Because the Luo Family mansion was much larger than the Manor in Lan City, the kitchen was also much bigger, with many chefs busy inside every day.
To produce delicious meals, it was equipped with expensive facilities, high-priced ingredients, and excellent sanitary conditions — better even than many local high-end star-rated hotels.
More importantly, the cooks here didn’t dare use pre-packaged meal kits to fool anyone. Given the Luo Family’s strict rules, if such laziness was discovered, there was no room for negotiation; they were fired immediately.
Of course, none of that was why Lu Yunze had come to the kitchen today.
“Young Master, before we officially begin, I feel it’s necessary to confirm something with you first.”
“Alright, go ahead and ask,” Lu Yunze said, tasting a bit of the cream in front of him and finding it quite good.
“Do you truly understand what it means to ‘cook’?”
Facing the chef’s skepticism, Lu Yunze looked away and replied with feigned confidence, “Don’t worry, I’m nearly 20 years old. Surely I can handle such a simple task?”
Seeing his smile, the Head Chef didn’t feel reassured. Instead, he let out a sigh. “Young Master, do you know what kind of person has the worst culinary skills?”
“What?”
“People who are overconfident, like you.”
If it were any other young master or miss, the Head Chef probably wouldn’t have dared to say that. But Lu Yunze was famous for his good temper, and since the two of them had a decent relationship, he didn’t have as many reservations.
Lu Yunze felt a bit embarrassed but cleared his throat and said, “Isn’t that why you’re here? You can just teach me.”
“Before that, Young Master, may I ask why you want to learn how to make a cake?”
Lu Yunze hadn’t expected him to be curious about that. He looked at the cream and flour on the table and smiled. “To give to someone as a gift, of course.”
The Head Chef was slightly stunned. Someone who could make Lu Yunze personally bake a cake had to be very important. In the Luo Family, there weren’t many people he cared about that much. Luo Tianyu was getting older and couldn’t eat high-sugar cakes, so there was only one answer left — Luo Yao.
Thinking of this, the Head Chef felt both sentimental and relieved. Having watched the two grow up together, everyone understood their close relationship even if it was left unsaid.
Was the Young Master finally going to take the initiative?
“Rest assured, Young Master, I will teach you well and help you make the most perfect cake of your life!”
“Thank you.”
After Lu Yunze thanked him, he began to look forward to this “perfect cake” while silently praying, ‘I hope Jiang Sui will like it.’
Under the Head Chef’s patient guidance, Lu Yunze’s first time making a cake wasn’t exactly smooth, but it was progressing steadily. Minor mistakes were constant, and the failures didn’t look appetizing at all, but none of that dampened his confidence.
After struggling for half a day, Lu Yunze started over once again. Suddenly, the Head Chef received a phone call.
“What? No, how can you not even handle such a simple task? I calculated the money for you, and it was exactly enough. How could you not buy everything?”
Lu Yunze was still mixing the flour when the Head Chef put down his phone and gave a wry smile. “Sorry, Young Master, the newcomers can’t even handle buying groceries properly. I have to go check on them.”
“Oh, alright.”
The Head Chef quickly took off his hat and apron and left the kitchen.
Lu Yunze didn’t plan on stopping. He started recalling the steps he had just learned, muttering to himself as he worked.
“No, a little more water…”
“Hiss, it seems I need more flour.”
“Wait, did I add too much water?”
“Sigh, now there’s not enough flour…”
Just as he was repeatedly adding water and flour, someone else entered the kitchen. She looked around and her eyes lit up when she saw Lu Yunze. She ran over immediately.
“Brother Lu, I finally found you!” Luo Yao said, excitedly slapping his shoulder.
Lu Yunze, who was pouring flour, was startled and spun around abruptly. “Whoa!”
Flour flew everywhere, landing directly on Luo Yao’s face like a facial mask.
Lu Yunze wanted to laugh but didn’t quite dare. “Uh…”
Fortunately, Luo Yao didn’t get angry and instead took the towel he handed her to wipe her face.
“What are you doing here?”
“Lately, Brother Lu is always running out or locking himself in his bedroom. It feels like we haven’t seen each other in a long time.”
Lu Yunze continued kneading the dough. “Is that so?”
‘Don’t we see each other at every meal?’ he thought. On the other hand, Luo Tianyu rarely appeared; as the Master, it was normal for him to be busy with work.
“Maybe I’ve just been busy lately.”
“Brother Lu is only 19, so why have you become just like Father?” Luo Yao sighed. “But why did you suddenly come to the kitchen? Are you making a cake?”
“Ah, yes.”
Her eyes brightened at his confirmation, and she said with a smile, “Isn’t that perfect? I’m quite good at making cakes, too. I can teach you.”
“Huh? You?”
Lu Yunze immediately recalled the “Chicken-flavored Cake” Luo Yao had made last time. If it hadn’t been for Jiang Sui, he might have died on the spot. Every time he thought of that, he couldn’t help but thank Jiang Sui.
Let Luo Yao teach him? Better skip that.
“Um, actually, I want to try it myself. I appreciate the offer, though.”
Of course, things wouldn’t be that simple.
Luo Yao frowned. “Brother Lu rarely refuses me. Is there a reason you can’t tell me?”
Lu Yunze grew nervous and began frantically organizing his thoughts.
“Could it be…” Luo Yao’s voice dropped. “Is it for someone else?”
“Let me guess, a girl?”
“And someone in this house?”
Lu Yunze’s heart sank. ‘I’m doomed…’
“This… Luo Yao, let me explain — “
However, in the next second, Luo Yao broke into a brilliant smile, appearing somewhat touched.
If it was a secret, a gift for a girl, and someone in the mansion — wasn’t there only one answer?
‘Brother Lu wants to give me a cake.’
“I’m sorry, Brother Lu, I shouldn’t have doubted you. Even though I know your intentions, I can’t bear to let you do it alone. Let me teach you some real culinary skills.”
“Huh?”
Lu Yunze was dazed. He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry — happy that he had somehow avoided the crisis, but crying because Luo Yao still wouldn’t give up.
“I really don’t need — “
“Brother Lu, are you trying to keep me away?” She spoke while picking up an apron and tying it around her waist, muttering about how nice it was to cook with Brother Lu.
Lu Yunze could only nod. If he didn’t agree, she would probably keep pestering him. He made an excuse to go to the bathroom and left the kitchen to get some fresh air.
Walking into the corridor, Lu Yunze scratched his head and muttered to himself, “Could things get any worse?”
Just as he spoke, he saw Jiang Sui walking toward him. The two made eye contact, and Lu Yunze felt a bit awkward for a moment.
Jiang Sui narrowed her eyes slightly and gave a faint smile. “Good afternoon, Young Master.”
Surprised by her coldness, Lu Yunze replied, “Good afternoon.”
“Did the Young Master just come from the kitchen? I saw the Miss heading there as well.”
“Yes, well…”
“I hope the Young Master pays more attention to his personal image. Please don’t walk around covered in flour, as it adds to our workload,” Jiang Sui said. “Additionally, please be mindful of the Luo Family’s reputation. For example, when spending time with the Miss, don’t you think it’s a bit inappropriate to get flour all over someone’s face?”
Something was wrong — very wrong.
Why was Jiang Sui being so cold?
Sensing his daze, Jiang Sui shook her head, took out her mobile phone, and opened the camera for him to see. The moment the screen lit up, Lu Yunze saw his disheveled and hilarious appearance through the reflection.