Chapter 1307: MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL PREPARATION IN JI YUN'S HOME

THE kitchen was warm and filled with the sounds of cooking. Shen Ji Yun stood at the stove, sliding the stir-fried vegetables onto a large serving plate. The glistening vegetables were perfectly cooked. Beside him, Jiang Yue watched with an appreciative nod.

"That looks excellent, Xiao Yun," Jiang Yue said. "You've outdone yourself again."

Shen Ji Yun only smiled and set the plate aside and reached for the next pan. "The fish should be ready. Uncle Yue, could you check the soup?"

Jiang Yue moved to the large pot and lifted the lid. Steam rose, carrying the rich scent of chicken and herbs. He stirred slowly, then dipped a spoon in for a taste. He nodded approvingly. "The soup is perfect."

At the kitchen doorway, Shen Yi Mu leaned against the frame, arms crossed, watching the two of them work. A small smile played on his lips.

"You know, watching the two of you working in the kitchen has always been a treat," Shen Yi Mu said casually. "It's like watching my wife and son cook for me."

Jiang Yue glanced over his shoulder with a helpless smile. "Brother Mu, stop with the daydreaming and just help set the table outside already."

Shen Yi Mu's lips curved into a playful pout. He pushed off the doorframe and walked over to where Jiang Yue stood. He leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek before heading outside. "Alright, alright. I'm going."

He disappeared through the back door into the garden. Through the kitchen window, Shen Ji Yun could see his uncle moving around, arranging chairs and checking the view of the sky. They would eat dinner out there tonight, under the open air, so they could watch the full moon as they ate.

Shen Ji Yun almost smiled. Tonight, they would celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival with just the three of them. Compared to big families having their reunion dinners, it might seem like they were missing out. But Shen Ji Yun preferred it this way. It was definitely better than having to interact with the rest of the Shen family.

His uncle still hadn't reconciled with his grandfather, so there was no chance they'd be welcome at the Shen family's old mansion. But even if they were, Uncle would probably still choose to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival here. He wouldn't want to leave Uncle Yue alone. This was their first Mid-Autumn Festival since getting back together. There's no way they'd spend it apart.

It was the same reason Shen Ji Yun had turned down Luo Yan's invitation to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with his family. Luo Yan knew that neither he nor his uncle would go to the Shen family mansion this year. So, being the thoughtful and sweet person he was, he had invited Shen Ji Yun, and extended the invitation to his uncle and Uncle Yue as well.

Shen Ji Yun had almost said yes. The offer was tempting. But he didn't want to impose. No matter how welcoming the Bai family was, no matter how kind Uncle Wei Tian had been to him, it still felt like overstepping. Showing up with his two uncles in tow on top of everything? That was asking for too much. Some might argue he wasn't really imposing since he was Luo Yan's boyfriend. But none of the elders in the Luo or Bai families knew about their relationship. As far as they were concerned, they weren't officially together.

He let out a quiet sigh. Hopefully by next year, he and Luo Yan could be open about their relationship with everyone in their families. Well, everyone except the Shen family. He didn't care what they thought, anyway.

Shen Ji Yun finished plating the fish and stepped back to survey the spread. Dishes covered nearly every inch of the counter. He set the braised pork belly beside the steamed fish topped with ginger and scallions, then straightened the plate of soy sauce chicken he had chopped earlier.

Cold dishes lined one side. Like pickled vegetables, sliced cucumber dressed in garlic, marinated lotus root, and silken tofu drizzled with soy sauce and chili oil. There was a plate of stir-fry vegetables, and a clay pot of braised mushrooms and abalone sat beside it. Butterflied shrimp coated in salted egg yolk filled another plate beside a platter of thinly sliced cured meats.

He placed the pot of slow-simmered chicken soup at the center and turned the lid slightly to let the steam escape. A bamboo steamer held taro cakes and lotus leaf sticky rice, while longevity noodles gleamed with sauce on a wide serving plate. He also arranged a plate of pomelo and crisp pears to cut through the richness of the other dishes. Off to the side, he stacked boxes of mooncakes filled with lotus seed paste and salted egg yolk.

Shen Yi Mu walked back into the kitchen and stopped short when he saw the counter covered in different dishes. He blinked at the spread, taking it all in. "That's a lot of food," he said with a bit of awe. "Can we really finish all of this?"

Jiang Yue took off his apron and folded it over the back of a chair. "Don't worry, Brother Mu," he said. "If we can't finish it, we'll just put the leftovers in the fridge and have them tomorrow."

"I'll also bring some to Yan Yan tomorrow," Shen Ji Yun added. That was why he had made generous portions of everything.

Shen Yi Mu raised an eyebrow at his nephew, a teasing note creeping into his voice. "So that's the real reason you made so much, huh?"

"Don't tease Xiao Yun," Jiang Yue said gently, lifting the plate of steamed fish. Even his scolding carried a helpless note "Just help us carry these dishes outside."

Shen Yi Mu gave an exaggerated bow, sweeping his arm out like a butler. "Your wish is my command, my darling."

Shen Ji Yun shook his head at his uncles' display. Without a word, he picked up the biggest pot and carried it out toward the back garden.

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