Perfect Fiancé Chapter 20

Hey everybody~ It’s THE weekends, yayy!!! A small reprieve from work or school, get ready for more sunflower moments! Woo Hoo!

This chapter is awesome. It is officially my favourite one. You can really, reallly see progress and that is exciting! Warning, there is more food and FLUFF! You have been warned. Your heart might not take it~ ❤

Join us after you try to revive yourself in our and become a sunflower fan! I have loads of tempting food pictures and other stuff for you there as our PF community grows bigger!

By the way, I would like to thank our lovely reviewers on Novelupdates for your awesome reviews~ This helps to get our serialisation out more~ Yay~ Okay, less talk now, let’s plunge into Chapter 20!

Chapter 20: Method Noodles in clear broth, yummy, a lovely and easy meal to make at home.

"Han Xuelan," Su Chenghai responded as he thought back to the person who seized the chance to nitpick during the birthday soiree.

Su Jin slightly lowered her head as she bit her lip.

She and Han Xuelan had been on bad terms for a long time now. Although she had gotten the worst of it for the most part between the two of them in the past, still it had been only a verbal dispute between them. She had always thought that Han Xuelan was somewhat resentful but she had never thought that this girl had hated her to such an extent.

"So, it was actually her." Su Yue frowned too. During the soiree, although he had been pulled away by Ming Xuan after his opening dance with Xiyue, afterward, he had heard from his mother about that chain of dramatic events that she had pulled off.

"Uncle Su, since she's already returned, let's have the bureau drop the case and mention to them that it was all just someone trying to play a joke on Jin'er." Lu Xi spoke in a heavy tone as he raised his head to look at Su Chenghai who sat back down.

"What?" Su Yue was shocked, "to just let it go like this…"

"Xiao Yue!" Su Chenghai interrupted Su Yue and continued, "Lu Xi is right."

"Right…" Su Yue was once more surprised and then recomposed himself. He wasn't foolish, it was just that he had been overly concerned about what had been revealed and about what had happened thus far. Therefore, he had not understood immediately.

Although they had determined the mastermind behind this incident, unfortunately, with Lu Xi's method, the information could not be used as evidence. Moreover, Xiao Jin was not inflicted with any visible injury, and Han Xuelan had not contacted the Su family for anything in exchange. Even if they had the incident investigated further, she could not be charged with kidnapping but perhaps, they might have been able to push for a charge for an attempted crime. However, this was all simply useless speculation since any further action would lead to a dispute between the two families.

Even if Han Lei was an illegitimate child, Han Xuelan was still a child of the Han family. If this matter was aired out like dirty linen, then for the sake of pride, the Han family would definitely pursue it to the end.

Therefore, it would be best to resolve this matter in private.

When that time came, one was his sister's daughter and the other, his brother's daughter; both of them were his flesh and blood. It would not be easy for Han Xu to express partiality towards either of them.

"Also," Lu Xi noticed that Su Yue did not speak further, and thus continued now that Lu Xi knew that he had understood, "the acceptance level to this website isn't low and with Han Xuelan's ident.i.ty, she should not have been able to access it."

"So, there is still someone behind this?" Su Yue frowned.

"Getting someone else to do one's dirty work…" Su Chenghai's lips curled and with a squint of his eyes, he turned and instructed, "Xiao Yue, when you contact the bureau later to drop the case, I will find a time to first have a chat with Han Xu."

Hearing this, Lu Xi's index finger traced the rim of the porcelain teacup as his lips slowly curled up into a smile.

"Oh." Hearing the men determining the plan for action before her, Su Jin touched the ends of her hair that had become dry and then touched her tummy that had been secretly growling for a long time. She then spoke, "since everything is settled, then I will go home first. I'm hungry…"

After their discussion, it was almost two in the afternoon. Speaking of which, from the time she woke up in the morning until now, she had only drunk a cup of coffee. She also had a morning filled with an extremely disturbing experience, so she had long been famished.

"Dad, will you be returning to the office with Gege?"

"Yes, I'm going back with Xiao Yue," Su Chenghai unconsciously responded.

