Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Before Zhuang Jinyu could notice that his doll body was missing a few parts, he discovered something else even more bizarre.

It all started because the Young Master was hungry and wanted to eat.

He had extremely picky taste, so I didn’t dare embarrass myself with my own cooking skills.

Ordering takeout was the only option.

Choosing a meal turned out to be a grueling task. Cheap places were out, places too far away were out, and anything with a negative review was out.

After being picky for ages, the Young Master-who had never used a delivery app in his life-finally remembered something.

“My secretary used to order from a private kitchen. You have to call to make a reservation.”

…A commoner like me probably wouldn’t even be able to get a reservation.

In the end, the Young Master, who absolutely refused to eat standard takeout, decided he was willing to give me a chance to win over his stomach.

“Isn’t cooking just throwing vegetables into a pot, turning on the fire, and tossing them around a few times? It’s so simple; I’m sure you can do it.”

I didn’t point out the naively incorrect assumptions in Zhuang Jinyu’s words.

Since he believed in me, what was the harm in trying? What if a miracle happened?

And so, bolstered by the Young Master’s encouragement, I marched into the kitchen with high spirits and whipped up a plate of stir-fried tomatoes and eggs.

The eggs were overcooked and broken into tiny bits, and the tomatoes hadn’t released much juice, but the flavor was okay-just a very ordinary home-cooked dish.

It was as ordinary as I was, with nothing special about it.

I sheepishly brought the dish to the table. “Maybe I should just go out and buy something…”

Zhuang Jinyu didn’t say a word. He picked up a pair of chopsticks with elegant movements and took a bite of the eggs.

The next second, he spat it right out.

I froze, a complicated feeling welling up in my heart.

I blinked my dry eyes, just about to apologize, when I saw Zhuang Jinyu push the plate toward me in frustration.

“You eat it. I’m just a doll right now; why am I even trying to eat?”

Only then did it hit me.

Although the doll he was possessing was exquisitely made-with every detail perfectly in place except for one specific area-it wasn’t a real living person after all.

A doll didn’t need to eat, and neither did a living soul.

The Young Master making a fuss about wanting to eat was probably just a lingering instinct.

The small cloud of gloom that had been clogging my chest suddenly dissipated. I sat down across from the Young Master and began to eat.

Perhaps he was like someone on a diet; when they can’t eat themselves, they always want to watch a mukbang for some vicarious comfort.

As I ate, Zhuang Jinyu sat opposite me, staring at me intently. He seemed to have suddenly developed a profound interest in this plate of stir-fried tomatoes and eggs.

Afraid that he might be upset, I racked my brain for something comforting to say.

Just as I opened my mouth, Zhuang Jinyu reached out and pressed a finger against my oily lower lip.

“It looks delicious.”

His dark eyes were hazy as he licked his own red lips, leaning in closer to me.

“I’m hungry. I want a taste. May I?”