Gu Shengsheng listened intently and pressed:
“What happened next?”
Sister Li glanced at Gu Shengsheng’s expression and answered cautiously:
“Later… later the eldest young master had that car accident. After the accident, his temper became very bad. He didn’t want to see anyone, so he moved out of the old residence to this villa.”
Gu Shengsheng asked a few more questions, but Sister Li had only been with the Shen family for a few months. Most of the gossip she knew came second-hand from other servants, and many details were unclear. Those servants were all from the old Shen residence, so their words always belittled Shen Wang while praising the second young master, Shen Tingchen.
It was understandable — servants always curried favor with the powerful and stepped on the weak. Shen Tingchen was the male protagonist of the original book, this world’s child of great destiny. He was also… the original owner’s former fiancé.
Since she couldn’t get more useful information from Sister Li, Gu Shengsheng licked the cherry juice from the corner of her lip:
“I’m so hungry.”
She had eaten nearly half the plate of cherries. The sweet-tart fruit only made her appetite stronger. She had been in this world for almost a full day without eating a single grain of rice.
Sister Li quickly said:
“What would Madam like to eat? I’ll cook it.”
Gu Shengsheng replied:
“I want to cook myself. Sister Li, teach me how to use the stove.”
The original owner had never cooked, so Gu Shengsheng had no idea how to operate the stoves or appliances in this world.
Fortunately, Sister Li was very patient. She guided Gu Shengsheng step by step through using the various appliances. Gu Shengsheng memorized everything and combined it with the original owner’s memories — she learned quickly.
The refrigerator was full of ingredients. Considering Shen Wang had been starving for a long time and his stomach was weak, Gu Shengsheng decided to make a pot of light, easy-to-digest green vegetable congee.
She took a handful of long-grain green-stem rice and soaked it in water. Her fingertips were painted bright red nail polish; her slender, snow-white fingers turned pink from the cold water.
Gu Shengsheng stared solemnly at the water. Not only were the ingredients in this world full of impurities — even the water wasn’t clean enough.
Sister Li said worriedly:
“Madam, why don’t you let me cook it? When it’s ready, I can bring it up and say you made it…”
Gu Shengsheng shook her head:
“I’ll do it myself. Sister Li, you can go out first.”
Sister Li left reluctantly.
Gu Shengsheng opened the refrigerator, took out several bottles of mineral water, along with cucumber, eggs, and a bottle of fresh milk.
The glass bottles of mineral water had foreign labels and carried a faint chill of icy spiritual energy. Gu Shengsheng twisted off the cap and used the expensive mineral water to rinse the rice, then poured it into a clay pot.
She turned the knob — blue flames sprang up on the stove, more convenient than any talisman. Gu Shengsheng set the pot on the fire and added two drops of sesame oil — since the rice hadn’t been pre-soaked, the oil would help it soften faster.
Soon the water bubbled. She turned the heat down low. Gu Shengsheng used a long wooden spoon to gently stir the rice and water. The fragrance of rice filled the air.
She cut off the ends of the crisp green cucumber, smacked it with the flat of the knife — fresh scent burst out. Knife light flashed in her hands; in the blink of an eye, the cucumber was evenly diced and scattered on the cutting board.
After preparing two simple side dishes, the thin rice porridge in the pot gradually turned white and thick, becoming fragrant and snowy. Gu Shengsheng chopped a small handful of tender green vegetable hearts, stirred them into the porridge, added a pinch of salt and some fine yellow ginger threads. When it boiled once more, she immediately turned off the heat.
A faint, thin glow shimmered around Gu Shengsheng for a moment before vanishing. As a cultivation chef, cooking was her way of advancing her cultivation — just as sword cultivators practiced with swords.
It was quite unlucky: her entire family were powerful sword cultivators, but she had been born with a frail water spiritual root and could only learn culinary cultivation. The number one beauty of the cultivation world being a chef cultivator had earned her plenty of mockery.
Now it finally came in handy.
