Chapter 32

In the end, Fu Zhi finished prepping the fish by following an online video. He then turned to Ning Xi, preening with pride:

“It’s just killing a fish, isn’t it? This young master has it all under control!”

Ning Xi was busy peeling potatoes and didn’t even bother to spare him a glance.

When he didn’t get a response, Fu Zhi started grumbling and sulking again.

Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he picked up a dinner fork and peered at Ning Xi through the tines.

Finally, a smirk played on his lips.

[Finally, Fu Zhi has lost it too.]

[Oh my god, is Fu Zhi imagining Ning Xi is in prison by looking through the fork? Is that why he’s smiling?]

[I told you, he’s like an out-of-favor Imperial Concubine locked in the Cold Palace, acting all eccentric every day, hahaha.]

[The full cycle of Fu Zhi bickering with Ning Xi: loses the argument → sulks by himself → cheers himself up. It’s a completely automated process.]

[Master, I have attained enlightenment.]

Following a cooking tutorial, Fu Zhi started simmering the fish soup. Then, he awkwardly tried to strike up a conversation with Ning Xi again.

“Um, did you think yesterday’s breakfast was good…”

Ning Xi was currently pondering exactly how much “salt to taste” and “a splash of light soy sauce” actually meant. She didn’t hear a word Fu Zhi said.

Fu Zhi: …

Fu Zhi made a decision.

“I want to use my Privilege Card!”

Outside the screen, Qin Dao had a bad feeling.

No, no, don’t waste the Privilege Card on something so useless…

“My Privilege Card is: the other person must treat you as the most important person for one day.” Fu Zhi lifted his chin.

Now, Ning Xi could no longer ignore him.

And since Ning Xi happened to be free, she began her performance for the day.

When Fu Zhi started peeling garlic-

“Wow, the Young Master is actually peeling garlic himself? This humble servant bows down in worship, worship, worship of you,” Ning Xi gushed with “rainbow farts” flattery.

Fu Zhi looked at the garlic in his hand and smirked triumphantly.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the Young Master smile so happily,” Ning Xi said with a look of relief.

Fu Zhi fell silent. What kind of strange role had Ning Xi cast herself in?

Ning Xi: “I see the Young Master still possesses such… mature charm…”

Fu Zhi’s face flushed as he interrupted, “Enough!”

Ning Xi shut her mouth, though she looked like she had more to say.

But once Ning Xi actually went quiet, Fu Zhi felt dissatisfied again.

He looked at the beef and potato stew Ning Xi had prepared and started nitpicking:

“You’ve stewed these potatoes for way too long! They’ve turned into mush. Who would want to eat this?”

The next second, a lazy, amused voice suddenly rang out.

“I’d like to eat it.”

Ning Xi looked up and saw that Xie Lanchen had entered the kitchen at some point.

He was wearing a white shirt with the collar casually unbuttoned, leaning against the wall with a smile.

“I like the way Ning Xi makes these mushy potatoes.”

[Holy crap, does anyone else think Xie Lanchen looks so hot like this?]

[If I were Ning Xi, my heart would definitely skip a beat. Imagine having a friend who’s always belittling and mocking you, but then one day, someone suddenly appears who praises you in every way and openly treats you well…]

[Shipping them is just too easy.]

[Forget my homework, I’m going to officiate the wedding.]

When Fu Zhi saw the sudden appearance of Xie Lanchen, his previous good mood vanished instantly.

He became visibly aggressive.

He complained with a cold face, “There aren’t even that many cameras in the kitchen. What is everyone doing here?”

Although he didn’t name names, anyone with a brain could tell Fu Zhi disliked Xie Lanchen.

Xie Lanchen, however, only quirked an eyebrow upon hearing this, his smile remaining easy and unconstrained:

“Is that so?”

He showed no intention of leaving.

Fu Zhi hadn’t expected Xie Lanchen to be so thick-skinned. He shot a glance at Ning Xi.

Wasn’t she just talkative a moment ago?

Now that her Young Master was unhappy, why wasn’t she helping him tear this guy down?

Receiving Fu Zhi’s look, Ning Xi shifted her gaze to Xie Lanchen and remarked with a sigh:

“The Young Master hasn’t lost control like this in a long time. You are the first man to make the Young Master so… worked up.”

Fu Zhi: ?

Xie Lanchen: ?

The fans shipping Ning Xi x Fu Zhi and Ning Xi x Xie Lanchen: ?

[Sometimes, watching a variety show alone makes me feel truly helpless.]