Ran pushed Simeon into the room and said, "It's getting late. I'll go cook first. Today, I'll let you taste my cooking skills!"
"I'll help you!" Without waiting for Ran to react, Simeon took the candied hawthorn and strode out of the room.
He came to the kitchen, sat in front of the stove, and watched her happily.
Seeing him already sitting down, Ran didn't insist that he leave. She was still very happy he was willing to help.
The wild chicken and rabbit had already been prepared by Simeon. Ran only needed to cook them.
Ran went back to her luggage storage. Actually, she took out some spices from her space: several spices, wild onions, and wild ginger.
After thinking for a moment, she also took out a few dried chili peppers.
Since this world had no spicy food, Ran didn't know if Simeon could accept the chili's flavor.
So, she only took three dried chilies. They had only a little heat, not too strong.
Back in the kitchen, Ran quickly made a spicy stir-fried rabbit dish.
"Cough, cough..." Because it was the first time smelling chili's strong flavor, Simeon couldn't help but cough a little.
Ran saw his eyes turn red and immediately pulled him out of the kitchen.
"Rest here for a while. I will take over now!" She felt a little embarrassed and said, "Sorry, I didn't know these chilies were so spicy. You've never tasted them before, so you can't handle it yet."
"It's okay!" Seeing her guilty expression, Simeon wiped his eyes, which were red from coughing, then smiled and shook his head.
"You say this is chili... What kind of ingredient is it?"
"This is a food from my hometown. Many people like its flavor." Thinking of all the delicious food before the apocalypse, Ran quietly swallowed and continued, "You don't adapt to it here, that's normal.
But it really tastes very good!"
Thinking of the spicy rabbit in the pot, Ran couldn't stop praising chili's taste and benefits to Simeon.
As a chili lover, she wished everyone liked spicy food. She felt food without chili lost its soul!
"Chili not only adds flavor, it can also relieve pain, help digestion, and warm the stomach," she said, handing him the unused chili.
"I didn't expect such a small chili to have so many effects!" Simeon took the chili, looked at it curiously, and smelled it.
Except for the spicy smell before, he found nothing special.
Ran saw him studying the chili and did not disturb him, quietly returning to the kitchen.
Simeon felt something was strange about the chili in his hand. He didn't understand how such a small thing could have such a strong taste.
He recalled what Ran said earlier and hesitated for a moment, then broke open the chili.
Seeing the white seeds inside, he couldn't help but put some in his mouth.
The next moment, Simeon felt as if a big fire was burning in his mouth.
"Spit it out!" He quickly spat the chili from his mouth, but his mouth still felt hot and uncomfortable.
However, the aroma coming from the kitchen was very rich. He could not imagine such a small thing could create this delicious smell.
The strong aroma was not only noticed by Simeon but also by nearby houses.
"Xiang! Whose cooking is this?"
"Xiang! This smell is too good for a fat-loss period! I've never smelled anything so fragrant before!"
"It smells good, but the scent is a bit sharp. I feel like sneezing!"
"Brother, where is this smell coming from? Go and find it quickly!"
"Mom, I want to eat! Dads, I want to eat!"
Soon, the wives at home all pushed their husbands outside, searching for where the tempting smell came from.
The husbands looked at each other and forced a bitter smile.
Most of them were not favored at home. Everyone knew this mission wouldn't be easy.
After all, something that gives off such a strong and tempting smell must be very precious. Even if found, others wouldn't give it up easily.
But if they didn't bring some back for their wives, they would get punished when they returned home.
Thinking of their wives, everyone sighed and followed the direction of the aroma.
"The food is here!" Ran placed a large bowl of dishes on the table, then served two bowls of rice.
She didn't rush to eat but smiled and raised her eyebrows at Simeon, asking, "Do you dare to try?"
"What is there to not dare?" Simeon had just tried some chili. Although he was still not used to the spicy taste, it was better than before.
He picked up a piece of rabbit meat and slowly chewed it under Ran's expectant gaze.
The spicy, sharp taste he imagined was not there.
Instead, his mouth was filled with rich meat flavor and some unknown tastes, very delicious.
Also, the spicy flavor was there but very light, not the strong chili heat.
"How is it?" Ran blinked her big eyes, watching him with hope.
"Very delicious!" Simeon picked up another piece and praised while eating, "This is the first time I have tasted something so good. It is truly a rare delight!"
"You're exaggerating!" Ran was confident in her cooking, but hearing such praise from a handsome man made her shy and smile.
Seeing her shy smile, a flash of admiration appeared in Simeon's eyes.
He quickly lowered his head, feeling flustered and not daring to look at her again.
He didn't know what was wrong with him.
Why did Ran's gentle smile seem so beautiful?
Could it be that he...
Thinking about this possibility, Simeon felt nervous.
He hated himself for having such thoughts about Ran.
She was already struggling in life as a widowed woman.
If others found out about his feelings, it would make her life even harder.
For a moment, Simeon lost his appetite and felt restless inside.
Because men outnumbered women, many men in this world would never find a wife.
That was why this world had a certain type of hidden love between men.
But since this love couldn't continue the family line, society did not accept it.
If discovered, people would despise and shame those involved.
So even if some liked other men, they kept it secret, both to protect themselves and their loved ones.