America: The neighbor's wife is so incredibly hospitable!

The heart of the kitchen.

That was Katie's most sacred command post.

Stainless steel Nakajima.

"Sit down," Chen An commanded.

"What?! This is the work surface! This is where you put the food!"

Katie instinctively protested.

For a chef, sitting at the table is a great disrespect to the food.

"You are now my head chef, and also the most premium 'ingredient' in my eyes."

Without saying a word, Chen An walked over and grabbed her slender waist with both hands.

He lifted her up as easily as if she were a rag doll and placed her on the cold stainless steel table.

"what!"

Katie gasped.

The countertop was cool, even through the thin plaid skirt fabric.

The chill instantly penetrated her skin, causing her inner thighs to tighten abruptly.

"Don't move."

Chen An stood between her legs, a position that left her nowhere to escape.

Lesson One: Relinquishing Control

Chen An took a black ribbon out of his pocket.

That was the ribbon he had casually picked up from his office to wrap the gift box.

"Close your eyes."

"What...what are you going to do?" Katie's heart was pounding like a drum.

"Blindfold me."

"Since you say your dishes lack soul, then let's find the soul."

Without saying a word, Chen An blindfolded her with a ribbon and tied it into a bow at the back of her head.

Sight has been deprived.

Katie's world was plunged into darkness in an instant.

In the darkness, other senses are amplified infinitely.

She could hear Chen An's steady breathing and smell the scent of tobacco and cologne on him.

She could feel his warm body pressed against her knees.

"Now, open your mouth."

Chen An's voice seemed to have a magical quality.

Katie subconsciously opened her mouth slightly.

A cold finger, coated with some kind of viscous liquid, was inserted into her mouth.

Sweet.

It also has a slightly bitter taste.

Is it chocolate sauce?

No, there's also a hint of... spiciness?

"What is this?" Katie asked vaguely.

The tip of my tongue instinctively licked the finger, trying to discern its taste.

"This is the dessert sauce you made today."

"Dark chocolate with habanero peppers."

Chen An withdrew his finger but did not wipe it.

Instead, it slid down her lips, across her chin, and across her long neck, causing a stir.

"How does it taste?"

"It's a bit...too bitter. And the spiciness is too strong."

Katie gave an honest assessment.

"Because you're too impatient. You're trying to mask mediocrity with a stimulating taste."

Chen An turned around; it was the sound of the refrigerator being opened.

A moment later, something cool and round was pressed against her lips.

"Try this one too."

Katie took a bite.

Juice overflows.

It's a strawberry.

But this strawberry is different.

It was also wrapped in something warm.

"This is butter melted with my body heat," Chen An said softly.

"The sweet and sour taste of strawberries complements the rich flavor of animal fats."

"Katie, you cook like ZA."

"You need a constant alternation between hot and cold, a coexistence of gentleness and harshness."

"Well……"

Katie swallowed the strawberry, her cheeks burning.

This metaphor is too blatant.

But for some reason, in this darkness, and even in this somewhat shameful environment, she actually listened to the poetry.

"Not enough."

Chen An's hands did not stop.

His palm covered Katie's thigh, which was clad in black stockings.

The stockings are thin, delicate, and smooth.

"These legs..." Chen An's fingers gently traced the lines of her legs, slowly moving upwards.

"It's beautiful. But don't you think wearing this in the kitchen is inciting crime?"

"This...this is what you wanted me to wear!" Katie protested, feeling wronged. "You said the executive lounge required formal attire..."

"I asked you to wear it for the guests. But in front of me..."

Chen An's hand slipped inside the hem of her skirt.

"You need to be more honest."

"An...no...this is the kitchen..."

Katie was tense all over, her hands gripping the stainless steel edge behind her tightly.

"What's wrong with the kitchen?"

Chen An leaned down and breathed into her ear.

"This is the place where desire is born."

"The desire for food and the desire for sex are inherently one."

Tell me, what are you feeling right now?

"It's so hot...it's so hot..." Katie's voice trembled with tears.

That strange feeling she had never experienced before was gradually destroying her reason.

Chen An's fingers lingered on the edge, seemingly close yet distant; this torment was more maddening than a direct attack.

"This is the 'soul' you've been looking for."

Chen An's voice was full of seduction.

"This anticipation, this anxiety, this yearning for something you can't have..."

"Remember this feeling. Next time you make an appetizer, incorporate this feeling into your sauce."

Now, kiss me.

Chen An removed her blindfold.

Although the light was dim, Katie spotted the face right in front of her.

Two flames seemed to burn in those dark eyes.

Katie didn't hesitate, or rather, she was no longer able to think and could only obey orders.

She suddenly wrapped her arms around Chen An's neck and kissed him clumsily but passionately.

This was her first kiss.

It carries the bitterness of chocolate, the sweetness of strawberries, and a hint of spiciness from the depths of your heart.

Chen An did not stand on ceremony.

He was a seasoned hunter who knew how to guide his prey.

His arrows pried open her teeth, conquering territory with an undeniable domineering force.

Katie felt like her brain was lacking oxygen, and she felt like she was floating on a cloud or falling.

Just as their breathing became heavy, and just as Chen An's hand was about to break through the last line of defense.

"when--!"

The church bells in the distance rang twelve times.

Chen An suddenly stopped.

He parted his lips, straightened Katie's disheveled skirt, and lifted her down from the platform.

His movements were fluid and natural, as if the beast that had almost eaten her wasn't him at all.

That concludes today's lesson.

Chen An tidied her messy silver hair, a signature wicked smile playing on his lips.

"Go back and digest properly. Tomorrow I want to have a truly appetizing appetizer."

Katie stood there, her legs weak, and she almost had to hold onto the table to keep herself upright.

She looked at Chen An, her face flushed, her eyes filled with confusion and... lingering disappointment.

"That's...that's it? That's it?"

She couldn't believe it.

He actually stopped after all this?!

It's like a delicious dish being brought to your lips, your nose just catching a whiff of its aroma, and then the plate is snatched away.

"Otherwise what?"

Chen An put on his coat and picked up his car keys.

"You want to spend the night in the kitchen?"

"Although I don't mind, this stainless steel countertop is too hard, it will hurt your back."

"Bastard! Pervert! Crook!"

Enraged, Katie grabbed a rag and threw it at him. "Who wants to spend the night with you! Get out! Get out now!"

Although she was cursing, she felt empty inside.