Chapter 70 - 65: Happy Birthday
Shen Jianian followed the aroma to the kitchen. Zhou Rongzhen was standing with her back to her, focused on assisting the chef at the counter.
A few dishes were already prepared, covered with a warming lid, placed on the island opposite, and many processed ingredients awaited to be cooked, indicating that tonight’s meal would be very sumptuous.
Hearing footsteps, Zhou Rongzhen turned around suddenly, a little startled, and pinched her ear, smiling as she asked Shen Jianian, "Are you hungry?"
Shen Jianian smiled sheepishly and nodded slightly.
Zhou Rongzhen checked the time, it was half past seven: "Almost ready, we’ll start eating once Mr. arrives home."
Shen Jianian was slightly taken aback: "He’s coming back today?"
"You didn’t know?" Zhou Rongzhen was a bit puzzled.
Mr. didn’t inform Jianian about his return time? The two get along so well that she assumed Mr. had already told Jianian, which is why she came down so late.
"I didn’t know," Shen Jianian said, "he didn’t tell me."
"See, I spoke too much," Zhou Rongzhen jokingly scolded herself, pretended to tap her mouth, "Maybe he wanted to surprise you. He called me at noon and asked me to prepare a sumptuous dinner, specifically instructing to include roast chicken because you like it. He also said he would arrive in Yicheng around seven and asked me to tell the chef to prepare dinner a little later."
The oven dinged, signaling that the time was up.
Zhou Rongzhen didn’t have time to say more; she quickly put on cotton mitts and took out the baking tray. The roasted whole chicken was shiny and oily with a bright color. The surface was brushed with honey, giving off a sweet aroma.