Chapter 152: Cook for me
"It's an item that can identify anyone inside the Eight Palace Battle Hall," Wang Zongyao explained. "Even a temporary number. Right now, it's in my hands."
Wang Bi'er gasped. She had never known such a thing existed. Fortunately, truly fortunately, it had ended up with her father. Otherwise, the consequences would've been unimaginable.
Ryan also felt a twinge of guilt. "I was a bit rash this time and made Uncle Wang worry. That's my fault."
Truth be told, there was no real need for him to make such a splash in the Eight Palace Battle Hall. He only wanted to experience it. Ending up second on the rankings and becoming the center of attention was indeed excessive.
"It's fine," Wang Zongyao waved his hand. "No one knows your identity, and the key is with me. You're safe for now. These next few days, stay quietly in the courtyard and wait for the entrance exam to begin."
He wasn't angry. He simply understood that since Ryan had promised Elder Lu and taken on the responsibility of leading the North District candidates, he had to be careful.
If Ryan were discovered and recruited early by the upper echelons of Western Mansion, what would happen to the North District candidates?
That would be a breach of trust.
For Wang Zongyao, this wasn't just about Ryan's future, but also about character. A man who kept his word, even under temptation, was someone truly worth investing in.
"I understand, Uncle Wang," Ryan said seriously. "I'll stay put and wait."
"Good." Wang Zongyao nodded in satisfaction. The more he looked at Ryan, the more he liked him. If Bi'er could truly end up with this boy…
He would probably laugh himself awake at night.
"I've said what needed to be said," Wang Zongyao said, standing up. "I'll handle covering for your identity. Honestly, I'm quite curious myself to see the looks on those old fellows' faces after you pass the entrance exam. Hahaha."
Then he turned to Wang Bi'er. "Bi'er, you're coming back with me. Don't keep bothering Ryan."
"Oh…" Wang Bi'er replied reluctantly. She clearly wanted to stay longer, but she knew it wasn't appropriate.
"Safe travels, Uncle Wang. Safe travels, Bi'er," Ryan said politely.
The Li Clan members and Mu Xianling also bid their farewells.
Soon after, Wang Zongyao left Yongling Courtyard with Wang Bi'er.
After they were gone, Ryan turned to the three members of the Li Clan. "Go back and focus on cultivating the techniques I gave you. Don't wander around. On the day of the entrance exam, I'll check your progress."
"Brother Wei, don't worry!" Li Wujie patted his chest. "I won't slack off."
"Shu'er will work hard!" Li Shu said, raising her small fist adorably.
"I won't disappoint you," Li Baijie said solemnly.
The three of them soon left as well.
Only Mu Xianling remained in the room.
With the silence settling in, she suddenly felt awkward. "I… I'll go back now."
She turned to leave, but Ryan stepped in front of her, blocking the way.
"Where do you think you're going?" he asked. "Did you remember who you are?"
Mu Xianling lowered her head, her voice barely audible. "I… I'm your servant…"
Her face flushed red in an instant, embarrassment and complicated emotions swirling in her chest.
"As long as you remember that," Ryan said, nodding in satisfaction. Then he spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, almost domineering. "Good. My servant, go cook for me. I'm hungry."
Mu Xianling froze for a moment.
Then, gritting her teeth, she turned away… her face still burning. "Cooking?"
Mu Xianling froze for a heartbeat.
She had never cooked in her life. Not once. From childhood to now, every meal had been prepared by servants. She was a pampered young lady, not someone who stepped into a kitchen.
Yet Ryan had just calmly ordered her to cook.
What shocked her even more was not the cooking itself, but the fact that Ryan truly treated her like… a servant.
"Of course," Ryan replied lazily, leaning back into the Taishi chair and crossing one leg over the other. "All the servants assigned to me were kicked out. You're the only one left. If you don't cook, who will?"
"Li Wei, you—!"
Mu Xianling hugged her chest, glaring at him furiously. "I won't do it! Whoever wants to cook can cook. I'm not doing it!"
Earlier, when Ryan had dismissed those pretty maids, she had secretly felt pleased, thinking he was upright and uninterested in beauty.
Now she realized the truth.
He wasn't noble.
He was just cruel enough to make her cook instead.
"Hm?"
Ryan shot her a calm but dangerous glance. Then, in a leisurely tone, he asked, "Do you remember what happens when you disobey your master's orders?"
