“I’m not here for work. I’m here to… shop.”
Manager Luo and his team members exchanged doubtful glances at each other. None of them believed Nan Chen’s words.
Even the senior managers needed to arrange for prior appointments to report their work to Nan Chen, due to Nan Chen’s busy schedule.
How is it possible that such a busy man will do his shopping personally?
Hence, Manager Luo and his team did not believe Nan Chen, thinking their boss was here for an incognito visit.
“Sir Chen, please let us know if you have any instructions for us. We will make the changes immediately.”
“It is okay. You can go off first.” Nan Chen waved his hand dismissively.
I seldom have the chance to do grocery shopping with the two kids. They better not spoil my mood.
But Manager Luo and his team were not on the same wavelength as Nan Chen.
Our boss arrives out of the blue. How can we return to our office and pretend he isn’t here? It’s simply impossible!
Therefore, the senior executives hung around Nan Chen at his heels, in the supermarket.
Not only were Nan Chen and Ning Ran unhappy with their actions, but even the kids were also displeased too.
How can we shop leisurely when someone is gawking at us?
However, Nan Chen was not one to holler at others when he was displeased. He pulled a long face and stared sharply at Manager Luo and his team.
However, this only increased their sense of trepidation as they mistook Nan Chen for being displeased over their mismanagement of the supermarket.
Finally, Ning Ran could not take it anymore and believed she must handle it herself. Otherwise, the whole situation would only worsen.
Thus, she walked over to Manager Luo.
Manager Luo was not certain of Ning Ran’s status as he had not received news that his boss was married. He wanted to greet her as ‘Madam’ but worried he might address her wrongly, so he nodded with a smile on his face, “Hi, what do you need? We will endeavor to meet them.”
“Stop following us. Sir Chen is unhappy,” warned Ning Ran in a low voice.
“Huh?”
“Do you like a bunch of people following you when you are doing your grocery shopping?”
“This…”
“He is not here for an inspection. He’s only here to buy some ingredients to cook dinner for the kids. Stop creating a scene. It will only add on to everyone’s anxiety and discomfort. What is the point?”
“Okay, sorry to disturb you. Please inform any of the staff here should you need any help. We will serve you to the best we can.” Manager Luo wiped away the sweat on his face.
“Okay, please stop following us then.”
Finally, Manager Luo and his team walked off and left them alone.
Nan Chen heaved a deep sigh of relief and looked at Ning Ran approvingly. This woman is rather good at communication.
They continued shopping in the supermarket. When they arrived at the snacks section, Erbao was even more excited and wanted everything. Nan Chen met all her requests, doing his best to satisfy Erbao.
When it was time to foot the bill, Nan Chen passed Ning Ran a credit card and asked her to make payment.
Of course, Ning Ran did not stand on ceremony. I don’t have any money on me anyway so Poker Face must be the one paying.
They bought three big bags of groceries. The supermarket’s employees offered to deliver the groceries to Nan Chen’s house, but Nan Chen rejected them. In the end, the employees helped them to carry the groceries and put them into the car.
Without consulting Ning Ran, Nan Chen drove to her residence – the villa in the Red Maple City.
It was the two kids’ first visit to the villa in the Red Maple City. They screamed in exhilaration, “Mommy’s new house! We are here!”
After putting all the groceries into the house, Nan Chen went into the kitchen and stood there, looking lost. He looked at Ning Ran pleadingly.
Ning Ran snickered, “Doesn’t Sir Chen intend to cook dinner? Please start now.”
“Where should I start?”
“You don’t even know where to start? How will you make dinner for us then?”
“The recipe is available online.”
Ning Ran finally understood him. His confidence in his culinary skills is derived solely from the recipes available online. He intends to follow the culinary video, step-by-step, to make dinner. But the video does not teach its viewers the preparatory steps before cooking. For example, it asks one to clean and cut the vegetables, but it does not teach one how to do so. No wonder he looks so lost.
“Sir Chen, why don’t you go out first? We may need to wait till tomorrow if you are to cook dinner for us. I can starve but not the kids. Stop giving me trouble and go somewhere else. I can do it myself.”
Ning Ran put on the gloves, ready to start the dinner preparations.
A look of frustration crossed Nan Chen’s face. I am omnipotent in the business world. How can I be defeated in this mere kitchen?
Nan Chen’s prideful ego did not allow him to leave the kitchen with his head down. Instead, he stood on the side and looked at Ning Ran as she busied herself in the kitchen.
Thankfully, the open-concept kitchen in the villa was big enough to accommodate Nan Chen without him being in Ning Ran’s way.
“You’re good,” Nan Chen said suddenly.
Ning Ran was busy and did not catch what he said, “What?”
“You’re good at domestic chores,” repeated Nan Chen.
Ning Ran smiled. Is this the first time Poker Face compliments me? Also, isn’t it ironic that he praises me for being good at domestic chores?
“Are you saying I’m a village girl?” Ning Ran asked casually.
“Yes,” agreed Nan Chen.
His answer infuriated her. I can diss myself but not you! If not for someone causing my mother’s death, my family fortunes would not have declined, and I would still be a rich, young mistress!
“Do you think you are better than others, just because you don’t know how to do domestic chores?” Ning Ran glared at Nan Chen, holding a clove of garlic and pointing it at him.
Nan Chen was perplexed at her sudden outburst of anger. Is she thinking of attacking me with that clove of garlic? It has such an overwhelming smell. Wouldn’t it be embarrassing if it hits my face?
Thinking of this, he took a few steps backwards quietly.
“Why do you say I am a village girl?”
“You said it yourself,” replied Nan Chen indifferently.
“Forget it. I am magnanimous and will not hold it against you.” Ning Ran put down the clove of garlic in her hand and continued cooking.
Nan Chen continued observing Ning Ran in silence. It was apparent to him that Ning Ran was an experienced cook as she had first poured the cooking oil, followed by the vegetables into the frying pan deftly. After tossing the pan a few times, the aroma of food began to waft through the air.
Nan Chen was stupefied by the sight before him.
He had eaten a lot of delicious food but never had he once pay attention to the process involved.
So the process involved in producing such sumptuous dishes is so wonderful. It is like a project. Every step taken must be precise and is equally important. No wonder Laozi teaches that the principle in governing a country is similar to that of cooking. Every step that is taken in cooking indeed contains great knowledge.
“Come over here and take the dishes out. Why are you standing there in a daze? Do you expect me to serve you?” Ning Ran ordered.
Nan Chen’s face clouded with displeasure at being ordered around, but he suppressed his anger.
Anyway, this woman is always bad-mannered. I shall not hold it against her. Otherwise, we will not be able to continue with this dinner.
