Chapter 73
Let me teach Jason how to cook?
I was completely dumbfounded, frozen in place.
If Jason's expression wasn't so serious, I would have thought I was seeing things.
He wanted to learn to cook for me?
When this thought popped into my head, I couldn't believe it myself.
How was that possible?
For me?
Not giving me much time to overthink, Jason leaned closer, his eyes deep and intense. "If you don't get up, I don't mind carrying you."
I immediately jumped up from the couch. "No need!"
Are you kidding? Jason would take any chance to stick with me!
I rushed toward the kitchen.
Jason followed right behind me.
"The vegetables are basically all chopped. First, heat up the pan on low heat..." I tried to tell Jason what to do as carefully as possible.
Jason was wearing a pink apron, and surprisingly, it looked oddly fitting on him.
The pink color softened the cold, harsh edge he'd built up over these five years, making him seem more approachable instead.
Heat the pan, and add cold oil. When I saw the oil temperature rising, I immediately said, "You can put the vegetables in now."
Jason did as told, but because his movements were too forceful, the oil in the pan started splattering everywhere.
The man who always had everything under control in the business world looked completely out of his element.
He dodged the hot oil drops while frantically stir-frying the vegetables.
I leaned against the doorframe, amused by the scene in front of me.
Because Jason wasn't skilled at this, the heat was too high, and by the time the dish came out of the pan, it was already a bit burnt.
Black patches everywhere - it didn't look appetizing at all.
Jason held the plate, his lips moving but saying nothing.
I looked at the dish, then at Jason.
But this should be Jason's first time cooking, so I could cut him some slack.
Jason cooked the remaining two dishes as well.
Worth mentioning, these two dishes were much better than the first one.
"Jessica, come out and eat!" I called from the living room.
Jessica immediately ran out of the bedroom.
But the next moment, her smile turned into confusion. "Why doesn't today's food smell as good?"
I answered, "Because Jason cooked today."
Only then did Jessica turn to look at Jason, her expression showing undisguised disgust.
Jessica sat down at the table, looking at the blackened food on the plates with hesitation. "My teacher says people should use their strengths."
I teased, "Jessica, you're so smart! The things you say now are so philosophical."
Jessica proudly lifted her chin. "Of course! My teacher always says I'm a very smart student!"
"Then let me teach you something today." Jason wasn't upset about being criticized. He spoke gently, "People should be willing to try new things. Even if you don't do well, you shouldn't be discouraged. As long as you learn from your mistakes, you'll do better next time."
"You mean you're going to cook at home again?" Jessica's little face was full of resistance.
To make dishes Jessica would like, I had practiced my cooking skills for a long time.
Before Jason could answer, there was a knock at the door.
I put down my chopsticks and went to open it. I was greeted by Lily's bright smile.
"Got back a bit late. I was passing by and bought fried chicken, so I came to join you for dinner!"
Lily waved the fried chicken in her hand and peeked into the house.
When she saw Jason, Lily froze for a moment, then noticed the pink apron he was wearing and looked completely shocked.
"Mr. Cooper, I didn't expect you to be here!"
Lily quickly greeted Jason, then secretly gave me a thumbs up.
"Amazing, Sue! You actually got Jason to cook for you at home!"
Lily seemed to think of something and suddenly pulled me aside, whispering, "And when did you two start living together?"
"We're not. You're reading too much into it." I shook my head and looked at Lily helplessly. "He just comes over often. Today I accidentally cut my hand, so Jason cooked."
Lily gave me another thumbs up.
I had a feeling her misunderstanding had only gotten worse.
But the fried chicken Lily brought really saved the day.
I had been worried that Jessica wouldn't eat what Jason cooked, but now we had fried chicken.
Lily sat down next to Jessica before I could.
She didn't forget to wink at me. "Sue, you sit with Mr. Cooper."
The dining table was only so big, with only so many seats to choose from.
I nodded slightly and sat down next to Jason.
Lily and Jessica didn't touch any of the dishes Jason cooked, only eating the fried chicken.
I figured since Jason had put in the effort to make it, I should at least eat some.
Aside from being a bit bitter, it actually tasted okay.
Seeing that I actually ate it, Lily couldn't help asking, "How is it? Good?"
"I think it's not bad," I answered honestly.
Lily and Jessica exchanged glances before tentatively reaching out with their chopsticks.
"It's bitter." Jessica stuck out her tongue. Jason promptly placed a glass of water in front of Jessica.
Lily shook her head and teased Jason, "Mr. Cooper, your cooking skills really need work. Why don't you sign up for a class and learn properly? They say if you want to win a woman's heart, you have to win her stomach first. If you could win Sue's stomach, wouldn't you win her over?"
What was she saying?
My eyes widened, trying to use my gaze to remind Lily not to talk nonsense.
But Lily just gave me a reassuring look.
How was I supposed to feel reassured? This was complete torture!
Just as I was thinking about how to break the awkwardness, Jason surprisingly agreed good-naturedly, "Okay, I'll arrange it when I get back."
After dinner, I was about to wash the dishes when Jason stopped me.
"Your wound can't get wet." Jason reminded me. He rolled up his sleeves methodically, revealing his strong arms. "Leave the dishes to me. Don't worry, I have experience now. I won't make a mess everywhere like last time."
With that, he collected the dishes and went to the kitchen.
I had nothing else to do, so I sat on the couch chatting with Lily.
Lily leaned over, shoulder to shoulder with me. "Sue, I think Jason is really great. He's the head of Glacier Corp after all. Usually, he has so many people serving him, but he's willing to cook for you. Just that alone - how many men in the world could do that! And he's helped you so many times, right? Just with your car problems, he's helped twice already."
Lily glanced toward the kitchen and lowered her voice, "After all this time, I think Jason is sincere. Why don't you think about it again? Give him a chance?"