"Okay, then be careful on your way back." Su Jin stood from the sofa, "I'm leaving then."

"Wait!"

Shocked, Su Jin turned to look at Su Yue who sat beside Su Chenghai.

"Um… Xiao Jin," Xiao Yue raised his head to meet his sister's gaze as he rubbed his nose, "While hiding this matter from Mom when you lose contact this morning, I told her…"

"That your friend had a break up recently, so you would be with her and were unsure if you would be home by this evening. Also, about your phone, I told her that there was something wrong with it and that you would give her a call once it's repaired."

"A break-up?" Su Jin was between tears and laughter, it was truly tough for Gege to have thought of such a reason. Besides, she had met up with Ming Xuan this morning too.

Thinking about this, she suddenly had an epiphany. It was still true; with Ming Xuan Jiejie and Gege's current situation, it was pretty similar to a break-up. A chance to turn things around… Her missing, younger twin brother…

Turning her head, she looked at Lu Xi who sat on the opposite sofa as her eyes gleamed with a flash of hope. Then, she turned back and replied to Su Yue, "the matter about my phone is easily settled. Since I wasn't missing, at most, I could tell Mom that I had lost it and wait to buy a new one. But, with the friend who had a break-up… It seems I won't be able to go back now…”

Since it was said that she was accompanying her friend, then she definitely would not have returned home by evening and it would be suspicious if she went home after just an afternoon had pa.s.sed. With what was originally a lie, going back now would simply be turning it into a pack of lies instead.

Moreover, she had never had the habit of lying. If it was blown apart, then the well-intentioned remarks that Gege and Dad had said would go down the drain; it might even frighten Mom too.

Sighing, Su Jin sat on the sofa once more.

"Growl…" A light sound reverberated in the sudden silence of the room.

Lowering her head to look at her tummy, Su Jin then glanced up and saw three pairs of eyes looking at her. With flushed cheeks, she raised her chin slightly with a petulant expression, "I'm really hungry!"

Wearing a white dress that complemented her black tresses, the hale and lively expression on the young lady gave a faint blush to her fair cheeks.

Lu Xi could not help but burst out in laughter.

His laughter was deep and pleasing to the ears and had a slight trill to it.

"Hmph!" Su Jin's pretense of petulance crumbled as she raised her head and gave an inscrutable look to the man who was laughing merrily before her. She coldly spat out, "was it funny?"

"Ahem, hem." Seeing the stiff expression on the girl's face, Lu Xi coughed lightly and suppressed the smile on his lips. Solemnly, he shook his head, "it wasn't."

Although he had denied it, that mesmerising pair of alluring peach blossom eyes of his were filled with laughter.

Wide-eyed, Su Jin glared at him for a while before she finally relaxed and slumped back against the sofa. There was no use crying over spilled milk, she simply waved her hand, "forget it, if you want to laugh, just go ahead."

"Ahem, hem… Jin'er, how could you be this adorable." Lu Xi could no longer resist and laughed lightly. He stood and with a bend of his waist over the coffee table, he patted the crown of the girl's head. Lightheartedly, he spoke, "I will make something for you to eat."

After he said this, he turned to look at the other two men, "Uncle, Brother Su, will you stay to try my cooking?"

Hm, his tone was gentle and there was sincerity in his eyes.

Looking at the beautiful peach blossom eyes of the person before him, Su Yue recalled the gentle tone when he had spoken the phrase of shredding and cutting in a thousand pieces. At once, he tactfully replied, "it's alright. There's still a bunch of things to do at the company. Also, it is the aftermath of the kidnapping there's much to settle for my dad and I. We'll be making a move first."

After saying this and without waiting for a reply, he turned and swiftly walked to the door. In pa.s.sing, he brought along with him Chairman Su who was still stuck on the thought of 'I will tie up this loathsome youngster who dared to touch the head of my daughter.'

