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He Guan stood at the kitchen counter, pondering for a while before remembering the recipe.

Humming a tune, He Guan took out the grouper fish he’d bought today from the fridge to thaw, then took out a new pot and added some oil.

While cooking, for ventilation He Guan opened the kitchen window. Some sparrows would occasionally land on the window sill, chirping with crisp voices.

He Guan glanced outside during a pause in his cooking.

The late winter snow in the mountains hadn’t melted yet. With the sparrows having nothing to feed on, they circled for a while, resting there, occasionally peeking inside.

Those little guys were quite noisy.

He Guan muttered under his breath, his hand paused momentarily as he held the pot.

That’s it!

If he can’t use an alarm, why not just use them?!

An idea suddenly formed in his head. As his pot got ready to cook, He Guan smiled and began deboning the fish for the soup, slicing the flesh into small pieces.

During a break from reading Braille, Lou Dong Zang was lured by the aroma of the food coming from downstairs. He came downstairs and leaned against the kitchen door frame.

When He Guan turned around, he was almost startled by the man.

He Guan asked, “When did you come in? You startled me. Do you walk without making a sound? Are you not wearing shoes? Oh, you are.”

Lou Dong Zang said, “Just got here, to oversee the work, I guess?”

He Guan, “Oh, just stand there. Don’t come in. I have added two new draining racks in the kitchen and a waste bin. If you bump into them, I will have to clean up.”

Hearing this, Lou Dong Zang refrained from any sharp retorts and said, “Alright.”

After slicing the fish, He Guan arranged the slices on a plate and chatted with Lou Dong Zang while waiting for the soup to be ready. It was clear that he was used to multitasking.

He Guan asked, “How did you find your way here? Just by touching the walls?”

Lou Dong Zang seemed to be in a good mood, so He Guan initiated the conversation.

Lou Dong Zang replied, “Mm-hmm.”

He Guan pondered for a moment and said, “That’s inconvenient. I will install a handrail along the wall in a few days to make it easier for you. You need to move around more or your life will become sedentary.”

Lou Dong Zang, “…”

He Guan sensed the aroma and felt the fish soup was about ready. Opening the cooking pot, the delectable scent of fresh fish permeated the entire kitchen, making it feel cozy and fragrant.

He Guan tasted the soup with a ladle and sighed contentedly, “As expected of me, it’s very delicious. Want a taste?”

Lou Dong Zang, “…Alright.”

After confirming the soup’s temperature, He Guan approached Lou Dong Zang, offering the ladle to his lips, saying, “Try and take a sip. If it’s hot, don’t spit it back into the ladle.”

For a rare moment, Lou Dong Zang closed his eyes and simply smiled, choosing not to retort.

While Lou Dong Zang was tasting the fish soup, He Guan proposed, “Let’s discuss something.”

In response, Lou Dong Zang raised an eyebrow, indicating he was listening.

He Guan said, “We can always work and ensure that you have everything you need, right?! If you’re thirsty, hungry, or can’t find something, or if you have any issues, come to me first. Okay?! I don’t want to wake up one morning and find you…”

He Guan didn’t finish the latter part of his sentence but Lou Dong Zang knew what he wanted to say.

Not everyone was as understanding as He Guan. He Guan was in the minority.

Most people were selfish, making life difficult for themselves and others. They begrudge others’ happiness and envy those who fare better.

Lou Dong Zang had seen plenty of such individuals in the business world and especially after his accident, he had seen the evil face of everyone.

Everyone talked about win-win situations, but it was rarely the case. Sooner or later hidden rivalries emerged, and when someone gained an advantage, the fight became fiercer, like famished piranhas.

At that time, Lou Dong Zang was no different from them. Back then, he was incredibly indifferent, resolute in his methods, and had a heart as solid as rock.

But now, he was unarmed. Merely a blind man.

Hence, Lou Dong Zang didn’t relent. He wouldn’t agree with anyone. He didn’t want to experience again someone promising to stand by his side, only to abandon him during his times of despair.

Seeing Lou Dong Zang not responding, He Guan wasn’t insistent on making him agree but asked expectantly, “So, is the soup good?”

Lou Dong Zang replied, “…Yes.”

It was so delicious that it almost seemed his taste buds would fall off, the most delightful flavor he had tasted after being blind.

He Guan said, “That’s great. Move a bit. I’ll serve the dishes.”

As He Guan brought the fish soup to the dinner table, Lou Dong Zang finally said, “Ours is just an employer-employee relationship, based on a labor contract.”

He Guan smacked his lips and said, “We don’t have an employer-employee relationship. It’s just that the labor contract I signed is with your father.”

“Since my father-in-law has paid, and you didn’t pay me. So, essentially, we are equals, okay?”

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