chapter 25
Cooking with a Top Female Star (1/2)
When the sky showed the first light of dawn, Fang Zhou was already in the kitchen downstairs.
The production team had prepared the ingredients; they only needed to be processed.
Today marked their third day on the island, and the previous breakfasts were mostly fast food, either sandwiches or bread.
Today, Fang Zhou planned to make something different, a fish noodle soup.
The most troublesome part of making fish noodle soup was simmering the fish broth, and the heat had to be just right.
But this was no challenge for Fang Zhou, after all, he was someone who cooked for himself.
He first descaled a fresh carp, gutted it, removed the innards, then rinsed it clean with water before starting to prepare the other ingredients.
“Fang Zhou, let me help you.”
A delicate voice appeared behind him, and turning around, it was Qiao Sisi, his partner.
She wore green overalls today, paired with her pink hair, instantly becoming a beautiful sight.
Initially, there weren’t many viewers watching the live broadcast around seven in the morning, as everyone was busy going to work or catching the early bus, but after Qiao Sisi appeared, many comments started flooding in.
“Ah! Sisi looks so cute today! I’m in love!”
“Sisi’s making breakfast today? Can she really do it? I’m crying, so jealous of these guests, getting to eat a female star’s cooking!”
“Wuu, if I get another chance, I definitely want to sign up for the love variety show and cook with Sisi!”
Fang Zhou only glanced at her briefly before looking away, shaking his head in refusal.
“No need, go take a seat. Breakfast will be ready soon.”
Fang Zhou’s tone was as flat as if he were commenting on the fine weather, leaving Qiao Sisi utterly unable to detect a hint of affection.
She bit her lower lip and thought to herself: Why can you talk to me so calmly, as if you don’t know me at all?
Just as Fang Zhou thought she would sit down, a pair of fair and slender fingers reached out from the side, delicate and pink as if they belonged in a comic book.
“I can do it.”
Qiao Sisi snatched the garlic he was peeling, swiftly cleaned it, and then moved on to wash the chili peppers.
Fang Zhou, resigned, let her be and turned to fry the fish.
Heating the pan, adding oil, and frying the fish – his movements were quick and steady, captivating Qiao Sisi and slowing her own pace.
Fang Zhou glanced over; the ginger was washed but not yet cut.
He moved to chop the scallions, ginger, and garlic, but Qiao Sisi anticipated his intention and grabbed the knife first.
“Let me do it. You keep an eye on the fish, don’t overcook it.”
Fang Zhou looked at Qiao Sisi skeptically, silently questioning, “Can you handle it?”
He remembered that Qiao Sisi had never set foot in the kitchen before, and there wasn’t a single clip of her cooking online.
Qiao Sisi responded with swift and precise knife skills, laughing as she said, “I’m a star, not helpless in life.”
And what was with that doubtful look, as if she would cut herself?
Did he really think she’d be foolish enough to catch the knife with her hands? Besides, injuring her hand would really interfere with work.
With just a few moves, the live comments were already praising Qiao Sisi to the skies.
“Sisi is such a dexterous girl, so skilled at chopping. She’s truly charming!”
“Oh, I’m so hungry for Sisi’s cooking, it’s making me starve.”
“I shouldn’t say this, but they seem quite a match, standing in the kitchen like an old married couple.”
Fang Zhou glanced over, making sure Qiao Sisi hadn’t cut herself, then flipped his fish.
25 Cooking with a Top Female Star (2/2)
It wasn’t that he was overreacting; Qiao Sisi was just too delicate.
In the past, even a minor bump during their outings could make her cry for ages, and only Fang Zhou’s various efforts to console her would suffice.
If she cut herself, Fang Zhou could imagine the whole villa being woken by her fuss.
“Step back a bit.”
Fang Zhou reached for the ginger slices, but Qiao Sisi beat him to it, placing them in his hand with a beaming smile, telling him, “I’m your assistant; just tell me what you need.”
It was rare for her to lower herself like this. Her behavior at the moment was less about putting on a show for the camera and more about pleasing Fang Zhou.
With Qiao Sisi’s current status, she didn’t need to pander to the audience for popularity; she was the biggest draw herself.
Suddenly, Fang Zhou recalled a joke he had made in the past when he was with Qiao Sisi.
“Cherish the fact that I’m cooking for you now, or else you might not get a bite when you’re my sous-chef later.”
Was it just a joke, or did Qiao Sisi actually remember it until now?
Fang Zhou found it unlikely. She was always so busy, memorizing countless lines every day; how could she possibly remember his offhand remark?
The fish was almost done. Fang Zhou added the seasonings and then poured in boiling water to stew.
The soup had to be simmered until it turned a rich, creamy white to be delicious.
He took rice noodles out of the fridge, planning to make something simple—just add some greens, and it would be enough.
Seeing him frying an egg in another pan, Qiao Sisi washed the greens and set them aside.
“Wow, what are you guys cooking? It smells amazing!”
“This scent, it’s kind of like fish soup, isn’t it? Do we have fish soup?”
It was already 7:30 AM, and everyone had started to get up for breakfast, lured by the aroma and peeking in.
Qiao Sisi responded with a smile, “Yes, today Chef Fang Zhou has made fish noodle soup, and it’ll be ready to eat soon!”
Just as Fang Zhou’s noodles were about to be ready, Qiao Sisi stepped forward, intending to grab bowls and chopsticks to serve him.
But somehow, she slipped, and her whole body fell towards the floor!
Fang Zhou was right beside her and without a second thought, he quickly pulled her into his arms.
“Are you okay?” Fang Zhou asked softly, looking down at her.
People in the hall had witnessed the scene and started to tease.
“Wow!”
“A hero saving the beauty, haha!”
Qiao Sisi’s face turned red, a lovely blush spreading across her cheeks. She shook her head and stepped out of Fang Zhou’s embrace.
“I just slipped.”
Fang Zhou wasn’t sure if it was intentional, so he simply went around her to get the bowls and chopsticks himself.
“It’s fine, the kitchen floor is always wet.”
“Just sit down, you’ll be able to drink it soon.”
Fang Zhou didn’t dare let her carry the bowls, in case she slipped again and all his efforts from the morning would be wasted.
“Okay.”
With her face still flushed, Qiao Sisi sat down in the hall, her cheeks tinted with shyness, seemingly too timid to meet everyone’s gaze.
Only she knew in her heart whether that slip had been intentional or not.
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