Chapter 129: Envy (Part One)

Recalling Qin Jingchen’s attentiveness in the kitchen just moments ago, she took the initiative to pick up a steamed bun and place it in his bowl, smiling as she said, "You should eat more."

Yet, coupled with her expression, these words sounded to Qin Jingchen like a thinly veiled threat and a warning.

Consequently, Qin Jingchen spoke decisively: "I was wrong."

Su Wanning’s chopsticks hovered in mid-air. She stared at Qin Jingchen, her eyes widening as her face filled with disbelief and shock.

What had she just heard? Qin Jingchen was actually apologizing to her—was the man losing his mind?

Her second reaction was immediate suspicion: was this another conspiracy?

Right, the cameras were still rolling. The more magnanimous and humble Qin Jingchen appeared, the more unreasonable and shrewish she would seem in comparison.

Su Wanning closed her eyes slightly, took a deep breath, and summoned every ounce of her acting ability.

"Oh my, dear, why are you apologizing?"

When she opened her eyes again, they were slightly wider, her face wearing the quintessential, innocent expression of a "white lotus."

Qin Jingchen was momentarily stunned.

Where had he gone wrong? His assistant had specifically told him that if he did something to upset Su Wanning, he must apologize immediately and without hesitation, then offer to make amends. Women, he was told, detested men who tried to reason or make excuses.

Yet, as things stood, Su Wanning seemed even angrier.

Those around them were also startled by the scene, their movements slowing as they ate.

Seeing no reaction from Qin Jingchen, Su Wanning pressed on: "It’s just a matter of pride, really. If you ruined what I made, I can just make more. What does it matter? After all, you are the honorable President Qin, burdened with a thousand tasks every day—how could you possibly be expected to handle such trivial kitchen chores?"

She then lifted her hand with exaggerated grace, covering her mouth to stifle a giggle: "Oh, wait, I forgot you do know how to kill fish. Heavens, you are capable of so much! You’ve truly surprised me!"

While performing this act, Su Wanning mused to herself that this would surely salvage her image in the eyes of the audience; she wouldn't let Qin Jingchen’s scheme succeed.

An awkward silence fell over the table. Everyone gazed at Su Wanning with a mix of confusion and surprise, save for Qin Jingchen, who quickly regained his composure.

"If these steamed buns aren't finished, I can take them back and distribute them to our employees."

He added, "And I’ll have someone deliver ten bags of flour."

He then turned toward the live-streaming camera: "Everyone, please don't follow my example. When working in the kitchen, know your limits and ask for help from experts when you don't know how to do something. Most importantly, learn to cherish food."

[What is going on? Why has this suddenly turned into an elementary school lecture?]
[Is Su Wanning sick? Watching her makes me want to throw up.]
[Is she flirting?]
[Why are this couple acting like this? It's hilarious.]
[I’m a fan of President Qin now. To admit a mistake so openly and magnanimously is impressive.]

Watching Qin Jingchen’s earnest apology, Su Wanning gritted her teeth in secret.

So he wanted to play along?

She might not be a professional, but her acting skills weren't just for show!

"It’s quite alright. With so many of us here, we can certainly finish these buns." She turned to the director: "Director, does the production team really need that much flour? If not, why don't you let the staff take it home? Please, don't be shy."

Wang Zan: "..."

He glanced at Qin Jingchen, unsure whether to nod or not, so he simply waved his hands erratically and offered an awkward smile.

[I’m cringing so hard my toes are curling.]
[I’m digging a Barbie castle into the floorboards.]
[Same here.]

Finally, someone spoke up at the table—the innocent young Niannian. She walked over to Su Wanning, looking worried, and tugged at her arm.

"Mommy, are you okay?"

Su Wanning found this strange: "I'm fine, why?"

Niannian shook her head, her lips pouting as if she were truly concerned. "Mommy, you looked really scary just now."

Su Wanning’s eyes widened. Was she being undermined by her own daughter?

As if that weren't enough, Niannian turned to her brother: "Brother, right?"

Su Wanning cast an expectant look at her son, hoping Suisui would say what she wanted to hear.

She blinked desperately, but at that moment, the mother-son telepathic connection had been severed. He simply nodded with a cold little face: "Yeah."

It was over.

Su Wanning wanted to cry. When had Qin Jingchen managed to win over these two children? She had worked so hard to treat them well, only for them to betray her!

"I'm fine, let's eat. The food is getting cold."

During the remainder of the meal, Su Wanning said almost nothing, keeping her head down and eating in silence. She downed three pancakes in a row and nearly choked, but when one is angry, one loses track of hunger. Finally, Qin Jingchen reached out with his slender, well-defined hand and offered her a glass of water.

"Drink some water. Eat slowly."

"Thank you."

Su Wanning took the glass with an expressionless face and drained it in one go. As she drank, she shot the man beside her a vicious, vengeful glare from the corner of her eye.

Unexpectedly, after handing her the water, Qin Jingchen didn't look away; his gaze remained fixed on her. When their eyes met in the air, Su Wanning felt guilty and immediately turned away.

In her fluster, she choked on the water and began to cough. The more agitated she became, the harder it was to stop, until she was hunched over, her face flushed red, with no sign of the coughing fit ending.

Qin Jingchen stood up, walked to her side, and gently rubbed her back with one hand while using the other to hold a tissue in front of her face, shielding her embarrassment.

"Cough, cough... th-thank you..."

Su Wanning tried to remain polite, but the coughing felt as if it were shifting her internal organs. Only when she felt she might cough her lungs out did she finally begin to calm down.

Another glass of water appeared before her. She looked up to see it was still Qin Jingchen.

This time, Su Wanning firmly shook her head and waved her hand in refusal: "No, thank you, I'm much better!"

After her triple refusal, she grabbed a different beverage, took a sip, and left Qin Jingchen completely ignored.

"Sigh, I didn't realize President Qin was so attentive and had such a strong moral compass. I'm so envious!" Yu Xin sighed. Yin Shanshan followed up with a sarcastic remark: "Indeed. I didn't expect the President to help you cook either. I was wondering how you managed to prepare dinner for so many people all by yourself."