Chapter 75: Mr. Lu Shows Off His Culinary Skills

Hao Lei, standing to the side, felt a bit embarrassed by the fuss and hurriedly said, "That's enough, Auntie, please don't go to so much trouble for us. We really can't eat that much."

"Aunt Hao, Wang Ying has always been a handful since she was little—she must have caused you a lot of trouble at school. Our family doesn't have much to offer, so please, have a few more dumplings," Wang Ying's mother replied warmly.

No sooner had she finished speaking than Zhang Shen cut in, "Teacher Hao, Auntie is right. Even if you don't want more, you can't speak for the rest of us, can you? Besides, someone has already started on their second bowl!" As he spoke, Zhang Shen shot a look at Ye Qiong.

Indeed, as a young lady from a wealthy family, Ye Qiong had tasted all the best food, yet today she seemed utterly captivated by Wang Ying's homemade dumplings. Clearly, these dumplings suited even the refined palate of Miss Ye.

"If you like them, please have some more," Wang Ying's mother said with a smile, already bustling around to tend to other customers.

While most people were only halfway through their first bowl, Ye Qiong had already finished two, only stopping after a satisfied burp signaled her task was complete.

"Honestly, Miss Ye, why were you eating so fast? Did you forget what Teacher Lu said in the car just now?" someone teased.

Ye Qiong, still savoring the taste of the shepherd’s purse and shrimp filling, was clearly lost in thought and had no recollection of what Lu Ming had said.

"You goose! Teacher Lu promised to make us some of his signature dishes to try," Wang Ying said, giving Ye Qiong a light smack on the head.

"Right! How could I forget something so important?" Ye Qiong exclaimed, then paused, suddenly suspicious. "But wait—didn't you say that kind of cooking is only for showing off to your girlfriend?"

At that, Hao Lei wished she could throttle Ye Qiong. Was she being dense on purpose, or could she really manage to bring this up in the middle of eating dumplings?

"Exactly! That’s what he said," Zhang Shen chimed in. "So now, it's up to Teacher Lu to decide if he'll cook or not. Let’s see if we're lucky enough to get a taste today!"

He grinned at Lu Ming as he finished speaking.

Lu Ming understood immediately what Zhang Shen was getting at and replied, "Alright! Wang Ying, go ask your parents if I can borrow your kitchen for a bit."

"No problem, Teacher Lu. Use it as you please," Wang Ying responded.

Lu Ming got up and headed for the kitchen.

As he disappeared inside, Hao Lei turned to the others, "You little rascals, don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to—especially you, Zhang Shen. Did Lu Ming bribe you or something, to make you such a loyal supporter?"

Zhang Shen looked innocent. "Teacher Hao, you’re really wronging me this time. I’m genuinely trying to help you find a partner."

Hao Lei was immediately put out. Genuinely helping her find a partner? Was she really at the point where she needed that kind of help?

"Care to explain what you mean by that?" she demanded.

Sensing her irritation, Zhang Shen motioned her aside, as if he had something confidential to say.

Hao Lei, though wary, was always intrigued by Zhang Shen’s mysterious air, which usually meant something interesting was afoot.

Ye Qiong and Wang Ying, unable to join the conversation, simply stared at each other, wide-eyed.

"Go on, what is it?" Hao Lei prompted.

"Teacher Hao, I really am concerned for your health," Zhang Shen began.

"My health?" Hao Lei echoed, bemused as to how matchmaking could possibly be related to her well-being.

Seeing her skepticism, Zhang Shen explained, "Teacher Hao, remember the prescription I gave you last time, and the dragon’s tongue flower I brought you?"

"Of course I remember," she replied.

"And how has it worked?"

"Pretty well, actually, except..." Hao Lei trailed off, embarrassed to continue.

"Should I finish for you?" Zhang Shen offered. "Every night, your chest still feels a bit swollen and sore, right? That’s because your massage technique is too gentle—it’s not really effective."

Hao Lei said nothing, but her eyes confirmed he’d hit the mark.

"Medication helps, but you also need outside assistance. That’s why I want to help you find a partner—a strong, capable man who knows how to take care of people. So far, only Lu Ming fits the bill, so I thought of matchmaking you two."

Finally, Hao Lei understood. So, Zhang Shen wanted her and Lu Ming to get together, and then...

She dared not finish the thought. Was her condition really so dire that it required a man’s intervention? Couldn’t she just try a firmer massage herself at night?

"Well, I’ll leave it to you then," she said, resigned.

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

Hao Lei was taken aback by Zhang Shen’s sudden remark.

Before she could press him further, a call came from the table.

"Come on, you guys! Teacher Lu’s finished cooking!"

"Take it easy, Teacher Hao," Zhang Shen said. "This is all perfectly normal."

Hao Lei thought to herself: What kind of reassurance is that? This was clearly a setup, handing her over without her say-so. Still, she had to admit that she didn’t mind Lu Ming—if something did come of this, perhaps it would finally fulfill her long-standing wish to marry.

When Hao Lei and Zhang Shen returned to the table, they found plates of minced pork with eggplant and braised fish laid out before them, their aromas irresistible.

"Smells amazing!" they both exclaimed.

"These two already said that before you arrived," Lu Ming said, referring to Ye Qiong and Wang Ying. "Come, sit down and try them."

Admiring the dishes, Zhang Shen told Lu Ming, "Teacher Lu, your cooking is so impressive, we’re almost reluctant to disturb such a beautiful presentation."

He was, after all, trying to be helpful to the end.

"Yes, Teacher Lu, maybe we should just admire them," someone else chimed in.

Lu Ming, not quite grasping the joke, scratched his head and asked, "What’s wrong? Don’t you want to eat?"

Ye Qiong struggled to suppress her laughter, while Zhang Shen could hardly hold back his own.

"Teacher Hao, why don’t you be the first to taste Teacher Lu’s cooking?" Zhang Shen suggested with a grin.

Put on the spot, Hao Lei had little choice. She picked up her chopsticks, took a piece of fish, then a slice of eggplant, and began to chew slowly.

The group could tell Lu Ming was nervous. After all, it was his first time showing off his cooking skills in front of Hao Lei—he didn’t want to embarrass himself.

"Uh..." Hao Lei began.

Her hesitation made Lu Ming tense.

"Don’t worry, I was just burping. The food is excellent. You should all try it."

Relieved by her honest praise, Lu Ming finally let himself relax.