Shen Yi was skeptical. Of course, he knew that giving his wife her favorite foods would make her happy. Wasn’t it a part of the reason why she married him? But her excessive snacking with Shen Xue had started to change her figure. So much for trying to convince her to hit the gym.

“Are you sure this would work?” he asked.

“Of course, dear. With the right preparation, I’m pretty sure she will reward you well.” Yuan Jin winked and assured him. What else could make Xinxin happy but good food?

“But make sure the fire truck wouldn’t ruin your dinner with Big Sis tonight.” Shen Xue reminded his brother.

He was positive that Shen Yi couldn’t cook. His brother was such a bad cook when they were younger; he used the smoke alarm as a timer. Poor Big Sis. Shen Xue dearly hoped it wouldn’t be a dinner disaster tonight.

“Darling, you just do everything I tell you, and Xinxin will be pleased.” Yuan Jin assured him again.

“I might need your help to keep her busy for today.” Shen Yi hummed. He needed to call Madam Jin to make preparations in the kitchen before he proceeds with Yuan Jin’s plan. Also, he needed to buy her favorite cheesecake because there was no way in hell he could make one.

“Uh-huh, then let me distract her so you can plan your dinner tonight.”

—

A woman, who was standing in a raised stage near the bulletin board, clapped her hands to get everyone’s attention.

“Alright, those examinees who passed today’s preliminary exam, congratulations! But this isn’t over yet! You all need to come back for the final and practical exams. You are allowed to bring three ingredients with you, but they’re subjected for approval of the committee. Again, congratulations, and I’ll see you next week!”

Lu Xinyi sighed, glad that she would get a break before the practical exam starts. She decided to leave early so she could take a quick nap at home, but her eyes met with a familiar figure. What was Xia Yuhan doing in here? She wasn’t here as an examinee, right?

As if sensing her perusal, Xia Yuhan turned her head and noticed Lu Xinyi’s eyes on her. She sauntered towards Lu Xinyi and gave her a slight nod.

“Miss Lu,” Xia Yuhan greeted. Her face seemed like she was irritated about something.

“It’s been a while. What are you doing here? Supporting a friend?” Lu Xinyi questioned.

Xia Yuhan slid her a guarded look. Her brows knitted together.

“Yes,” she admitted. “He didn’t make it in the ranking, but at least, he passed the exam.”

Was she referring to the man Lu Xinyi and Xiao Lan saw the last time they met Xia Yuhan?

“Is he your boyfriend?” Lu Xinyi asked. It was too late for her to realize that she asked the wrong question when tears started to shine in Xia Yuhan’s eyes.

“Nope. He doesn’t love me the way I do.”

“It’s okay to cry and to be sad. It’s normal.”

“Who said I’m crying over that jerk?” Xia Yuhan scoffed, ignoring and blinking away the tears on her eyes.

“But you’re still here to support him.”

“I’m not here for him. I’m looking for you.”

Lu Xinyi pressed her lips together. What did she even mean with that? Was there something wrong with the campaign? She knew Xia Yuhan’s Flair Apparel collaborated with Yuan Jin for the ad campaign.

“I don’t know how to contact you, and that stupid Yuan Jin wouldn’t give me your number. But because I overheard that you’re taking an exam today, I suppose you will be here.” Xia Yuhan explained.

—

How unlucky could he be? Shen Yi pondered. Madam Jin wasn’t at his home and took a day-off which he totally forgot earlier. Since he didn’t know what ingredients are available in their pantry, he decided to shop alone and leave his younger brother on a steak house telling him to wait for him.

Now, he was pushing a shopping cart with one hand while checking the recipe of the Garlic Chicken Pasta that Yuan Jin emailed to him. Yuan Jin claimed that it was Lu Xinyi’s favorite pasta, and it was easy to make.

Damn, this was his first time shopping in a grocery store. He wasn’t aware that it could be busy at this time of the day.

“So I needed garlic, canola oil, butter … wait, these two are both fattening. Why do I have to use both?” he muttered to himself. He wasn’t planning to make his wife fat unless she was carrying his child.

“250 grams chicken, skinless, sliced into bite-sized pieces.” Shen Yi continued, “What part of chicken do they mean? Breast?”

Shen Yi stood still and found the chicken section. His eyes glared at the chickens as if they offended him. Not sure on what part he should get, he threw in two chicken breasts on the weighing scale and let the staff pack it for him. He would chop it to bite-size later.

“Salt, black pepper, lemon, chicken stock …” He continued to check the list. Lu Xinyi had made sure to keep those spices and herbs in their kitchen so he didn’t need to buy them. “250 grams linguine noodles.”

His forehead creased. What the fuck is a ‘linguine noodles’?