RMM – Chapter 12 The Prodigy Who Can Cook

Hearing the door close, Su Ruo finally let out her suppressed emotions, covering herself with the blanket and crying her heart out. She gasped between sobs, trying to release all the anxiety and uncertainty she had been holding in, feeling utterly aggrieved.

Her emotional breakdown just now wasn’t solely because of Xi Yuechen’s scolding. Ever since her rebirth, everything around her had been unfamiliar—new people, new surroundings. Even though her new life was full of advantages and the people around her treated her with sincerity, it wasn’t the life she had known. How could she just accept it so easily? Accepting fate wasn’t the same as embracing it.

An unfamiliar environment, family she had never known, a marriage she had desperately longed for in her past life—everything she once wished for had been handed to her overnight. How could she accept it all without guilt? She kept telling herself that she was now truly Su Ruo, but everything around her constantly reminded her that she didn’t belong. Even if she didn’t say it out loud, the suffocation in her heart grew day by day. Xi Yuechen’s words had simply been the final trigger, giving her a reason to break down.

Su Ruo couldn’t understand what was so special about her that such an absurd and miraculous event had happened to her. On the contrary, her tragic childhood had convinced her that she was just an abandoned and forgotten orphan. She had always been alone. Just when she had resigned herself to living that way forever, fate decided to play this ridiculous trick on her.

It wasn’t that she wasn’t secretly pleased, but deep down, she couldn’t truly believe she deserved it. It felt like finding a luxurious treasure by accident—something that had never belonged to her, something she had never experienced. How could she just use it without hesitation?

Carrying such a huge secret, unable to tell anyone, not knowing what the future held, and facing unfamiliar relationships—what else could she do but escape?

After crying her heart out, she finally felt better. Once she calmed down, she even felt embarrassed. She had lived twenty-seven years in her previous life, enduring hardships without ever breaking down like this. Who would have thought that at twenty-five, as Su Ruo, she would become so delicate? Just a minor setback, and she was already sobbing. It was almost childish.

Taking a deep breath, she thought, Since I’m here, I might as well settle in. If I can’t change reality, I might as well accept it. What obstacle can’t be overcome? In her past life, she had faced all sorts of challenges. Had she ever backed down? Even in failure, she had always held her head high. Why should being Su Ruo be any different? So what if I’ve been reborn? It’s just a new beginning. I’ll take things as they come and live as freely as ever.

With that realization, the weight on her heart lifted, making her feel much lighter. As exhaustion set in, she unknowingly drifted into a deep sleep. Her breathing was a little heavy from all the crying, but she slept soundly.

After leaving the bedroom, Xi Yuechen felt a heaviness in his chest. Seeing Su Ruo’s tear-streaked, devastated face had made him strangely uncomfortable.

Maybe he had been too harsh. She was, after all, a young woman—only twenty-four. She wasn’t like the tough-skinned men in his unit who could withstand any amount of scolding.

Her words, “I don’t know anyone here,” had unsettled him. Of course, she had just lost her memory and was discharged from the hospital. Everything around her was unfamiliar, and after another head injury, her emotions must have been fragile. He had reprimanded her on top of that. It was no wonder she broke down in tears.

Yet the sound of her muffled sobbing gnawed at his nerves. It irritated him, yet he couldn’t stop himself from listening. His furrowed brows never relaxed.

I really was too harsh.

If his comrades saw him now, they’d be shocked beyond belief. Their iron-blooded, no-nonsense commander, reflecting on his own behavior? That would be like seeing a stone sprout flowers.

Hearing the bedroom grow quiet, Xi Yuechen hesitated. He wanted to go in and check on her, but thinking about their earlier argument, he didn’t know how to face her. So, he just sat on the sofa, staring out the window—deep in thought or perhaps just lost in a daze.

After a long time, he finally got up and walked softly into the silent bedroom. He found Su Ruo already fast asleep. Her slightly stuffy nose made her breathing deep and slow, loud enough for him to hear from where he stood.

Approaching the bed, he saw a damp patch on the pillow and blanket, where her tears had soaked through. She was curled up on her side, her slightly damp hair clinging to her fair cheek. The soft sunlight filtering through the curtains cast a gentle glow over her.

Xi Yuechen stood still, gazing at her small, curled-up figure. Her hair was messy, her face still a little sweaty—was she hot or just exhausted? With every deep breath, her delicate nose twitched slightly, and her slightly pouted lips made her look like she was still sulking in her dreams.

Leaning in, he caught a faint scent of sweat. He smiled slightly. She really cried herself out. She’s even sweating. He reached out, tucking her loose hair behind her ear. The silky strands slid through his fingers, oddly harmonious, their smoothness unexpectedly pleasant to touch.

Xi Yuechen had mild OCD about cleanliness. Whenever possible, he avoided being unkempt. Outside of missions, where conditions were unavoidable, he always kept his distance from others’ sweat. Even his subordinates knew to steer clear of him if they hadn’t bathed.

But now, standing so close to Su Ruo, he didn’t mind the scent of sweat at all. In fact, he just smiled and brushed it off, momentarily forgetting his usual aversion.

Gently pulling the blanket over her, he picked up the water glass and medicine bottle from the table and quietly left the room.

Leaving behind an atmosphere filled with warmth.

Su Ruo woke up from hunger. No surprise—she had only had a light breakfast and then skipped lunch after all the drama. No wonder she was starving now.

What should she do? Order takeout or cook something herself? But given Xi Yuechen’s attitude, he probably wouldn’t let her cook.

Thinking about him made her feel awkward. Their relationship had always been distant, and now, after her emotional outburst, he was probably furious with her. He was such a proud and aloof person—how could he not be?

While she was still hesitating, the door opened. Xi Yuechen walked in and, seeing her awake, paused briefly before saying, “Since you’re up, come eat. I made something simple. Wash up first.”

Su Ruo was surprised. He’s letting me move around freely? And he even cooked? He didn’t look angry at all—just as calm and indifferent as always.

For the first time, Su Ruo found Xi Yuechen’s face quite pleasing to the eye. She also felt a little ashamed of her own pettiness.

Freshening up, she felt much better. But seeing her slightly greasy hair and catching a faint scent of sweat on herself, she frowned. She couldn’t shower now, and she definitely couldn’t wash her hair. Serves me right. Crying and fussing like that in the middle of summer—of course I’d sweat.

When she walked out, Xi Yuechen had already set the table. She was stunned—two dishes and a soup. Simple and light, the presentation wasn’t great, but the aroma was appealing.

“You know how to cook?”

She never imagined someone like Xi Yuechen—privileged and highly ranked—could cook.

“I learned in boot camp. When we’re on missions, we have to fend for ourselves.”

His response was casual, but Su Ruo was shocked. Boot camp? He started as a recruit? She had assumed someone like him had been placed directly into a high position with plenty of people to serve him. But thinking about it, it made sense. A proud man like him wouldn’t take shortcuts. His rank and position must have been earned.

With that realization, Su Ruo’s view of him shifted. At least, she didn’t dislike him anymore.