Chasing You (Arc 8+)

Showstopper (XV)

A/N: 2/14 releases.

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By the time the two arrived downstairs, the rest area and kitchen were teeming with people. Fortunately, Bai Taohua had the foresight and snatched a kitchen and island. Seeing that the couple was cooking and the staff member was still here, collecting the orders for the take out orders, he started to diverge from Xiao Rui's side. This caught the male lead's attention. He snapped his head back and asked in a rare confused state, "Where are you going, junior?"

He Xiao awkwardly laughed, "My meals are usually prepared by my manager and I can't cook, so I was going to place an order."

Bao Bao who was on the side choked on the non-threatening conditioned air and gave a 'aren't you ashamed for telling such blatant lie' face. His baby can cook and his cooking was superb! Hmph. If he can't cook, then no one else in the world would dare say that they're able to cook. He coughed and turned away. Ah dang it! He temporarily got sidetracked by his baby. Must go back and focus on the main task at hand. Heading through the ceiling, his figure disappeared.

Xiao Rui wasn't shocked by the news, it was common for many idols to not know how to cook. Eighty to ninety percent of the time, most were practicing on improving their dance, voice, figure, and confidence. The other twenty to ten percent were focused on relaxing, planning, and sleep. Where would most idols, especially those who were toward the bottom of the food chain who were struggling to rise or maintain their position be able to learn how to cook?

It was only as they gradually rise up in ranks would they be able to obtain a little more free time to do activities they wanted to. He waved off He Xiao's 'worries', "Don't worry as older sister Hua and big brother Xiu are able to cook."

With that, Xiao Rui strode over to the two who was busy cooking. Seeing that there was nothing wrong with being offered free food, He Xiao followed after. Sitting on a chair by the island counter, he was forced to eat dog food. Bai Taohua was an outgoing person who was fearless. She brazenly flirted and made intimate contact with Hai Pixiu by hugging, poking at his abs, and leaning on his figure.

The four kitchens were all busily occupied. Many of the contestants were awed at the number of ingredients that were available for them. Some went crazy and cooked whatever they wanted to. The fragrant aroma of mouth-watering food wafted through the air. There were many different types of cuisine being made, some were western cuisine, others were more European, and some were traditional dishes from Huaxia¹. For the majority of her meals, Bai Taohua ate mostly just Chinese cuisine and was unfamiliar with cooking any other type of cuisine, and so as the head chef, she decided to make some Chinese dishes. Serving their finished delicacies, He Xiao saw that they made some light dishes filled with nutrients. Not only were they careful about maintaining their diet, but they also wanted to make sure that their stomachs wouldn't become upset for the day after.

Smiling at He Xiao, Bai Taohua sat right next to him. "You don't have to order out, younger brother He. This big sister of yours will make sure that you're always fed~"

He Xiao accepted her offer unceremoniously, showing off his cute smile, "Than I shall accept, big sister's gracious proposal."

Sitting leisurely on the couch, Xiao Nongzang rolled his eyes. What a sickening group. He despised females like Bai Taohua who didn't know the meaning of 'modesty', continuously boasting her skills and constantly sticking her nose where it doesn't belong. Once he won the show and claimed the prize, he must make sure to deal with her. She had been a thorn to his side ever since her appearance.

As if his innate 'protective boyfriend' alarms were ringing, Hai Pixiu's eyes swept over. For the first time, He Xiao saw the gentle man turn cold as the winter air. His body oozed with a condensed threatening aura, almost thick enough where you could see it manifest.

Sneering, Xiao Nongzang met head-on with Hai Pixiu's glare unafraid. He was not a person without balls, okay? He had two right between his legs and wouldn't be scared off by this tiger's minacious gaze. Soon, he'll fall as well, it was only a matter of time before an old face has reached its expiration date and a new one will replace them.

He Xiao ate and acted ignorant as if what was going on didn't have anything to do with him. It was true, at least for now.

Finishing up, his phone vibrated and chimed a noise. Pressing the power button, his screen lit on and read the message sent to him.

{From: Loving Husband

Remember to rest for a bit before you exercise. Drink a lot of water and rest when you need. We miss you and so does our bed.}

Reading the last few words, He Xiao choked on the water he was drinking. The other three glanced at him with worried faces. Was it too spicy? Bai Taohua felt a little guilty as she loved spicy food and would always tune the dishes to her taste. Even though she held herself back this time and only made light dishes... It still contained a little pepper in one of the dishes. And when she meant a little, it was a little; a fourth of a thai chili pepper for taste.

She had forgotten to ask little shou if he could even eat spicy food. Noting down that she should ask him after, she helped patted his back. Hai Pixiu was also feeling culpable as her partner in crime. He was too used to indulging his little soon-to-be wife and forgot that many can't take spicy foods these days. But he looked at He Xiao's dish that had a speck of pepper seed. Was his tongue really that weak? He grew a little concerned for this new younger brother of his. Perhaps next time, they should make a dish that was sweet instead.

Xiao Rui shook his head inwardly but continued to eat in peace as if nothing happened. He doesn't know how to comfort people, so, he would just eat and leave it to his friends.

Unknown to He Xiao, he was labeled as someone who couldn't take a dish with a fourth a pepper by all three of them. His thoughts were focused on his lover's immoral text message. He could already imagine Mo Wang's sly face as he sent this. Patting his chest and regulating his breathing, he was finally able to calm his coughing fit after a brief moment. His fingers swiftly pressed on the message and tapped on the keyboard.

{To: Loving Husband

I will, and I miss you two too.}

He didn't bother to reply to the last part of his lover's text. It would only fuel his shamelessness and he might actually be digging a deep pit for himself when he goes back.

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¹Huaxia: '华夏' an archaic name for China.