Chapter 546: The Difference
The next day at noon.
During the lunch break, Xu Hongyi really brought a bento box to Young Master Sang’s side, her face familiar and affectionate as she said, “Boss! Try the fish-flavored shredded pork I made!”
Young Master Sang looked at the vibrant and tempting dish and fell into deep thought.
…She really learned?
Could it be that this was her favorite thing—cooking?
“Try it!”
Xu Hongyi blinked her beautiful eyes, filled with joy and anticipation, “I found a bunch of recipes online and studied hard for a long time!”
Young Master Sang fell silent for a moment. After dismissing the possibility of being poisoned, he figured he wouldn’t dampen her spirits.
He picked up his chopsticks, took a bite, and suddenly froze.
“Delicious, right?” Xu Hongyi propped her head up with a smile. “If you like it, I’ll cook something different next time—”
“…Wait a second.”
Young Master Sang’s face turned pale, looking like a zombie as he pointed at the bento box and stammered, “Have you, uh, tasted it yourself?”
“I have!”
Xu Hongyi seemed puzzled. “It should taste the same as yesterday, right?”
The same?
Was the only thing they had in common the name?
Young Master Sang simply couldn’t find words to describe what he felt the moment he tasted the shredded pork.
He was shocked that there could be a dish in this world that made him feel overwhelmingly bitter, salty, spicy, sour, and sweet at once.
It was as if, the moment he bit into it, he witnessed the chaotic disaster that was his life.
Seeing Young Master Sang’s hesitation, Xu Hongyi’s smile slowly faded, and she cautiously asked, “Is it… not good?”
Young Master Sang didn’t know how to respond.
Anyone with a functioning palate could tell how hellish this dish was.
But Xu Hongyi didn’t look like she purposely made a disgusting meal to torment herself.
Her eyes flickered with disappointment, self-reproach, and frustration.
Finally, she silently lowered her head.
“…I’m sorry,” Xu Hongyi said softly. “I—I’ll study some more…”
Young Master Sang pondered for a moment and suddenly asked, “As a Primordial Deity, don’t you usually enjoy food?”
Xu Hongyi opened her mouth, then shook her head.
“The last time I ate was over fifty million years ago.”
And even that wouldn’t count as food.
It was an unfortunate divine snake that dared to cross her path.
Young Master Sang scratched his head and decided to phrase it gently: “Well… maybe you haven’t had human food in so long that the concept of taste has grown faint.”
“It’s okay; you should adapt over time.”
Xu Hongyi nodded silently.
Perhaps it was just Young Master Sang’s illusion, but he felt like he saw a hint of glistening and grievance in her eyes.
Even though he knew it was likely just an act for his sake, it was rare for a man to be so stern when a girl looked at him with such tearful innocence.
“Never mind. Just leave the bento here.”
Young Master Sang sighed lightly and said, “After all, there’s no food for lunch. This, despite having a lot of room for improvement, will fill your stomach.”
“I’ll eat it later.”
Xu Hongyi then slowly raised her head and nervously asked, “Can you really eat it?”
What if he couldn’t?
He genuinely forgot to bring lunch today and was too busy to run to the cafeteria.
Though Xu Hongyi’s cooking was indeed toxic, it wasn’t necessary to crush her spirit over something so small.
“It’s your kind intention, after all.”
Young Master Sang helplessly said, “I’ll take it; don’t worry.”
“Yay!”
Xu Hongyi beamed again, then said earnestly, “Boss, don’t worry! Next time, I’ll cook something really delicious to make up for today’s disgrace!”
Young Master Sang was worn out from handling such an energetic girl, so he could only wave his hand.
Xu Hongyi cheerfully hummed as she was about to leave the room.
Suddenly, the office door swung open.
“Husband, I’ve brought you lunch—Miss Xu?”
Xu Hongyi’s expression changed slightly upon seeing Zhang Xiaoying, and she lowered her head with a faint smile, “Sister Xiaoying.”
“You also… came to bring lunch for the boss?”
“Ah,” Zhang Xiaoying gently lifted the food container with a warm tone. “I know my husband left in a hurry today and didn’t have time to bring lunch. So, I made a bit especially.”
Young Master Sang immediately stepped forward, naturally wrapping his arm around her waist while quietly whispering in her ear, “Why bother coming all this way?”
“I originally planned to have Aunt Yu bring it, but Little Ying You was sleeping, and I had some free time, so I brought it myself.”
Xu Hongyi stood motionless, observing their intimate exchange.
Her figure appeared thin like a piece of paper.
“Wow, is this the food made by Miss Xu?”
Zhang Xiaoying glanced at the table and seemed surprised, “Is this fish-flavored shredded pork too?”
“Miss Xu is so thoughtful! You noticed that my husband likes fish-flavored shredded pork at last night’s banquet, right?”
Xu Hongyi fell silent for a moment and then suddenly picked up the bento box from the table.
Then she put on a smile.
“…No.”
“I made it because I like eating this dish. I’m not very skilled yet, so I just wanted the boss to taste the difference.”
“Now.”
“…I already know the difference,” she muttered softly, her beautiful eyes cast down.
Before the two noticed her unusual emotions, Xu Hongyi suddenly resumed her previous energetic and vibrant state. “Boss, Boss’s wife, you enjoy! I’m off now.”
With that, she smiled and waved her hand casually, taking the bento box with her as she left.
Once she was gone, Zhang Xiaoying wondered, “Miss Xu… didn’t seem too happy?”
Young Master Sang replied, “Huh? Really?”
“…Dear, you really have no sensitivity to a girl’s feelings at all.”
Faced with Zhang Xiaoying’s sigh, Young Master Sang merely scratched his head in confusion.
——
——
Walking out of the office, Xu Hongyi took one step at a time.
Until she returned to her lonely and empty room.
She quietly set her utensils on a pristine table and opened the bento box.
Then.
Alone, she took bite after bite.
Silently finishing all that shredded pork.
With each bite, she paused, chewing repeatedly, as if trying to imprint every single cell in her tongue with that taste.
That taste.
Was called terrible, she told herself.
…It’s alright.
There’s still time.
I will make a flavor that will make him remember me.
All along, she ate silently and without a sound.
Until she finished the entire dish, Xu Hongyi then stood expressionless.
She casually tossed the bento box out the window.
The bento box fell for just a moment as if crushed into dust by an invisible force.
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