After ninety-nine online romances, I finally met my ex in person when school started.

The fan ribs tapped against her fair fingertips. She stuck out her delicate red tongue and licked her full lips.

"Wanqing's possessive nature about food really comes from me." Shen Shuzhu's childish voice was low, carrying a hint of morbid excitement and resentment. "But, how can I sleep at night without taking a bite of this piece of Tang Monk's flesh? Brother Xun Chuan..."

Zhu Xunchuan followed Meng Wanqing through the long corridor.

My phone vibrated unexpectedly in my pocket.

He swiped open the screen with one hand with remarkable ease; it was a WeChat message from Jiang Yao, the lawless heiress of the Jiang family.

There are no words, only a photograph.

In the photo, Jiang Yao is sitting on a heavy Indian motorcycle.

Her long, wild, and aggressive legs straddled the sides of the motorcycle. She skillfully twirled a gleaming butterfly knife, its blade pointing directly at the camera.

A voice message followed immediately: "Hey Zhu, don't think I can't keep an eye on you just because you've come to Shanghai. If you dare to flirt around outside, I'll buy a plane ticket tonight and fly over there to personally castrate you with this knife!"

The sheer jealousy and possessiveness practically overflow the screen. This contrast, blending violence with extreme sexiness, is an extreme test of self-control.

Zhu Xun Chuan's heartbeat was as steady as a rock. He glanced at Meng Wan Qing walking ahead, his thumbs flying across the keyboard as he instantly replied with a message.

"The knife is well-sharpened; it's perfect for cleaving the path to your heart. Put your clothes on properly, don't catch a cold. That white, greasy spot will have to wait for me to measure it myself when I get back. Wash up tonight and wait for my check-in video."

Click send, then lock the screen. The whole process is as secretive as a secret agent rendezvous.

Three seconds later, Jiang Yao replied with a smug "slit my throat" emoji, along with a red lipstick emoji. She smoothly charmed the underworld heiress, achieving perfect victory.

"arrive."

Meng Wanqing pushed open the two frosted glass doors at the end of the corridor.

It was even more extravagant than I had imagined the kitchen of a wealthy family; deep inside the kitchen, a dozen or so chefs were busy at work.

A woman stood in front of the small stove at the very entrance.

She was wearing a dark blue velvet dress with a checkered apron tied conspicuously around her waist.

Her long hair was meticulously styled into a bun and secured with a jade hairpin. Although only her profile was visible, the dignified and composed demeanor that had been honed over the years carried an aura of authority that was even stronger than that of Meng Wanqing.

At this moment, the woman was holding a spatula, intently stir-frying the oily braised pork in the pan.

"This is my mother." Meng Wanqing stopped and lowered her voice, her tone filled with a hint of reverence.

Zhu Xun Chuan watched the visually striking, dignified noblewoman tossing the wok, his lips twitching slightly. Just how many tigresses at the top of the food chain were hidden in the Meng family?

Hearing footsteps, the woman in front of the stove turned her head.

She had a face that bore a striking resemblance to Meng Wanqing, with a captivating charm that had been honed over the years. Although she wore a checkered apron, the aura of a matriarch from within her transformed the bustling kitchen into a sophisticated negotiating table.

This is Meng Wanqing's mother, Shen Xinrou, the eldest daughter of the Shen family.

"Mom." Meng Wanqing took Zhu Xunchuan's arm and stepped forward, her tone softening unconsciously.

Shen Xinrou's gaze passed over her daughter and landed directly on Zhu Xun Chuan's face. Her eyes didn't hold the obvious contempt of Meng Changhe, but rather a penetrating scrutiny.

"You must be Xun Chuan." Shen Xinrou put down the spatula, picked up a hot towel and wiped her hands. Her voice was calm. "I heard the commotion in the front of the house from the kitchen. Changhe has a notoriously foul mouth. I'm sorry you had to suffer."

"Auntie is too kind. It's nothing to feel wronged by a few words of advice from an elder." Zhu Xun Chuan said calmly, a gentle smile on his lips.

Shen Xinrou stared at him for a while, then suddenly sighed, "He's certainly good-looking and attractive to young girls. With that face and that demeanor, it's no wonder Wanqing is so infatuated. But in life, sweet talk and good looks alone aren't enough. Our family isn't short of money, but we don't support idle people who just want to freeload."

These words are a veiled barb.

Meng Wanqing frowned, about to speak up in defense of her, but Zhu Xunchuan squeezed her hand, stopping her.

He didn't rush to explain, but instead very naturally took off his 780,000 yuan bespoke suit jacket and casually handed it to Meng Wanqing behind him. Then, he unbuttoned his shirt cuffs and neatly rolled up his sleeves to his elbows.

Under Shen Xinrou's astonished gaze, Zhu Xunchuan walked to the sink next to him, squeezed out some hand sanitizer, and washed his hands clean.

Then, he walked directly to the cutting board and casually picked up a Chinese cleaver.

"Auntie, the braised pork hasn't reduced the sauce yet, has it? I'll prepare the side dishes."

Tap tap tap tap tap.

The kitchen echoed with a rapid, rhythmic chopping sound. The scallions, ginger, and garlic on the cutting board seemed to magically transform in his hands into fine, evenly chopped pieces and shreds. His skillful knife work and swift movements left even the star-rated chefs assisting him in awe.

A hint of surprise flashed in Shen Xinrou's eyes.

She originally thought that the young man who could bewitch her daughter was a pampered young master who never lifted a finger, or a pretty face who only knew how to charm women.

This incredibly skilled knife work is not something that can be learned through last-minute cramming. It comes from someone who has truly immersed themselves in the hustle and bustle of the kitchen.

After Zhu Xun Chuan finished chopping the side dishes, he used the flat side of the knife to scrape them and steadily placed them into a small bowl. He turned his head and casually took the spatula from Shen Xin Rou.

"Auntie, this dress is made of a delicate material, and it's hard to wash if it gets stained with oil and grease. You rest, I'll bounce it a couple of times."

Zhu Xun Chuan gripped the handle of the iron pot and exerted force with his wrist.

call!

The braised pork in the pot tumbled in the air in a perfect arc, enveloped in the rich broth. Flames leaped up briefly along the edge of the pot before settling back onto the burner. The rich aroma of the meat instantly filled the air.

Looking at the young man who had taken over the stove with ease, Shen Xinrou finally smiled genuinely.

"Your movements are quite skilled. Do you cook at home often?" Shen Xinrou crossed her arms, her tone noticeably softening.

"Children from poor families mature early, you know. Later, when I went to university, I had fewer opportunities to cook, but I haven't lost my skills yet," Zhu Xun Chuan replied casually while stirring the food. "Besides, now that I'm taking care of Wan Qing, I can't let her eat takeout every meal. Women care about their skin, so they can't eat too much oily food."

Upon hearing this, Shen Xinrou raised an eyebrow and turned her gaze to her daughter standing to the side.

Meng Wanqing was holding Zhu Xunchuan's suit at this moment, and a rare blush appeared on her usually aloof face.