Cooking

Finally, the car came to a stop at the entrance of Su Cheng's apartment complex. Considering that Su Cheng hadn't returned yet, the three of them resumed their discussion inside the vehicle.

"We could go shopping for some ingredients. It's almost dinnertime, after all."

Gu Ruoxue habitually curled her index finger under her chin in thought, her eyes contemplative, before slowly lifting her gaze to Ji Qingyi.

However, before Ji Qingyi could react, Gu Ruoxue turned to Liu Qingyue instead, her lips parting slightly as she made her suggestion: "To make the most of our time, I propose we prepare dinner together and enjoy it once he returns. What do you think?"

"That’s a wonderful idea," Liu Qingyue nodded with a smile, her eyes gleaming with approval. "After all, the first thing he’ll do when he gets back is prepare dinner. If we handle it in advance, he can enjoy a ready-made meal, and we’ll have more time to talk."

Yet, the way Gu Ruoxue had abruptly dismissed Ji Qingyi during the discussion made the latter feel slighted.

Especially seeing her own maid chatting so animatedly with Gu Ruoxue, Ji Qingyi was itching to simply open the car door and leave.

"But!" Liu Qingyue suddenly raised her left arm, gently looping it around Ji Qingyi’s, her tone laced with pride and a hint of boasting. "Still, we must first consult our young mistress. After all, her culinary skills have earned Su Cheng’s endless praise and longing!"

This statement took Gu Ruoxue by surprise, as she knew full well that Ji Qingyi was a pampered young lady who had never lifted a finger for household chores, let alone cooking.

Ji Qingyi, startled by Liu Qingyue’s sudden praise and further unsettled by Gu Ruoxue’s astonished gaze, felt a mix of irritation and discomfort.

Recalling Gu Ruoxue’s earlier disregard and now this incredulous expression, Ji Qingyi’s pride flared.

With a wave of her hand, she replied impassively, "Very well, let’s proceed with this plan."

A flicker of surprise crossed Gu Ruoxue’s eyes before she conceded, "I misjudged you. That was impolite of me."

Then, with a serene and probing smile, she looked at Ji Qingyi as if trying to peer into her soul. "What are your thoughts on this proposal?"

Ji Qingyi picked up her teacup, took an elegant sip, and turned to Liu Qingyue. With a barely perceptible coolness, she shook her head at Gu Ruoxue. "You may accompany her to purchase the ingredients. As for cooking… I’ll pass."

Her words carried an unmistakable rejection of Gu Ruoxue’s invitation.

The two women’s expressions shifted in response.

Gu Ruoxue seemed thoughtful, realizing things weren’t as Liu Qingyue had claimed.

Liu Qingyue, meanwhile, sighed with regret, as if mourning an unfulfilled expectation.

Still, she attempted to persuade Ji Qingyi once more. "Young Mistress, I’m certain Su Cheng would be overjoyed to see you cook again."

Ji Qingyi shook her head calmly, her resolve unshaken. She took another leisurely sip of tea before addressing them both. "Go ahead. Don’t waste time."

Her tone was resolute, as if to say: My decision is final. Nothing you say will change it.

If it were just Su Cheng alone, she might have reluctantly agreed. But with Gu Ruoxue and Li Guanqi present, cooking in front of them would only make her a laughingstock.

"Understood. We’ll be back shortly," Liu Qingyue replied obediently before leaving with Gu Ruoxue.

Before departing, however, Gu Ruoxue cast a curious glance at Ji Qingyi—as if to say, You clearly don’t know how to cook, so why act so self-assured? This is baffling.

Catching that look, Ji Qingyi’s teacup trembled slightly in her grip, nearly slipping from her hand.

But the ordeal wasn’t over yet. Once the two women had stepped out of the car, Gu Ruoxue deliberately asked Liu Qingyue, "Does your young mistress really know how to cook?"

"Can’t you tell just by looking at her wife-like face?" Liu Qingyue’s response carried a subtle yet firm conviction. "No further explanation needed."

