Chapter 81: A Bitter Humiliation

Sure enough, as soon as he heard that the medicine had been prepared by Su Wan Ning herself, Ming Ming immediately lowered his guard, hurriedly got up, and ran to her side.

“Aunt Su, please help me! It hurts so much!”

Su Wan Ning felt both tender and amused, crouched down, and began to feed him the medicine spoonful by spoonful.

“There’s anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medicine in this. You should feel better after taking it. Remember, in the future, don’t be greedy and eat so many sweets or cold foods, alright?”

Ming Ming drank the medicine, his face immediately contorted with bitterness. Although he looked utterly miserable, he nodded vigorously in response to Su Wan Ning’s guidance.

[Ming Ming, the little tyrant, has been tamed by Su Wan Ning.]

[It seems this kid only behaves himself when she’s around.]

[Hahaha, this is a goldmine for reaction memes!]

The bowl of medicine was soon empty, and whether it was the bitterness distracting him or the medicine working, Ming Ming felt his toothache easing and his spirits returning.

“Aunt Su, what delicious food are we having for lunch today?”

Ming Ming had suffered terribly during breakfast because of his toothache, so he hadn’t paid attention to anything the director said.

“This afternoon, one of the young men will cook for you all. I won’t be in the kitchen.”

Su Wan Ning smiled as she explained, and Ming Ming’s face instantly showed disappointment.

“Oh, that’s such a pity. I wonder if the new young man’s cooking will taste any good. Aunt Su, I think you’re the most skilled cook I’ve ever met!”

The little fellow looked worried, but his flattery hit Su Wan Ning right in the heart.

She reached out and pinched his chubby, soft cheek. “What a sweet talker you are!”

Beside them, Feng Rui was left out, like an outsider, watching her stepson being so close with another woman. She was so furious, it was as if flames were blazing atop her head.

“Hmph, your Aunt Su may be a good cook, but don’t exaggerate like that, or people will think your father never fed you anything decent.”

Feng Rui’s words were full of sarcasm. Ming Ming was too young to understand, but Su Wan Ning only smiled gently.

“That’s true. But I wonder which gourmet last time polished off all my dishes and even complained there wasn’t enough…”

[Well said!]

[Exactly! When Feng Rui ate Su Wan Ning’s cooking, she looked like a mountain boar that had never tasted fine grains before!]

“You—”

Feng Rui was left speechless by Su Wan Ning’s retort. On camera, she couldn’t lash out, so she swallowed her anger, but from then on, her gaze toward Su Wan Ning was tinged with hostility.

Su Wan Ning, let’s see how long your luck lasts.

Feng Rui had an idea and walked over to Tian Boyu, who was currently cooking the first dish.

“Xiao Tian, what are you making?”

“Stir-fried pork with chili peppers.”

Tian Boyu’s movements were practiced, and the aroma of chili, fermented black beans, and garlic wafted from the pan.

“My goodness, how did you know Xiao Ning loves this dish?”

Feng Rui exaggerated deliberately. “She can’t live without spice—looks like you two are kindred spirits. Her cooking is excellent, too. Maybe you two should compare notes sometime, exchange some tips.”

Tian Boyu had watched the show before coming, so he knew Su Wan Ning was the hottest guest at the moment. His company had sent him to boost his profile and network with some industry veterans.

He wouldn’t let the opportunity slip by, so he nodded silently, keeping her words in mind.

At lunchtime, as everyone gathered to take their seats, Feng Rui led Ming Ming to the spot closest to Tian Boyu, but Su Wan Ning gently stopped her.

“This dish is quite spicy, and Ming Ming’s toothache isn’t fully healed yet. He should stick to lighter fare. Let’s switch seats.”

She spoke without ulterior motive, simply noting the dishes on the table. She knew Feng Rui wouldn’t serve Ming Ming extra food, and he was greedy—if his condition worsened, her medicine would have been wasted.

Feng Rui paused, glanced at the plate of chili peppers, smiled meaningfully, then said nothing and readily agreed to switch places.

Once everyone was seated, Tian Boyu introduced his dishes—mostly home-style, but he’d also prepared elaborate fare like Squirrel Fish. Each dish was beautifully presented, fragrant and tasty.

“I never expected to have such fresh perch here on the grasslands,” Yin Shanshan remarked with a smile.

Yu Xin quickly added, “I heard Xiao Tian brought it personally from another city just for us—no wonder it’s so fresh!”

Tian Boyu smiled modestly. “It was no trouble.”

“Xiao Tian’s cooking really is wonderful. After so many days of travel, I’ve never had such tasty meals!” Feng Rui exaggeratedly sniffed the air, drawing Su Wan Ning’s sidelong glance.

She widened her eyes slightly and feigned confusion. “You’ve eaten already? None of us have touched our chopsticks yet.”

Feng Rui’s expression stiffened.

The atmosphere at the table was a little tense. Tian Boyu hurried to smooth things over. “Everyone, please dig in—don’t stand on ceremony. Miss Su, I heard you love stir-fried pork with chili. Try mine and see if it’s authentic, maybe a fraction as good as yours.”

He meant only to be polite, but his words played right into Feng Rui’s scheme.

Su Wan Ning picked up a piece and tasted it. The savory flavor was just right, comparable to her own. She praised sincerely, “It’s excellent, much better than mine!”

Tian Boyu smiled and was about to respond, but Feng Rui jumped in, “Xiao Tian, you’re quite attentive, knowing Xiao Ning likes this dish. I bet you made it just for her, didn’t you?”

She then looked at Su Wan Ning with a suggestive expression, clearly implying something.

Everyone knew Su Wan Ning was married; such jokes only invited criticism.

Tian Boyu’s expression was a bit awkward, but Su Wan Ning remained calm, setting down her chopsticks and turning to him with a faint smile, “Xiao Tian, how did you know I liked stir-fried pork with chili?”

Tian Boyu glanced at Feng Rui and decided to tell the truth. “When I was making the dish, Miss Feng happened to be nearby and told me.”

Feng Rui’s face instantly stiffened.

Not far away, Yin Shanshan watched Feng Rui with a look of disdain.

Childish.

“Oh, so you told him I liked the dish and now you’re making these jokes. I really don’t understand, Miss Feng, what are you trying to say?”