Gu Shengsheng called out:
“Sister Li, help me carry the congee upstairs.”
The moment Sister Li stepped into the kitchen, she smelled the aroma and exclaimed in surprise:
“Madam, your cooking skills are amazing!”
The original Gu Shengsheng, after marrying into the Shen family, had spent all her time complaining and rarely even left her room — let alone cook.
Now on the counter sat a plate of crisp green cold cucumber salad and a plate of fluffy, tender scrambled eggs. Just looking at them made one’s mouth water. The steaming pot of vegetable congee was even more fragrant.
Gu Shengsheng was puzzled. She had only made two simple side dishes because she was starving — was that really so surprising?
Sister Li helped carry the congee and dishes upstairs. Gu Shengsheng followed behind, casually asking a few questions about the kitchen.
Sister Li knew much more about kitchen matters and answered every question:
“The meat in the refrigerator is replaced every two days. Fruits, vegetables, and rice all come from the family farm.”
Gu Shengsheng nodded. So that was it. She had noticed that spiritual energy in this world was thin, and most ingredients contained many impurities — especially meats. But certain vegetables were clean, and there was even a bag of rice that faintly carried spiritual energy.
Gu Shengsheng said to Sister Li:
“In the future, keep all the ingredients sent from the farm for the young master. You can take the replaced ones home.”
Sister Li was stunned, then overjoyed. She thanked Gu Shengsheng profusely. The Shen family was extravagant and never kept overnight ingredients. In the past, Zhang Ma and her relatives had controlled the kitchen and skimmed off plenty of profit.
Sister Li had heavy family burdens and no connections, so she had always been bullied among the maids. Today she had taken a big risk and bet on the right person!
Sister Li secretly resolved: she would definitely follow Madam Gu from now on!
Gu Shengsheng saw every change in Sister Li’s expression. Right now she had no reliable people under her. Sister Li was quick, clean, and observant — she was worth training. This small favor would let Sister Li know: she never mistreated her own people.
======
Gu Shengsheng pushed open the bedroom door, voice bright and cheerful:
“Breakfast is here!”
Shen Wang was still lying in bed. At the sound, he only slightly turned his head, expression indifferent.
Gu Shengsheng sat on the edge of the bed:
“I made congee. Do you want some? Hmm? Come on, eat a little — the congee I made is really delicious.”
Shen Wang didn’t say a word. Gu Shengsheng was the only one talking, and she spoke as if negotiating gently. She looked like a spoiled girl, yet she was surprisingly patient when taking care of her husband.
Sister Li, who was setting out the food, pricked up her ears and couldn’t help sneaking a glance at Shen Wang.
It was the first time she had clearly seen his appearance. What a beautiful man — pale and handsome, exuding an overwhelming air of nobility. Clearly not an ordinary person. What a pity he was blind and crippled… Before she could look longer, Shen Wang suddenly turned his head.
A powerful wave of pressure hit her. Sister Li’s knees buckled; she nearly dropped the bowl.
Gu Shengsheng also noticed Shen Wang’s lack of cooperation. She said gently:
“Sister Li, I’ve got it here. You can go out first.”
Sister Li fled the room as if escaping. It took her a long while to calm down, cold sweat still trickling down her back. Zhou Ma and the others had been right — Sir was terrifying. Poor delicate Madam.
Gu Shengsheng turned back:
“Sister Li is gone now. Ready to eat? I’ll help you sit up.”
Shen Wang: “…”
Gu Shengsheng took his silence as agreement. She leaned down again, wrapped her arms around his shoulders, and worked hard to lift him upright.
From behind, their chests pressed tightly together — it looked like an intimate embrace, necks entwined. Shen Wang was completely weak and far too heavy. Gu Shengsheng panted heavily; her warm breath spilled across his neck, carrying the sweet scent of fruit.
A small patch of skin on Shen Wang’s neck prickled with goosebumps. His hand shot up and pinched the back of her neck.
“No memory at all. I told you — don’t touch me!”
