Chapter 3: Private Dish

At 7:30 in the morning, Fan Xia was getting ready for work when Wen Lan Sheng suddenly ran over to the entrance and called out to her, “Wait.”

“What is it?” Fan Xia asked.

Wen Lan Sheng reached out and smoothed the slightly upturned collar of her light blue shirt. He picked up the lunchbox he had prepared earlier and handed it to her with a soft smile, “I made lunch for you.”

Fan Xia took the heavy lunchbox, surprised, “When did you prepare this?”

He didn’t come back until after 1 am last night and was up until 2 am. He definitely didn’t have time to cook.

Wen Lan Sheng smiled lightly, with a hint of mischief, “Around 5 am, while you were still asleep. Luckily, I didn’t wake you up.”

“Then you didn’t get enough rest? You still have to go take care of your aunt later.” Fan Xia lowered her eyelids and said softly, “Don’t exhaust yourself like this next time.”

“I never had time to make you a lunchbox before because of work. Now that I’m on leave, I have time and can make it for you every day.” Wen Lan Sheng smiled as he gently pressed his refined face against Fan Xia’s chest, wrapping his arms tightly around her. His tone was filled with expectations for the future, “When we get married in the future, I’ll quit my job and focus on being a full-time househusband, taking care of the family. Is that okay?”

“Okay.” Fan Xia replied, her gentle eyes shining with a deep light.

*

When she arrived at the company, Zhuang Nian had not yet arrived, and the office was unusually quiet.

As soon as she entered, Fan Xia saw that the heavy carved wooden door with a mountain and river motif was slightly ajar, and the inside was so dark and silent that it seemed like another world.

She suddenly remembered the slender figure shrouded in cold, desolate light that she had glimpsed when she left work yesterday, as well as that enchanting wine-red mole. Her footsteps uncontrollably walked over. Just as she reached the door, a strong smell of alcohol hit her face, and an empty bottle of foreign liquor was lying on the ground by the door.

Fan Xia gently knocked on the door and called out, “President.”

There was a faint sound from inside the door. Fan Xia tentatively walked in. The dawn light, laden with moist mist, shone in, illuminating Rong Xiu, who was lying on the black leather sofa with his eyes lightly closed in a drunken state. His slender hand hung powerlessly, and his automatically shut-off phone had fallen on the carpet. The surrounding air seemed to still be permeated with the lingering smell of alcohol.

Fan Xia had never seen Rong Xiu drunk before. In her memory, Rong Xiu was aloof and proud, never touched a drop of alcohol at social events, and had a noble temperament cultivated by his top family background in his every move. He was the object of admiration for many people at school, a lofty and unattainable flower.

It seems that time can really change a person.

Fan Xia didn’t know why Rong Xiu had gotten drunk alone in the office, not even going home, but she still walked over lightly and squatted in front of Rong Xiu, calling out softly, “President? President? Wake up.”

Rong Xiu’s heavy eyelids moved and opened, still hazy with drunkenness. Seeing Fan Xia in front of him, a barely noticeable flash of joy passed through his eyes, “Fan Xia, why are you back?”

Back? It seems he’s so drunk that he’s lost all sense of time.

Fan Xia picked up the phone from the ground, put it on the sofa, and said, “President, it’s already the next day.”

“The next day?” Rong Xiu was slightly surprised and wanted to stand up, but the hangover made him dizzy and he had to sit back down on the sofa. His hand touched the suit jacket that he had casually taken off last night. The smooth feel was like a basin of cold water poured over his head. He looked down at the crumpled white shirt on his body, thinking that Fan Xia had seen him in such an undignified state after he got drunk. The joy in his eyes faded away like a meteor.

At this moment, Rong Xiu would rather have Zhuang Nian, his family, or even Wen Lan Sheng come in.

He turned away from Fan Xia in embarrassment, his voice hoarse, “I see… you can go out.”

Fan Xia nodded, not surprised by Rong Xiu’s reaction. If he had suddenly become enthusiastic, she would have found it abnormal and completely different from the Rong Xiu in her impression.

