?


    "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 hisughter.


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


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


    Meanwhile, Stoddard, still toiling away in theb, 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 ns for today?"


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


    "Got a package from a buddy in Montanast 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?"


    Owenughed 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 ce, Roseanne spotted arge 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! Thene over for a mushroom hot pot tonight!" she dered, 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 butugh, "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


    Camour ce, after a


    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.


    l


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


    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?"N?velDrama.Org owns all content.