As he politely sent off his tactful future brother-in-law and venerable father-in-law, Lu Xi walked back and arched an eyebrow towards the girl on the sofa, "what would you like to eat?"(1)

(1) Tài shān dà ren (泰山大人) – This is used to refer to Mount Tai, a mountain in Shandong Province which has cultural significance in Chinese history in regards to the deities a.s.sociated to it. In this situation, this refers to Great Deity of Mount Tai (Dōng yuè Dà dì, 东岳大帝) who is the supreme G.o.d of Mount Tai and also, the father of the heavens.

According to theologies or a mythological tradition, he is one of the five manifestations of the Highest Deity (Wufang Shangdi, a.s.sociated to the five colours, five Dragon G.o.ds who are simply the five special forms of wors.h.i.+p of the G.o.d of Heaven) or the descendant of Pangu, the first living being and creator of all in some versions of Chinese mythology. In the past, a practice was set for the new ruler to ascend the mountain to offer sacrifices upon becoming emperor.

Therefore, Mount Tai has become a sacred place visited by emperors and a total of 72 emperors were recorded in historical records to have visited it. However, this term slowly became a derisive term for father-in-law as time pa.s.sed. It is postulated by the translator here that Lu Xi, however, is extremely respectful and putting a lot of affection and importance by giving this nickname in his mind to his father-in-law as he is pursuing his daughter after all.

What… would… you like… to eat?

Su Jin then checked once more to see if she was hearing things.

Sitting upright, she cautiously asked, "you know how to cook?"

Lu Xi was about to answer but he heard the next sentence the girl was saying.

"It won't be poisonous right?"

Poisonous?

With an arch of an eyebrow, Lu Xi gave a light smile, "how could I bear to poison you, but even if I wanted you to die, I would choose another method"

"What method?" Su Jin hugged the pillow that she had been leaning against as she pressed on curiously.

Lu Xi did not reply and simply raised his chin in the direction of his bedroom as his peach blossom eyes filled with profound laughter.

Su Jin s.h.i.+vered sharply. Although she did not really understand what that meant, still a woman's innate intuition could clearly tell something was off. Therefore, she blinked and s.h.i.+fted the conversation away.

"Truthfully speaking, do you really know how to cook?"

"Of course." If the girl deliberately s.h.i.+fted the topic back to his cooking, then he would happily oblige. After all… What method he would use; she would naturally understand in the future…

"I can order anything and you are able to make it, just like that?" Su Jin asked with an arch of her eyebrow.

"Mm." His voice was slightly raised and Lu Xi's thin lips were curled, "if I have the ingredients and equipment, yes."

"Tsk, tsk…" Su Jin leaned her chin against the pillow and the straight edge pressed into an arc. Thinking for a long while, she then replied, "I want…"

"A bowl of noodles in clear broth!"

The room descended in silence for a long time.

After a short while, Lu Xi then pressed, "that's it?"

"Yes, that's it." Su Jin shook her head while her face revealed an innocent smile.

Lu Xi was shocked.

This silly girl had thought for so long, he had even been thinking that she would call out for the eight culinary cla.s.sics then(2).

(2) bā dà cài xì (八大菜系) – This refers to the modern eight culinary cla.s.sics of China which represent the eight major regional cuisines of China. These are the Anhui (Huīcài), Cantonese (Yuècài), Fujian (Mǐncài), Hunan (Xiāngcài), Jiangsu (Sūcài), Shandong (Lǔcài), Sichuan (Chuāncài), and Zhejiang (Zhècài) cuisines.

All these eight regional cuisines are influenced by the diverse geography and available resources of the large land of China. Due to that big s.p.a.ce, it has infinite options of what can be found, even between villages. For more information, I recommend this website:

