Rejected by the Campus Belle, I Find My True Love-Chapter 184 - 182: The Awkward Si Wen

Despite being mentally prepared, Si Wen was still stunned by the scene inside the market when she arrived.

"This... This is just too dirty and chaotic, isn’t it?"

Si Wen felt like she had nowhere to even step. She couldn’t imagine how Lin Xi managed to come to such a place alone and buy a whole bunch of ingredients to take back.

"Miss Si Wen, this is what a wet market is like," Auntie Shen explained patiently. "It isn’t considered particularly dirty or messy. It’s just that there are so many people, and the ingredients are usually prepared on the spot to ensure freshness. That’s why it seems this way."

"Can’t we just buy these at a supermarket?" Si Wen asked.

"Of course we can," Auntie Shen replied. "However, compared to a supermarket, the market has fresher produce and a much wider variety, especially in the morning. If we want a specific ingredient, it’s best to come here early, because it’ll be gone by the afternoon. Even if there’s any left, it’s usually the scraps others have passed over. So, you see, grocery shopping and cooking isn’t such an easy task."

"Indeed." This only made Si Wen wonder even more how Lin Xi managed to come to the market and shop all by herself.

Auntie Shen led Si Wen to a black pork stall and began carefully selecting some ribs. Si Wen stood off to the side, lightly covering her nose, clearly wanting to keep her distance. She was starting to regret coming here.

Just then, a young man and woman approached. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

The young man asked the woman, "Babe, what do you feel like eating?"

The woman pointed to the pork stall. "I want to have sweet and sour ribs."

"Then we’ll buy ribs."

"Okay."

The young man walked up to the stall and asked politely, "Boss, could you cut a piece of ribs for me?"

"Sure thing!" the owner replied, quickly cutting a piece and thoughtfully chopping it up for him.

After paying, the young man asked the woman what else she wanted to eat. She replied, "Don’t just think about me. What do you want?"

"I’d love the boiled fish you make."

"Then let’s go buy a fish."

...

The couple’s voices faded as they walked away, and their conversation became inaudible. But one could easily imagine them discussing how to prepare their dinner for the evening.

"You know, a market is also the place most bustling with life. Being able to shop for groceries and cook with the person you love... that is a happiness in itself," Auntie Shen remarked sentimentally.

"I suppose so."

Si Wen was young and didn’t have a boyfriend, so she couldn’t yet relate to such a feeling. But Lin Xi must have understood it. That must be why she was willing to do all this.

Auntie Shen didn’t say much more. After finishing their shopping, they headed home.

***

On the other side of town, Xue Yang had finished all the food Lin Xi had brought him. After he was done, he tidied up the thermal lunch box and put it back in its bag.

"Okay, I won’t disturb your work any longer. I’m going to head back now," Lin Xi said. She knew that the more of his time she took up now, the later he would get home in the evening. She wanted him to get back sooner, so she urged him to return to the company as soon as he finished eating.

"I’ll call a car for you."

"No need. I came in Si Wen’s car. She came over today, too. She’s at home with Auntie Shen now."

"Alright. Be careful on your way back." With Si Wen’s chauffeured car to take her, Xue Yang didn’t need to worry.

"I will. You should get back to the office now," Lin Xi said, before turning and scurrying off.

Watching Lin Xi’s figure, as if she were making a hasty escape, Xue Yang shook his head with a helpless chuckle. That little girl sure runs fast. He had just been thinking of giving her a kiss as a reward for going through all the trouble of bringing him lunch.

Not wanting to delay any longer, Xue Yang walked briskly back to his company. He really did need to speed up his work.

As for Lin Xi, it wasn’t until she was sitting in the car that she suddenly remembered she’d forgotten to give Xue Yang a kiss before she left.

What a huge loss.

Feeling a bit down, she leaned back in her seat with a pout. The bodyguard glanced in the rearview mirror, saw Lin Xi’s utterly dejected expression, and didn’t dare ask what was wrong.

When she got home, Lin Xi placed the lunch box on the table and plopped down on the sofa, hugging a stuffed toy without saying a word.

Auntie Shen came out of the kitchen and saw her sitting there, looking somewhat unhappy. "Young Miss, you’re back. What’s the matter? Did you not get the food to him?"

"It was delivered. He was very happy and said your cooking was delicious. He praised me, too, saying the soup I made was the best he’d ever had."

"Then why do you look so unhappy?"

"I forgot... Never mind. Where’s Si Wen?" It was her own fault for forgetting. Oh well, there was plenty of time in the future. She would just have to get one back from him then.

"Miss Si Wen is in the kitchen learning how to make soup."

"Si Wen? Learning to make soup?" Lin Xi immediately pushed her earlier displeasure to the back of her mind.

"Young Miss, Miss Si Wen is taking it quite seriously. She’s already failed a few times, and this is her last attempt..."

"Don’t worry, I won’t discourage her," Lin Xi said with understanding.

Auntie Shen smiled faintly and followed Lin Xi into the kitchen.

Inside, Si Wen was wearing Lin Xi’s pink apron and wielding a large spoon with a posture that looked like she was heading into battle.

As soon as Lin Xi entered, she took a deep sniff. "Wow, that smells so good!"

"Really?"

Lin Xi placed her hands on Si Wen’s shoulders. "Of course! When have I ever lied to you?"

Si Wen sighed with relief. "Thank goodness. If I failed again, I was going to start suspecting I’m really not cut out for cooking. Go wait outside for a bit, it’ll be ready soon."

"Okay."

Lin Xi returned to the sofa. Having run back and forth, she was indeed a bit tired. She couldn’t imagine how exhausted Xue Yang must be, having to commute like this every day and coming home so late. She decided she would go to bed early and continue bringing him lunch tomorrow.

After about half an hour, Si Wen emerged carrying a tureen of soup.

"Lin Xi, come and try the soup I made!"

"Okay!"

Si Wen ladled a bowl for Lin Xi, Auntie Shen, and herself, then took the remaining portion and put it back in the kitchen. "Hmph, lucky for that brat Xue Yang. This is the very first soup this young lady has ever made."

When she returned, she asked eagerly, "Have you tried it yet? What do you think?"

"Not yet, trying it now," Lin Xi replied. She took a spoonful and put it in her mouth. Her expression immediately froze. She frantically shot Auntie Shen a look for help.

Auntie Shen also took a sip, and her expression was equally priceless. She had already told Miss Si Wen not to add too much salt all at once. When you’re not familiar with it, it’s best to add a little and taste as you go. But Miss Si Wen simply wouldn’t listen. And the result...

Lin Xi couldn’t hold it in any longer. With a pained look, she asked, "Si Wen... how much salt did you put in here?"

"Is it very salty?"

"It’s not just very salty. It’s *extremely* salty."

Si Wen deflated. "It seems I really have no talent for cooking."

"It’s okay," Lin Xi comforted her. "Your family has a professional chef, so you don’t need to learn how to do this anyway."

...

But she also wanted to be able to cook for someone she loved one day.

"Look, we’re on vacation now, so you can come over and practice every day," Lin Xi offered.