Chapter 21

He handed the phone to his little dad. Seeing the two dishes of shrimp and broccoli, he was stunned. "Auntie said you were learning to cook, Little Dad. It's true?"

Wen Cishu saw that it was a WeChat call from Zhu Wei.

After a word of explanation, he walked out of the kitchen and into the garden beyond the floor-to-ceiling windows. "Sister Wei?"

"Yiming's dad, there's something personal I'd... I'd like to ask you about," Zhu Wei said.

"No need to be so formal. Go ahead." Wen Cishu took a couple of leisurely steps.

Zhu Wei told him everything about her situation.

Wen Cishu had actually already forgotten about it. While she explained the whole story, he immediately switched to his WeChat chat with Bo Tingyuan and sent him a message.

[Did you help take care of Zhu Wei's situation from the show?]

Although Wen Cishu wasn't sure why Zhu Wei had called, he hoped to get a definite answer from Bo Tingyuan first.

So he congratulated Zhu Wei first, changing the subject to how he looked forward to her holding concerts in the future.

Fortunately, Bo Tingyuan replied fairly promptly.

[It's been taken care of.]

[I forgot to mention it to you.]

Wen Cishu: [No problem.]

[Thank you!]

Over the phone, Zhu Wei asked cautiously, "Yiming's dad, if you helped me, you have to let me know. This means so much to me."

Now that Wen Cishu had a definite answer, he didn't conceal it. "Yiming's big dad took care of it. But Sister Wei, as long as everything went smoothly, there's no need to thank us specially."

"But... how could I not?" Zhu Wei grew emotional at once. "You're my benefactor. No, your whole family is."

Wen Cishu rubbed his ear. Why did that sound like she was cursing them?

He spoke gently and unhurriedly. "Sister Wei, have you been too busy these past few days to get enough rest? Your voice sounds a little hoarse. I'd like to go to your concert with Yiming and his big dad someday. You can't wear your voice out."

"I won't, I won't. I'll go to sleep right now." Zhu Wei choked up. "Yiming's dad, I want to... is there anything I can do for you?"

Wen Cishu could tell that this matter really had weighed on her heart like a boulder. Now that it was resolved, it was inevitable that she would feel at a loss for a while.

"Invite me to your concert."

Zhu Wei knew he was probably someone who expected nothing in return. After thinking it over, all she could say was, "How about this? I'll share the money I make from my concerts with you. Otherwise, my conscience won't let me rest."

Hearing that, Wen Cishu said, "I certainly can't accept money."

Zhu Wei knew full well that he would never be short of money, and she found herself in a difficult position too.

"But I'm someone who knows gratitude. I can't just accept such kindness from you for nothing."

Moved by her voice, Wen Cishu couldn't help speaking from the heart.

"Sister Wei, my health is poor, and I've never really had any ambitions since I was little. I really envy people who have careers and dreams, so just keep doing your best."

Zhu Wei asked cautiously, "Yiming's dad, I've never asked, but what's wrong with your health? Would you mind telling me?"

Wen Cishu chuckled. "Congenital heart disease. But I'm better now. I can even go out and take part in shows, so don't worry about me."

"But you're so open-minded."

Zhu Wei could hardly imagine how someone who had heart disease from childhood had to adapt to become so accepting and gentle, even full of goodwill toward everyone.

Afraid she would get too worked up, Wen Cishu didn't say much more and urged her to get some rest.

Zhu Wei steadied her choked, trembling voice and changed tack, speaking with great decisiveness. "Yiming's dad, don't say things like you have no dreams or career. Listen to what your Sister Wei has to say."

"All right." Wen Cishu straightened a little, his expression serious. "I'm listening."

"Here's what we'll do," Zhu Wei said. "When I open my studio, I'll give you an equity stake. You won't need to invest any money. From now on, we'll build a career together. How does that sound?"

Wen Cishu froze at that.

In all honesty, in all the time he had lived, no one had ever said anything like "we'll build a career together" to him.

He knitted his brows slightly, then smiled softly, keeping his voice as light and casual as he could. "Sure."

After ending the call, Wen Cishu stood in the garden for a while, then took a deep breath and slowly turned back toward the kitchen.

"Hm? Where's my food?"

"Yiming took it to the dining room to eat," Auntie Zhong said.

Wen Cishu was speechless. "That child really isn't picky."

"He's had a good appetite since he was little," Auntie Zhong said. "How else could he have grown so sturdy?"

That was true.

Wen Cishu thought of how the little monkey had relished even a steamed sweet potato on the show.

It seemed it wasn't only because he was growing. By nature, he was the exact opposite of Wen Cishu, extremely easy to feed.

In the dining room.

Bo Yiming was on a video call with his big dad on a tablet.

He lifted the plate and showed it off from every angle.

"Big Dad, look! This is what my little dad made on his very first try at cooking."

"He just made it."

"It's piping hot. It's still steaming!"

With that, he hung up without giving his big dad a chance to react.

