Sweet and Sour

It was the neighborhood kids, Nana, Lily and Maggie behind him. Looking at Lily then turning to Cheng Yan, Nana repeated the earlier question, "Do you have a date, Brother Yan?"

"No, it's not a date." Cheng Yan sighed, still slightly disappointed that what he has with Anna now is pretend. "I have to meet an office colleague for lunch." He looked at his watch, "And I'm really late so I'll talk to you girls later."

"Okay, bye." two of the girls replied.

Cheng Yan hurried to the restaurant with the kids waving goodbye at him. He stopped to catch his breath first once he reached the restaurant, before opening the door. As the chimes rang, Anna and Auntie Irene looked at him while still smiling from their current conversation.

"Sorry. I know I'm late." Cheng Yan walked fast to the counter.

The place was still not crowded today since it was not yet lunch time. A few workers were cleaning up from the breakfast customers they had and auntie was probably done cooking most of the lunch dishes.

Frowning now, Auntie Irene reprimanded him, "You've made Anna wait."

"It's okay, auntie. I didn't notice the time while talking to you." Anna was still smiling as she said that making Cheng Yan stare at her for a few seconds until auntie talked to him again.

"Cheng Yan, compensate for it by making something for Anna. I have all the ingredients in the kitchen."

"Okay, auntie." Cheng Yan replied sheepishly.

"Is it alright if I watch? I can also help on some simple tasks if you're okay with it." Anna offered before the three of them entered the kitchen.

One really can't consider Cheng Yan an expert in cooking. Because he grew up in a province with not much restaurants, he was experienced in homemade dishes as that was how he was raised by his parents. Since they were children, the Cheng siblings were helping out in the household chores.

Before he entered university, Cheng Yan was also required by his mother to be able to cook food for himself. He got a little rusty due to the influence of his roommates and later, from dating Cara since she was fastidious especially on food which was why they often go to expensive restaurants. But later, he returned to cooking for himself again with the help of the Elteks.

The two ladies continued their earlier conversation while walking. Once they stepped into the kitchen, Auntie Irene spoke to Cheng Yan, "You should start today with something simple." she frowned. "You know where I put all the needed ingredients for sweet and sour pork and Anna can help you too. I already had the pork thawing in that counter. That should be enough for the two of you to eat. Just let me and your uncle taste some to see if you got rusty again."

Laughing, Cheng Yan thanked her and she returned to cooking some of the restaurants' dishes for the day.

Cheng Yan proceeded to the refrigerator to get the other ingredients. When he turned to the counter, he saw Anna leaning there while smiling at him. "So, what can I do to help? I learned some cutting techniques so I can probably be decent in that."

"Okay, here are some bell peppers. I'll get the chopping board and knives." Cheng Yan turned to the cabinets, this time to get the utensils. He was still a little flustered since he only cooked with family and still not used to interacting with Anna.

He didn't notice that Anna got closer to him to help so when he turned, they bumped into each other and Cheng Yan tried to steady her by holding onto her shoulders. With how near she was, Cheng Yan became more flustered and dropped the chopping board and knives he was holding.

At that instant, Ferlin entered the kitchen, "Hey, someone was looking for Anna." He noticed the two just standing near the cabinets with the dropped utensils on the floor, "What are you doing? You'll get hurt by not properly handling the knives. Do I still have to teach you about these, Cheng Yan?"

"Of course not, uncle." Cheng Yan immediately picked the utensils on the floor and proceeded to the sink to wash them.

He went to the counter again and turned to Anna, "Here's a knife for you to use. I'll check the pork for now." he said hastily.

He heard a quiet 'thanks' from his back. Uncle Ferlin went to where Auntie Irene was working and the two were left with an awkward atmosphere.

They continued with their chores quietly until Anna finished chopping the ingredients. "Cheng Yan, what should I do with these now?"

Cheng Yan felt that it was the first time Anna called his name. "Can you wash those? I'll get them when I have to add them in here."

"Okay!" Anna cleaned up in the kitchen while Cheng Yan was cooking. Sometimes, she leaned close to him to watch so Cheng Yan was still slightly flustered. It was a good thing the heat from the stove was enough reason for him to turn red.

The old couple looked for them when they were finished. After tasting Cheng Yan's dish, they were satisfied and left the two again to entertain their customers.

Since the restaurant was already full at this time, Cheng Yan and Anna decided to eat in the kitchen. There was a table near the counters that was often used by the workers to eat.

While they were eating, they talked about small things like the food, weather and again, his relation to the old couple. When they were done, the restaurant was still busy so Anna left with a reminder to Cheng Yan to say her thanks to the old couple.