Chapter 106: The Professor’s Test

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio  Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The crisp sound of falling knives and other utensils rang in the villa of the Shang family’s kitchen.

The butler appeared worried. He wanted to barge in a few times to investigate Qu Xiao’s situation, but in the end, he stopped, opting to pace back and forth at the door.

It was not until Shang Yan returned home in a wheelchair that the butler ran over with a sigh of relief. He bent down and whispered, “Boss, please speak sense to the Young Madam… If there’s anything you or the Young Madam would like to eat, I’ll hire the best chefs available to prepare the meal this instant. There’s no need for her to expend so much effort…”

Qu Xiao had already ruined two sets of cooking utensils in the half an hour she had spent in the kitchen. The cost of replacing those two sets would amount to a hefty sum.

The sight alone was enough to cause the butler heartache. Shang Yan peered over his butler’s shoulder, a look of surprise adorning his handsome features. “Did someone make her angry?”

“Madam seems quite happy. She said she wants to celebrate and personally cook dinner for you.”

The butler deliberated over his next words carefully. Whenever Qu Xiao prepared a meal, he could not help but shiver, feeling like he was about to sit for his last supper. The family had long since learnt to prepare ample medicine for the food poisoning they would undoubtedly suffer after consuming the Young Madam’s cooking.

Shang Yan motioned for him not to worry and quietly wheeled himself into the kitchen.

Qu Xiao wore an apron and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand when he entered. She was reviewing a cooking program, a frown twisting her features as she struggled to follow its instructions.

Shang Yan tried his best to be as quiet as possible, but the squeaks produced by his wheelchair were hard to mask. The sound alarmed Qu Xiao, who turned to the noise source.

So startled was she that the kitchen knife in her hands nearly drew an arc, slicing into the side of Shang Yan’s face.

Qu Xiao hurriedly reined in her movements. The sharp blade nicked her finger, drawing blood. She cried out in alarm as she covered her finger.

Shang Yan panicked. He grabbed hold of her hand and pressed it to his lips while calling for his butler to bring him the first-aid kit. The pair exited the kitchen and made their way to the living room to deal with Qu Xiao’s wound.

The tip of his tongue licked Qu Xiao’s fingertip, causing it to itch.

Qu Xiao lowered her head, a white cloud of steam streaming out of her red ears. She suddenly remembered the pot of stew sitting on the stove and tried to stand, but Shang Yan stopped her.

He forced her to his side and coldly signalled the butler to help. “Sit down and don’t move.”

Qu Xiao noticed that Shang Yan seemed a little angry. She sat on the spot pitifully and stole a glance at his frosty face.

She bit her red lips and endured the pain as she muttered softly, “I just wanted to cook dinner for you to express my gratitude. Who would have thought that choosing a recipe and following its instructions would be so complicated a process? I… I got a little impatient and created this mess.

“You shouldn’t have troubled yourself. All I ask is for you to be yourself,” Shang Yan paused and added, “You don’t have to study the methods other women use to please men to make me happy.”

Shang Yan’s movements were gentle as he treated Qu Xiao’s wounds, his dark eyes staring straight into hers as he spoke affectionately.

Qu Xiao silently withdrew her fingers, unable to control the small upturn of her lips.

In the background, Qu Xiao could hear a distinct beeping sound emitted by the pressure cooker in the kitchen.

Shang Yan hugged Qu Xiao’s slender waist. These few days, he had been busy with work. Every day, he would return home late. When he saw Qu Xiao sleeping soundly, he did not have the heart to disturb her. He buried his head in the crook of Qu Xiao’s neck, inhaling deeply. “You smell so good.”

“Stop it! Uncle Zhang is watching!”

Qu Xiao pushed Shang Yan away, a tingling sensation tickling her skin. It almost caused her to descend into a giggling fit. Almost.

A mischievous smile flashed across Shang Yan’s eyes as he opened his mouth and nibbled her earlobe. His hand grabbed Qu Xiao’s arm, and no matter how she twisted it, she could not break free.

Buzz Buzz —

The phone on the coffee table vibrated, disrupting the atmosphere.

Qu Xiao saw the name “Professor Lei” flashing on the screen. She pushed Shang Yan away anxiously and tidied up her clothes before answering the phone. “Hello? Professor, I have time. I’ll go over now!”

Qu Xiao hung up the phone and returned to Shang Yan’s side. She lowered her head and planted a kiss on his face.

“I’m going out for a while. I’ll be back soon!”

Qu Xiao carried her backpack anxiously and disappeared out the door like a swirling gale. Shang Yan returned to his senses and frowned deeply.

–

Qu Xiao showed the pass that Lei Qiming gave her to the guard stationed outside the university’s experimentation facility. The guard allowed her entry after verifying her details.

Qu Xiao quickly arrived at the top floor where Lei Qiming’s lab resided.

Lei Qiming was wearing a white coat and protective glasses. He heard the sound of footsteps and berated Qu Xiao for not following standard lab procedures, “Disinfect yourself outside. You’ll need to put on some protective clothing and glasses. Also, don’t forget to sign in at the register on the side. The university requires it for record-keeping purposes.”

“Okay.”

Qu Xiao looked around curiously. There were dozens of pots of green plants on the shelf in the laboratory.

She could identify a few herbs that were extremely difficult to grow. Most of them grew in extremely hot environments, which were only possible with the laboratory’s sensitive temperature controls to maintain a relatively stable humidity and temperature.

Lei Qiming put down his notes and called Qu Xiao over, “Don’t you want to join the research team? Help me organise the experimental data we collected today.”

“The corresponding data for each medicinal herb needs to be accurately rounded to three significant figures.

“The workload isn’t much; you need only record the data in these two books before you’re free to go.”

Lei Qiming handed the laboratory key to Qu Xiao and was about to leave when he turned around, saying, “If I discover any errors in the experimental data, you can wave this opportunity goodbye. If you cannot handle this much, then leave now.”

“Don’t worry. I promise to complete the task on time,” Qu Xiao stared at the two thick books of experimental data, the corners of her mouth twitching as she replied. Professor Lei was not testing her; he was torturing her!

She could not fail before stepping on the starting line! She would prove herself to Professor Lei and become a research assistant on his project!

Lei Qiming watched Qu Xiao as she buried her head in her work. He left the laboratory with his hands behind his back while shaking his head.