Drawing on his years of experience as a chef.
Toba Tenka keenly smelled a familiar scent permeating the air.
It was a unique aroma with a hint of cheapness.
Toba Tenka furrowed her brows.
After carefully identifying it.
“This is… instant noodles?!”
Toba Tenka confirmed the source of the smell.
“That’s right,”
“I just cooked a bowl of instant noodles.”
“I didn’t expect you to eat this kind of thing.” Toba Tenka turned to Gu Cheng with a look of disbelief, a hint of surprise on her face.
“I don’t usually cook.”
“I usually eat out.”
“But today is special, so I just cooked a quick bowl of instant noodles.” Gu Cheng explained.
“I see.”
Toba Tenka nodded after hearing this.
Her gaze fell on the bowl of instant noodles in Gu Cheng’s hand and the trash can with the packaging box.
Although it was just simple instant noodles.
Gu Cheng carefully separated the noodle packet from the other garbage, making it look neat and tidy.
“Master Gu Cheng,”
Toba Tenka’s tone became serious.
“Since you haven’t had dinner yet.”
“Let me make you a delicious dinner as a thank you!”
As she spoke, Toba Tenka lifted the shopping bag in her hand, taking out some ingredients.
Those ingredients were all of the highest quality.
It was obvious that they were expensive.
Gu Cheng was stunned when he saw these ingredients.
He didn’t take it seriously, simply saying “just cooked a bowl of instant noodles”.
Unexpectedly, Toba Tenka took it seriously.
“My cooking will not disappoint you.” Toba Tenka smiled slightly, a hint of confidence in her tone.
Hearing this, Gu Cheng looked at Toba Tenka’s confident expression and her red eyes that were as bright as rubies, he couldn’t help but feel a little curious.
Although he had never seen Toba Tenka cook before.
He had heard that Toba Tenka was a skilled cook, even working as a head chef in a high-end restaurant.
“Alright, then I’ll trouble you.”
Thinking about it, Gu Cheng nodded and agreed to Toba Tenka’s proposal.
Hearing this, a smile immediately appeared on Toba Tenka’s delicate face.
Then, she placed the ingredients on the kitchen counter.
“Then, please wait a moment, I will start preparing dinner right away.”
Toba Tenka spoke, and immediately began to busy herself.
She skillfully washed, sliced, and arranged the ingredients, her movements flowing naturally.
It was clear that she was an experienced chef.
Toba Rika followed into the kitchen.
But after a while, she was pushed out by Toba Tenka.
“It’s better if you don’t bother me at this time.”
“I was clearly trying to help!!!”
Toba Rika wanted to protest, but she was stopped by Toba Tenka’s gaze.
So, she could only stand at the kitchen door unwillingly, watching Toba Tenka busy herself in the kitchen, feeling frustrated.
Gu Cheng watched Toba Tenka working in the kitchen, then looked at Toba Rika who was kicked out of the kitchen, and couldn’t help but shake his head with a smile.
Seeing Gu Cheng smile, Toba Rika puffed out her cheeks angrily, like a little pufferfish.
“Master, what are you laughing at?”
“Nothing.” Gu Cheng shook his head and said, “I just think your sister must be a good cook.”
“Of course! My sister… no! The Holy Cook’s cooking is very good!”
“The food she cooks is praised even by five-star hotel chefs!”
Hearing this, Toba Rika became smug, almost spilling the beans.
Gu Cheng didn’t doubt Toba Rika’s words.
Because soon, the aroma of spices and sizzling meat wafted out of the kitchen.
At this time, “Gurgling~”, Gu Cheng’s stomach grumbled uncontrollably.
He awkwardly touched his nose, thinking to himself that he must have been really hungry today.
“Master, are you hungry?” Toba Rika seemed to hear Gu Cheng’s stomach rumbling, she looked up and asked with a naive look.
Gu Cheng nodded, “Yeah, I’m a bit hungry.”
“Then Master, just wait a little longer, it’ll be ready soon!” Toba Rika said, then tiptoed up, stretching her neck to look at the kitchen.
Seeing this, Gu Cheng couldn’t help but smile.
He could feel Toba Rika’s concern for him, which warmed his heart.
Time flew by, and after about half an hour, a tempting aroma wafted from the kitchen.
“Dinner’s ready.” Toba Tenka’s voice came from the kitchen.
Gu Cheng and Toba Rika stood up and walked towards the dining room.
There.
The dining table was already laden with a sumptuous feast.
There was braised fish with a rich color, aroma, and taste, fragrant sweet and sour pork ribs, refreshing vegetable salad… every dish was exquisitely prepared, making people salivate.
“Wow! It smells so good!”
Toba Rika exclaimed at the sight of the delicious food.
Her eyes were about to pop out of her head.
After all, there was only her and Toba Tenka at home.
They had never seen such a sumptuous meal.
“Alright, come sit down and eat.”
Toba Tenka came out of the kitchen carrying the last dish of soup.
She placed the soup on the table, then beckoned Gu Cheng and Toba Rika to sit down.
“Thank you, Tenka-nee!” Toba Rika couldn’t wait to pick up her chopsticks, grabbed a piece of sweet and sour pork ribs and put it in her mouth.
“Delicious! So delicious!” Toba Rika mumbled while eating.
Gu Cheng also picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of the braised fish.
The fish was tender and juicy, the sauce was rich and flavorful, the taste was indeed excellent.
“Delicious?”
Toba Tenka looked at Gu Cheng, with a hint of anticipation in her eyes.
Gu Cheng nodded, praising, “Yeah, it’s delicious, your skills are truly legendary.”?
Receiving Gu Cheng’s approval, a faint smile appeared on Toba Tenka’s delicate face.
“You’re welcome.” Toba Tenka said with a light laugh, then ladled a bowl of soup for Gu Cheng and Toba Rika, “Try this soup, I added some medicinal herbs to it.”
Toba Rika took a sip of the soup, her eyes lit up, and she exclaimed in surprise, “Delicious! What kind of soup is this? It tastes so flavorful!”
“This is made with ginseng, astragalus, yam, and other herbs, along with black chicken and some nourishing ingredients.” Toba Tenka explained.
“Oh~!” Toba Rika nodded as if she understood, then took another big sip of soup, seeming to be very satisfied with the flavor.
Gu Cheng also took a sip, the soup was indeed flavorful, with a faint herbal aroma, after drinking it, he felt warm all over, very comfortable.
The three of them ate while chatting.
Most of the time, Toba Rika was chattering non-stop, mostly about the fun things that happened in school.
Toba Tenka rarely got to relax and spend time with Toba Rika, so she listened quietly, occasionally chiming in with a word or two.
And, Gu Cheng was mostly focused on eating, occasionally responding to a few words.
The meal was quite harmonious.