However, she noticed that Rong Xiu was just holding his head, frowning like mountains, knowing that he had a headache after the hangover. As his subordinate, she bought a cup of hot milk from the building across the company.

When she came back with the hot milk, it was the peak of the morning commute, and Fan Xia had to wait for two elevators before she could get on.

But as soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she felt that something was off.

A junior employee ran up to her in a hurry, “Assistant Fan, it’s not good. The president’s sister is here.”

Rong Xiu’s sister, Rong Yan, was the former heir to Shanhai Group. She was sentenced to three years in prison for bribery and was said to have just been released a few days ago.

“I understand. You all go to work first.” Fan Xia said calmly, already guessing Rong Yan’s purpose for coming.

Before going to prison, she was still in the limelight, about to inherit billions in assets as the heir. After being released, her power was taken away and there was no place for her in the group.

Of course, she had to make a scene and fight, trying to squeeze back into the power center of Shanhai Group.

“I am mother’s daughter, the rightful heir to Shanhai Group. How dare you sit in this position!”

“This group was built by my mother and grandmother over two generations. You, a man, have been squatting for three years, and you should be content. You even dared to dilute my shares when I was not in the company, hide it from father and kick me out of the board of directors. Father said he doesn’t recognize you as his son!”

“Look at you now, spending every day either at a drinking party or another. Is this what a man should be doing? Where has your upbringing gone? You are ruining the reputation of our Rong family. Mother must be rolling in her grave!”

Fan Xia put the hot milk on the table and listened to the constant arguing coming from the office, or more accurately, Rong Yan’s one-woman show. She didn’t hear Rong Xiu’s voice at all.

Fan Xia could almost guess Rong Xiu’s eyes at this moment – disdainful and arrogant, head bowed, casually tidying his cuffs, not a trace of emotion in the face of Rong Yan’s rage, not even bothering to give her a glance, making Rong Yan look like she was raging impotently.

Just as Fan Xia thought this farce would end with Rong Xiu’s cold treatment, a piercing sound of shattering glass came from the office. The verbal sparring was about to escalate into violence. Rong Xiu was a man and definitely not a match for Rong Yan.

Fan Xia rushed in immediately. There was shattered glass all over the expensive Persian carpet, and Rong Yan was holding half a wine glass, looking agitated.

But Rong Xiu was as still as a god, his eyes calm, not at all frightened by her extreme actions.

But the broken wine bottle in Rong Yan’s hand was still a threat.

Without thinking, Fan Xia stepped forward and swiftly restrained Rong Yan’s arm with the experience she gained from living in an orphanage for many years.

“It hurts, it hurts! Let go!” Rong Yan cried out in pain. Although she was a woman, Rong Yan had been a pampered young lady since childhood. Even in prison, someone had taken care of her life and made it very comfortable for her. She had no strength to resist at all.

Fan Xia did not listen to Rong Yan, but instead looked at Rong Xiu.

Rong Xiu was also looking at her. Their gazes met again, but this time Rong Xiu did not look away. His thin, pale lips even curved into a rare smile, and the wine-red mole under his narrow eyes revealed a sensual charm that was completely different from his usual ascetic aura.

“Fan Xia, let her go.” Rong Xiu said lightly.

Fan Xia let go, and Rong Yan rubbed her arm that was almost broken, glaring at her fiercely.

Rong Xiu stood up unhurriedly, shielding Fan Xia behind him. The crumpled white shirt and messy hair did not detract from his aura in the slightest, but instead added a bit of worldliness that he usually lacked.

He lowered his eyes and quietly looked at Rong Yan for a moment, his voice distant, “You can go. I won’t hold it against you.”

Rong Yan was filled with resentment and unwillingness, “Why? This group was originally mine.”

“Because I am now the largest shareholder of the group. If you have the ability, fight me for it.” Rong Xiu’s narrow eyes were indescribably contemptuous.

“You—Father, he—” Rong Yan gritted her teeth.

