Chapter 258
Not long afterward, Derek returned as well.
Whatever Suzy had said to him had clearly worked. His mood had improved dramatically, and the change was visible to everyone. He moved with renewed energy, working faster than before and tackling every task with enthusiasm.
An hour later, the dumpling-making operation was finally nearing completion.
Every bit of filling had been used up. The flour was gone as well.
The system had somehow provided exactly the right amount of ingredients.
Leonard stared at the table overflowing with dumplings and fell into thoughtful silence.
"Didn’t we make a little too many?"
While rolling wrappers earlier, he hadn’t given it much thought. As long as there was dough left, he had simply kept going.
Now that everything was finished, the sheer quantity was impossible to ignore.
Even with three grown men present, this seemed excessive.
Suzy counted the trays with her fingers.
"It is a lot." She laughed. "But that’s fine. We don’t have to cook all of them."
The leftovers could go into the refrigerator. Even if they cooked too many, she could always store them inside her space and keep them fresh indefinitely.
That reminder instantly eased Leonard’s concerns.
"Good point."
With that settled, he carried several trays of dumplings into the kitchen.
"What do you think about giving some to Liam and his brother?" Suzy suggested.
"I’m all for it," Leonard replied. "Liam’s raising that kid by himself, which can’t be easy. Besides, he helped us before. It’s only right to share."
Neither Derek nor Thomas objected.
Thomas nodded.
"We should cook them first and then take them over."
"Exactly what I was thinking." Suzy smiled.
Leonard beckoned toward Derek.
"Come on, kid. Didn’t you say you know how to cook dumplings?"
The two of them had become surprisingly close after spending nearly every day gaming together. Earlier, while making dumplings, Derek had proudly informed Leonard that he not only knew how to make them but also how to cook them properly.
Eager to show off his skills, Derek immediately headed for the kitchen.
Together, they carefully selected the best-looking dumplings and lowered them into boiling water.
The prettiest batch was reserved for Liam and his younger brother.
Meanwhile, Derek began preparing his signature dipping sauces.
One was a rich dry-style sauce. The other was a lighter broth-based version.
Before long, the aroma of freshly cooked dumplings drifted through the apartment.
"Are they done?" Suzy peeked into the kitchen.
"The first batch is ready," Leonard announced.
The plump white dumplings floated invitingly in the pot. Just looking at them made Suzy lick her lips.
"They already look delicious. I had no idea Derek knows how to make Asian food."
"This batch is for Liam and his brother," Leonard smiled.
"Perfect."
Suzy retrieved two insulated food containers from her space and carefully packed the dumplings inside.
The batch fit perfectly, filling both containers to the brim.
"Suzy, the sauces are over here."
Derek pointed proudly toward the counter. Suzy walked over and found two porcelain bowls sitting side by side.
One glowed a vibrant red. The other was clear and elegant.
The spicy version shimmered with chili oil. Crushed peppers and minced garlic rested at the bottom beneath a generous scattering of sesame seeds.
The moment she leaned closer, layers of fragrance rushed toward her.
Roasted chili. Fresh garlic. Nutty sesame. Each scent distinct, yet perfectly balanced.
The second sauce was lighter.
Soy sauce formed the base, enhanced with vinegar and a touch of sugar. Finely shredded ginger and chopped scallions floated throughout the mixture.
A few drops of peppercorn oil added subtle warmth and complexity. Its aroma carried hints of sweetness, tanginess, and gentle spice.
The smell alone was enough to make her mouth water.
Suzy sighed dramatically.
"It smells amazing. No wonder you call it a secret recipe."
Derek immediately lifted his chin with satisfaction.
The recipe had originally come from a chef employed by his family.
Over time, he had refined and improved it through countless adjustments until it had become something uniquely his own.
Suzy packed portions of both sauces into sealed containers and placed them alongside the dumplings.
Finally, she tucked everything into a black insulated carrier.
"Alright, I’m going to deliver these. I’ll be back soon."
Leonard was already dropping another batch into boiling water.
"Go ahead."
Derek was busy experimenting with yet another sauce combination.
"Okay, Suzy."
At the dining table, Thomas was cleaning up. He had heard the entire conversation.
When Suzy emerged from the kitchen carrying the insulated bag, he paused his work.
"Do you want me to come with you?"
"No need." She waved him off. "I’m just dropping something off. It’ll take five minutes at most. There’s no reason for you to make the trip."
Seeing she had already decided, Thomas didn’t push further.
"Be careful."
Suzy nodded and slipped on her coat.
Thomas followed her to the front door and waited while she finished dressing.
Once she was ready, he opened the door for her. She picked up the insulated bag and stepped forward.
Then Thomas caught her arm. His brows furrowed.
"One coat isn’t enough."
His eyes swept over her outfit. Beneath the coat, she wore only a thin long-sleeved shirt and a pair of lightweight pants.
Perfectly comfortable indoors. Completely inadequate outside.
"The temperature is terrible right now. You should put on another layer."
Suzy shook her head.
"I’ll only be gone for a few minutes. Five or six at most. I won’t freeze."
The warmth of the apartment still lingered on her skin, and the thought of going back to change felt unnecessarily troublesome.
"I’ll be back soon."
Before he could argue further, she slipped free from his grasp and hurried downstairs.
Thomas watched her disappear into the darkness and released a quiet sigh.
Outside, night had already fallen. The stairwell lights had long since stopped working.
Using a flashlight to guide her path, Suzy descended rapidly from the twentieth floor. It didn’t take long before she reached the thirteenth.
Pushing open the cold fire door, she stepped into the hallway.
The moment she looked toward Liam’s apartment, she froze.
His front door stood open. Liam was standing in the doorway. And beside him stood an unfamiliar man.
The stranger was staring directly at her.
For a moment, all three of them simply looked at one another. Something about the man felt familiar. Suzy was certain she had seen him before, she just couldn’t remember where.
Instinctively, she took a cautious step backward and studied him carefully.
Liam, meanwhile, looked equally surprised to see her.
After a brief pause, he recovered and spoke first.
"Suzy? What are you doing here?"
"I..." Her gaze flicked toward the unfamiliar man. "...came to see you about something."
"It’s freezing out there." Liam stepped aside immediately. "Come inside."
Originally, Suzy had intended to drop off the dumplings and leave. The appearance of the stranger completely disrupted that plan.
After a moment of hesitation, she walked past them and entered the apartment.
This was far from her first visit. She navigated the space with ease and took a familiar seat.
Setting the insulated containers on the table, she quietly observed her surroundings. Liam’s younger brother was nowhere to be seen.
Most of her attention remained fixed on the doorway. Liam and the stranger exchanged a few final words.
The conversation seemed brief, and a moment later, the man announced his departure.
Then the front door closed.
Once it did, Liam walked over and stopped in front of Suzy.