When Shen Lingqing came back to Grace Palace, she was just in time for the results of Liu Jinfei and Lin Xiao’s test that just finished. Both looked exhausted, although it was just their first day of training. She raised a brow but said nothing to the two as she strode past them to talk to her Grandpa He.
“Did you go overboard again?” She asked the older man curiously. Shen Lingqing knew that every chef that came under He Haotian’s tutelage had to try his poisonous drink that was enough to ruin one’s palate upon consumption.
“What are you talking about, Qingqing? I only gave them the weakest concoction I formulated myself. They should be able to understand the importance of having a harmonious relationship between certain flavors now.” The old man then grinned at her in return.
Shen Lingqing’s eye twitched again. Perhaps, it was a wrong decision on her part to leave her chefs in her Grandpa He’s care.
“So, how was it?” She could feel a headache coming her way. It was a good thing that she had finished most of her work before they arrived here.
“Well, you shouldn’t have a problem training them since they are both skilled enough when it comes to basics, right?” the old chef replied, “Though I think you should be able to teach them which ingredients complement one another the best and how to achieve the best quality of the dishes they are planning to make.”
Thinking about it, he had never thought that there would be a day that Shen Lingqing would willingly step in the kitchen.
“Qingqing, if you ever decide to cook something, don’t forget to bring some for me to try, alright?” He said in passing.
Many people assumed that the reason why Shen Lingqing refused to be a chef was that she couldn’t cook like her mother and Uncle Lingyu, but He Haotian knew better. The real reason why he persistently tried to convince Shen Lingqing to change her mind about her career was that—like her Uncle Lingyu—Shen Lingqing was a prodigy when it came to cooking.
If he hadn’t stumbled on the young Shen Lingqing during her and Shen Lingtian’s vacation here when they were younger, He Haotian would never have thought that this young princess would be able to surpass her mother and grandfather.
This shouldn’t be surprising since she was more versed and knowledgeable when it came to the science behind cooking. He Haotian wasn’t sure if Lu Xinyi was even aware of her daughter’s potential as a chef, but he supposed his goddaughter only wanted the best for her Shen Lingqing.
“I have no time to cook, Grandpa. You know how busy I am these days,” she said nonchalantly. There was no point in pretending that she didn’t know how to cook when the old man was already aware of the truth.
He Haotian smiled. At least, she didn’t deny that she had truly given up her affinity for cooking. He watched as Shen Lingqing left with the two chefs and hoped that she would find a reason to smile once again. It had been too long since he and her family saw her smile genuinely, and He Haotian couldn’t help but miss the young Shen Lingqing—the little girl he used to pamper.
Meanwhile, as Liu Jinfei and Lin Xiao sat at the backseat of the car, they both thought that they wouldn’t be able to enjoy eating anything because of the torture they went through under He Haotian earlier. That concoction he made them drink was surely out of this world and enough to cause a traumatic experience in a person.
When they arrived at Peach Blossom Resort, the two had temporarily forgotten their worries as their eyes feasted on the natural beauty of the place where they would be staying along with Shen Lingqing.
Because it had been a long time since they had a short break from everything, seeing beautiful scenery like this made them think that they weren’t here for training. Liu Jinfei was planning to ask if they could roam around the town and see what they were offering to travelers and tourists like them. Hopefully, Shen Lingqing would allow it.
A middle-aged man came and greeted them once they alighted from the car. He was dressed in a tailored suit, which reminded Liu Jinfei of the butlers his family used to have when he was younger.
“Miss Qing, the rooms and the kitchen are prepared according to your instructions,” he told Shen Lingqing before turning his attention to the two chefs. “Esteemed guests, we are expecting you today. Please allow me to escort you to your designated rooms.”
The two chefs turned to look at Shen Lingqing for permission, and she gave them a curt nod.
“Go and take a rest. We will start our training tomorrow morning. I expect to see both of you in the kitchen. See to it that you wouldn’t be late. Tardiness wouldn’t be tolerated.”
“Then, excuse us, Director Shen. Please have a good night,” Liu Jinfei said before following the butler, along with Lin Xiao.
Zhang Qing met them at the front door, and she stepped aside to give way to them. Once they were out of sight, she found Shen Lingqing lighting a cigarette in her hand.
“Something on your mind, Miss Qing?” She asked. Those familiar with the Shen princess—since younger—knew that she would only smoke whenever she was stressed out.
“I’m fine, Auntie.” Shen Lingqing gave her a side glance as she leaned against the car. “Just trying to clear up my mind.”
“You know you can tell me anything that worries you, right?” Zhang Qing persisted.
“I’m just thinking…” Shen Lingqing’s words trailed off. “Just thinking if I made the right choice, following in my father’s footsteps.”
“Why? Are you regretting it now?” It was the first time Zhang Qing heard their miss speak about her decision to become a businesswoman and not a chef.