"What a wonderful aroma!" Sitting across from Luo Xiaoqian, Leng Zirui sniffed the air. "Sissi, this dinner was specially prepared for you by a new chef hired by Luo Ke, so be sure to eat a lot!"
"Really?" Luo Xiaoqian’s gaze naturally fell on the dish on the table.
It was a dish she loved—a simple stir-fry of corn, cucumber, and shrimp.
In fact, this dish usually includes green peas, but because Luo Xiaoqian dislikes the off-putting taste of green peas, Leng Zimo always substitutes them with cucumber when he cooks.
The familiar aroma from the table instantly whetted Luo Xiaoqian’s appetite.
She immediately picked up a spoon, scooped a spoonful of the dish, and tentatively tasted it.
Having learned from previous experiences, even though the smell was enticing, she didn’t dare eat a big bite, opting instead to sample a small one.
The shrimp was fresh, the canned corn kernels had been rinsed, removing the overly sweet flavor, and the small chunks of crisp cucumber—all of it perfectly suited her palate.
"How is it?" Luo Ke looked at her profile and asked gently, "Sissi?"
"Mm, it’s delicious." Luo Xiaoqian wore a rarely seen bright expression.
These past days, every meal felt like torture to her, but this time, she truly found the food delicious.
Then came the second dish, steaming hot, followed by the third and fourth, and finally a small bowl of thick porridge, adorned with golden dates without pits, white lotus seeds, and a variety of colorful grains and beans, which looked refreshing.
"Wonderful." Luo Xiaoqian looked at the porridge before her, smiling rarely at the dining table. "This is exactly what I’ve been craving."
Scooping the porridge with a spoon and savoring it, Luo Xiaoqian’s face displayed pure enjoyment.
Luo Ke wasn’t much of a fan of Chinese cuisine, having grown up in Rome, he always considered Italian cuisine the supreme gourmet choice for aristocrats.
For someone who didn’t use chopsticks, this meal wouldn’t be particularly enjoyable, but seeing Luo Xiaoqian eat with such satisfaction lifted his spirits.
"It’s been so long since I’ve had such authentic Chinese food." Leng Zirui also praised the meal while eating. Even back home, it wasn’t easy for him to taste a meal personally cooked by Leng Zimo, let alone here. Having been eating breakfast for so long, his stomach had started yearning for home, and now, finally enjoying such delicious hometown food, his appetite was invigorated. "Sissi, this time, besides thanking Luo Ke, you should thank me too, as I’m the one who invited this chef."
"Is that so? Then thank you." Luo Xiaoqian was joyful, and her tone reflected her pleasure.
"Why would I lie to you? But let’s talk about this, you would never guess that these Chinese dishes were made by a genuine Italian, would you?"
His elder brother had gone through great lengths, risking life to come here, so Leng Zirui had to give some praise to the culinary efforts, which also laid some groundwork for earlier interactions between Leng Zimo and Luo Xiaoqian.
"Really?" Luo Xiaoqian looked genuinely surprised.
She had originally thought that such delicious Chinese food must have been made by a Chinese chef.
"You don’t believe it?" Leng Zirui raised his left hand and gestured to the maid, "Please invite the head chef over and let him know the lady wants to see if he’s Italian."
The maid hurriedly turned around and walked into the kitchen to find Leng Zimo.
In the kitchen, Leng Zimo was anxiously waiting.