Liu Jinfei ignored the teasing smile Yang Fangjin gave him at that moment. He didn’t find any reason to explain himself to others, as to why he was concerned about Shen Lingqing’s condition.

It didn’t matter if she was their boss and that he was just one of her subordinates. Despite Shen Lingqing’s cold demeanor, he could see how much she truly cared about her subordinates and how she showed it in her own way.

Shen Lingqing tucked herself tighter in Liu Jinfei’s coat and gave him a small thanks. Qiao Lian then took her back to the dormitory where they were staying. It seemed that the weather tonight was unforgiving, as the wind was enough for them to shiver from the cold.

In her worry, Qiao Lian helped Shen Lingqing by opening the door for her friend. She then accompanied her friend to the top floor of the dormitory, where only Shen Lingqing was staying alone. Qiao Lian’s room, however, was just directly below hers.

Shen Lingqing then shed the man’s coat, took a seat on the armchair, and started removing her shoes. By then, Qiao Lian asked, “Qingqing, do you need something?”

“A warm soup would be nice,” Shen Lingqing replied as she leaned on her seat and shut her eyes, feeling a little exhausted. She didn’t even notice that she had dozed off while waiting for Qiao Lian to come and fetch her earlier.

“And, if it’s alright. I would like to take a day off tomorrow.”

There weren’t any pressing matters she should deal with anytime soon, anyway. She might as well take a rest and forget her worries in the meantime. Now that the Savory Alley was able to successfully reopen, she only needed to make sure to improve the quality of their dishes, as well as help their chefs overcome their struggles.

“Miss Qiao, let me handle and prepare Director Shen’s soup.” Liu Jinfei’s voice was then heard, informing the two women of his presence, along with Yang Fangjin. The latter then let a low whistle as he looked at the interior design of Shen Lingqing’s quarters.

It was surprisingly clean and minimalist. The room was so sparsely furnished that it only held the necessary furniture set for Shen Lingqing to use, unlike the office she was using back at the restaurant. The office had many clippings and papers pinned on the corkboard on the wall and several documents stacked over her desk that needed her immediate attention.

Furthermore, Shen Lingqing didn’t strike Yang Fangjin as a person who liked to take her work back home. Compared to other businessmen he met in the past, her ethic was surprising in Yang Fangjin’s opinion. Never had he thought that Shen Lingqing was efficient, even when dealing with her personal and family affairs.

Seeing that his help wasn’t needed there, Yang Fangjin excused himself. He went to follow Liu Jinfei to the small kitchen of their dormitory, the latter leaving minutes earlier after volunteering to prepare Director Shen’s soup.

He then leaned against the door frame and watched Liu Jinfei move around the kitchen. Even though Liu Jinfei had lost his status as a young master of a wealthy family a long time ago, he seemed to have retained the grace and etiquette he learned from childhood.

“Is there something you need?” Liu Jinfei shot Yang Fangjin a pointed look, clearly not amused that the other was trying to get into his nerves.

“Nothing.” Yang Fangjin shrugged. “Just thinking that we’ll never meet if not for Director Shen. How did you end up being a chef, anyway?”

Given Liu Jinfei’s looks, wouldn’t it be easy for him to take advantage of them and enter showbiz? It would be more profitable than being a chef.

Liu Jinfei raised a slender brow at him before frowning. He just continued working in the kitchen, but his mind considered Yang Fangjin’s question.

After a long while of silence between them, he said in response: “I realized I’m not good at anything except cooking.”

“You didn’t consider getting a normal job?”

“Being a chef is a normal job.” He couldn’t understand what Yang Fangjin was trying to point out.

“Normal for commoners like us.” Yang Fangjin smiled at him.

“I am a commoner.” Liu Jinfei shot Yang Fangjin a glare. He didn’t need this guy to remind him of what he was now.

“Is that why you won’t pursue Director Shen?”

The spatula in Liu Jinfei’s hands slipped and fell on the floor, startling Yang Fangjin. The latter continued: “If you and Director Shen have the same status, you won’t hesitate to date her, right?”

Liu Jinfei picked up the utensil he dropped and took it to the sink. He then replaced it with a clean one and proceeded with his cooking.

“Don’t say things like that. Director Shen is our boss. You should stop saying such nonsensical words. Drop it already,” he said with annoyance. Yang Fangjin was always saying the same thing, and Liu Jinfei didn’t want Shen Lingqing to misunderstand him.

Yang Fangjin, seeing that he could not squeeze out a favorable answer, decided to leave.

“All right. If you need help on anything, just ask, okay?”

Liu Jinfei didn’t respond to the other guy’s words and continued with his task. Even after Yang Fangjin left, his question continued to play in Liu Jinfei’s mind. If he didn’t lose his high status, would he be honest about his feelings towards Shen Lingqing?

He only shook his head. He should probably stop listening to Yang Fangjin’s incessant ramblings. Someone like him didn’t deserve to stand next to Shen Lingqing. She deserved the best of the best, and surely, that wasn’t him.

When he returned to Shen Lingqing’s room, Qiao Lian opened the door and took the tray with a bowl of soup from him.

“Is she all right?” he asked in worry and guilt.

“Her fever has receded. She’s just waiting for her soup before she could retire for the night.” Qiao Lian assured him.

Hearing those words made Liu Jinfei sigh in relief.