Gu Shengsheng let out a small yelp. He hadn’t actually hurt her, but she felt wronged anyway:
“If you don’t eat, do you want another nutritional shot?”
Shen Wang frowned irritably and pretended not to hear.
Gu Shengsheng got angry too. She picked up the bowl meant for him, blew on a spoonful to cool it, and ate it herself. She crunched loudly on the cold cucumber salad:
“So good~ You really don’t want any?”
Shen Wang said nothing, sitting there like he was in deep meditation.
If it weren’t for the loud growl from his stomach.
Gu Shengsheng held the bowl under his nose and gently stirred the congee. The rich rice fragrance rose warmly in the cold winter air, wrapping around them. Hunger and his empty stomach screamed in unison, begging for food.
Shen Wang gritted his teeth. Finally, he said:
“…Help me sit up.”
For a moment, Gu Shengsheng felt the humble joy of someone who had spent ages coaxing a wild cat — and finally gotten a tiny acknowledgment.
This time, Shen Wang cooperated fully and let her help him sit upright. After the high fever, every muscle in his body ached and felt weak. Just sitting up made his breathing quicken.
Gu Shengsheng tucked a pillow behind his waist so he could sit more steadily. Then he said:
“Wash hands.”
“What a young master,” Gu Shengsheng muttered in an old-lady tone, completely forgetting how spoiled she herself used to be at home.
The comment made Shen Wang’s face darken again. When Gu Shengsheng pressed the hot towel to his hand, he swatted it away.
She caught his wrist firmly.
Gu Shengsheng chattered on:
“Do I have to wipe them for you too? Fine, fine — you’re so clean-obsessed.”
Shen Wang: “…”
Before he could snap back, the hot towel was already on his face. The steaming cloth gently wiped his cheeks; the girl’s touch was soft and careful, completely at odds with her complaining words.
The faint chill that had just begun to rise on Shen Wang’s body was smoothed away by the warmth.
Gu Shengsheng finished wiping his face and hands, then studied his pale, jade-like features. A sudden wave of maternal feeling rose in her chest. This was way more interesting than her old Morro doll.
“Want me to feed you?”
“No!” Shen Wang refused flatly.
Gu Shengsheng looked a little disappointed. She placed the bowl in his hands:
“Blow on it to cool it down before you eat.”
When Shen Wang took the bowl, his wrist suddenly trembled. Gu Shengsheng reacted quickly and caught it — only a little warm congee spilled. Luckily the porridge had cooled somewhat.
She hurriedly wiped his hand with a towel:
“Good thing it didn’t burn you. Let me feed you after all.”
Shen Wang’s lips pressed into a thin line again.
Gu Shengsheng started analyzing the situation in a long ramble:
“You’re so weak right now because you won’t eat. If you don’t eat, how will you have the strength to hold the bowl? Come on — let me feed you.”
What kind of logic was that?
Before Shen Wang could retort, a spoonful of warm congee was already at his lips.
The moment it touched his tongue, something in Shen Wang seemed to vibrate. Taste buds dulled by months of bitter medicine suddenly woke up. The unique fragrance of rice flooded his mouth. He swallowed before he could even savor it properly.
Shen Wang frowned, but the refusal he wanted to speak died in his throat.
Gu Shengsheng frowned too.
This was the first time anyone had reacted to her cooking with such a bitter, vengeful expression. Was the food in this world not good, or had Shen Wang’s sense of taste gone wrong?
She paused with the next spoonful in mid-air:
“If you don’t like congee, I can make something else…”
“No need to go to the trouble,” Shen Wang interrupted.
Gu Shengsheng stared at him blankly. Then he lifted his chin slightly, showing a trace of impatience:
“Congee.”
“Oh! Oh!”
Gu Shengsheng quickly brought the spoon back to his lips. Watching him open his mouth and swallow, she broke into a huge smile:
“It’s delicious, right? I cooked it myself!”
Shen Wang ignored her again. He simply swallowed one mouthful after another. His furrowed brow slowly relaxed.