Chapter 80: The Young Master Seems to Have Misunderstood

"Young Master..."

Zhang Qiaoqiao watched with uncertainty as he entered the kitchen. This was unusual—the Young Master typically kept his distance from their domain.

Song Qi Nian's first instinct was to shield the mess in the pot from Shen Chi Yan's view, positioning herself between him and her culinary disaster.

Shen Chi Yan's lips curved into a knowing smirk. He found her attempt at secrecy almost endearing. She was clearly trying to learn to cook for him—why act so furtive about it? As if her little maneuvers could escape his notice.

"What exactly are you two up to?" he asked, his tone measured.

Sensing no immediate danger in his demeanor, Zhang Qiaoqiao spoke up. "Young Madam wanted cooking lessons, so I'm teaching her."

"Hmph. She's hopeless. You really think you can teach her anything?"

Song Qi Nian bristled at the insult, shooting him a fierce look, but Shen Chi Yan was already turning away.

His voice drifted back as he climbed the stairs. "Try not to burn the kitchen down. I'd hate to have to throw you both out on the street."

"Young Madam," Zhang Qiaoqiao ventured nervously, "perhaps we should stop here. I can prepare meals for you to take tomorrow instead."

It wasn't that she truly believed Shen Chi Yan would evict them—she was more concerned about Song Qi Nian's potential for kitchen catastrophes.

But Song Qi Nian remained determined, gesturing reassuringly. [Don't worry. I'm getting close—I can feel it. I can't quit now.]

Zhang Qiaoqiao could only stare in silent resignation.

The following morning, Song Qi Nian had already left by the time Shen Chi Yan came downstairs. He studied the breakfast spread before him, then addressed Zhang Qiaoqiao with carefully crafted nonchalance. "How is Song Qi Nian's cooking progressing?"

Zhang Qiaoqiao's face paled as she remembered spending the entire night battling stomach issues after sampling Song Qi Nian's cooking.

The realization hit her: life had a way of maintaining balance. The Young Madam might have been blessed with beauty, kindness, and intelligence, but cooking skills? Those had been firmly denied her.

Even with Zhang Qiaoqiao's careful, step-by-step guidance on the simplest dishes, the results were... best left undescribed.

Not wanting to tarnish the Young Madam's reputation, Zhang Qiaoqiao launched into enthusiastic praise. "The Young Madam picks things up so quickly! She's already tackled steak, braised pork, lotus root pork rib soup... and her walnut salad was exceptional."

Shen Chi Yan's eyebrow lifted. All his favorite dishes?

A satisfied smirk played across his face. Her feelings for him couldn't be more obvious.

At work, Shen Chi Yan's unusual good mood didn't go unnoticed. Li Nanxun, who had worked alongside him for over two years, had never seen him this cheerful.

Song Qi Nian, however, was wrestling with disappointment. She'd hoped to cook for Jia Shu personally, but after witnessing Zhang Qiaoqiao's night of misery, how could she risk serving him her food?

But her spirits soon lifted. If she couldn't nourish him with food, she could at least help prepare him mentally.

As the workday drew to a close, Song Qi Nian found herself summoned to Shen Chi Yan's office.

His prolonged silence made her fidget. She had promised to bring dinner to Jia Shu—she couldn't break her word.

After several uncomfortable minutes, she approached his desk and tapped it gently.

When he finally looked up, she signed nervously, [President Shen, why did you call me here? The workday is over.]

The sight of her anxiety brought a slight curve to his refined lips. "Do you have somewhere important to be?"

Song Qi Nian nodded emphatically.

"How important?"

Her expression grew serious as she signed, [Very, very, very important!]

Shen Chi Yan felt a surge of satisfaction. So his meals were that important to her!

Well, perhaps it was time to see if her cooking lived up to Zhang Qiaoqiao's glowing praise.

"Go ahead then. You can leave."

Song Qi Nian stood there, baffled. Had he really called her in just to make her wait around?

"Why are you still here? Expecting a bonus?"

She shook her head and darted out of the office.

Outside, she leaned against the wall, puzzled by his odd behavior today. But thoughts of Jia Shu waiting pushed aside her confusion. She grabbed her bag and headed home.

"Young Madam, everything's ready," Zhang Qiaoqiao greeted her. "Two thermos containers—one for the main dishes and rice, another for the bone soup."

Overjoyed, Song Qi Nian wrapped her arms around Zhang Qiaoqiao. [Thank you! When Jia Shu finishes his exams, I'm treating you to a feast!]

"No need for that. I just hope your brother does well!"

Song Qi Nian had wisely left the cooking to Zhang Qiaoqiao, whose food was both nourishing and delectable.

After changing into fresh clothes, Song Qi Nian collected the containers and set off for the hotel.

In his car, Gao Kunlun caught Shen Chi Yan's unusually bright mood in the rearview mirror. "Fifth Master, are we going to the hospital or Jingyuan?"

Since marrying Song Qi Nian, Shen Chi Yan had made Jingyuan villa his primary residence.

"Xiangshan Yue."

"Yes, sir."

Gao Kunlun felt quietly pleased about Shen Chi Yan's increasing visits to Xiangshan Yue.

Before entering the villa, Shen Chi Yan unconsciously adjusted his suit and smoothed his hair.

Zhang Qiaoqiao stared at him in surprise when he walked in. "Young Master, what brings you here?"

Shen Chi Yan's brow furrowed. "This is my house. Since when do I need permission to come here?"

"I... I didn't mean it that way..."

His eyes scanned the kitchen, finding no sign of Song Qi Nian. The dining table was empty—none of his favorite dishes in sight.

His expression hardened instantly.

Assuming he was hungry, Zhang Qiaoqiao quickly offered, "I'll start cooking right away!"

"Where's Song Qi Nian?"

"The Young Madam... she went to deliver food!"

His face grew even colder. "Where?"

"To... Shenya Hotel..."

Before Zhang Qiaoqiao could finish, Shen Chi Yan stormed out, radiating fury.

Zhang Qiaoqiao stood frozen for a moment before realizing the misunderstanding. She rushed after him. "Young Master... Young Master..."

But she was too late—the car had already vanished, leaving only exhaust fumes in its wake.

Growing increasingly uneasy, Zhang Qiaoqiao quickly messaged Song Qi Nian: "Young Madam, the Young Master seems to have misunderstood something. He's furious and probably heading your way. Be careful."

But Song Qi Nian hadn't seen the message. She was busy at the hotel, organizing Jia Shu's desk and cleaning his room.

Given the volume of Jia Shu's study materials, she worried about hotel staff misplacing something during cleaning. She'd specifically requested they leave the room alone, preferring to handle it herself.

"Sis, stop cleaning. You must be exhausted from work, and now you're delivering food too. Come sit down."

Song Qi Nian washed her hands and sat across from him. [How is it]

"It's incredible! This pork rib soup is the best I've ever had. And this braised pork—it's perfect. Where did you get it?"

Song Qi Nian pouted and signed, [Why couldn't I have made it?]

"...That's about as likely as Mars crashing into Earth!"

Playfully offended by her brother's teasing, Song Qi Nian bared her teeth in mock threat. But seeing him enjoy the meal made her heart warm.

[Zhang Qiaoqiao made it. She's talented—everything she touches turns out amazing…]

Before she could finish, the door burst open with a violent crash...