Chapter 47 - The Final Threshold of Happiness
Que Tang stared at the spread before her, the steam rising from the various dishes in a fragrant, swirling dance that teased her senses. She felt a strange, fluttering sensation in her chest—a mixture of profound gratification and a lingering sense of disbelief.
"I’m truly happy, but..." Que Tang paused, her chopsticks hovering indecisively over a perfectly glazed piece of meat. She looked up at the woman sitting across from her. "General Manager, have you completely abandoned your professional duties just to run off and learn how to cook? Is this your new full-time occupation?"
She couldn't help but wonder if this was some sort of tactical strike. Using such a high-level "capture" method on a self-proclaimed foodie like her felt almost unsportsmanlike. It was a direct assault on her weakest defense. In that moment, Que Tang felt the precarious foundations of her resolve crumbling; she was dangerously close to falling head over heels in love.
Lan Mi watched her with an expression that was a fragile blend of eager anticipation and the fear of rejection. Her eyes, usually so sharp and commanding in the boardroom, were now wide and shimmering, like those of a puppy waiting for a pat on the head.
Under that intense, hopeful gaze, Que Tang finally picked up a morsel and brought it to her lips. The flavors exploded across her palate—a perfect harmony of savory and sweet, the texture tender and succulent. It was a world apart from the disastrous first attempt Lan Mi had made in Que Tang’s kitchen. The improvement was nothing short of miraculous.
Que Tang’s eyes immediately welled with tears. How could it be this delicious? She swallowed, composed herself, and cleared her throat softly. "It’s... it’s very good."
Lan Mi’s face lit up instantly, a radiant smile breaking through her anxiety. "I’m glad. I’ll go back and study more recipes tonight. I want to try some new dishes for you tomorrow."
Que Tang remained silent, her mind reeling. She felt as though their roles had been completely inverted. In the original script of this "simple-minded" novel, Lan Mi was supposed to be the tragic female supporting character, yet here she was, acting like a devoted little wife, meticulously tending to Que Tang’s every whim. Meanwhile, Que Tang felt herself slipping into the role of the pampered CEO. At this rate, she was going to be spoiled into a literal pig.
*“Meow~ Host, you really should watch your weight,”* a familiar, cheeky voice rang out in her mind. *“Otherwise, be careful—the female lead might find someone else to dote on.”*
Que Tang’s internal brow twitched. *“You’re one to talk, you fat cat. You have no right to lecture me on weight.”*
*“Meow-wu! I’ll have you know I just came back from an upgrade in the snack treasury,”* Xiao Xianggu replied indignantly. The black cat appeared in her mind’s eye, preening its fur with an air of superiority. *“I spent several days in the ‘Cat-Catch-Mouse’ amusement zone. I caught so many mice that I’ve actually lost weight! I’m practically svelte now!”*
*“So you only came back to start stuffing your face again?”* Que Tang countered, ruthlessly exposing the cat’s true intentions.
*“Hmph! Just you wait. You still have twenty points of Happiness Value to earn. You’d best look out for yourself, Host! Meow~”*
*“Wait, wait a minute,”* Que Tang interjected, a headache beginning to throb behind her temples. *“Things have been so sweet between us lately. Why hasn’t the Happiness Value budged at all?”*
It was a genuine concern. Ever since she had agreed to give Lan Mi another chance to pursue her, the Happiness Value had surged to eighty in a single leap. But since then, it had remained stubbornly stagnant, as if it had hit an invisible ceiling.
*“Host,”* the cat said, its voice dropping into a tone of mock-seriousness, *“it’s because your chastity is still intact. You need to work harder on that front. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go eat some biscuits. Meow~”*
Que Tang’s face flushed a deep, burning crimson. *“You... get lost! Right now!”*
