Ji Hanxing had just picked up the spatula, keeping an eye on the system in his consciousness to see whether it would issue a warning.
After a while, his eyes shifted, and he spoke as if explaining himself to Yan Jinyue:
"I did lie to you just now. I can cook."
"Are you curious how I learned?"
Yan Jinyue looked up at Ji Hanxing and gave a soft hum of agreement.
Seeing Yan Jinyue respond, Ji Hanxing continued, "Actually, right after I graduated, I wanted the Ji Group to branch out into the restaurant industry. I researched the market and visited a famous chef, and I learned a few things from him."
Afterward, he secretly watched Yan Jinyue's expression. Ji Hanxing thought the excuse he had come up with was absolutely perfect.
Yan Jinyue's hand curled a few times at his side, and he lowered his eyes. "So that's how it was."
He could have touched Ji Hanxing right then to listen to his true thoughts, but he didn't.
Ji Hanxing nodded. "Yes, exactly."
Seeing that Yan Jinyue seemed dispirited, Ji Hanxing guessed that the plate of disastrous shrimp had dealt him quite a blow. He consoled him:
"Then today, you'll get to taste the cooking of a famous chef's apprentice."
"I should have been cooking today anyway, to reward our great hero Yan!"
Yan Jinyue lifted his eyelids, his gaze fixed on Ji Hanxing. "All right."
Ji Hanxing was also planning to make oil-braised prawns. Just as he reached for the oil bottle, he caught sight of an opened bag of seasoning beside it, and his eyes widened.
"Yan Jinyue!"
"Hm?" Startled by Ji Hanxing suddenly calling his name, Yan Jinyue followed his hand with his gaze.
"You actually used edible bamboo charcoal powder to cook the shrimp?"
Ji