Chapter 31: Transcending the Ordinary and Entering Sainthood in Cooking (Part 1)

  This fork opened up a topic and really made Liu Xiuzhen recall the past, so Liu Xiuzhen slowly told some of her past stories.

  Liu Xiuzhen's mother passed away when she was still in elementary school, and it was her father who raised her. Liu Xiuzhen's father was also a well-known entrepreneur in Hangzhou, and he was a master of the external family of Wulin, "Thunder Hand" Liu Zhimi. He was a famous figure in both the black and white worlds. Unfortunately, not long after Liu Xiuzhen returned to China, her father also passed away due to illness. The orphaned Liu Xiuzhen could only watch as her uncles divided up the family property, leaving behind only the villa by West Lake. Through her own hard work, Liu Xiuzhen was able to create the current situation. Because Liu Zhimi was a man of his word in the Jianghu world, people from the underworld still showed him respect, and even though he had passed away, no one came to cause trouble or collect protection fees at the bar opened by his daughter. Otherwise, how could Liu Xiuzhen have continued to operate the bar on her own? As for what happened abroad and Liu Feifei's biological father, Liu Xiuzhen did not mention it, and Zhang Huban wanted to know but didn't dare ask.

  Perhaps it was the memory of her late father that made Yoo Hye-jin particularly vulnerable, and tears fell unintentionally on her pale face. Looking at Yoo Hye-jin, who usually looked like a strong woman, now seemed so fragile, Jang Ho-bin couldn't help but feel a special tenderness, lovingly embracing Yoo Hye-jin in his arms.

  Leaning on Zhang Hu's broad and sturdy shoulders, smelling the strong masculine scent emanating from his body, Liu Xi Zhen felt especially comfortable and at ease, as if she had returned to her father's arms in childhood, that kind of warmth and security. Liu Xi Zhen's worried and disordered heart slowly calmed down, no longer thinking about annoying things, just quietly gazing at the rippling West Lake and the people flowing like ants.

  The two of them just quietly snuggled up together, neither of whom was willing to break this wonderful harmony. However, beautiful things are always not as expected, a few young people who didn't know the fun also climbed onto this place, interrupting the tacit warmth between the two.

  "Do you know why I asked you to accompany me today?" Yoo Hee-jin asked softly.

  "I don't know."

  "Guess what!" Yoo Hee-jin said with a pout.

  Although he hasn't been in the secular world for a long time, Zhang Huban has already understood some of the festivals. Since today is not any festival, it should be Liu Xizhen's special day without saying much.

  "Heavens! Today is the birthday of our incomparably beautiful Yu Hui-jin!" exclaimed Jang Hu-ban.

  Zhang Huban's exaggerated voice attracted the attention of several young people who had just come up, although Liu Xijun was no longer a girl, but being loudly called a beauty in front of so many people still made her blush with shame, stomping her foot angrily and twisting Zhang Huban's arm fiercely with her jade-like hand. Although Zhang Huban had the protection of his immortal aura, he didn't dare to pretend to be unaffected by the beauty's favor, so he bravely endured the pain of Liu Xijun's attack with his mortal body, of course, it hurt so much that he was grinding his teeth and crying out in distress.

  Looking at Zhang Huban jumping around with his arm twisted by himself, Liu Xi Zhen laughed happily and said in a low voice: "See if you dare to be so reckless in the future."

  Zhang Hu Pan's face was innocent, and he said with a wronged tone: "Is it wrong to say that you are beautiful?"

  Looking at Zhang Huban's bitter melon face, Liu Xi Zhen let out a snort and couldn't help but smile again. This one smile was truly indescribably charming and captivating, leaving Zhang Huban to forget his pain as he stared foolishly at Liu Xi Zhen, then foolishly said: "So beautiful!"

  This time, Liu Xiuzhen didn't turn around to look at Zhang Huban, but a red glow flew up to her face, and she turned her body to ignore Zhang Huban again. However, in her heart, a wave of sweetness and happiness arose.

  "Oh no! I didn't prepare a gift!" Zhang Huban exclaimed.

  Seeing Zhang Hu's anxious and tense appearance, Liu Xi Zhen felt a warmth again. She could truly feel that this big boy next to her was sincerely hoping to give her gifts, rather than many men who only tried to please her because of her beauty and body.