Egg dumplings soup, the Anhui cuisine dishes prominently utilize wild plants and animals with an emphasis on ultrfresh ingredients. It is also characterised by the use of wild herbs in the recipes. Cantonese poached chicken, the Cantonese cuisine or more commonly known as Yuecai in China; this style of cooking prefers braising, stewing, and sautéing. Therefore, the dishes are quite tender and the original flavours of the ingredients are kept intact. Fujian fried rice, part of the Fujian cuisine which uses a combination of seafood and woodland-based ingredients. The dishes of the cuisine have a lighter flavour and an emphasis on ‘umami’; the savouriness Hunan Beef which is part of the Hunan cuisine that is recognizable by its rich, moist, and creamy dishes that almost always contain a potent punch of Chili. Different from the numbing hot spiciness of Sichuan cuisine, the spiciness of Hunan cuisine is described as dry and hot. Red braised pork ribs, part of the Jiangsu cuisine which is well known for braised food Shandong dumplings made with dried shrimp, a hallmark flavor of the sea that is well known in Shandong cuisine Mapo Tofu, part of the Sichuan cuisine in which the trademark is their spicy-sour, pungent flavour that comes from the liberal use of the Sichuan Pepper and Chili Oil. Beggar’s Chicken (marinated stuffed chicken covered in dough and then baked in the oven), part of Zhejiang cuisine which also prominently features the use of freshwater river due to the location of the province which is just beside the Yangtze River Delta

Who knew that she would finally only ask for a bowl of noodles with clear broth.

However, that was good too, he had the ingredients for it right now.

"Alright," he turned his computer towards Su Jin, "you play with the computer for a bit, I'll go to the kitchen."

"Mm, mm." Su Jin nodded as the outer corner of her beautiful phoenix eyes crinkled slightly upwards with a smile and her pupils glistened clearly.

His eyes darkened and Lu Xi suppressed the urge to kiss that pair of eyes before him. He stood upright and walked towards the kitchen.

Su Jin watched the man's tall and straight figure with a light gaze in her eyes.

Noodles in clear broth…

"Xiao Jin!" Not too long later, she heard Lu Xi's voice calling out from the kitchen, "come over here for a bit."

Su Jin was startled and lowered her head to look at the time on the notebook. She then got up and walked towards the kitchen as she yelled, "with just five minutes, you're done?"

"What are you thinking of!" Lu Xi turned back to look at her and pointed to the ap.r.o.n that was hanging by the door, "come and help me put on the ap.r.o.n."

It was a very ordinary bistro ap.r.o.n with black and white vertical stripes. Su Jin noticed that Lu Xi's hands were covered with flour. At first, she inwardly exclaimed in surprise that he was actually making fresh homemade noodles. Then, she took the ap.r.o.n and walked to Lu Xi's side.

A bistro ap.r.o.n Fresh homemade noodles that are hand pulled.

Perusing around the kitchen, she then admiringly exclaimed, "this isn't bad at all. You have a complete set of kitchen essentials and you even have flour and an ap.r.o.n too."

"These were all arranged by my a.s.sistant." As he rolled the noodles, Lu Xi smoothly answered.

"Is that so…" Su Jin nodded and suddenly raised an eyebrow, "since that is the case, then why did a certain someone come over to my home for a free meal?"

"Is there a point in making food for oneself?" Lu Xi did not even raise his head and stared at the dough in his hands, replying, "hurry, put on the ap.r.o.n."

Tsk, Su Jin inwardly made a sound of disdain and moved behind the man's body to tie the ap.r.o.n around him.

Is there a point in making food for oneself? In her past last, she too had also made food for herself alright?

"Don't move." She opened out the ap.r.o.n as she spoke.

Obediently, Lu Xi then stood straight.

If one had to estimate, the man's height roughly was over 1.8 metres (5.9"). Wearing a pair of flat jelly shoes, Su Jin only reached up till his shoulders.

Su Jin then took the ap.r.o.n in one hand and the other stretched around his waist.

Due to her arm length, the distance between the two people was rather close.

Her warm breath landed on his back, yet she received a more scorching body heat.

As she withdrew, her fingertips unintentionally traced past the man's st.u.r.dy waist and she heard a rumble of a light and slightly husky laughter.

For some reason, Su Jin's cheeks had reddened.

As she hurriedly tied the belt in her hands, she mumbled, "why didn't you put on the ap.r.o.n before starting to make the meal…"

Feeling her distancing away from behind him, Lu Xi grinned as he remarked, "I forgot."

His voice was deep and elegant and had traces of being slightly hoa.r.s.e.

Tugging lightly at the corner of his lips, his clear and handsome smile revealed a small dimple on his cheek.

Translated by Irisu

Edited by Ely