Free Web NovelChapter 195: Chapter 193: Wen Lan Delivers Himself
He decided to act immediately.
Wen Lan got up and went to the restaurant across the street to find Bai Su.
Bai Su was setting up her camera to start her stream. When she heard Wen Lan wanted to learn how to cook from her, her expression didn’t change. "Oh."
She was still holding a grudge against Wen Lan for beating Li Chenlin up so badly.
Wen Lan raised an eyebrow. "What’s that ’oh’ supposed to mean? You disagree?"
His self-righteous attitude made Bai Su laugh in exasperation. "What? Just because you’re asking me to teach you, I have to agree?"
"How do I know you won’t suddenly lose your temper and beat me up like you did Li Chenlin?"
"I’ve always valued my life, and I don’t like spending time with people who have violent tendencies."
Wen Lan’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Me? Injure him?"
’When the two of us fight, it’s always a clash of spiritual power. I didn’t even touch the hem of Li Chenlin’s clothes yesterday!’
’Da Bao was right. That stupid snake is so afraid I’ll get close to Bai Su that he’s deliberately slandering me in front of her!’
’Fine, fine, fine!’
’The more he does this, the more determined I am!’
Wen Lan cleared his throat, a dejected look appearing on his face. "After seeing your other three children yesterday, I went home and thought about it. You really are better at raising kids than I am."
"Little Treasure and Da Bao are more attached to me. They’re only sticking around you because it’s something new. After a while, they’ll want to come back to me."
"But I don’t know how to cook, so they have to put up with eating canned food."
"If it weren’t for the children, I wouldn’t have come to you to learn to cook."
"Bai Su, I know we’re not on the best of terms, but for the sake of the kids, can’t we both take a step back?"
"I’ve already come to your door to become your apprentice for the children’s sake. Can you, for their sake, take me on as your student?"
The children were Bai Su’s weak spot.
She really didn’t like Wen Lan, especially since he had never been pleasant to her and had beaten Li Chenlin so badly.
But no matter what, he was at least a good father, willing to swallow his pride and come to her for his children.
Bai Su thought for a moment and her heart softened. "Alright then. My work hours are from 10 AM to 2 PM every day. You can come find me in the kitchen, and I’ll teach you on the side."
After speaking, she paused. "Do you have the time?"
Of course Wen Lan had time.
’His mission is to protect her. She’s right under my nose, so what could I possibly be busy with?’
But the words on the tip of his tongue took a sudden turn. "For the children, I’ll make time to be here punctually, no matter how busy I am."
Bai Su felt a little more satisfied. "Good."
She had a waitress from outside bring in a new apron and hand it to Wen Lan.
But to her surprise, Wen Lan recoiled, his brow furrowed. "Just put it there. I’ll get it myself."
The waitress saw how much he seemed to disdain her. She pressed her lips together but didn’t say anything, simply putting the apron down before leaving.
Bai Su narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing?"
Wen Lan didn’t speak, just walked over and put on the apron. "I’m ready to start anytime."
Bai Su crossed her arms and watched him, the warmth in her eyes fading. "If you want to learn from me here, you have to follow my rules."
Wen Lan noticed the change in her attitude and found it baffling. "What rules?"
"Show my staff the most basic respect."
Wen Lan realized what she meant. A glint flickered in his eyes, but he offered no explanation. "Got it."
His disdainful behavior had made Bai Su very uncomfortable. "You’d better."
’The waitstaff here are all females who came for treatment. They’re from the lower class, but in my eyes, that doesn’t make them inferior.’
’If Wen Lan shows that kind of disdain for the staff again, I might start to think there’s a problem with his character, and that it might not be right for the children to stay with him.’
Bai Su pressed her lips together and didn’t say any more on the matter. She just added, "I’m about to start my livestream. If you don’t want your face to be shown, wear a mask."
Wen Lan noticed her cold attitude and frowned slightly. He didn’t say anything, just found a mask and put it on.
The live camera turned on, and Bai Su quickly slipped into her streaming persona. "Good morning, everyone. I’m your boss, Bai Su."
Danmaku: [Mornin’ mornin’ mornin’!]
[The boss is so pretty today!]
[SOB SOB SOB I’m still lazing in bed but I tuned into the boss’s stream on time, and I’m stunned by her beauty~]
[Huh, is there a new helper in the kitchen today?]
[Why is he wearing a mask? Don’t be such a stranger!]
[Whoa, he’s so tall, and his figure is great! Hey, male, let this big sis see your face, huh?]
Bai Su ignored the teasing in the chat and turned on the kitchen lights.
Soon, the first order came in: steamed fish with scallion oil.
She took two sea bass from the pantry and handed one to Wen Lan beside her. "Prep the fish."
Wen Lan took the fish, frowning slightly. "How do I prep it?"
Bai Su said, "Follow my lead."
"Sea bass is delicious and has few bones, making it perfect for steaming." This she said to her fans on camera.
She quickly cleaned the fish and placed it in a bowl of scallion and ginger water to soak. Then she looked at the camera again. "This step is crucial, don’t skip it when you’re cooking. Soaking the fish in scallion and ginger water makes the meat whiter, more tender, and firm."
This was the first time Wen Lan had watched Bai Su’s livestream in person.
When she handled the ingredients, her movements were clean and efficient. Killing, gutting, and scaling the fish were all done in one smooth motion.
And yet, he strangely sensed a hint of gentleness in her actions.
It was as if she had a natural sense of reverence and care for these ingredients.
Wen Lan pressed his lips together, lowered his head, and tried to copy her to prep the fish. But the fish in his hands suddenly slipped away, falling back into the sink. With a flick of its tail, it splashed water all over his face.
Wen Lan: "..."
Danmaku: [HAHAHAHAHA, another poor soul getting bullied by a fish has appeared.]
[Fishy me, don’t wanna die yet.]
[I don’t care how big you are, take a tail-slap from me first!]
The corner of Bai Su’s mouth twitched. "Fish are slippery. Hook your fingers under the gills to hold it steady, and it won’t be able to get away."
Wen Lan pressed his lips together and did as she said.
In the time it took to teach him, Bai Su had already finished prepping the second fish.
Wen Lan watched her skillful and efficient technique, pressing his lips together.
’Cooking is far from as simple as he had imagined. He had to admit, this woman Bai Su really knew a thing or two.’
’At the very least, she was much more capable than most females.’
’No wonder so many of her fans were female.’
He copied her, hooking his fingers under the gills, and used a knife to slice open the fish’s belly, pulling out the innards.
Bai Su then directed him to scale it.
Wen Lan held the scaling brush and made a few attempts, but couldn’t get the hang of it.
Bai Su couldn’t watch anymore and was about to step in to teach him hands-on.
Wen Lan frowned and took two steps back, avoiding her touch. "Don’t touch me."
Bai Su: "..."
Danmaku: [Ooooh, ’Don’t touch me.’ So what if she does!]
[Boss! Go for it! Just touch him! See what he can do about it!]
[Yoo-hoo, this male’s got personality. I like it!]
[Send him to Heavenly Life for a couple of days, that’ll straighten him out.]
Heavenly Life was currently the most famous establishment in the Imperial City. It was said to only entertain female clientele.
The males inside were all as beautiful as flowers and were experts at pleasing female patrons.
They had all sorts of personality types and styles.
The only downside was that it was a bit expensive...
But every female who had been there raved about it.
