoticed, and the dishes on the table gradually disappeared.

Looking at these two people before me, I suddenly felt a strong surge of emotion.

Starson, the prince who once lost hope in life, now has rekindled in his eyes a desire for knowledge and anticipation for the future; Ashen, the guard who always enclosed himself in cold armor, is now willing to let down all his defenses in my kitchen, quietly savoring this warmth.

And I, a common girl who once just wanted to earn a living by cooking safely in the palace, now have such precious friendships, the ability to heal and help others, and have found the true direction of my life.

"Hey, you two..." I suddenly spoke up.

"What is it?" Starson looked at me in confusion.

Ashen also raised his head, waiting for my next words.

"Nothing," I shook my head, a genuine smile spreading across my face. "It's just... this is really nice."

Yes, it truly is.

Once I believed that the destination of life must be choosing someone and spending the rest of my life with them. But now I understand that the true归宿 lies not in choosing who, but in having such a solid bond that allows us to share food, joys, and sorrows.

I don’t need to choose between Starson and Ashen, because both are irreplaceable to me. Starson brings me intellectual inspiration and spiritual resonance, while Ashen offers me silent companionship and reliable protection. And I, in my own way, repay their friendship—by cooking every dish for them with care, using the warmth of food to heal the wounds in their hearts.

That’s enough. A relationship like this is more precious and enduring than any form of love.

"Wait..."I suddenly remembered something and stood up, ‘‘I’ll go get you some soup.’’

I walked to the stove and carefully ladled the purple mushroom snow soup with a spoon. The light purple broth swayed gently in the spoon, emitting a subtle and elegant fragrance.

I first served a bowl to Ashen, then to Starson, and finally to myself.

"Here, drink it while it's hot," I handed them the bowls, "This soup clears heat and moisturizes dryness, it's very good for your health."

Watching them take the bowls and carefully taste the soup made by an ancient method, a sense of unprecedented fulfillment welled up in my heart.

Yes, no matter how the court changes, no matter how complex and unpredictable the outside world is, this small kitchen will always have the homely smoke and fire that can heal everything.

And I, Fenglin, will continue to cook delicious food and weave beautiful memories in this warm corner for those I cherish, in my own way.

This story, perhaps, has only just begun.