C16 Chapter 16

“Mom once had my little sister cook, but that one time she nearly blew up the whole kitchen.” Duu Gu thought it’d be best to make his sister look bad in Boyan’s eyes, just to kill any interest he might have in her. Besides, the kid didn’t exactly look like a good guy. “After that, anytime she got upset, she’d go into the kitchen to cook—and every single time, she’d blow the kitchen up.”

Boyan’s mouth twitched. That was honestly hard to believe. But with Duu Luo’s personality, it made sense that she couldn’t cook. If she actually could, that would be the real shock.

By the time they reached the kitchen, there was no raging fire—just an incredible smell.

Incredible?

Everyone froze, stunned by the aroma—everyone except Boyan.

Boyan actually wanted to see what kind of food Miss Duu, who supposedly couldn’t cook, had managed to make.

“Whew, finally done.” Duu Luo lifted a hand to wipe the sweat off her forehead, then planted both hands on her hips and admired her work, practically glowing. “Boyan’s gonna like this, right? I put so much effort into it—this is all for him. If he doesn’t like it, I’ll make him eat it anyway.”

“Make me?” Boyan’s voice sounded behind her, and Duu Luo stiffened. “You’ve got some nerve.”

Duu Luo swallowed, then turned to face him. “Heh… I don’t have many strengths, but I’ve definitely got guts.”

Boyan glanced at the five dishes. They looked decent enough, but who knew how they tasted? Weird—why was he even worrying about something like this? It didn’t feel like him. “Yeah. That much is obvious.”

“Ahem…” Duu Luo coughed awkwardly. She’d been stressing about how to get the food to Boyan’s room, but since he was already here, she might as well have him eat now. Her attention was completely on Boyan, so she didn’t notice her parents and her brother standing not far away, watching every move between the two of them. “I made this especially for you. I practiced for a long time. I learned a bunch of dishes—later I’ll cook for you every day. Try it, okay? If it doesn’t taste good, I’ll make it again for you.”

As Duu Luo said that, she picked up the chopsticks beside her, grabbed a fish ball, and held it right up to Boyan’s mouth.

Boyan thought it smelled pretty good, so he opened his mouth and ate it.

At that moment, Duu Luo’s parents—and her brother—were all wearing pained expressions, but they still admired Boyan’s bravery.

He must really like their daughter. Otherwise, why would he stay so calm after being fed something this awful?

I shouldn’t be so against Boyan, Duu Gu thought. But the moment he imagined his little sister marrying him someday, his chest tightened anyway.

When Duu Luo saw Boyan swallow it, she blinked up at him, trying to look sweet and eager to please. “Well? Isn’t it really good?”

Sis, you sure think highly of yourself, Duu Gu muttered to himself.

Boyan ran his tongue over his lips. After a moment, he said to Duu Luo, “It’s not bad. The timing’s just not quite there yet—it’s a little tough.”

He was giving her plenty of face, not saying in front of everyone that she’d actually scorched the fish ball she’d just fed him.

“As long as it tastes good.” Duu Luo thought, Anyway, I’ll be the one cooking three meals a day from now on. I’ll win him over through his stomach and make him fall for me. “Zhi Ling, go bring the rice. Your Miss Duu is hungry. And bring in two chairs first.”