I agreed to be a kept man, but I'm still being punished by the system.

This meal was more than just filling our stomachs.

Lin Yang's gaze eventually settled on a few of the ingredients.

The light and refreshing Matsutake Chicken Soup can warm the stomach and soothe her tired nerves.

A dish of sea bass with white asparagus showcases the fish's tenderness, retains its nutrients, and demonstrates the chef's mastery of modern culinary techniques.

For the main course, we'll use that A5 Wagyu beef to make a Japanese-style thinly sliced ​​Wagyu beef roll. It's rich in fat, melts in your mouth, and instantly brings immense satisfaction.

Finally, he served a warm salad made with a variety of organic vegetables, topped with a special vinaigrette dressing that he had found in his mind.

Four dishes, one soup, one main dish, and two side dishes.

Nutritionally balanced, with flavors that progress from mild to complex, layer by layer.

He not only showcased his superb culinary skills but also thoughtfully catered to her physical needs.

This is the art of "living off a woman's money".

More than an hour later.

The clanging and banging in the kitchen finally stopped.

Instead of going to the huge mahogany round table that could seat ten people for a dinner party, Lin Yang placed the last dish steadily on the bar counter in the open kitchen.

This was something he had in mind.

That round table, so far away, so distant, made him look more like a cook waiting for his master's reward.

And the bar is just right.

The distance between them, sitting side by side, was enough to blur the barrier of status, allowing the air to become more ambiguous.

The savory aroma of matsutake mushroom and chicken broth, the rich fat of Japanese-style grilled Wagyu beef, and the sweetness of sea bass intertwine in the air, forming an invisible net that envelops the space.

"Click".

The door to the master bedroom was pushed open.

Lin Yang's gaze unconsciously drifted over there.

Su Man came out.

She changed out of her restrictive business attire and into a loose silk robe. The smooth fabric clung to her body's curves, outlining her alluring silhouette as she moved.

Her long, wet hair cascaded over her shoulders, the ends still dripping water. The misty vapor blurred her usual sharpness, giving her an air of languid softness.

Her steps faltered when her gaze fell upon the four exquisitely crafted dishes on the bar, each one a work of art.

For the first time, a clear look of surprise appeared in her usually calm and collected eyes.

That wasn't faked; it was a genuine accident.

Instead of heading straight to the bar, she walked barefoot across the cold marble floor to the wine cabinet in the corner of the living room.

Long, slender, fair fingers wandered among rows of expensive red wines, finally picking up a bottle of French red wine with an elegant label.

Her movements were skillful and elegant; the corkscrew in her hands was like a delicate toy. With a soft "pop," the rich aroma of the wine instantly wafted out.

She took two wine glasses, their walls reflecting the light, making them appear crystal clear.

Then, she slowly walked to the bar, pulled out a high stool, and sat down.

As she moved, the hem of her robe slipped open, revealing half of her smooth, delicate calves, which gleamed with a milky sheen under the warm light.

"Try it."

Lin Yang pushed a bowl of clear matsutake chicken soup in front of her.

Su Man didn't speak, picked up the spoon, scooped up a spoonful and put it in her mouth.

The scalding hot soup slid down the esophagus into the stomach, and a warm, soothing sensation instantly spread throughout the body.

The unique aroma of matsutake mushrooms and the rich flavor of old hen are perfectly blended together, making it delicious yet not greasy, as if it can soothe every tired nerve ending.

Her body visibly relaxed.

My shoulders, which were originally tense, slumped down involuntarily.

She raised her eyes and looked at Lin Yang.

His eyes revealed disbelief.

She put down her spoon, picked up her chopsticks, and took out a piece of Wagyu beef roll that was as thin as a cicada's wing.

The A5 Wagyu beef was grilled to perfection, with a caramelized exterior and an enticing pink interior, the rich fat glistening under the light.

Entrance.

That piece of meat seemed to have a life of its own, melting instantly on the tip of the tongue.

