"Only a fool like you would believe that. There’s no one in the world who can’t cook. Don’t forget, the majority of five-star chefs are men."

She was stunned. Indeed, it’s better to believe in ghosts than to trust a man’s words.

By this time, the oven had been opened, and a pleasant fragrance wafted out. Cumin, green cilantro, golden potato slices, accompanied by red carrots and a few broccoli florets.

She looked at him as if he were some kind of monster. Because at that very moment, she was craving deep-fried lamb chops—roasted lamb legs, whole roasted lamb, lamb chops... they were all her favorites.

"What are you staring at? Go get the cups. Get the two new wine glasses from the upper cabinet, and that bottle of red wine—the one without any label on it..."

Red wine, roasted lamb chops, and a few side dishes. It was an unconventional blend of Eastern and Western cuisines. Yet, the color, aroma, and taste were all perfect, and each dish looked exquisite.

She had run about all day and only eaten a bowl of iced jelly for lunch. She hadn’t felt hungry earlier due to the high temperature. Yet, upon returning home to the full blast of the air conditioner, her stomach immediately started rumbling. She didn’t respond to him and just started eating straight away.

The end of the roasted lamb chop was thoughtfully wrapped in foil. She didn’t hold back, picked up the chop with her hand, and devoured it voraciously.

He, on the other hand, took a leisurely sip of his red wine and chuckled. "Eat slowly, be careful not to choke. There are three big pieces for each of us, enough for you."

After devouring two pieces, she finally felt a bit full. She then picked up her wine glass and took a big gulp. It was very sweet and very cold.

He raised his glass to toast with her.

"This is home-brewed red wine by the Empress Dowager. Every year, during the prime grape harvest season, she chooses the best grapes to brew a large barrel. Tastes good, doesn’t it?"

She paused, the glass at her lips.

Somehow, hearing the words "Empress Dowager" always made her uneasy. It was as if someone were standing behind her with a whip, a chilling sensation enveloping her. This was especially true now that Wan Donglin was cooking and being so deliberately attentive—she was just afraid of inadvertently becoming arrogant from being pampered again.

She finished her glass in one gulp and refilled it.

"This is wine, not water. Don’t drink too much."

She muttered, "It tastes almost like a beverage."

Then she began to eat the last piece of lamb chop. After finishing it, she still wanted more. She had eaten enough, but because she ate too quickly, her stomach hadn’t reacted in time to send a signal of fullness.

That’s how people gain weight.

She saw there were still two pieces on his plate.

He glared at her. "Why are you staring at me so eagerly?"

She said nothing.

He lazily picked a piece from his plate and offered it to her. "Who told you not to eat properly at noon? You must have been famished, right? Be careful not to get sick from overeating."

She snorted, not refusing at all, and devoured that lamb chop as well. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

He watched her intently. Only then did he understand the saying ’a feast for the eyes.’ Just watching her eat with such relish made him feel as if he’d already eaten his fill.

He felt delighted and relaxed. After a separation of more than two months, even cooking a meal for her was a great pleasure.

"When we were training in the field, the conditions were extremely harsh. I got lost in the jungle and survived for seven or eight days solely on wild fruits and vegetables. Later, I caught a wild goat. I lit a fire, roasted it, and ate it. I only had a little salt on me, which I just sprinkled on top. That was the most delicious food I’ve ever eaten in my life... Ever since then, I’ve loved lamb chops..."

She sulked. This guy, he seems to know how to do everything. I used to think he only knew how to cook sweet glutinous rice balls and instant noodles.

"There are still a lot more things I know how to do..."