The Ger's Contract Marriage [BL]
Chapter 55: In the Kitchen

Chapter 55: In the Kitchen

Xu Feng watched the two girls quietly working in the kitchen. Both Si and San were generally hard workers, but they were working extra hard today.

The soft clinks of utensils and items being gathered were the only noise filling the air. Despite the hustle and bustle from earlier, Si and San seemed absorbed in their tasks.

Today, Si’s usually playful movements were more purposeful, and there was a hint of determination in her eyes. She chopped vegetables with swift, controlled motions as if trying to outdo herself.

San, on the other hand, was the more animated of the two. Normally, she would be more controlled but the two guests in the kitchen seemed to pep her up. She still had a focused expression, but she was more excited than usual.

The fire in the stove was lit, San had washed and put a pot of brown rice on. The vegetables were being handled with care by Si, and the preserved meat was ready for Xu Feng.

Even after the morning’s mess with the elders, the girls were servants of the Xuan family. If they had the chance to look good in front of the Xuan young master, they would take it. He was the next patriarch and their young mistress’s husband—the perfect Xuan to curry favor with.

Despite the fall just a few moments ago, they were already so forgiving of their young master’s small scandal.

*Puff

Xu Feng didn’t want to embarrass the two "hardworking" girls, but it was too cute for him to take. The two were certainly hardworking, but it was obvious they were trying even harder than usual because of the two guests in the kitchen—Xuan Yang and Xuan Jian.

Why were these two Buddhas in his kitchen? Xu Feng didn’t really know.

After righting themselves from the fall, the young master and his lover were both much quieter but still emitted relaxed auras. Whatever spell they were under from the pressure release had worn away to some extent.

Xu Feng didn’t blame them either, he’d always had a talent for drawing in people who were stressed or frazzled. His easygoing, aloof, yet laid-back personality was a magnet for those who needed a little relaxation.

It was almost as if he had a special aura that soothed their nerves. And after the farce in the morning, they felt more at ease with someone who could empathize with some of their struggles.

They weren’t magically close, but they did suffer through the Xuan family’s "welcome" together. And Xu Feng liked the warmth he felt from Xuan Jian when he let his guard down.

Even the young master had slowly relaxed in Xu Feng’s company, revealing a more charming side.

Maybe his top talent before gaining wood abilities wasn’t his stunning face.

"Hahaha," Xu Feng couldn’t contain his laughter, finding the situation amusing.

Si and San knew their young mistress best. They were accustomed to his quirks; he was often quiet, saying something weird from time to time, laughing to himself for no apparent reason, or bleeding from his nose.

None of it fazed them. They didn’t show any big reactions and continued on with their tasks.

Meanwhile, the two men in the kitchen observed the silver haired ger. They could sense that something was a bit off about the ger too, but he wasn’t putting on an act to lower their defenses. He was just slightly...peculiar.

There were more important things to watch.

Xu Feng couldn’t decide what was funnier—being tossed around like a ragdoll by the young master and then witnessing the scholar’s face flush beet red or the entertaining show the girls were putting on in the kitchen for their guests.

Outside, snowflakes continued to fall, though not too heavily. The white blanket on the ground was thin, barely sticking. The world beyond the kitchen window was painted in serene winter hues, contrasting with the lively scene within.

The young master’s entourage had options. They could have retreated to the Budding courtyard, requested food from the main kitchen, or even dined with the rest of the Xuans—if they were in the mood for another round of drama.

Yet, they found themselves in Xu Feng’s Blooming courtyard. Right in the heart of the kitchen nonetheless.

Xuan Jian couldn’t help but silently contemplate the peculiar arrangement in the kitchen. While he had certainly been in kitchens before—he wasn’t as pampered as the young mater in this way—this one was different.

Despite his previous experiences in the Xuan main house in the capital, this kitchen surpassed his expectations. There was an outdoor portion, currently covered, that piqued his curiosity, but its purpose escaped him.

Regardless, everything was undeniably good-looking.

"It’s very interesting," Xuan Jian commented silently, complimenting the ger.

"It’s as unusual as its owner," Xuan Yang quipped, a smile playing on his lips as he made the jab.

The room was filled with an unexpected warmth.

Xu Feng responded with mock displeasure, "If you find it so strange, you’re welcome to head to the main kitchen to get something to eat."

Xu Feng couldn’t help but suppress a laugh as he noticed the two men avoiding eye contact with him. It was obvious that they hadn’t experienced his cooking skills before, so they hadn’t fallen under the spell of his culinary magic—he hadn’t caught any men by the belly yet.

Xu Feng didn’t need to wonder why Xuan Yang and Xuan Jian wanted to stay in his warm and friendly Blooming courtyard instead of going elsewhere.

He enjoyed their playful teasing, even though they were considered adults in Donghua. They were at the age when they could have a few kids of their own. Playfulness wasn’t something easy to come by for poor farmers’ children or the heir to a large family.

Playfulness was a good thing, and he was happy to share it with them.

With a smile, Xu Feng was ready to continue cooking, setting aside any thoughts about age or responsibilities. They were all here to enjoy the simple pleasures of life and have a good time.

"Let’s get cooking."