CHAPTER 172: CHAPTER 172: BOYFRIEND POWER OVERWHELMING

Yu Chen’s car was parked in front of Yue Xiaoyang’s house, and he sat on the hood waiting for them.

The sunlight fell on him, outlining his tall and majestic figure. He wore a shirt and trousers, with two buttons undone and his sleeves casually rolled up, revealing his strong forearms. It was a slightly different look from his usual image as a rigid tech elite.

No matter how casually he dressed, he still looked like an aristocratic young man.

Yue Xiaoyang’s car drove past him directly into the garage, and his gaze followed the car, looking at the back seat.

Zhang Miaoyan tightened her grip on the seatbelt. She knew he couldn’t see her from outside, but she was still extremely nervous.

The car stopped in the garage, and Zhang Miaoyan got out, hiding behind Gong Xiaoyu.

Gong Xiaoyu didn’t know if she still remembered Yu Chen, only thought she was scared, and comforted her, saying, "Miao Yan, that person is not bad, he’s our friend. Don’t be afraid."

Yue Xiaoyang was also worried that Yu Chen would trigger Zhang Miaoyan, so he said to her, "That guy, although heartless, speaks harshly and is arrogant, he’s not exactly scum. Don’t be afraid."

Zhang Miaoyan nodded behind Gong Xiaoyu. The three of them walked upstairs and opened the door, and Yu Chen entered from the doorway.

Zhang Miaoyan said, "I’m going back to my room."

Gong Xiaoyu pulled her back, "Let’s eat first. I’ll cook."

The housemaid was off today, and they had planned to eat before coming back. When Zhang Miaoyan wasn’t hungry earlier, they could only return to eat now.

Seeing Gong Xiaoyu head into the kitchen, Zhang Miaoyan followed, "I’ll help."

Yu Chen could tell that Zhang Miaoyan had been avoiding him. He sat down in the hall, and Yue Xiaoyang threw him a can of cold drink. Unaware, it hit him on the shoulder.

He didn’t react at all, expressionlessly picking up the drink, opening it, and taking a sip, saying, "Got any alcohol?"

"Are you okay, buddy?" Yue Xiaoyang sat down, the force of his throw earlier wasn’t light. "Why do you have time to find me today? Usually, when I go to your office, you don’t have time for me."

Yu Chen’s eyes were fixed in the direction of the kitchen, "How is she?"

"She’s discharged, so she must be recovering well. Just forgot you, that little sequela can be ignored." Yue Xiaoyang, careless and unfazed.

Yu Chen glanced at him, "Let’s talk in the study."

Yue Xiaoyang let him go upstairs first, then walked into the kitchen where the two girls were busy cooking.

"Dear, you can cook?" Yue Xiaoyang clearly didn’t believe it, "If you really can’t, we can call for hotel delivery."

Gong Xiaoyu wanted to perform well, so she said stiffly, "I can, my mom taught me."

Yue Xiaoyang said, "Just cook a couple of dishes, don’t tire yourself out."

Zhang Miaoyan washed the rice and cooked it, watching Yue Xiaoyang massage Gong Xiaoyu’s shoulders, coughed twice and said, "Should I step out, Xiao Yang, you want to help?"

Yue Xiaoyang immediately escaped, "I’m going to the study, Mr. Yu is waiting for me, you two continue."

He was completely new to the kitchen, never entered it growing up.

Zhang Miaoyan saw him slip away quickly, shaking her head, "Just as expected, Young Master Yue doesn’t dirty his hands with kitchen work."

Gong Xiaoyu saw the refrigerator was filled with ingredients, she took everything out and started to worry.

Zhang Miaoyan asked, "Xiao Yu, what do you plan to cook?"

Gong Xiaoyu hesitated, "Uh... Cook this chicken with mushrooms, boil beef slices, and make a soup."

Zhang Miaoyan looked at her, "That’s not chicken, it’s duck."

"Huh? Really?" Gong Xiaoyu was embarrassed, "Then I’ll cook beer duck."

Zhang Miaoyan slapped her forehead, speechless, "I thought you took out so many ingredients because you knew what to do!"

She skillfully selected a few ingredients, put the rest back in the fridge, then put on an apron, "Let me handle it, Boss Gong."

Gong Xiaoyu felt embarrassed, "You just got discharged, won’t it be too tiring?"

"Not at all. I laid in the hospital for so long, consider it some activity."

The two washed and cut ingredients, Gong Xiaoyu assisted, learning by watching.

Back in school days, Jun Xi often came to her house to eat, Jun Xi usually helped in the kitchen, becoming a good cook. Her mom praised Jun Xi and also wanted her to learn to cook, but she found it troublesome and never did.

Now being with Yue Xiaoyang, she realized the importance of cooking skills, worried that if he found out she wasn’t capable, marriage would be even less likely.

Life needs some mundane aspects, this way it wouldn’t feel cold and empty.

There was sea cucumber in the fridge, Zhang Miaoyan made sea cucumber with scallions, beer duck, boiled beef slices, blanched okra, and a soup.

Gong Xiaoyu said she liked cuttlefish, so Zhang Miaoyan fried some for her.

Gong Xiaoyu watched, praising, "Amazing, Chef Zhang, your cooking rivals Jun Xi’s."

Zhang Miaoyan smiled, "Nothing so exaggerated, living alone for long, you learn a bit of everything. Fixing outlets, piping, small appliances, I can do them too."

Gong Xiaoyu was even more admiring, "The boyfriend power is overwhelming, how can those boys compete?"

Zhang Miaoyan plated the last dish, removed her apron and said, "Girls shouldn’t be too independent, too independent no one loves, I’m an example. You’re just fine."

Gong Xiaoyu helped set the table, "Not necessarily, depends on the person. Jun Xi is very independent, but she’s very feminine in front of Mr. Gu."

They brought the dishes out, Gong Xiaoyu went upstairs to call Yue Xiaoyang and Yu Chen for dinner.

Zhang Miaoyan returned to the kitchen to clean the knives, accidentally cutting a finger, blood dripping on the counter.

She didn’t even frown, blew on the wound, found a bandage to cover it, continued cleaning the counter and carrying the soup out.

Yue Xiaoyang and Yu Chen came downstairs, seeing a table full of delicious food, regardless of others, held Gong Xiaoyu’s face and gave a big kiss, "Dear, you’re so perfect."

Gong Xiaoyu blushed, pushing him away, "These dishes..."

"All made by Xiao Yu," Zhang Miaoyan said, "I need to learn from her next time too."

Gong Xiaoyu shamelessly took credit, planning to brush up on her skills secretly later, hoping not to get caught. She said, "Try the dishes, see how they taste."

Secretly making a "thank you" gesture to Zhang Miaoyan.

Zhang Miaoyan nodded in understanding.

Yu Chen sat at the table, Zhang Miaoyan called him, "Mr. Xie."

Yu Chen looked at her, "You really don’t remember me?"

Zhang Miaoyan chose the seat farthest from him, calmly saying, "No impression. Xiao Yang and Xiao Yu said you’re their friend. I was so scared of you in the hospital and said some harsh things, I hope you don’t mind."

Yu Chen couldn’t help but feel a pang of loss, he picked up his chopsticks, his eyes scanned Zhang Miaoyan’s hand, and fixed on her finger, "Your hand is hurt?"