Third Master, please restrain yourself. Our marriage is a marriage of convenience.

Seeing Xia Qing return, Shen Yan began to impart his experience to her: "Xia Qing, following Madam will ensure a bright future for you. Remember to cling to Madam's coattails."

Xia Qing sat in the chair with her legs crossed, casually picked up a meat bun and took a big bite: "Didn't you all say that Third Master and Madam's marriage was just a contractual agreement? And that they would divorce in a year?"

Shen Feng slurped down his porridge: "That's true, but whether we can actually get a divorce in a year is still a question."

Xia Qing narrowed her eyes slightly: "Why can't we get a divorce? Does Third Master want to back out?"

No one can force Third Master to do anything; the only possibility is that he does it willingly.

Shen Yan smiled mysteriously: "It's not impossible for feelings to develop over time. Just wait and see."

Xia Qing joked, "You're a single dog, but you know a lot."

Shen Yan: "Even if you haven't eaten pork, haven't you seen pigs run? I'm an expert in relationships."

Xia Qing rolled her eyes speechlessly: "Is it that 'expert' they're talking about online these days who doesn't do anything worthwhile and just spouts nonsense?"

Shen Yan said confidently, "My eyes are sharp; Third Master will definitely develop feelings for Madam over time."

Actually, he now feels that Third Master has some romantic feelings for Madam.

He just didn't realize it.

……

At noon, Pei Jinhe arrived at the president's office.

Looking at the seasonings and prepared ingredients on the table, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work: "I'll show you what I can do for lunch today."

Shen Huaiyu walked over: "I'll wash the vegetables."

Pei Jinhe started heating the oil in the wok, while Shen Huaiyu broke the greens apart and washed them clean with water.

Seeing Pei Jinhe's skillful movements, I wondered if I should build a kitchen for her in the office, so that it would be convenient for her to cook whenever she wanted.

Pei Jinhe used a strainer to scoop out the residue from the fish soup and then added fresh noodles to the pot.

Once the noodles are cooked, sprinkle with chopped green onions and cilantro.

The fish soup is milky white, the noodles are chewy, and the aroma is rich and mellow.

Pei Jinhe smiled and said, "Your stomach is just recovering, so you can't eat anything greasy or spicy. This fish soup noodles are just right."

Shen Huaiyu looked at the fish soup noodles in front of him. The milky white soup base was clear and bright, and the noodles were topped with green scallions and cilantro, creating distinct layers and an enticing aroma.

He picked up a mouthful of noodles with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth. A faint fishy aroma wafted over him, and the noodles, coated with the fresh scent of fish, were thin and smooth.

After eating the noodles, he couldn't resist taking a sip of the soup.

The richness of the soup and the freshness of the fish spread freely on the tip of the tongue, warming the throat all the way to the stomach.

Pei Jinhe raised an eyebrow smugly: "My noodles are delicious, aren't they?"

She feels that her cooking skills are getting better and better, and she could totally open a restaurant and become a head chef.

"It's delicious." Shen Huaiyu nodded.

Pei Jinhe boasted, "Nothing I make is bad. What you see now is just the tip of the iceberg. I can make many delicious things, and I will make them for you one by one in the future."

"However, you'll have to wash the dishes after you finish eating."

For her, cooking is a piece of cake, but washing dishes is really annoying.

In the past, when I ate alone, I wished I could buy disposable pots and pans so I wouldn't have to wash them after meals.

"Okay," Shen Huaiyu agreed readily.

Pei Jinhe slurped her noodles slowly: "Shen Huaiyu, what do you like to eat?"

Shen Huaiyu looked at her, his gaze filled with a tender, fluttering emotion: "I like anything you make."

He has a weak appetite; he doesn't dislike any particular food, but he also doesn't have any favorites.

But he seemed to find all the food Pei Jinhe cooked delicious.

Warm and peaceful.

It has a homey feel to it.

Pei Jinhe was momentarily stunned by her suddenly racing heartbeat. After a moment, she calmly said, "I really didn't expect that the dignified Third Master Shen would say such cheesy things."

This man looks so cold and aloof, how come he suddenly becomes so flirtatious over a meal?

However, it's also possible that the food I cooked really suited his taste.

Pei Jinhe thought for a moment.

I think the second possibility is more likely.

Shen Huaiyu's Adam's apple bobbed: "I'm telling the truth."

Pei Jinhe stroked her chin: "Then I need to develop new dishes, and you'll have to help me test them."

She had thought that if she got tired of life in Kyoto, she would open a small restaurant in a small city.

Shen Huaiyu's phoenix eyes were deep and dark, with a hint of a smile: "Are you going to use me as a guinea pig?"

Pei Jinhe took a sip of soup: "Being a guinea pig at least gets you food."

Shen Huaiyu smiled slightly, his voice filled with doting affection: "I'll pawn it for you."

Halfway through the meal, Pei Jinhe suddenly said, "The day after tomorrow is the anniversary of my grandmother's death. I'm going to the Ji family to pay my respects to her."

"I'll go with you." Shen Huaiyu finished the last mouthful of noodle soup.

"No way." Pei Jinhe quickly shook her head. "If they see you, they'll definitely make all sorts of demands and force me to ask the Ji family for benefits. I can just take Xia Qing with me."

The Ji family is still unaware that she has married Shen Huaiyu.

If they found out, given their snobbish nature, they would definitely try to get something out of her every now and then.

"If there's anything you can't solve, remember to call me."

Shen Huaiyu looked into her eyes, his tone calm but carrying an arrogant and domineering air: "If they make you uncomfortable, you don't need to put up with it, I'll cover for you."

Pei Jinhe looked completely bewildered.

No one ever told her that they would bail her out.

Even when she was bullied by Ji Yuyan when she was a child, she endured it without saying a word. She knew that she was living under someone else's roof and could only swallow her anger.

Although her grandmother doted on her, Ji Yuyan was, after all, her own granddaughter, and she didn't want to put her grandmother in a difficult position.

When she was five years old, Ji Yuyan locked her in a dark and cold room for a day and a night. Later, her grandmother found out and took her to the countryside.

The ten years she spent in the countryside were a carefree time for her.

After her grandmother passed away, she returned to the Ji family.

At school, Ji Yuyan led the mockery of her, calling her an unwanted bastard who spent all day freeloading off the Ji family.

Because of her good grades and the protection of her teachers, Ji Yuyan's followers and admirers dared not openly target her, so they led the class to isolate her.

She never expected anyone to rely on, nor did she ever think that anyone would bail her out.

She had no chance to make mistakes in her life.

But now Shen Huaiyu tells her that she doesn't need to endure it, he will cover for her.

Pei Jinhe felt a mix of emotions, a sense of panic that made her want to escape, and a touch of happiness and sweetness she had never experienced before.

She raised the corners of her lips: "So, does that mean I can do whatever I want in Kyoto from now on?"

Shen Huaiyu said arrogantly, "Absolutely."

Even if Pei Jinhe causes a major disaster, he can still smooth things over for her.

...