Chapter 111: How Dare You Look Down on It!

“I heard from Si Jie that you speak eight languages—how incredible!”
“Heh, it’s nothing, just for work,” Xia Yu replied with a modest smile.

Su Yao nodded discreetly once more, observing the gentlemanly demeanor Xia Yu exuded through his words and actions, leaving a very favorable impression.

“Haha, your boss must really value you; talents like you are rare.”

“Alright, let’s head upstairs. I’ve prepared some delicious food for you,” Su Yao said.

“Thank you, much appreciated,” Xia Yu responded with a smile and a nod.

“You’re welcome. Since you’re Si Jie’s boyfriend, that makes us friends.”

Su Yao turned around and gently pulled Zhao Si Jie toward the apartment. In a low voice, she said, “Not bad, Si Jie. I thought you were bragging, but your boyfriend’s really impressive.”

“Giggle…” Zhao Si Jie smiled quietly, pleased to hear her boyfriend praised.

Xia Yu followed behind, exhaling softly. It had been a long time since he had acted so gentlemanly.

Taking the elevator to her apartment, which was quite spacious and empty of others, Zhao Si Jie couldn’t help but ask, “Su Yao, where’s your family?”

“Are you the only one back?”

“Yes, this trip is more like a business trip. I’ll probably stay just a week,” Su Yao replied with a smile. “Go wash your hands first. I’ve cooked everything myself.”

“Wow, Su, the beauty who’s been abroad for so many years can cook now? Is it any good?” Zhao Si Jie teased.

“Shut up! My cooking will blow your mind,” Su Yao snapped before heading to the kitchen to bring out the prepared dishes.

Their easy conversation clearly showed the closeness of their friendship.

Feeling at ease, Xia Yu washed his hands with Zhao Si Jie and sat down at the dining table.

There were four dishes, all Western cuisine. Su Yao urged Zhao Si Jie to try her cooking immediately.

After two bites, Zhao Si Jie exclaimed with surprise, “So delicious! Miss Su, I didn’t expect you to be this skilled.”

“Of course! When I first went abroad, my family was busy with work, so I learned to cook by myself,” Su Yao said proudly, then glanced at Xia Yu with a teasing smile. “Xia Yu, since you’ve lived abroad too, you must know a lot about Western food, right? Could you give a professional opinion?”

“Sure, I’ll give it a try,” Xia Yu smiled, seeing through her attempt to test him, but such little tricks were no challenge for him.

He sampled each dish with knife and fork, taking a couple of bites, while the two women stared at him intently.

“Well?”

Su Yao raised the corner of her mouth, thinking that if he couldn’t say anything meaningful, then he wasn’t as impressive as imagined. Having lived abroad, it was impossible for him to be completely unfamiliar with Western cuisine.

This suggested he might be pretending.

“Are you sure you want me to be honest?” Xia Yu hesitated.

Seeing this, Zhao Si Jie’s heart tightened a little; this was indeed a bit awkward for him. Su Yao was sharp—she wouldn’t miss any slip-up.

She was about to help Xia Yu out when Su Yao responded, “Of course, just say it straight.”

“Alright.” Xia Yu pointed to a dish of oysters. “These oysters have a poor texture.”

“Of course, this isn’t a reflection on your cooking but the ingredients. The best oysters in Western cuisine come from France; those are truly fresh and flavorful.”

“Then the beef—you’ve prepared it in a standard way, seasoning with pepper, salt, and sauce.”

“But a truly refined dish would include three to four quail eggs alongside, and the sauce and pepper must be carefully balanced, or the flavor can be easily ruined.”

“Still, Miss Su, your cooking is very good, though there’s a noticeable gap compared to professional chefs. I’d give it seventy-five points.”

The two women looked bewildered at first but gradually caught on after he finished.

“You really know your stuff,” Su Yao gave a thumbs-up and sincerely praised, “I didn’t expect you to be so knowledgeable about Western cuisine.”

“You flatter me. I just love food,” Xia Yu said modestly. “Actually, I still prefer our summer cuisine back home. When you go back, Si Jie and I will take you to try some.”

“Great, it’s a deal,” Su Yao agreed readily, exchanging a meaningful glance with Zhao Si Jie: Your boyfriend is really impressive.

Zhao Si Jie was quietly delighted. Tonight, Xia Yu had completely changed her impression—her man truly had many virtues.

Only the foolish refused to understand him and insisted he was good-for-nothing.

Xia Yu stayed silent, not wanting to interrupt the joy of their reunion, quietly enjoying the meal.

After the meal, Su Yao was reluctant to let Zhao Si Jie leave.

Zhao Si Jie had no choice but to let Xia Yu go first.

Xia Yu agreed; after all, old friends separated for years surely had much to catch up on.

After leaving Su Yao’s, Xia Yu headed straight back to the hotel.

Halfway there, he received a call from Lin Yuqing, whose voice sounded somewhat downcast.

“Yu Ge, are you busy?”

“No, I was just about to rest. What’s up?” Xia Yu replied.

“I... just finished a livestream and suddenly felt like having a drink. You could... never mind, you’d better get some rest.”

In truth, Lin Yuqing missed him. Whenever she had troubles, the first person she thought of was always Xia Yu.

But after calling, she remembered Xia Yu now had a girlfriend and shouldn’t take up too much of his time.

Because he was with another girl.

“I’ll keep you company. Where do you want to go?”

However, Xia Yu seemed to read her mind and replied directly.

Lin Yuqing was pleasantly surprised. After a few seconds’ hesitation, she said, “Let’s go to a barbecue stall. It’s been so long since I had some.”

“Alright, I’ll come pick you up.”

Xia Yu turned the car around and drove to her place.

Twenty minutes later, he picked Lin Yuqing up.

She came out casually dressed and without makeup—a natural beauty who still looked captivating, especially when she smiled, revealing sweet dimples.

Seeing Xia Yu, her gloom instantly lifted, and she gave him a shy smile.

“Yu Ge, you once told me a joke. I have a surprise for you, how about that?”

Sitting in the passenger seat, she smiled proudly.

“A joke? Let me think.”

Xia Yu wasn’t sure why she wanted to hear one but thought seriously and said, “In art class, the students handed in their assignments. Xiao Ming asked the teacher, ‘Can you put mine on top?’ The teacher asked why, and Xiao Ming replied, ‘Because I drew an egg and I’m afraid it’ll get crushed.’”

“Haha…”

At the punchline, Lin Yuqing covered her mouth and laughed heartily.

“Not bad, Yu Ge. You can tell jokes too.”

“Of course, Yu Ge can do anything,” Xia Yu said proudly.

Lin Yuqing snorted twice and took a red cord jade pendant from her pocket, carved with a Bodhisattva.

“Here, a promise kept.”

“What’s this?” Xia Yu asked, puzzled as he took it.

“You gave your own talisman to Si Jie, right?” Lin Yuqing looked out the window and whispered, “So I went to the temple and asked a master for one, hoping it will keep you safe.”

“Ha, you got scammed. There’s no such thing as a master in temples,” Xia Yu joked, but inside he was deeply touched. For something so small, she had thought of him.

“You jerk! I went out of my way for you, and you even complain…”

Lin Yuqing raised her fist and playfully punched his shoulder several times, clearly annoyed.

“Alright, alright, thanks. I like it a lot,” Xia Yu hurriedly pleaded, “Stop it, I’m driving.”

“Hmph, hypocrite!”

Lin Yuqing snorted coldly, still a bit upset with this rascal.