Chapter 929: Special Extra 2: Highly Recommending Chef Cheng

Chapter 929: Chapter 928: Special Extra 2: Highly Recommending Chef Cheng

Mu Qiu is helping out in the kitchen, working alongside her mom.

It’s already afternoon, and the lunch welcoming Cheng Zhirang was prepared according to their terms, with not much conversation at the table.

At that time, Mu Qiu knew—the main event would surely be during dinner.

Zhou Jilin and Su Jin are coming for dinner; they called earlier saying they are on the way, so Yuan Chun pulled her into the kitchen, leaving Cheng Zhirang outside to play chess and chat with Mu Zhi.

The kitchen setup is nearly the same, with the mother and daughter duo, and the topic at hand is also centered around Cheng Zhirang.

Despite being a professor for many years, Yuan Chun is like any ordinary homemaker, enjoying bringing private matters into the kitchen, talking while working.

The task of washing king oyster mushrooms was assigned to Mu Qiu. She always found scrubbing such large mushrooms a bit odd, so she soon opted to go for cutting them directly.

How should she cut them?

Holding the knife with eager interest, she asked Yuan Chun, “Mom, can I score these king oyster mushrooms? Slice them all fancy, so once they’re done cooking, they’ll look like abalone. The ones at lunch had no flair.”

Yuan Chun was dazzled by the reflection from the diamond ring on her finger and promptly rejected her suggestion.

“Focus less on those unorganised fancy cuts, just slice them. Or never mind, let me do it; you go wash the beans.”

Again there are the familiar green peas, yet as one of the hardest vegetables to clean.

“Are we making stewed meat with green peas tonight too? Sister Su Jin’s order?”

Yuan Chun glanced at her hand again, “Xiao Cheng said you’ve not been eating regularly lately, much less than before, didn’t you like having this with rice?”

“…When did he tell you that?”

“Just when you went to the washroom. Will steamed fish do? Su Jin is pregnant, so having fish is good; just not sure what flavor she likes.” Yuan Chun said gently as she scored the fish cleaned beforehand.

Mu Qiu replied absentmindedly, “Just steam it. Mom, I’ve agreed with Cheng Zhirang that a proposal is a proposal and marriage is marriage, and the wedding should be by next year at the latest. Isn’t this way not too good?”

Yuan Chun was already pondering the issue of marriage. Hearing her mention it, touching upon what she and Mu Zhi were thinking, she paused her actions to speak earnestly.

“How could it be not good? Since both of you have the thought of marrying, don’t fear discussing the wedding plans together. After all, it’s a major event in both of your lives, so discussing together will certainly be best, and he should respect your views. Did he say anything?”

She shook her head, “He said he respects my opinion. Initially, he wanted to marry by the end of the year, but I thought it was too soon.”

“Of course, it’s too fast. How old are you? How long have you been out of school? And how long have you two been together? I can’t comprehend the love-at-first-sight kind of marriages, although the occurrence suggests such situations are possible. But as your mom, I certainly hope you both decide this matter with more seriousness after familiar terms.”

Yuan Chun, having been a professor for years, speaks naturally and sincerely, hitting the heart’s chord.

“That’s what I think too; after some consideration, he agrees.”

Mu Qiu unknowingly moved her fingers around in the bowl of green peas, swirling them round and round.

Seeing this, Yuan Chun frowned, gently tapped her hand, “Wash properly, don’t be lazy with your tasks. You’ll be in charge of frying these peas later.”

Her movements paused.

“…I sincerely recommend Cheng Zhirang, his cooking of this dish tastes better than mine.”

“It’s improper to have the guest cook, let’s have you do it!”

Just as she frowned, preparing to say more, outside sounds of chatter arose.

Zhou Jilin and Su Jin arrived.

Mu Qiu didn’t wipe the water from her hands before following Yuan Chun to the kitchen door, leaning to peek outside.

Su Jin was dressed in a pretty maternity dress, tightly held by Zhou Jilin, greeting Cheng Zhirang.

The belly, compared to last time, now seemed bigger again, much like hiding a large watermelon under the dress.

“Brother Lin, Sister Su Jin.”

She called them twice, and Su Jin immediately walked from the living room to her, jokingly asking, “Already starting dinner prep? Is there anything we can help with?”

“No, no, no, you shouldn’t help, Brother Lin’s back has been held tight.”

She nodded towards Zhou Jilin, suggesting, “Brother Lin, why don’t you lend a hand? We’re unsure what Sister Su Jin likes to eat recently.”

After saying it, she curiously asked, “Sister Su Jin, do you have the urge to eat cactus now?”

Su Jin: “…Qiuqiu, I’ve told you many times, eating cactus is just a quirk of very few pregnant women. Why are you so fixated on cactus?”

“Alright then,” she sighed regretfully, then asked Zhou Jilin, “Brother Lin, how about the fish? Is it okay for Sister Su Jin to have steamed fish?”

“You should ask me, why ask him?” Su Jin jokingly reproached.

Mu Qiu pretended to be earnest, “It’s life presenting him with random quiz questions, if he doesn’t know what you like to eat or can’t eat lately, then certainly he’s not attentive enough to you.”

Zhou Jilin: “…Let’s make sour fish, I’ll take care of it.”

He then placed the gift box handled earlier, unfastened his cufflinks, and walked over. Cheng Zhirang followed him into the kitchen.

Yuan Chun’s was adamant, “No need, just a few dishes.”

“Teacher Yuan, no matter just a few dishes, we can’t have you do it alone. Initially, Su Jin wanted to help, but you know with her pregnant, I dare not let her into the kitchen, so I’ll handle it, it’s nothing.”

Speaking genuinely touching words.

Mu Qiu was just about to pull Cheng Zhirang’s hand, but Zhou Jilin set his eyes on her again, “You help? Or he helps?”

Mu Qiu hid behind Cheng Zhirang, peeking out from his arm, her fingers slyly pointing at Cheng Zhirang under Yuan Chun’s disapproving gaze.

“A grand introduction to this chef of mine.”

Cheng Zhirang chuckled and pinched her finger lightly before entering the kitchen.

Yuan Chun was no longer hiding her smile, adding a sentence, “How can we make you do it, you’re a guest.”

“It’s no trouble at all, Auntie, I’ll be coming over often in the future, can’t have you worrying each time.”

His likable appearance along with his words and actions satisfied the elders, Yuan Chun was pleased, quickly switching from calling him a guest to affectionately referring to him as Xiao Cheng.

Mu Qiu clicked her tongue twice, talking with Su Jin at the kitchen doorway.

Su Jin: “So he usually cooks at home?”

“Can’t be helped, his cooking is better than mine. But Brother Lin, so busy yet still insists on cooking for you? Is he trying to win you over with culinary skills?”

Su Jin felt awkward speaking this line, playfully stared.

Yuan Chun in the kitchen was guiding Cheng Zhirang and Zhou Jilin with a cheerful tone, casting a glance back to see her idly chatting at the door, pretending to sternly scold.

“Mu Qiu, are your green peas washed and put aside?”

“Coming, coming, coming, Brother Cheng I want to add vinegar to the stewed meat with green peas…”

“You have the nerve to boss Xiao Cheng around!”

Cheng Zhirang listened to their conversation, laughing as he answered Mu Qiu’s earlier question, “Okay.”