Love Burned, She Rose Unscathed



"Isn't that running routine of yours a bit... excessive? To the uninitiated, it might seem like you're gearing up for a marathon or something..." Owen Reynolds just chuckled, a hint of sheepishness hidden within his laughter.

Roseanne pressed on, "Isn't the lab keeping you busy these days?"

"Well, I've delegated some tasks to Stoddard."

Meanwhile, Stoddard, still toiling away in the lab, sneezed repeatedly. "Achoo! Achoo! Look at you, so high and mighty!"

Owen asked, "Had breakfast yet?"

Roseanne nodded, "Yes, and you?"

"Same here. Got any plans for today?"

"Just a bunch of papers to dig into," she pondered.

"Got a package from a buddy in Montana last night, full of wild mushrooms. They're all yours now."

Wild mushrooms?

That was a real treat.

"Why are you giving them to me? Don't you want any?"

Owen laughed it off, "I barely cook as it is. Mushrooms go bad if you don't use them. Better you have them."

"Alright then, I won't hold back!"

They headed upstairs together.

Upon entering Owen's place, Roseanne spotted a large Styrofoam box behind the door.

Inside were various mushrooms - morels, chanterelles, truffles, hedgehogs...

It was as if the whole of Montana's edible winter fungi had been delivered right here.

Each type of mushroom was vacuum-sealed in its own bag, still looking fresh despite the journey and a day's wait.

Roseanne was over the moon: "Professor, these are hard to find in the market. Are you sure you don't want any?"

Owen insisted she take them, "Go ahead, take them."

"Great! Then come over for a mushroom hot pot tonight!" she declared, grabbing the box and leaving no room for Owen to decline.

At five in the afternoon, Owen arrived on time to help out.

Entering the kitchen, he found Roseanne had already cleaned and prepped the mushrooms.

"Why didn't you wait for me to help wash them?"

"I had some free time this afternoon, so I just went ahead."

"You're taking my job."

He feigned grievance.

Roseanne couldn't help but laugh, "Professor, you're not even on the payroll. Why the eagerness?"

"Ever heard of 'bitten hand, shy away'? If I don't pitch in, I won't enjoy the meal as much."

"Today, I'm the one who's 'bitten

hand, shy

away'. These

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from

"So?"

"We're even.'

Neither shy nor reserved.

Soon, the broth was bubbling on the table.

A creamy base with a few dates, goji berries, and green onion segments floating on top.

Roseanne added some of the prepped mushrooms and then fetched a timer from her room. Setting the timer, the countdown began.

The essence of a Montanan hot pot, perfectly captured!

Owen waited, "Why does time seem to crawl?"

Roseanne watched the mushrooms boiling, swallowing her saliva, "Almost there, two more minutes." Ding!

Time was up!

They both grabbed their chopsticks and dove in.

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On a chilly spring evening, what could be more delightful than a steaming hot pot filled with clear broth and mushrooms, shared with a pleasant companion? noveldrama

Nothing.

After finishing the first pot, they

SureCo

to the second, het

a single mushroom wasted. Content belongs

Ending with a small bowl of hot soup-

Owen remarked, "I'm stuffed."

Roseanne, burping discreetly, agreed, "Aren't we all?"