  "That's a penalty!"

  Women are born unreasonable animals, Zhang Huban thought to himself. You didn't tell me today is your birthday, how would I know? It's so unreasonable! Of course, Zhang Huban wouldn't say what he was thinking out loud, instead he nodded repeatedly with utmost sincerity: "Yes yes yes, it's only right, Sister Hee-jin can punish me however she wants, who made me forget Sister Hee-jin's birthday?! You want me to act like a monkey for you today, I admit it, as long as you're happy that's all that matters!"

  "You still can't tell, when will you learn to be as smooth-tongued as Ho Chi Minh and the others? Alright, I know it's not your fault, I didn't tell you that today is my birthday!" Liu Xi Zhen gave Zhang Hu Pan a charmingly reproachful glance.

  Although Zhang Huban's heart strongly agreed with Liu Xizhen's words, his mouth didn't dare to be careless at all, and he repeatedly said: "It's still my fault for not caring about your birthday, Xizhen sister!"

  Looking at Zhang Huban's frightened appearance, Liu Xizhen couldn't help but laugh again, pretending to be angry and saying: "Alright, stop learning from Ho Chi Minh and his gang, that won't work on me. I won't punish you today, so come with me to stroll around the street and have some food!"

  Although Zhang Huban did not agree with the view that all women thought accompanying a beauty to go shopping and eating was a kind of reward, he still pretended to be grateful and delighted.

  Time flew by and it was already 10 o'clock. Although the weather was a bit chilly, hiking still made Liu Xizhen, who hadn't exercised in a long time, sweat all over her body. As most women have cleanliness habits, Liu Xizhen was no exception. Seeing that they had finished exercising, she pulled Zhang Huban's hand and prepared to go home to take a bath first, then go out to eat and stroll around.

  Actually, Zhang Sanfeng also had a nickname called "Wine Topsy-Turvy Taoist", which shows that he was a man who loved wine as his life. Although he later became a successful Taoist, this hobby never changed, good wine must be accompanied by good food, and Zhang Sanfeng was no exception. As Zhang Sanfeng's disciple, Zhang Hu Pan naturally took on the role of chef, although he dare not say that his culinary skills were extraordinary, at least he would not lose to the imperial chefs in the palace. This is the personal evaluation of Zhang Sanfeng, who had eaten many royal dishes, which shows the high level of Zhang Hu Pan's cooking skills.

  Today is Liu Xi Zhen's birthday, Zhang Hu Pan suddenly had the idea to cook a few dishes for her. If he knew that this impulsive action would lead him to become Liu Xi Zhen's family chef from now on, he probably wouldn't dare say it out loud. After all, having cooked for over a hundred years, trying out a new dish or two is no big deal, but if he had to start his career all over again, that would be terrifying.

  "If Hee-jin sister doesn't mind my poor cooking skills, I'll have a meal ready for you by lunchtime today!" Zhang Hu-pan said with great humility despite his confidence in his culinary abilities.

  "What else can you cook?" Liu Xi Zhen looked at Zhang Hu Pan as if he were an alien, exaggeratedly circling around him.

  "Would I cook weirdly? If not, then forget it!" Zhang Huban, who was praised by his master as the best cooking disciple among all, seemed to have his self-esteem hurt by Liu Xizhen's disbelieving look and said with a bit of anger.

  "Hehe, I believe it! Let's go buy some groceries right away. My family hasn't cooked at home for a long time, this is great! Today we can finally eat at home! Come on, let's hurry up and go to the supermarket for a big shopping spree!" Liu Xi Zhen was so excited that her little face turned red, earlier she was saying she couldn't move now she's walking swiftly.

  Watching Liu Xijun quickly walking ahead, happily like a little girl, constantly waving at Zhang Huban, gesturing for him to hurry up, Zhang Huban shook his head and secretly sighed in his heart, women are truly incomprehensible creatures, it's just one meal, why make such a fuss?

  Before Zhang Huban could think clearly, Liu Xizhen, who had been waiting impatiently, quickly turned around, pulled up Zhang Huban and rushed down the mountain.