Cooking and the Taste of Everyday Life

Most people would get a little uncomfortable being stared at so openly. Serena definitely would—she still remembers how she blushed and her heart raced when Nolan stared at her in the carriage. But Nolan?

After that first glance at Serena, Nolan didn’t do anything else. He just kept eating quietly, acting like Serena was invisible.

If you looked closely, though, you’d notice Nolan’s movements weren’t as smooth as usual. There was a hint of stiffness, maybe even a bit of effort—like he was trying to prove something. Not that Serena noticed any of that.

Serena was secretly annoyed. Just a moment ago, her silent words had made Nolan blush and his heart race—so why was it, now that she was looking at him, he didn’t react at all?

Not willing to accept defeat, Serena tilted her head and sent Nolan a playful, flirty look, her face breaking into a sweet smile. She looked like watching Nolan eat was the happiest thing in the world.

She didn’t believe for a second that Nolan wouldn’t react.

Too bad—whether Nolan misunderstood her or Serena’s flirting just missed the mark, he didn’t blush or get flustered at all. Instead, his movements grew even more elegant, as if the food in his bowl was way more interesting than Serena.

Serena loved watching him eat, so Nolan took his time, letting her look all she wanted.

He managed to turn a simple bowl of rice into an art form. By the time Nolan finally finished, Serena felt totally defeated—her arms couldn’t hold her up anymore, so she just slumped onto the table and asked weakly, “Nolan, is the food at the Imperial Menagerie Grounds really that good?”

If you keep this up, I’ll start thinking you came here just for the food, not for me.

“Not bad. What, you don’t like it?” Nolan glanced at Serena’s empty bowl, looking genuinely puzzled. He’d watched her eat with such appetite and speed—no way she didn’t enjoy it.

“It’s fine. I’m really not picky about food.” After half a month of surviving on compressed rations, she never complained. Hot, fresh food like this—what’s there to dislike? Her stomach was already trained to be indestructible. As long as it filled her up and gave her strength, Serena would eat anything.

“So, nothing you especially love?” Nolan remembered some advisor’s tip: if you want to win a woman’s heart, pay attention to her clothes and her food. He couldn’t help asking.

Serena thought for a moment, then shook her head without hesitation. “Nope.”

“Anything you really hate?” Nolan was secretly pleased. Good—she’s not obsessed with food, so she must be disciplined and easy to please.

“No.” For her, food was only about nutrition, not about likes or dislikes. But…

Suddenly, Serena’s eyes lit up. She perked up and looked at Nolan expectantly. “Nolan, do you think food tastes extra delicious if it’s cooked by someone you love?”

Food cooked by Serena herself?

Nolan’s eyes brightened. He glanced down at the table, imagining replacing all the dishes with ones made by Serena. If that happened, he’d eat every last bite.

Nolan was secretly delighted, nodding repeatedly. “Definitely.”

Was Serena really planning to cook for him? Nolan felt his mood suddenly lift.

He didn’t even know Serena could cook. Nolan almost wished he could drag her straight back to his West Courtyard and have her wash her hands and make soup for him. He could easily eat three more bowls right now.

“If I could eat food made by the person I love, I might be able to eat two more bowls.” Serena beamed at Nolan. He was so smart—surely he’d catch her hint, right?

Just picturing Nolan with a cold face, wearing an apron, chopping and cooking in the kitchen for her—Serena couldn’t help but laugh.

The taste of real, everyday life—Nolan probably had no idea what that was like.

“I’d eat every last bite.” Nolan declared seriously. No matter how much Serena cooked or how it tasted, he’d finish it all.

Serena paused. Wait—did Nolan misunderstand? She was just about to explain when a guard rushed in: “Ninth Royal Uncle, Miss Serena, Miss Su Wan is awake and throwing a fit. She says she wants to see you both.”

Nolan and Serena exchanged a smile—looks like their post-meal entertainment had arrived.

“Come on, let’s go see.”

And so, their conversation ended. Afterwards, Nolan waited and waited at Ninth Prince Manor, but Serena never did cook for him. Frustrated, he wondered if maybe cooking was just too hard and she hadn’t learned how. So…

One day, Nolan personally showed up in the kitchen. Instantly, chaos broke out—servants panicked, wondering if the food they’d been sending up lately had somehow offended their lord.

But all Nolan said, with a mysterious air, was, “Carry on.” Then he just stood there, unmoving.

He thought standing off to the side wouldn’t bother anyone, but his mere presence made it impossible for the whole kitchen staff to focus. Orders were orders—they couldn’t slack off, but they also couldn’t let Nolan see them slacking, so the cooks and maids nervously kept washing and chopping, busier than ever.

Everyone wanted to impress, but their nerves got the best of them and mistakes kept piling up.

A maid washing vegetables got her hand scraped by fish scales, turning a whole basin of water red. Nolan winced, instantly picturing Serena’s hand getting hurt. He decided, even if Serena wanted to cook, she should never handle fish—he couldn’t stand the thought of her getting hurt.

A cook, hoping to show off his knife skills, ended up so nervous he sliced off his own thumb. Nolan’s eyes narrowed—if Serena wanted to cook, she definitely shouldn’t be chopping vegetables. Maybe just stick to dishes that don’t need any cutting.

The head chef wanted to show off his stir-frying technique—he fired up the wok, hoping to impress Nolan with his skills. But his nerves got the better of him and the flames shot up, singeing his eyebrows.

Nolan imagined Serena’s eyebrows getting burned and shivered all over. He quietly turned and left the kitchen.

Forget it. He’d better not let Serena anywhere near the kitchen—it was way too dangerous.

From then on, no matter how many times Serena hinted—either outright or subtly—that she wanted to cook for the person she loved, Nolan would either dodge the topic or change the subject. One way or another, he made sure Serena never got near a stove.

Serena was totally frustrated, secretly cursing Nolan as a blockhead. She’d made her point so clear—how could he not get it? Sure, maybe a gentleman should stay out of the kitchen, but she wasn’t asking for much. Even if Nolan just cooked a bowl of porridge for her, she’d be happy. But at this rate, she’d probably never taste food made by Nolan’s own hands…

Serena and Nolan hadn’t even reached Su Wan’s room yet when they heard her inside, throwing a tantrum and smashing things. Serena was glad the rooms at the Imperial Menagerie Grounds were so simply furnished—otherwise, Su Wan’s rampage would’ve cost a fortune.

Bang—a teapot hit the door, splashing tea all over Nolan. Serena, standing behind him, could tell right away Nolan let it happen. With his skills, there’s no way he couldn’t dodge.

Sure enough, as soon as Nolan stepped inside, he ordered, “Seize her! Miss Su Wan just tried to assassinate me—tie her up!”

“How dare you! Let me go—Nolan, I didn’t—” Su Wan screamed, struggling wildly, but the guards ignored her and tied her up anyway.

In the Imperial Menagerie Grounds, only Nolan’s orders counted!