Rong Xiu glanced at her arrogantly, “By the way, don’t think about using Father to pressure me. It’s better if he doesn’t recognize me. I’ll take the opportunity to kick him off the board of directors too.”

“Fine, fine, for money, you don’t even recognize your own family.” Rong Yan had no other options and could only vent a few words before leaving the office. Before leaving, she didn’t forget to fiercely bump into Fan Xia, taking the opportunity to retaliate.

“Are you okay?” Rong Xiu stared at Fan Xia’s shoulder that Rong Yan had just bumped into, his voice seeming to be caught by something.

“I’m fine.” Fan Xia smiled slightly and handed the hot milk to Rong Xiu, “Drink some hot milk to help with the hangover.”

Wisps of steam wafted out from the paper cup, and the rich, mellow aroma of milk spread throughout the office, dispelling the originally pungent smell of alcohol. The milky white milk swayed slightly in her hand, and the tips of her slender fingers became even more rosy from receiving the heat conducted by the paper cup.

Rong Xiu’s eyes moved slightly, and inside his tightly closed thin lips, his teeth almost bit through the tip of his tongue, “Did you buy this specifically for me?”

Fan Xia nodded slightly, her eyes smiling silently.

Rong Xiu’s mind trembled, and an unknown sweetness almost knocked him senseless.

He tried his best to remain calm, reached out to take the hot milk, and touched the exact spot where she had just held it. The slightly scalding heat was transmitted to his palm, and his earlobes turned slightly red as if they had been burned, “Th-thank you.”

Looking at the rich, fragrant, and thick milk in the cup, Rong Xiu was about to drink it when he suddenly remembered Wen Lan Sheng’s previous boastful smile.

Petty jealousy and a competitive mentality blinded his reason, and he even tried to compete with the original spouse, “If Wen Lan Sheng got drunk, would you also buy milk for him?”

“No.” Fan Xia shook her head and smiled.

Rong Xiu was overjoyed, and a fine, dense satisfaction surged in his heart, like little bugs in a dark corner, hiding a happiness that couldn’t see the light of day.

“Lan Sheng doesn’t drink,” Fan Xia added.

He doesn’t drink, so naturally, he won’t get drunk. If he doesn’t get drunk, naturally, she won’t need to buy him hot milk.

The secret little joys hidden in his heart instantly solidified, turning into a bitterness and jealousy that swelled in his heart. Yes, how could a good boy drink?

“Actually, I didn’t drink before either. It’s just that sitting in this position, there are some banquets and drinking parties that can’t be avoided, so I had to learn to drink.” Rong Xiu raised his eyes slightly, carefully explaining and observing Fan Xia’s reaction, wanting to see if there was any disgust in her eyes towards his drunkenness.

Fan Xia sat by Rong Xiu’s side, the morning sunlight outside the glass window shining on her, as if covered in a layer of hazy light like a soft mist.

She listened quietly, her expression showing no discomfort. On the contrary, she said in a gentle voice, “Regardless of gender, as the leader of the group, it’s inevitable to have to socialize in various ways. It’s not easy for you to manage Shanhai Group, but you also need to pay attention to your health, drink in moderation, so as not to develop a stomach problem from drinking too much.”

As she spoke, Fan Xia started to laugh lightly, “Stomach problems are not pleasant to deal with.”

“Mm… I will pay attention and try not to drink in the future.” She cared about him. Rong Xiu held the hot milk with both hands, his fingertips slightly forceful, his heart pounding, his whole body numb and trembling from the concern in Fan Xia’s tone, his ears turning red.

“Good.” Fan Xia smiled slightly, as bright and gentle as spring water.

Rong Xiu lowered his head in a daze, almost not daring to look directly at Fan Xia like this. He could only pretend to be drinking milk to conceal his nervous and flustered state.

But in his haste to drink the hot milk, Rong Xiu ignored the steam still rising from it. He took a sip, his throat scalding, causing him to choke and cough dryly. The milk in the cup spilled out, splashing on his clean white shirt.

