After pulling Huo Qi into the group, Jessica also came over to see the fire pot base Huo Qi was making and exclaimed, "Huo Qi, you’re so amazing."
Huo Qi smiled, ignoring the message notification sound from his phone, and said to Jessica, "The fire pot base I’m making today should yield about ten portions, each of you can take one home. You can eat it tonight and continue tomorrow. Of course, if Ao Chen makes a fire pot next time, I’ll also help out."
Jessica thought Ao Chen was too crafty, it was just saving someone once, and now he was making full use of the situation, "Huo Qi, you’re helping Ao Chen cheat."
Ao Chen raised an eyebrow, his brow twitching, "Jessica, some things are best left as they are, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to, you’d better give up those thoughts early."
Jessica pouted, waving her hand as she walked into the living room, "Fine, Ao Chen, you’re so stingy, and here I am worried about my stomach."
Ao Chen scoffed, "Get out, all of you, if you want to stay here, come and help me wash the vegetables. I’m going to rest."
"We’re not doing that," everyone said in unison, immediately turning their heads and walking away.
Seeing this, Huo Qi couldn’t help but tease, "Mr. Ao Chen, it seems that you’re not very popular."
Hearing this, Jessica turned around to explain to Huo Qi, "Exactly! We’re so annoyed with him, if his fire pot wasn’t decent, we’d really despise him."
Huo Qi was puzzled, "Why?"
Jessica laughed, "Because he’s so sly, a calculating fox."
Ao Chen went about picking and washing vegetables as if the conversation didn’t concern him, with such equanimity that even the gossip-hungry Huo Qi felt a bit embarrassed.
It really didn’t seem right to speak ill of someone so openly.
Jessica didn’t care, everyone was used to it. She went on and on about Ao Chen’s nasty temper.
Huo Qi chuckled awkwardly, "Heh, is that so? I always feel that the Ao Chen Ms. Jessica talks about is different from the Ao Chen I know."
Jessica looked incredulously at Ao Chen, "What have you done?"
Ao Chen ignored her and handed a bag of spices to Huo Qi, asking, "Do these need to be washed?"
Huo Qi glanced at it briefly, shook his head, "No need, but you should set some aside, we’ll need it in a bit."
Jessica clicked her tongue, "Ao Chen, you’re just too crafty, unbelievable."
"Then why don’t you get lost?"
Ao Chen said emotionlessly.
Jessica stormed off, sat down next to Allen in the living room, and upon seeing his glance towards the kitchen, whispered in Jessica’s ear, "Didn’t catch up, did you?"
Jessica was furious, "I hope he never catches up, damn man, Allen, I should warn you, if you ever fall for someone, don’t be as crafty as Ao Chen."
Allen: "Why drag me into this, I’m not the same person as Ao Chen."
Jessica: "Men are all the same."
Huo Qi was surprised to see the lively scene in the living room; any of these people could be influential just by stepping outside. He hadn’t realized who Ao Chen was, but after seeing Ao Chen’s friends in succession and returning to the dormitory, he thought it over for a long time.
Ao Chen’s reputation was no less than that of anyone present, but the Ao Chen portrayed by the media was completely different from the one he knew.
Could it be that once famous, a person presents a different face in front and behind others?
"Isn’t your base ready yet, what are you thinking about?"
Ao Chen’s reminder came from beside him, and Huo Qi hurriedly turned the heat down and slowly simmered it. Soon, Jessica came over with two bottles of wine, asking for their opinion, "Does drinking red wine with a fire pot lack atmosphere?"
Huo Qi smiled, looking at the two extravagantly priced bottles of red wine in her hand, "Jessica, red wine with a fire pot is a bit odd, let’s just drink some soft drinks."
Jessica looked surprised, "Huo Qi, I forgot to ask, did you come of age this year?"
Seeing Huo Qi’s reaction, Jessica got it and laughed out loud, patting his shoulder in consolation, "Sorry, sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it, it’s just you Easterners look so young, but seeing your reaction, I know the answer now. You’ve come of age."
Huo Qi resignedly, "Thanks a lot."
Jessica waved her hand, "Don’t mention it, but Huo Qi, what do you normally pair with a fire pot in your country?"
"White spirit, herbal tea, or soft drinks, we have a lot of options, it depends on what you like. Some people do pair it with red wine, but it looks a bit off, though it’s not wrong if you like it."