Though her words sounded earnest, her logic was flimsy. She then turned back, casting another doubtful glance at the car.

Stung by the same skeptical look again, Ji Qingyi’s anger flared.

Of course, there was also a trace of guilt.

But she didn’t lash out. Instead, she took a deep breath, maintaining her composure, and sipped her tea with practiced grace.

Meanwhile, inside the grocery store, Gu Ruoxue and Liu Qingyue were selecting fresh ingredients.

Noticing that Gu Ruoxue had picked all of Su Cheng’s favorites, Liu Qingyue smirked meaningfully.

Teasingly, she remarked, "I see you’ve chosen all of Su Cheng’s preferred ingredients. Your culinary insight is almost on par with our young mistress’s!"

Gu Ruoxue, who had been selecting tomatoes, paused mid-motion and glanced at Liu Qingyue. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

Liu Qingyue’s lips curled into a gentle smile as she began explaining her mistress’s cooking philosophy. "It’s her way of doting on Su Cheng—what she calls 'love-infused cuisine.' To her, the most crucial ingredient in cooking is love. With love, even the simplest dish becomes delicious—love is okay. Without it, food is just pre-packaged garbage, worse than mere animal feed."

Gu Ruoxue raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "How fascinating. I never expected such a perspective from her. But pre-made meals…"

Liu Qingyue chuckled softly, tossing a plump tomato into Gu Ruoxue’s basket before casually asking, "By the way, Su Cheng’s intentions aren’t as simple as you think, are they?"

At this, Gu Ruoxue’s hand stilled while holding a bunch of greens. She turned fully to face Liu Qingyue, her brow arching slightly. "Oh? What makes you say that?"

"Just curiosity," Liu Qingyue replied, picking up another handful of vegetables. But when she lifted her gaze again, her eyes gleamed with sharp intelligence—a piercing look that made Gu Ruoxue take mental note.

"Heh, seems I wasn’t mistaken," Liu Qingyue murmured with a faint smile before lowering her head once more.

With delicate movements, she placed the last carrot into Gu Ruoxue's basket, then slowly raised her head, speaking in a tone that seemed to state a simple fact: "But your method might actually achieve what all of us hope for. Let's try it this way for now."

As soon as her words faded, she took a step forward, heading toward the refrigerated section, and tossed back a remark: "I'll grab some meat."

Gu Ruoxue quietly watched Liu Qingyue's retreating figure, as if pondering the meaning behind her words.

A few seconds later, she refocused on selecting vegetables. Together, the two of them picked out various ingredients until everything had been carefully chosen. Only then did they return, laden with groceries, to their car.

The driver skillfully helped load the groceries into the trunk before getting into the car, which then smoothly drove toward Su Cheng's apartment.

Liu Qingyue stepped out first, opening the trunk and lifting two bags with each hand before shutting it with a graceful tilt of her chin.

Gu Ruoxue, who had just gotten out of the car, saw her and hurried over to help, but Liu Qingyue politely declined.

As a result, Gu Ruoxue and Ji Qingyi walked ahead while Liu Qingyue followed behind, carrying the groceries.

Soon, the three of them took the elevator straight to Su Cheng's doorstep.

However, upon arriving at the door, the three women exchanged glances, and an awkward silence settled over them.

Holding the groceries, Liu Qingyue leaned forward slightly and asked the other two in a tone that was both serious and teasing: "Don’t you two have a key?"

Gu Ruoxue and Ji Qingyi frowned slightly at her words and instinctively shook their heads.

"You two… really," Liu Qingyue sighed softly, setting the groceries down before retrieving a key from her bag. As she inserted it into the lock, she muttered, "A so-called ex-girlfriend and a so-called fiancée, yet neither of you brought a key. Meanwhile, here I am, the one you probably see as just a servant—"

Before she could finish, she decisively turned the key. A crisp click echoed in their ears, and the door swung open.

Yet, the opening of that door seemed to bring with it an inexplicable tension. Gu Ruoxue and Ji Qingyi’s expressions darkened almost imperceptibly.