The antique girlfriend of a chaebol heir

Shen Ci spent another half hour going through the remaining materials thoroughly.

She rubbed her slightly sore temples, got up, and walked out of the bedroom.

The living room was quiet, and Jiang Duo was nowhere to be seen, but there were faint noises coming from the open kitchen.

Shen Ci followed the sound and saw Jiang Duo's back in an apron.

He was standing in front of the kitchen counter, intently fiddling with something. The warm yellow light from the overhead lamp shone on his broad shoulders and back, creating a homely atmosphere that was quite different from usual.

Shen Ci stopped and asked softly, "Do you need my help?"

Jiang Duo turned around at the sound, a gentle smile spreading across his face.

"No need, the chef has prepared all the ingredients in advance, I'll just cook them. Please wait in the living room for a moment."

Not long after, Jiang Duo came out carrying the things.

In the center of the table sits a pot of steaming seafood soup. Tender fish, plump shellfish, and a few strands of bright green scallions float in the milky white broth, emitting a delightful aroma.

Next to it were two perfectly seared steaks with beautiful brown marbling, accompanied by roasted cherry tomatoes and asparagus.

Jiang Duo picked up the soup bowl, ladled out a bowl of soup, and handed it to Shen Ci, his eyes filled with a barely perceptible expectation: "Try it, how is it?"

Shen Ci took the bowl and took a small sip.

She paused slightly as the soup slid across her tongue.

It was unexpectedly delicious.

The milky white broth is rich yet not greasy.

The fish and shellfish inside remained incredibly tender, cooked to perfection – any more and they would be overcooked, any less and they would be raw. There wasn't a trace of fishiness.

Although the ingredients were prepared in advance, this soup is not the kind of flavor you can get by just boiling it casually—it has a delicate flavor that comes from careful preparation.

"It tastes great."

Shen Ci raised his head and gave a fair evaluation.

Hearing her words, Jiang Duo's lips curled into a happy smile:

"If you like it, I'll make it for you again next time."

After spending some time together, Jiang Duo discovered that Shen Ci had a particular fondness for fish and shrimp.

What he didn't know was that Shen Ci had strict dietary restrictions in her previous life due to health reasons.

So after coming into this world and having a healthy body, eating fish, shrimp, crabs, and shellfish that she had never eaten before felt like opening the door to a new world for her.

Shen Ci swallowed the fish in his mouth, secretly marveling at it.

Compared to the bowl of noodles from last time, Jiang Duo's cooking skills have made a qualitative leap in this meal.

She couldn't help but look up, asking curiously, "Have you been taking cooking lessons lately?"

Jiang Duo was cutting the steak on the plate, and after cutting it into small pieces, he pushed it towards her.

"I recently watched some cooking videos and tried to learn from them. But the key is that I'm naturally gifted in this area."

He spoke casually, his eyebrows and eyes carrying his usual nonchalant smile.

Shen Ci looked at him, and a feeling she couldn't quite describe welled up inside her.

She knew that Jiang Duo was actually busier than she was.

He never neglected his studies, and in addition, he also had to get involved in business matters with his family.

Even though he could easily order a private chef to prepare the dishes anytime, he chose to take time out of his busy schedule to study recipes and learn how to cook.

Just so she could taste the soup he made himself...

Jiang Duo was cutting another plate of meat when he looked up and found her staring intently at him.

He paused slightly, then raised an eyebrow, half-jokingly leaning closer, a sly glint in his eyes:

"What? You suddenly realize your boyfriend is incredibly handsome, right?"

Shen Ci didn't reply, but just looked down at the plate of neatly cut steak.

Jiang Duo took the soup bowl, filled it to the brim, and gently placed it beside her.

"Youyou," he looked straight into her eyes, his earnestness making her heart flutter, "Don't overthink it, and don't feel burdened."

He paused, then reached across the table and naturally placed his hand on the back of her hand, which was resting on the edge of the table. His fingertips were slightly cool from the knife, but his palm was warm.

"I just want you to try my cooking."

Shen Ci looked at the hand he was holding, then looked up at the person opposite her. After a while, she softly hummed in agreement.

She did not pull her hand away.

……

Evening in Beijing.

As dusk settles, the entire city resembles a piece of brocade being gradually unfurled, shimmering with vibrant colors.

At this moment, a high-end business dinner is being held at that luxury hotel located in the heart of the CBD.

Most of the people who came here tonight are billionaires with assets of hundreds of millions.

They gather in small groups, sipping champagne, and casually discuss acquisitions worth hundreds of millions, the development of new business sectors, or emerging industries.

Countless eyes kept drifting toward the heavy, carved double doors of the banquet hall, and a secretive yet restless anticipation filled the air.

They were all waiting for someone.

I've heard that Jiang Hexuan, the true titan of Beijing's business world and the decisive and ruthless head of the Jiang Group, will also be attending tonight.

Shen Xiaoming stood quietly in the most inconspicuous corner of the banquet hall.

He held a glass of water in his hand, his gaze calmly fixed on the group of people chatting and laughing not far away.

He was not qualified to participate in a banquet of this caliber.

He was just a newly acquainted business partner. Considering our recent pleasant cooperation, I brought him along to "broaden his horizons."

The man led him to this corner, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a condescending air of encouragement in his eyes, "Little Shen, this is a rare opportunity. Getting to know industry bigwigs will benefit you in the future."

After speaking, the man straightened his suit collar, picked up his wine glass, and blended into the heart of the lively gathering, toasting, exchanging pleasantries, and business cards with those who truly held the power of discourse.

Shen Xiaoming did not move.

He knew all too well that in this circle, without equal strength, even the most enthusiastic smile would only be seen as cheap opportunism.

For him, being in such an environment, calmly listening to those big shots casually chat about the latest industry trends and business directions, is already an invaluable gain.

However, he never expected to run into his cousin, Shen Xiaocun, whom he had long since severed ties with.

Shen Xiaocun was originally talking to a real estate developer, his face beaming with smiles.

He turned his head casually, his gaze sweeping across the corner, then suddenly stopped, and walked over with his wine glass in hand.

"Yo," Shen Xiaocun stopped in front of him, looked him up and down, his gaze lingering on his glass of water for a moment, and a cryptic smile appeared on his lips.

"Isn't this our honest and unassuming Xiao Ming? Didn't you always say that you just wanted to stay in your own little corner of the world, not seeking great wealth or status, but only peace and stability? How come you've suddenly become enlightened and started attending these kinds of banquets?"

The sarcasm in his tone was like poisoned needles, stabbing me relentlessly.

"You can come even though you're bankrupt," Shen Xiaoming looked up at him, his tone calm, "Why can't I participate?"

Shen Xiaocun was so annoyed by his words that he almost vomited blood on the spot.