When Mrs. Brown returned home, Agnes happily greeted her, helping to pick vegetables and peel garlic, and even joined her in the kitchen.
“Agnes, don’t you have work to do?” Mrs. Brown worried about taking up her time. “You don’t need to help; I can manage on my own.”
“Mrs. Brown, I’m not busy today. I just want to help you cook.” She was in an exceptionally good mood.
“Do you know how to cook?” Mrs. Brown looked at the young girl and smiled, “Not many young people know how to cook nowadays.”
“I do! I even have a specialty dish.” Agnes finally voiced what she had been thinking, “Mrs. Brown, may I cook for Tom today?”
Mrs. Brown was taken aback for a moment. “By yourself?” Seeing the sweet smile in the girl’s eyes, she understood her thoughts.
“Yes, I want to cook alone and make a delicious meal for you all.” The girl smiled sweetly.
Although Mrs. Brown was reluctant to let her cook, she knew that if she handed over the kitchen to her, Agnes would be very happy.
So Mrs. Brown asked, “Are these ingredients enough? Do I need to go out and buy anything else?”
“No need, this is enough.” Agnes put down the vegetables in her hand, stood up, and gently took Mrs. Brown’s hand. “Why don’t you watch TV or rest? Leave the kitchen to me; you’ve taken care of us for so long, let me take care of you for once.”
Mrs. Brown still found it hard to believe that this young girl could really handle cooking alone.
But seeing her eager and determined eyes, the middle-aged woman completely relented. “Alright, the spices are in the leftmost cabinet. If you need any help, just call me; I’ll be right outside.”
“Okay, Mrs. Brown.”
Then Agnes went into the kitchen and started preparing the meal, working methodically on her own.
After about half an hour of preparation, she began cooking, and the sound of stir-frying filled the kitchen.
The aroma of food started wafting out. Mrs. Brown got up and went to the kitchen door, unable to resist checking on things inside.
She saw that Agnes was also making soup; it was simmering away nicely. This young girl was quite efficient.
Mrs. Brown felt comforted for Tom; there weren’t many girls who would take the initiative to cook nowadays.
Another half hour passed…
Agnes came out with the dishes she had prepared, carefully placing them on the dining table. Each dish was cooked perfectly with vibrant colors that showed skill beyond ordinary cooking.
Mrs. Brown quickly got up to help serve the soup. As soon as she lifted the lid, a rich aroma filled the air. Mrs. Brown couldn’t help but praise her, “Agnes, you really have a talent for being a chef!”
“Thank you for your compliment, Mrs. Brown. I don’t cook often, but I can cook.”
“This is exactly how a girl should be.”
As they placed all the dishes on the table, they heard rain starting outside and it grew heavier.
“He didn’t bring an umbrella,” Agnes said worriedly.
Mrs. Brown reassured her, “Tom is an adult; he won’t get wet even without an umbrella. There are umbrellas in the lab.”
“Yes,” Agnes nodded.
Mrs. Brown added, “He should be back soon; he usually comes home around this time when he says he’ll have dinner here.”
“Yes,” the girl eagerly anticipated his return.
She happily arranged the dishes as attractively as possible and set out the tableware, waiting joyfully for her beloved.
This made Mrs. Brown feel once again the sweetness of love-so warm, so tender, so beautiful.