The intense aroma of oils explodes forth, instantly filling the entire mouth.

Su Man's eyes widened suddenly.

It was a pure, instinctive reaction to the overwhelming deliciousness.

Her chewing paused for a moment, and then a captivating blush appeared on her face.

It's not shyness.

It's the body's most honest response: surrender to the finest flavors.

For the rest of the time, only the soft clinking of cutlery could be heard around the bar.

Suman ate slowly, but she hardly stopped.

She forgot table manners, forgot her so-called queenly aura, and forgot all the rules she had set for herself.

At this moment, she was simply a woman completely conquered by the delicious food.

A piece of sea bass, a warm salad, a bowl of soup, and a whole plate of Wagyu beef rolls.

All the dishes were eaten clean.

Finally, she leaned back on the high stool and let out a long, satisfied sigh.

That perpetually icy pretty face finally showed a touch of warmth.

She picked up her wine glass, gently swirling the deep red liquid inside, and looked at Lin Yang with a dreamy gaze.

"How many things are there about you that I don't know?"

Her voice, tinged with a hint of drunken languor, was soft yet subtly alluring.

Lin Yang poured himself a glass of wine and lightly touched it with hers from a distance.

"If you want to know, Ms. Su, I'll tell you slowly."

He neither evaded nor boasted, but simply stated his position calmly.

The two bottles of red wine were quickly emptied.

Alcohol is the best catalyst.

Su Man's cheeks flushed with an alluring blush, and her eyes became watery and no longer so cold.

She rested her chin on her hand, quietly watching Lin Yang, this young man who had entered her life.

Looking at his delicate eyebrows and eyes, his straight nose, and the movement of his Adam's apple as he spoke.

The atmosphere in the space gradually became thick and ambiguous.

Just when Lin Yang thought that something would naturally happen tonight.

Su Man suddenly put down her wine glass.

The bottom of the glass struck the marble countertop with a crisp sound, breaking the idyllic atmosphere.

The dazed look in her eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a seriousness and clarity that made one's heart tighten.

That night.

She spoke, her voice soft, yet like a pebble dropped into a calm lake.

"What exactly happened?"

Lin Yang's hand gripping the wine glass tightened suddenly.

coming.

What was bound to happen has finally happened.

A perfectly measured hint of embarrassment and awkwardness appeared on his face, and he subconsciously avoided looking directly at her.

"I...I'm not quite sure either."

His voice was somewhat hoarse.

"I was given too much alcohol that day, and I blacked out."

"I only vaguely remember that Sister Xiaoya said she would call a designated driver to take me home."

He was telling part of the truth, which made his expression and tone seem incredibly sincere.

He looked up and met Su Man's probing eyes, which seemed to see right through his soul, her gaze filled with innocence.

I swear to God.

"I really don't remember anything that happened after that."

The inquisitive light in Su Man's eyes was not extinguished by Lin Yang's "oath".

She simply watched him quietly, like an experienced hunter examining prey that had fallen into a trap, judging whether its struggles were instinctive or part of a scheme.

After a long while, she suddenly smiled.

The smile was faint, tinged with self-deprecation and weariness.

"We were all drunk that night, so it's normal that we don't remember clearly."

She picked up her glass, drained the last drop of deep red liquid, her throat moving gracefully.

"but......"

She slammed the wine glass down on the marble table, making a sharp "clang" that made Lin Yang's heart skip a beat.

"The next morning, in the bathroom."

Her gaze sharpened again.

What you did to me was a bit too much.

"At that time, you were lucid."

Lin Yang's breath hitched for a moment.

It turns out that what she was bothered about wasn't the muddled beginning, but rather his "forcefulness" when he was sober.

He stopped arguing and a hint of regret after his impulsive act appeared on his face.

"I……"

He lowered his head, avoiding her gaze, and his voice became hoarse.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Su."

"I...I was too impulsive."

His apology was incredibly sincere.