Chapter 604: Knocking
For a few minutes, Cheng Ling and Jiang Qilan stopped moving. They sat at opposite ends, enjoying their dinners quietly, thinking about their own thoughts.
The elegant violin and the clinking sound of the knife and fork hitting the plate echoed in the restaurant.
When the night fell over the manor, the servants lit the fire in the fireplace, and the jumping flames gave people a warm and safe feeling.
Jiang Qilan looked up at Cheng Ling who was eating seriously opposite him.
At this moment, he finally understood his father's feelings when his mother decided to leave her family and travel a long distance to the dangerous war zone.
——He was busy with official duties and had to take care of two children, and it was unknown whether his wife could meet again after this separation.
However, his father never heard a complaint, nor did he show any negative emotions.
Thinking of this, Jiang Qilan cheered up.
His situation was much better than his father's. At least Cheng Ling would visit him in America every once in a while——
In the remaining time, he had to cherish every minute and every second. The memory at this time would become a good medicine to relieve his longing in the long years to come.
Jiang Qilan put the cut duck meat into his mouth with a fork, but he couldn't taste anything——
He couldn't help but look up at her again. She was sitting opposite him, within reach, so playful, so pretty, so... able to eat.
The five plates in front of Cheng Ling were all cleared.
And Jiang Qilan had just eaten half of the main course.
Cheng Ling noticed his gaze, picked up the red wine glass, took a sip of red wine and said: "Mr. Fang, what's wrong? Is the food not to your taste?"
"It's okay, but I just don't have a good appetite recently."
Cheng Ling blinked and asked: "I wonder if you like Chinese cuisine?"
Jiang Qilan was stunned and instantly understood her implication.
So, he nodded reservedly: "I am obsessed with Chinese culture, history, antiquities, food, and also beauties."
Cheng Ling put down the red wine glass and said very happily: "I want to borrow your kitchen tomorrow. Please allow me to prepare three meals for you tomorrow. My cooking skills are pretty good..."
The servants in the restaurant looked at Cheng Ling in surprise when they heard her say this.
They questioned with their eyes: the ladies of the upper class wanted others to help them even pour a glass of water. What's more, the dirty kitchen is a place where only servants would set foot. Isn't this a self-degradation?
Besides, what if her food is not cooked and the master gets sick after eating it?
If the master is wise, he should immediately reject her request.
"Dear Miss Cheng," their master replied in a brisk tone, "I am very much looking forward to it, and even hope it will be tomorrow. Tirus——"
The butler stepped forward.
"Sir?"
"Whatever tools, dishes, seasonings, etc. Miss Cheng needs for cooking tomorrow, you must find a way to satisfy her."
"Yes, sir." The housekeeper bowed and returned to his original position.
Cheng Ling noticed that the housekeeper raised a tiny sneer at the corner of his mouth.
It seems that the people in Fang Family Manor did not have much respect for Jiang Qilan.
Jiang Qilan's environment was originally very complicated. If the people around him were still impetuous, it would be more difficult for him to do things.
Cheng Ling could also guess the reason: Brother Lan must never order servants around at will.
After all, he had to take care of his own food and daily life since he was very young, and he had to take care of his younger brother. He was used to being independent.
Now that there are a lot of servants around him, he must be very uncomfortable, and he will probably try to avoid having people serve him?
- But in the eyes of the servants, it is the young master who does not know how to order servants around.
So, they are not afraid of Jiang Qilan.
Cheng Ling picked up the silk napkin, wiped the corner of her mouth gently, looked up and smiled at the butler: "Mr. Tirus, right?"
The butler nodded. His expression was arrogant.
Cheng Ling said in a condescending tone: "I need you to go to the nearest Chinatown for me to buy some spices. In addition, you need to help me download a Chinese software called [Chef God] - it is not available in the Apple Store, you need to go to the Chinese website, download one, and then grant permissions..."
After listening patiently, the butler showed an embarrassed expression, but his tone was very sure: "Miss, I'm sorry, I don't understand Chinese, what if I buy the wrong spices? Moreover, I am not very good at network things - I suggest that you chat with the host tomorrow, and leave the cooking to us professionals..."
"How dare you!" Cheng Ling threw the silk scarf that had been used to wipe her mouth at the butler, "Is this your attitude towards guests?"
The butler looked at Cheng Ling in astonishment.
Cheng Ling said to Jiang Qilan angrily: "Mr. Fang, I have also been to many nobles' homes. I have never seen such a butler - he would refuse to do anything when asked to do something. The butlers I have seen are not proficient in computers, home decoration, electrical work, cooking, gardening... They are not proficient in everything, but they are all capable. Even if they encounter something they don't understand, they will find a way to figure it out-"
Cheng Ling cast a contemptuous look at the butler: "And your butler - treats your guests in this tone, and makes the decision on his own to cancel your plan to taste Chinese cuisine?"
Jiang Qilan's face sank and he looked at the butler.
His cold gaze made the butler shudder.
How could he forget that this illegitimate child is not an ordinary person-although he looks easy to talk to, he is not a good person-
The butler panicked and explained: "I...Sir, I'm sorry..."
Cheng Ling crossed her arms, looked at the butler whose hair had turned gray, and said coldly: "Mr. Tirus, you are at least fifty years old, right? Do you know how difficult it is to find a job outside now? In our country, people over thirty-five, if fired by the company, will face the risk of not being able to find a job--"