“This cheesecake is actually very good,” Adrian commented after eating a small piece of the cake. “Can you give me the details of the person who taught you how to make one?”
“Fo course,” Demi smiled demurely as everyone started praising her cake. She eyed Zhou Jingren, waiting for him to compliment her. However, he never even laid his eyes on her. The man was leaning towards Lily, whispering at her ears while Lily pouted and blushed. Demi was not able to stop herself from wondering what kind of words was he saying to her ears.
Demi lowered her head as tears started to pool in her eyes. She felt offended. She is embarrassed and insulted. Were they making jokes about her cake? Were they whispering insults towards her belief? She gritted her teeth as she remembered her father’s words about this marriage.
At first, Demi wanted nothing of it. Why would she agree to marry a man that she didn’t even know? However, seeing his image sent some emotions inside her that she had never known before. She liked him. She started thinking about the man that she is about to marry, researching about him and his business.
When Demi discovered that the man is already owned by another woman, she was furious. Demi lost count of the number of vases that she broke because of the news. How could this happen? Her impulsed immediately told her to take action. So, she urged her father to allow her to work with Old Man Lee.
Her purpose was simple. She knew that working with the old man would give her more opportunities to meet him. Demi knew that she could easily create an ‘accidental meeting’ with Zhou Jingren. However, she could not just show up in his life and introduce herself as the woman that he should be with. She rolled her eyes inwardly before she plastered the same gentle smile on her face. She lifted her head and looked at Zhou Jingren again.
To Demi, the man was the epitome of perfect- his perfect jaws, his sharp and cold eyes, his built. He was just perfect for her. The fact that he was a Lee and an owner of a bank is just an added bonus to his charm.
When Lily’s small giggles reach her ears, Demi felt another wave of an angry emotion surged inside her. She balled her hands into a fist, her fingernails grazed her palms. Unbeknownst to her and everyone else, Lily and Zhou Jingren were not talking about anyone else in the room but were only teasing each other.
“I think your cooking is still the best,” Zhou Jingren whispered, ignoring everyone else’s glare.
“Are you mocking me, Mr. Zhou?” she fired back. “I may not be good at cooking but I have a certain set of skills that will make you crave… more.” She glanced towards his neck and wet her lower lip.
“What?” the intensity in his voice immediately sent shivers down Lily’s spine.
“Eating.” She smiled before she leaned closer to his ears. “You.” Lily beamed, victory gleaming in her eyes.
“You are such a tease, Mrs. Zhou.” He whispered back. “Why don’t you… elaborate more on this… skill?”
Lily widened her eyes, surprised at his words. She could feel heat spreading on her neck. She knew that she was turning scarlet. “You know, this is such the wrong time to flirt.”
“Is there a wrong time for flirting with you?” he stroked her back, a smile blooming on his face as he raised an eyebrow at her.
“How was it?” Isaac’s voice interrupted them. “The cake. Does it taste good?” he asked. Seeing Zhou Jingren and Lily smile and whisper to each other almost made him slap the table in anger. All he wanted right now is to tear off that smile that Lily’s face. However, he chose to control himself. Once Zhou Jingren will leave Lily, he could have his chance to have his own revenge against the arrogant woman.
“Good.” Zhou Jingren answered. He then looked at Demi. “Are you perhaps looking to create your own restaurant? Or maybe work as a personal chef? My wife would surely love to eat your cheesecake every day.”
“Stop it.” Lily elbowed Zhou Jingren. “I don’t eat cakes every day.”
“Hmmm… true. Sorry… I used the wrong term. It should be devoured.” He laughed and stared at her dotingly. When he first met her, Lily already like eating donuts and other sweets. She might not be a good cook but she is very good at eating.
“Hey! I am not that greedy!” Lily pouted. The couple was about to start another round of teasing each other when Isaac interrupted them.
“It is good. As expected of Demi. I know you will like her cakes.”
“Actually, I am not into sweets.” Zhou Jingren said. “But my wife is.”
A flash of irritation gleam in the old man’s eyes. How could Zhou Jingren always include Lily every time he answered him? Why was he treating her like a goddess?
“You are embarrassing me,” Lily said before she stared at Demi. “Of course, I won’t mind it if you become my personal baker.”
“I— ” Lily’s smile was blinding. It was so bright that Demi avoided her face as she gathered all the courage that she had. “I’m sorry. That is not possible.”
“Why?” Lily asked, disbelief in her eyes. “If you like it, I can triple your salary. I am a very generous woman. I can even give you a monthly bonus if you create something special for me.”
Demi glanced at Old Man Lee. However, before she could say anything, Zhou Jingren suddenly stood from his seat.
“Excuse me. I have to take this call.” He kissed Lily’s forehead before he left the room. Leaving a smiling Lily behind.
“Yes? You were about to say something?” Lily continued. She lifted an eyebrow at Demi.
“Enough!” Old Man Lee said. He narrowed his eyes at Lily. “You have been disrespectful all night. The only reason why I am putting up with this act is because of my grandson. I will not allow you to insult a virtuous woman who did nothing to you!”
“Virtuous,” Lily uttered. She dragged the word, making sure that everyone can hear the sarcasm in her tone. “I was not aware that being virtuous requires coveting someone else’s husband. Is that the new meaning of the word?”