"…!"
Mu Xianling's body stiffened instantly.
Her mind flashed back to that unbearable scene. Being held down in front of everyone. Being spanked. Crying in humiliation. Losing all dignity.
Her face flushed red just thinking about it.
If that happened again… she might as well dig a hole and bury herself alive.
Lowering her head, she said weakly, "But… I really don't know how to cook. What do you expect me to do?"
"If you don't learn now, how will you serve me in the future?" Ryan replied seriously. "Cooking is a basic skill for a servant."
His tone left no room for negotiation.
"Fine," Mu Xianling said through gritted teeth. "I'll do it."
She turned around and walked toward the kitchen, her steps heavy with grievance.
Watching her retreating figure, Ryan laughed openly.
Yes. He was doing it on purpose.
Not to humiliate her. Not because he truly wanted a servant.
He was teasing her.
Somehow, without realizing it, Ryan had grown fond of this proud yet foolish girl. Her boldness in coming to the Li Clan to propose the bet. Her helplessness when punished. The way she worried about him in the Divine Temple.
Life needed a bit of flavor.
And teasing Mu Xianling happened to be quite entertaining.
"I'm starving!" Ryan called out impatiently. "How long has it been? Is the food done yet?"
"Almost, almost!" Mu Xianling replied loudly. "I asked someone how to cook, that's why it took longer!"
A moment later, she placed three dishes and one soup on the table, clapping her hands proudly.
"All done!"
Ryan raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What did you make? Is the rice cooked?"
"Three dishes and one soup," Mu Xianling announced confidently. "Scallion tofu, tomato fried Fire Wolf eggs, potato-braised wild boar, and Fire Wolf egg soup. The rice is cooked too."
"That sounds suspiciously decent," Ryan said. "You didn't secretly let someone else do it, did you?"
"Absolutely not!" Mu Xianling swore seriously. "Every dish and the rice were made by my own hands!"
Ryan stood up and walked to the table, still doubtful.
One look, and all doubts vanished.
Because—
Calling this food was an insult to food.
The scallion tofu was a slab of burnt tofu with a few green onions tossed on top. Some edges were blackened.
Ryan took a bite.
No salt.
The tomato fried Fire Wolf eggs were worse. The tomatoes weren't even cut. Whole tomatoes sat wrapped in egg whites and yolks like yellow balls.
Another bite.
Still no salt.
The potato-braised wild boar was… artistic, in a terrifying way.
Huge chunks of potato on the left. Huge chunks of boar meat on the right. Perfectly segregated.
He tasted a potato.
Nearly spat it out.
All the salt from the previous dishes had clearly been dumped here.
Finally, the soup.
Fire Wolf Egg Flower Soup.
A poetic name.
Reality, however, was cruel.
Three Fire Wolf eggs were tossed in with their shells intact. No oil. No salt. Two floating green onions drift helplessly on the surface.
Ryan stared silently.
Then he opened the rice cooker.
"What is this?"
A dark, scorched mass greeted him.
Mu Xianling hurriedly explained, "I'm sorry! I was cooking everything at once and forgot the rice! It cooked a little too long… but I tasted it. It's not that bad."
A little too long?
It was practically cremated.
Still, in the end, Ryan and Mu Xianling sat down and ate the meal.
What choice did they have?
The servants were gone. Hunger was real.
And everyone had a first time.
Even if that first time tasted like tragedy.
After the meal was finally finished, Mu Xianling looked at Ryan with a nervous, expectant expression.
"So… how was it?" she asked carefully. "Was my cooking okay?"
"It was fine," Ryan replied casually.
In his heart, however, he was screaming. Fine? This was a culinary disaster.
That said, once everything was mixed together, the taste strangely balanced out. Not flavorful, not salty, not good either… just barely edible.
"Really?" Mu Xianling's eyes lit up instantly. "That's great! I knew it. I'm smart and talented. I can learn anything quickly. Next time, you don't need to ask anyone else. I'll keep cooking for you."
She looked eager, almost proud, clearly developing an unhealthy enthusiasm for the kitchen.
"Huh?"
Ryan stared at her, momentarily stunned. He had only wanted to tease her a little. Now it looked like his stomach was about to suffer long-term consequences.
No. This can't continue.
An idea flashed through his mind, and he said calmly, "Mu Xianling, pour me a glass of water. I'm thirsty."