Wen Cishu, who had just reached the dining room: "...?"

What was he doing?

Did he think his two dads were getting along too well and want to tear the family apart?

He rushed forward, startling Auntie Zhong behind him into reminding him, "Slow down."

Seeing his little dad, Bo Yiming grinned and praised him. "Little Dad, your shrimp is so good. It's even better than Uncle Zhou's."

Wen Cishu had been keeping a stern face one second and was smiling the next.

"...Really? Is that true? You like what Little Dad made?"

"Yep." Bo Yiming nodded vigorously and picked up another big shrimp. "It's super yummy."

Looking at the video call he had hung up, Wen Cishu thought, Little monkey, little monkey, you're really pushing your luck at the gates of "boarding school."

While they were talking, Uncle Xu approached with a troubled expression. "Sir, the eldest young master just called me."

"Hm?"

Wen Cishu looked at him.

Bo Yiming looked over too. "Grandpa Xu, what did my big dad say?"

"The eldest young master said you shouldn't go into the kitchen again, sir. It's unsafe. He told us to keep an eye on you."

Wen Cishu mussed the little monkey's hair. "Look what you've done!"

Bo Yiming stared at the food before him in surprise, growing even more excited. "Doesn't that mean I got to eat the first and only dish Little Dad ever made? Aaaaaah! I'm calling Big Dad again!"

Wen Cishu held his forehead. Send him to France. I definitely won't stop it this time.

Chapter 21

That evening, Uncle Xu came forward to greet Bo Tingyuan when he arrived home.

He headed straight for the stairs, his long fingers resting on his suit button, ready to undo it out of habit. "Is he upstairs?"

Uncle Xu shook his head awkwardly. "He's in the kitchen."

Bo Tingyuan stopped. His hand dropped from his suit button, and he frowned.

"He said he wanted to prepare some treats for you, Eldest Young Master," Uncle Xu explained.

He turned along with Bo Tingyuan. "Eldest Young Master, you know that when he wants to do something, I can hardly stop him."

"Mm." Bo Tingyuan said nothing more and strode toward the kitchen on his long legs instead.

In the baking area of the mansion's Western-style kitchen.

The aroma of soft, freshly baked bread filled the air, and the built-in silver-white oven glowed red.

A slender figure leaned leisurely against the white, cloud-patterned marble island, dressed in a white top and long trousers, his black hair tied in a bun to reveal a snow-white neck.

Wen Cishu held a cup of hot water, watching the little treats inside the oven intently.

At the doorway, Bo Tingyuan's dark green eyes behind his glasses swiftly signaled to the pastry chef and the auntie.

They all quietly left.

Bo Tingyuan gave Uncle Xu a couple of instructions in a low voice.

As Uncle Xu listened, he looked toward the floor-to-ceiling glass doors facing the courtyard opposite them, nodded, and went to carry them out.

Wen Cishu was focused entirely on the little treats in the oven when he suddenly heard clear footsteps approaching.

He turned his head, surprised to see who had come. "You're home."

As he spoke, a gentle smile gradually shone from his eyes, like the boundless rays of sunrise slowly and steadily falling upon people who had just emerged from darkness.

Bo Tingyuan walked toward that smile, raised a hand to undo his suit button, took off his jacket, and casually draped it over the island, looking into the oven

-at the treats baking in the intense heat, prepared for him.

Wen Cishu glanced at the gray garment over his black shirt

A waistcoat

The waistcoat fit snugly, accentuating his broad shoulders and narrow waist to the fullest.

People always said someone looked slim dressed and muscular undressed.

He slowly turned the cup in his hands, thinking, Bo Tingyuan is an exception. Even with two layers on, you can still faintly make out his contours.

Realizing what he was thinking, Wen Cishu silently took a sip of water. Seeing him looking at the oven, he explained, "Don't blame Uncle Xu. I'm only baking a few things. That hardly poses a safety issue, wouldn't you say?"

"Mm."

Bo Tingyuan withdrew his gaze and lowered his eyes to him instead.

Slightly disheveled wisps of hair lay scattered along his hairline and temples, resting gently and adorably against his snow-white skin.

"What treats are they?" Bo Tingyuan stepped forward and leaned against the island beside him.

The soft, sweet aroma filling the air and the faint fragrance on Wen Cishu made him relax without realizing it.

"Hm?" Wen Cishu glanced at the oven. So that was what he was interested in?

"You'll find out in a moment."

Remembering Zhu Wei's situation, he told him about it, then said, "Actually, all the credit goes to you. I wanted to thank you."

As Wen Cishu spoke, he took another sip of warm water.

Clear moisture settled on his lower lip, making its pinkness and fullness more pronounced.

Hearing the reason behind the treats, Bo Tingyuan raised his brows almost imperceptibly.

His deep green eyes fixed on Wen Cishu's lips. He raised a hand to cup his chin and lightly wiped away a little moisture with his thumb, saying evenly, [There's no need for such formalities between us.]