"Braised lamb spine, coming right up!"
Wen Shu came out of the kitchen carrying a steaming ceramic serving bowl.
Wen Shu smiled at the dishes on the table. "All right, that's everything! Let's eat!"
Looking at the dazzling spread, Qin Siyang sighed in heartfelt admiration. "What a feast tonight. It's been so long since I've had anything like this."
"Oh, hardly." Wen Shu sat down and served them both bowls of rice. "Never mind anyone else-the chefs at the United Merchants' Association are definitely better cooks than I am."
"Not necessarily. I haven't eaten much of the chefs' cooking here, and even on the few occasions I did, I didn't have much of an appetite."
"That was because you had things on your mind, not because the chefs weren't good."
Qin Siyang took his bowl and added, "Sorry. I was busy with other things the whole time and didn't help you cook."
Wen Shu smiled. "There wasn't anything you needed to help with. Let me tell you a secret: people who cook actually don't want anyone else in the kitchen disturbing them and throwing off their rhythm and plans."
"Really? I thought everyone wanted someone to help out."
Wen Shu shook her head. "That's only for chefs who need to get dishes out quickly, or assembly-line cooking."
"Enough talking. Try my cooking. Is it still the same as before?"
Qin Siyang picked up a piece of sweet-and-sour fish and put it in his mouth. His eyes lit up. "Mm, you haven't lost your touch!"
"That's good."
Qin Siyang asked no questions and focused on savoring the delicious food on the table, lavishing praise on every dish.
Wen Shu offered no explanations either, responding to his compliments with a beaming smile.
The two finished their sumptuous dinner in peaceful harmony, then