“Mom, Lu Yuwen is coming over for dinner tonight~” Su Man said cheerfully. “He said he’s going to make us something delicious!”

Lu Yuwen stepped forward politely. “Hello, Auntie. The hotel facilities are limited, so I’ve come to borrow your kitchen. Sorry for the intrusion.”

Su Ma studied Lu Yuwen with a meaningful look. “No intrusion at all — if anything, we’re the lucky ones getting to enjoy a good meal. Mao Mao, since Xiao Lu is here to cook, you need to help too. Don’t let him stand in the kitchen all by himself, understand?”

Su Man replied without thinking, “I know, Mom. Why don’t you come help him too!”

Su Ma: “……”

Why would I go and get in the way?!

“That’s alright.” Su Ma forced a smile. “Your father just called. I need to head to the hospital now. You two get busy — I’ll be out of your hair.”

Su Man: “Oh? Can’t you go a little later? You’ll miss Lu Yuwen’s cooking.”

Su Ma gave Lu Yuwen a long, meaningful look. “It’s fine. There will be… other chances.”

Lu Yuwen replied politely, “Auntie, are there any foods you or Uncle can’t eat? Today was a bit last-minute, but next time I’ll prepare more carefully.”

Su Ma didn’t stand on ceremony and said cheerfully, “I’m not picky, but Su Man’s father can’t eat anything too greasy.”

“Noted, Auntie.” Lu Yuwen gave a small nod.

Su Man standing to the side felt something was a little odd, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on what. Before she had time to think about it further, Su Ma had already led Lu Yuwen to the kitchen, chattering away:

“All the knives and utensils are stored here — come, Xiao Lu, let me show you… The oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar are in the cabinet on the right, and below that are some dried goods. Take a look and see what you need. If you’re cooking and can’t find something, just give me a call. Don’t bother asking Man Man — she barely sets foot in the kitchen all year round, she doesn’t know where anything is~”

Su Man followed behind them, her lips pressing into a small pout as she quietly defended herself: “I know where the bowls and chopsticks are.”

“And you’re proud of that?” Su Ma turned and shot back at her. “What else do you know besides the bowls and chopsticks?”

Su Man’s eyes darted around. Cleverly, she said, “I also know where the kitchen trash can is!”

Up ahead, Lu Yuwen let out a quiet laugh. He turned to look at her, eyes full of amusement, the way one might look at something utterly adorable.

Su Man: “……”

She touched her face, suddenly uncomfortable.

And abruptly felt that what she’d just said and done was incredibly childish.

It couldn’t be helped. No matter how mature and composed she normally was, whenever she was in front of her parents, her childish side inevitably came out — and Lu Yuwen had seen it now. How embarrassing.

Su Ma observed the two of them without letting on, quietly closed a cabinet door, and remarked as if in passing, “Xiao Lu’s future wife is going to be so lucky — marrying a man who can cook means never having to make your own meals.”

Lu Yuwen smiled and replied, “Whoever marries me in the future — even if she wants to cook, she probably won’t get the chance. Because she’ll always be coming with me to inspect my restaurants, or going to other restaurants to sample dishes, or sometimes dining at restaurants abroad. There’ll be more food than she can get through — how would there be time to cook at home?”

“That sounds wonderful — getting to taste cuisines from all over the world!” Su Man laughed openly. “You’d just have to be careful about gaining weight, haha~”

Lu Yuwen listened, then turned his head to look at her. “I’ve actually been a little worried about that lately. I’ve been meaning to arrange a workout plan for myself. Do you have a trainer you’d recommend?”

Su Man immediately said, “Yes, absolutely! The two trainers who work with me are really good. My mom was worried I’d end up looking too muscular, so she specifically had my dad ask around for recommendations — they’re very experienced. Whatever body type you want to build, they can help~”

“Send me their contact information later then. I’ll book a few trial sessions.” Lu Yuwen said.

Su Man nodded. “Sure, I’ll send it to you now.”

Su Ma stood nearby, watching these two in silence, her feelings extraordinarily complicated——

This young man was far too good at seizing every opening!

Not only were they having dinner together every evening, now he’d found his way into her daughter’s workout schedule too. Didn’t that essentially mean… every moment Su Man wasn’t at work, she’d be spending with Lu Yuwen?

—