As Lin Yuan was busy wrapping the shaomai, she was startled by a sudden embrace from behind, but when she recognized the familiar scent of Xia Zheng, she couldn’t help feeling a bit embarrassed.
Looking up, she saw all the chefs pretending to be engrossed in their work, as if the two of them were invisible. Flushed with embarrassment, she elbowed the person behind her, "Hey, get off! Can’t you see I’m busy?"
Xia Zheng, enjoying the hug, didn’t intend to let go and hummed affirmatively with a playful tone.
Lin Yuan touched her forehead in exasperation. Was this clingy guy really the same one who had caused trouble at her mooncake stall?
"Your mother and the others are waiting for us to have dinner, I need to hurry up. You should sit aside for a while." Fearing that Xia Zheng might throw a childlike tantrum, Lin Yuan offered a bitter smile and tried to negotiate gently, "Is that okay?"
Since they were not yet married and considering Lin Yuan’s reputation, Xia Zheng couldn’t go too far. He stepped away, but still couldn’t help staring at her intently, "Fine, I’ll do anything you say."
Lin Yuan pressed her lips together in a smile and continued with her work.
Xia Zheng watched her, following her around the kitchen. Although they weren’t holding each other, their actions betrayed no difference from when they were. Wherever Lin Yuan went, to the stove or back to chop vegetables, he followed.
The chefs all kept their heads down, busily working on their tasks, not daring to look their way. However, one chef managed to cut his finger while chopping carrots and, sweating from the pain, didn’t dare make a sound.
Unable to sit still inside the house, Lao Fan was restless, pacing back and forth as he waited for the meal to be served.
Princess Anle smiled at his childlike antics and asked him to show her around Fuman Building.
Excited by her interest, Lao Fan immediately escorted her from the second floor to the first, and even took her through the courtyard. Thankfully, Liu Siqi and his wife were not the type to seek conflict and were not present in the yard, or else there would have been an awkward encounter.
Concerned about Jeng Ruyue’s poor health, Lao Fan uncharacteristically refrained from disturbing them for once.
When the pair arrived at the kitchen, they coincidentally met the chef who had injured his finger, now looking dejected as he ran out to seek first aid.
Seeing his bleeding finger, Lao Fan snorted, "You cut your finger just chopping vegetables? Have we run out of money to buy meat, or do we have to live off your flesh?"
The chef had a face full of dismay, understanding the presence of the distinguished lady standing beside Lao Fan but not realizing she was the mother of the Young Master.
Lao Fan was a frequent, albeit eccentric, presence in the kitchen, and the chefs quite liked the quirky old man for his straightforwardness.
The injured chef, furrowing his brow and holding up his bleeding finger, gestured towards the kitchen and whispered, "You don’t know, Young Master and Miss Lin, oh boy, you should just go see for yourself."
After these words, the young chef left behind a knowing smile and scurried away.
Lao Fan and Princess Anle exchanged puzzled glances. What was going on with Xia Zheng and Lin Yuan?
They hastened to the kitchen door and felt the unusual atmosphere even before entering. The kitchen was usually a hubbub of activity, with chefs calling for fire or asking for chili peppers.
But today was strangely silent; even Lao Fan, who usually visited several times a day, was taken aback. Everyone was as quiet as a mute, busy with their work, speaking in whispers if at all, gentle as a bashful maid. Strangest of all was that, even though they were all ostensibly focused on their tasks, one could notice their eyes surreptitiously darting around.