“Be careful, it’s hot.” Fan Xia’s words were a step too late, and she hurriedly pulled out two tissues.

“It’s okay.” Rong Xiu covered his mouth and coughed lightly, taking the tissues she handed over.

Because it was too hot, two drops of moisture even physiologically overflowed from the corners of his narrow, cold eyes, trembling and hanging on his thick, curled lashes. The wine-red mole under the corner of his eye made him look particularly pitiful.

“Oh my, President, why are you coughing so badly? Do you have a cold?” Zhuang Nian had just stepped into the office with an exquisite men’s briefcase when he saw Rong Xiu coughing incessantly and asked with concern.

“I just choked on some water, I’ll go change my clothes in the inner room.” Rong Xiu’s face flushed red as he tugged at his milk-soaked collar and ran into the inner rest room specially designed for his naps.

Quickly closing the door, Rong Xiu leaned against the back of the door, breathing heavily, slowly sliding down and sitting on the carpet in a powerless manner. Even though he had escaped Fan Xia’s gaze, he still felt that gaze that made his whole body shudder lingering on him, his crazy heartbeat deafening.

*

“Assistant Fan, did the president get drunk last night?” Zhuang Nian asked in a low voice.

“Mm.” Fan Xia returned to her desk and turned on the computer.

“The president sometimes likes to drink a little to relieve stress when he encounters particularly difficult things, but he basically never gets drunk overnight. Look at all these bottles on the floor, it must be something that he found particularly tricky or angering for him to be like this.” Zhuang Nian said, “By the way, when I came to work today, I saw Rong Yan. I guess the president got drunk because of this matter. No wonder he doesn’t let us get involved, after all, it’s their family matter.”

Fan Xia supported her chin with one hand, thinking of how Rong Xiu had just calmly and coldly responded to Rong Yan’s rage, and always felt that this matter shouldn’t be so important in Rong Xiu’s heart.

About half an hour later, Rong Xiu finally walked out of the inner room, wearing a new black double-breasted wide-striped suit, his messy hair also tidied up impeccably, returning to his usual iceberg-like cold beauty appearance, directly entering work mode.

The half-spilled cup of hot milk she had given him, she originally thought it would be thrown away, but who knew it would be placed by Rong Xiu next to the computer, occasionally taking a small sip. After finishing it, his gaze would linger on it for a second or two, then quickly glance at her. When discovered, he would immediately lower his head, his fingertips flying as if he were focused on work.

“Assistant Fan, I’m not eating a diet meal today. I heard that a restaurant across the street is not bad, do you want to go together?” Zhuang Nian asked, stretching as he left his seat during the lunch break.

“No need.” Fan Xia smiled and took out the lunch Wen Lan Sheng had made from the refrigerator, “I brought food from home.”

“A love-filled lunchbox!” Zhuang Nian covered his mouth and exclaimed, “Made by your fiancé?”

Fan Xia nodded slightly.

Zhuang Nian’s voice reached Rong Xiu’s ears. He stopped his work and looked at the lunchbox in Fan Xia’s hand, his eyes gradually turning cold.

“Let me see, let me see.” Zhuang Nian excitedly opened the lunchbox, “Braised shrimp, stir-fried broccoli, tomato shrimp balls, and even lotus root and corn bone soup, with dipping sauce provided. Oh my god, your fiancé is too virtuous! I’m ashamed of myself! Ashamed of myself!”

Zhuang Nian’s repeated praises only sounded grating and unpleasant to Rong Xiu, and his face became even colder.

They were just the most ordinary home-cooked dishes, what was there to boast about? The private boys’ high school he attended in junior and senior high had cooking and culinary classes, and the teachers were all famous chefs from renowned restaurants. The dishes he made always ranked first in every competition. The dishes Wen Lan Sheng made were just an amateur in front of an expert in Rong Xiu’s eyes.

He was just relying on his identity as Fan Xia’s fiancé to openly make her food. If he… Rong Xiu’s heart ached, envious and resentful of Wen Lan Sheng.

