Fu Liangmu fell silent for a moment. "Who else would she run off with?" The matriarch rolled her eyes disdainfully, frustrated beyond words, and pointed an accusing finger at him. "Anyone would be better than you!""Look at Wanwan—beautiful, young, sweet-talking—such a girl is a prized treasure wherever she goes!""Unlike you, who's perpetually stifled and dull, never even managing a smile."
Uncle Zhang forced a smile beside them. "Madam, the young master is still trying his best...""Trying what?""Old Zhang, don't defend him! I know my grandson's character better than anyone.""Starting tomorrow, Fu Liangmu, you must prepare at least three dishes and one soup daily.""To capture a woman's heart, you must first capture her palate!"
Fu Liangmu's face darkened like the bottom of a burnt pot. Outside the kitchen, a servant's voice rang out."Madam, you're back! The meal will be ready soon. Please enjoy some television in the meantime."
Hearing this, the matriarch hurried out, her wrinkled face softening into a benevolent smile."Wanwan, after a hard day at work, Grandma made you some chicken soup. Make sure to drink plenty."Su Wanwan nodded obediently, "Thank you."
After a while, Fu Liangmu still hadn't appeared. Taking advantage of the matriarch going upstairs, Wanwan quietly approached the kitchen and happened to see Fu Liangmu expressionlessly chopping vegetables. His grip on the knife was stiff and awkward, repeatedly slicing the potatoes into irregular strips. Wanwan stifled a chuckle.
Lowering his eyes to the task, Fu Liangmu's lips curved into a faint, barely perceptible smile before his focus wavered."Ah—" Wanwan stepped forward."Are you alright?"
Fu Liangmu casually rinsed his bleeding hand under the faucet."I'm fine.""Let me help." Wanwan said, picking up the knife from the cutting board.
Curious, Fu Liangmu watched her. "You can cook?""A little."
In truth, Wanwan's modest claim was an understatement. Her deft knife skills and culinary technique rivaled those of a Michelin-starred chef. The matriarch frowned in concern for a long moment. Thinking her cooking might not please her grandmother, Wanwan asked,"Grandma, if there's anything you don't like, please tell me. I'll avoid it next time."
The matriarch shook her head,"No, no, everything is exceptionally delicious!"
Wanwan acknowledged with a soft "Oh," and didn't press further. After the meal, she went upstairs.
Uncle Zhang chuckled, "Madam, it seemed you didn't enjoy the meal much."He had rarely seen her like this.
The matriarch sighed deeply, worry etched plainly on her face."How could I be happy? That girl can even cook so well!"
Uncle Zhang was puzzled,"That's a blessing! A lady who can shine both in the parlor and the kitchen is a fortune for the Fu family.""What blessing? I regret it now!" The matriarch beat her thigh in frustration.
Uncle Zhang was utterly confused,"What could you possibly regret?""If I'd known Wanwan was this exceptional, why would I have let her marry my grandson? He's utterly unworthy of her!"
Uncle Zhang: "..."
Before dawn the next day, Fu Liangmu was already bustling in the kitchen, finally producing something decent. When Su Wanwan awoke, he immediately called her to taste it.
Taking a sip of the seemingly ordinary porridge, Wanwan's expression stiffened slightly."Is it good?" Fu Liangmu asked with a calm demeanor, though his clenched fists beneath the table betrayed his tension.
Swallowing the overly sweet porridge, Wanwan forced a smile."It's good."
Fu Liangmu's taut shoulders finally relaxed."Drink more then. Oh, and I made you a packed lunch too."
Wanwan covered her mouth with a light cough,"You really don't have to do all this. I know it's Grandma's idea..."
In this flash marriage, which neither had truly met before, there was little genuine affection. Yet Fu Liangmu, a proud young master, was willing to lower himself to such tasks, solely out of consideration for the matriarch's feelings.
Wanwan, however, wasn't so sentimental."I really like it."
Fu Liangmu cut her off,"I have nothing better to do alone at home anyway.""Alright then..."
Just as she arrived at the company, a crowd gathered, murmurs of awe spreading."Oh my god... that diamond must be worth a fortune!""Right? Sister Maya, your husband spoils you so much! I'm so jealous!""I saw that design online once; it's nearly a hundred thousand!"
The woman called Sister Maya smiled amid the admirers, basking in their envy. She was a recently promoted sales manager who loved flaunting her luxury goods."This was a special gift from my husband on our first wedding anniversary, brought back from his business trip to the U.S.!"
Wanwan glanced casually—somehow familiar. Someone spotted her and sneered,"What are you staring at, country bumpkin? Ever seen such a treasure?""Oh, she's the eldest daughter of the Su family; she's probably seen everything. Probably doesn't even care about this, haha!"
The crowd mocked Wanwan, scrutinizing her modest attire. Wanwan usually dressed casually and simply; to those ignorant, her clothes might seem like cheap knockoffs.
Li Maya waved dismissively,"Enough, everyone, quiet down. Work time's started; get back to your desks."
Wanwan gave her a cool glance and simply said four words,"Discretion is wealth."
Beware of theft.
Li Maya paid no heed. Shortly after sitting, people nearby started sniffing."What's that smell?""Smells like food..."
After some sniffing, suspicion fell on Wanwan."Wanwan, did you bring lunch?"Playing on her computer, Wanwan nodded,"Yeah."
The woman nearby sneered,"No way! You're that poor? The cafeteria meal costs less than ten yuan; why bring your own food?"
Wanwan shot her a cold look,"It's not for you."
The woman snapped,"But your food smell is ruining my mood at work!""Don't you think your shouting is ruining the office atmosphere?"
"How dare a mere errand girl be so arrogant?!" The woman fumed.
Wanwan opened a drawer, flung a sheet of paper at her face."Company policy number 57: Employees are allowed to bring their own meals."
"You're just a lowly temp running errands; do you have the authority to override the boss's regulations?"