"Teacher Cao."

He still had an idea.

"Thank you."

Jiang Chen handed a bottle to Yang Qinghua.

"Do you want a drink?"

When only Cao Jinse was left, he asked.

"Why not, open it."

Princess Cao was straightforward.

Jiang Chen handed her a bottle too.

"Thank you all for taking the time to join my birthday celebration."

Yang Qinghua was the first to raise the glass, the corner of her mouth curved playfully, "To our... everlasting friendship."

"Everlasting friendship!"

Inviting him was definitely the right choice, Jiang Chen’s enthusiastic response was the loudest.

His enthusiasm caught Yang Qinghua’s special attention. Despite being a woman, Yang Qinghua was a bold drinker, downing a whole glass at once. After putting down her empty glass, she looked expectantly at Jiang Chen.

"If I’m not mistaken, this is our first time sitting together for a drink, right?"

"Thanks to Qinghua, for giving me this chance."

"Alright, cut the formalities tonight, I know it’s an honor to have you dine with us."

"Not at all."

Jiang Chen looked embarrassed.

"As long as Qinghua is willing to treat us, I’ll always be there."

Yang Qinghua laughed.

"I’m not capable of that. My income can’t support hosting all the time."

"...Does Qinghua not know how to cook?"

Exactly.

Who says hosting has to be at a restaurant?

Cooking at home works too.

Although Jiang Chen’s comment seemed normal enough, it left Yang Qinghua momentarily speechless.

Alright.

No one is perfect.

Turns out even the best have their weaknesses.

Yet the difference is, some people acknowledge their shortcomings, but people with strong personalities and great achievements tend to instinctively avoid them.

"Jinse, do you cook?"

Yang Qinghua suddenly shifted the topic to Cao Jinse.

Clearly, after growing up, they had become a bit estranged. Hadn’t visited the Cao family lately, should have known that Princess Cao had some culinary skills, albeit limited.

Princess Cao understood her intention perfectly; nodding would put her in an awkward position, shaking her head would be dishonest, so she didn’t answer.

"I’ve tasted her stir-fried shredded potatoes. The taste was alright, just not fully cooked." Jiang Chen remarked objectively.

"Be grateful you have something to eat. Don’t be picky."

Cao Jinse retorted.

Yang Qinghua was surprised, "Since when did you learn to cook?"

"Just learning for fun."

Cao Jinse said lightly.

Yang Qinghua smiled, wanting to say something, but for some reason held back.

When a woman makes a change, there must be a reason.

Could it be.

Her problem?

"Then whenever you have time, teach me."

Cao Jinse immediately gave a wry smile, "It’s better if Qinghua doesn’t trouble me. I’m not that skilled myself, how can I teach you? Plus, Qinghua’s time is too precious to waste on such trivial matters."

"Yes. Jinse is right. People shouldn’t aim for perfection."

"..."

"..."

"..."

Even Cao Xiugo couldn’t help but rub his nose lightly with his fingers.

"If you went into politics, you might achieve more than Qinghua." Cao Jinse sincerely commented on someone.

"Do you really think so?"

Yang Qinghua looked at the guy who was full of flattery.

Jiang Chen nodded, appearing very sincere.

"Then when you get married, would you mind if your wife couldn’t cook?"

What defines a master.

If after some fancy effects, a killer move is launched, it’s not a master; people would have been prepared.

A powerful move doesn’t require a buildup, it’s suddenly unleashed unexpectedly, that’s a master.

The eloquent Jiang Chen clearly understood the gravity of the question, so he didn’t answer immediately, but only pondered briefly, so briefly that even Cao Xiugo next to him didn’t have time to observe his expression.

"Qinghua asking me this question is not representative because it doesn’t illustrate a general case."

"Why?"

Yang Qinghua was curious.

"Because I can cook."

Jiang Chen succinctly said, "As long as one person in the family can cook, that’s enough."

Yang Qinghua’s lips curled into a smile, "So you mean as long as the man can cook, you wouldn’t mind if your partner couldn’t?"

Jiang Chen gave a light cough, he wasn’t a god, couldn’t cover every angle; in this situation, with no room to maneuver, he slowly nodded.

"Wouldn’t you feel it’s degrading or a loss of face for a man to cook?"

Uh oh.

Seems he was being used.

As expected.

Anyone who can shine in the political arena is not easy to deal with, no matter how cautious, one will still fall into traps.

This time, Cao Jinse clearly couldn’t remind him, or rather, she was also unintentionally pulled into the same camp by Yang Qinghua.

"I don’t think such things should be divided by gender."

Before coming in, Jiang Chen already knew certain things shouldn’t be involved in, but how could he not answer now, quickly utilizing his intellect.

"Whether it’s a man or a woman, cooking for your partner should be something of achievement, how could it be disgraceful?"

"Oh? Really? Are you just trying to make us happy?"

Highlight this.

Yang Qinghua used "us."

The "us" refers to whom, goes without saying.

"Qinghua is joking, my biggest flaw is I can’t make people happy."

"Pfft."

This wasn’t the first time that night Yang Qinghua couldn’t hold back.

Princess Cao involuntarily rolled her eyes.

Upon careful observation, it would be clear.

Even the only other man present, Cao Xiugo’s mouth twitched uncontrollably.

Just who are they?

Each of them had extraordinary self-control and poise, yet even so, they were still utterly defeated under Jiang Chen’s extraordinary talent.

Perhaps feeling apologetic, knowing that it’s impolite to laugh after someone speaks, Yang Qinghua raised her hand to cover her mouth, and after a while managed to recompose herself.

She put her hand down, pursing her lips, not only unsure of what to say immediately, but also finding it a bit funny again.

It was really embarrassing.

"Besides this ’biggest flaw,’ do you have any other shortcomings?"

Cao Jinse kindly took over the conversation for Yang Qinghua.

Jiang Chen appeared thoughtful, but after a long moment, no words came out.

Well.

That means he has no other flaws.

Princess Cao really wanted to expose his true nature, but considering her brother’s presence, she held back.

"Want me to suggest one?"

Yang Qinghua finally regained her composure.

Facing Jiang Chen’s gaze, she said, "Being too busy is probably a big flaw too. A girl doesn’t necessarily need sweet words from a boy but desires more companionship. An hour together is worth more than ten thousand sweet nothings."

Was this criticism or advice?

Jiang Chen didn’t make the foolish mistake of arguing; he nodded, "Qinghua is right. Actually..."

He hesitated.

"Actually what?"

Yang Qinghua couldn’t help but ask.

"Actually, my previous ideal had always been for the woman to work outside and the man to manage the home."

Yang Qinghua paused again.

Woman works outside and man manages home?

Isn’t this a sophisticated version of being a freeloading moocher?

"You..."

Perhaps knowing how shocking his revelation was, Jiang Chen continued, "Because I realized such a concept isn’t socially acceptable, so I had no choice but to strive hard."

Yang Qinghua was silent.

Jiang Chen poured himself a beer.

For most, being a freeloading moocher would be shameful and disgraceful, yet for a highly accomplished woman, wouldn’t it be an ideal partner?

It’s only natural for men to support women.

Why then, reverse the roles, and men managing the home and women working outside becomes criticized?

Aren’t we advocating gender equality?

"Who says it can’t be accepted."

Yang Qinghua slowly said, "I can accept it."

"Me too."

The quiet Cao Xiugo turned his head, glanced at his responding sister, and silently raised his beer.