“Fan Xia.” Rong Xiu’s cold voice interrupted Zhuang Nian’s incessant praise of Wen Lan Sheng.

“Is there something, President?” Fan Xia asked.

“Do you have time at noon? Come with me to inspect the new district hospital.” Rong Xiu said.

Although a little surprised, as the president’s assistant, receiving a high salary naturally meant being ready for work at any time. Without hesitation, Fan Xia put away the lunchbox and said, “I have time, I’ll drive.”

Rong Xiu nodded slightly and took a quick glance when she closed the lunchbox.

The shrimp veins were handled too hastily, not completely removed, with some broken pieces left in the shrimp meat; the broccoli was blanched without adding salt, so the color wasn’t green enough; not enough starch was added to the shrimp balls, resulting in a shape that wasn’t full enough.

Virtuous? Just so-so. Rong Xiu’s eyes revealed a sick jealousy.

Fan Xia quickly got ready and went to the new district hospital with Rong Xiu. Because it was a sudden decision, the hospital director and others didn’t know about his arrival. Fan Xia followed Rong Xiu on a tour of the hospital and then left.

That’s right, they left.

Usually, an inspection of a hospital wouldn’t be done so hastily. They arrived at the new district hospital at 12:30 and left at only 1:10.

Noticing the confusion in Fan Xia’s eyes, Rong Xiu concealed his guilty conscience and said, “This visit was just a simple surprise check on the hospital’s service quality. There will be a dedicated inspection team to follow up later.”

Fan Xia nodded.

Seeing that Fan Xia believed him, Rong Xiu let out a sigh of relief, his aloof eyes tinged with a rare smile, “Sorry for taking up your lunch break. As compensation, let me treat you to a meal.”

West Boat Villa, a high-end Chinese restaurant with an elegant and simple decor.

Of course, even higher-end were its prices, so expensive that it was mind-boggling.

But in Rong Xiu’s eyes, it was no different from buying a two-dollar grilled sausage on the street.

After ordering, the waiter quickly brought the dishes. Tea tree mushroom fish fillets, pan-fried fresh matsutake mushrooms, perilla seaweed seared Wagyu beef, baked stuffed crab shell, and scallop matsutake sea snail soup. The portions were not large, just right for two people, and the taste was superb, with each dish preserving the original freshness of the ingredients as much as possible.

Throughout the entire meal, Rong Xiu’s demeanor was elegant, chewing slowly and thoroughly. It wasn’t until near the end that Rong Xiu suddenly asked, “Is it to your liking?”

Fan Xia wiped the corner of her mouth, “It’s delicious.”

Rong Xiu’s eyes moved slightly. Perhaps it was because of the warm lighting in the restaurant, but those narrow, indifferent eyes actually showed a faint hint of a smile when looking at her, appearing ambiguous and unclear, “Getting tired of the monotonous flavors of home-cooked meals, it’s not bad to try something new outside occasionally, right?”

Fan Xia uncomfortably agreed. His smile seemed to lick her eyes like a tongue of fire. She had never seen Rong Xiu like this before. Beneath his cold and ascetic exterior, there was actually an allure that was difficult to describe in words.

*

At 11 o’clock in the evening, Wen Lan Sheng secretly took a taxi to run home after Wen Ming Yue and Xie Cen fell asleep.

Seeing the already sleeping Fan Xia, Wen Lan Sheng quietly walked over, gently brushed away the hair covering the side of Fan Xia’s face, and kissed her cheek with incomparable affection and admiration. He then went to the kitchen to prepare ingredients so that he could save time when preparing the lunchbox early the next morning.

In the kitchen, the lunchbox had already been washed and put away. Wen Lan Sheng smiled slightly and was about to open the refrigerator to cut vegetables when he keenly noticed that the garbage thrown into the trash can was the lunch he had carefully prepared for Fan Xia.

Wen Lan Sheng was stunned for a moment and squatted in front of the trash can. Because it hadn’t been eaten all day, the food had already spoiled and turned sour.