" Lin Feng... did you make this too?"
Seeing Syura's disheveled appearance, Wave whispered in Lin Feng's ear.
"Hmm... sometimes it's me, but sometimes it might not be."
Lin Feng gave an ambiguous answer to Wave's question.
A direct answer at this moment would actually make Lin Feng feel somewhat uncomfortable.
After the ministers announced the end of the day's meeting, Lin Feng quickly returned to the lieutenant general's residence to meet with Chelsea and Sheele.
As soon as Lin Feng got home, he smelled a peculiar odor.
"This smell... it's not burnt?!"
Burnt rice has always been Sheele's specialty.
Although Sheele often went to restaurants to learn cooking skills during her time working in the Imperial Guard, she was simply too clumsy, and her dishes were always overcooked.
Although it eventually became barely edible, to be honest, Lin Feng could always smell the burnt odor in those bento boxes.
However, Lin Feng was used to the burnt smell of bento boxes and had never thought much of it. But now, with Chelsea's help, Lin Feng could smell the normal taste of food...
It looked so refreshing and tempting.
Upon entering the kitchen, Lin Feng saw a young girl wearing an apron, her long purple hair tied back, and her square-framed glasses gleaming brightly. He was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes.
" Sheele, you..."
When Sheele saw Lin Feng return, he completely lost the focus he had while cooking, hurriedly dropping the knives in his hand and coming over to greet Lin Feng.
If they were children, Sheele would probably have hugged Lin Feng tightly, but now Sheele is quite shy and no longer dares to make such an intimate gesture.
Chelsea, who had been instructing Sheele on how to cook, smiled with relief when she saw Lin Feng return.
Sheele was so touched.
Lin Feng took another deep sniff of the sweet scent that filled the air.
" Sheele, swear to me this stew wasn't altered by Chelsea in the slightest."
"What are you saying! That's outrageous!"
When Sheele heard that Lin Feng didn't trust his skills, he almost burst into tears.
"This is the dish I begged Chef Chelsea for so long to learn! It's my best and most signature dish right now!"
Lin Feng looked at Chelsea behind him; she had also raised her hands in a gesture of surrender.
It was as if he was saying that he hadn't actually helped prepare this beautifully presented stew, and also as if he hadn't taught a student as stupid as Sheele.
"I understand... I'll be really, really looking forward to it..."
After Lin Feng finished speaking, he saluted the Imperial Guard, as if he were about to go on a mission and was preparing to welcome the feast that Sheele had brought him.
Lin Feng then left with tears in his eyes.
Seeing this comical scene, Chelsea could almost imagine just how terrible Sheele's cooking skills had been.
" Sheele, isn't Lin Feng being really going too far? You cooked it so deliciously!"
Chelsea put on a mischievous expression and leaned close to Sheele's ear, ready to sow discord with wicked intentions.
However, to her surprise, Sheele had a blissful expression on her face, which made Chelsea realize that the two of them were not on the same wavelength.
How can you still be laughing! He's been mocking you like that!
"Ah?... I'm sorry!"
Upon hearing Chelsea's words, Sheele scratched her head, looking embarrassed, as if she hadn't heard at all.
"I just feel that no matter what Lin Feng becomes, Lin Feng will still be Lin Feng..."
"What do you mean, Sheele? Lin Feng is just Lin Feng, isn't he?"
"I mean..."
Sheele took a deep breath, her face filled with peace and warmth.
"From having nothing when I first met him, to becoming the restaurant's top employee, then the captain of the Imperial Guard, and now holding such a high position in the Empire..."
"Most people wouldn't be able to accept such a change in status, right? In this country, people become completely different once they gain power, but Lin Feng isn't like that..."
"No matter how exaggerated his identity becomes, he remains the same as before; he's truly special..."
" Sheele, your soup is going to burn."
Chelsea said coldly, she could almost smell the burnt smell coming from the perfectly cooked stew again.
"Oh? I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry!!!"
Sheele quickly put on gloves and lifted the lid of the stew, while Chelsea smiled faintly.
Hearing Sheele's evaluation of Lin Feng, Chelsea was surprised that this seemingly clumsy girl could have such a delicate and sensitive side.
Perhaps this is the reason why Lin Feng has built such a deep bond with her over the years.
"Compared to Lin Feng's unchanging nature, the one who truly remains unchanged is you, Sheele..."
"Huh? What did you say?"
I said your soup is almost completely burnt.
"Waaaah... I'm so sorry------"
Stepping out of the kitchen, Chelsea stretched like a tired cat, while Lin Feng sprawled out on the small, specially supplied sofa, fully relaxing his muscles.
Living in such a luxurious place now, Lin Feng no longer felt too guilty.
This was partly to get used to such opulence, and also a necessary step in getting closer to Minister Honest and the young emperor.
I must change my previous frugal mindset, otherwise it will be difficult to integrate into the social circles of the upper class, even if their gains are obtained in such a dirty and shady way.
"Thank you so much, Chelsea, you're really capable."
Lin Feng blurted out without even glancing at Chelsea.
Chelsea was completely taken aback by Lin Feng's sudden praise.
"Huh?! Are you talking about me?"
"Yes, the information you provided about Path of Peace is so accurate, your plans are flawless, and you even maintain such a good relationship with Sheele..."
"Are you kidding me?"
"How could that be... Please stop teasing me."
A blush crept onto Chelsea's face.
For so many years, Chelsea had lived a life of espionage on the edge of a knife, and no one had ever praised her actions so sincerely.
Chelsea was always the one teasing others, and getting a response from them was such a luxury.
Because most of their comrades would lose their lives in the course of their mission.
"You were the one who completed the mission entirely, and I only eavesdropped on their conversation... It was a piece of cake for me..."
Seeing Chelsea's flustered appearance, Lin Feng couldn't help but burst into laughter.