Chapter 4: Winning a Man's Heart Through His Stomach

The moment she sat down and saw the table laden with food, she grabbed her chopsticks and started eating.

She polished off three bowls of rice in one go, even mixing the last bowl with a bit of the meat sauce.

She swept through nearly every dish on the table, leaving only a few lonely vegetable stalks spinning in the plates.

Aunt Wang's eyes nearly popped out of her head.

Aunt Wang had been the Chu family's nanny for fifteen years and had seen Madam in all sorts of moods. But she had never seen her eat so "without regard for her image."

Normally, Madam would only take a symbolic bite or two of each dish, then gently dab the grease from the corners of her mouth with a napkin.

But today... Madam wasn't just eating; she was eating with such relish.

Aunt Wang's heart drummed in her chest. She couldn't help but give herself a secret pinch.

Could Madam have a fever and be delirious? Or... is something terrible about to happen to the family?

At the thought, she instinctively looked up at the family portrait hanging on the wall.

In the photo, Chu Mulin remained as cold and imposing as ever.

Jiang Zaozao patted her slightly rounded belly, suddenly remembering something her Second Sister had once told her.

If you want to keep a man, you have to capture his stomach first.

At the time, she had rolled around laughing, thinking her Second Sister was being tacky and old-fashioned.

But now, those words were quietly taking root in her heart.

If I could cook fragrant meals every day, would Chu Mulin come home for dinner on time?

She gazed out the window at the courtyard, Chu Mulin's image forming in her mind.

How long had it been since he last ate at home?

She couldn't even remember.

"Aunt Wang, don't cook tomorrow."

The words had barely left her lips before Aunt Wang's heart sank.

Her chest tightened. She had worked for the Chu family for over a decade, long ago considering this place her own home. If she were really fired, where would she go? Her son was still in school, and her daughter had just gotten married. She couldn't afford to lose this salary at her age.

"Madam, is it that my cooking doesn't suit your taste?"

She quickly bent down to pick up the cleaning cloth, her tone tinged with a hint of wariness.

"No, your food is delicious."

Jiang Zaozao shook her head, her voice gentle. Seeing Aunt Wang's anxious expression, she felt a strange tug of sympathy in her heart.

The old woman truly took this job as a responsibility, and even as a sense of belonging.

"I just want to cook a meal myself, for them to taste."

Aunt Wang almost thought her ears were playing tricks on her.

What kind of joke was this?

In Aunt Wang's memory, Madam couldn't even crack an egg.

Once, she had tried to boil noodles but ended up burning the pot dry, nearly starting a fire.

After Sir had thrown a furious tantrum over it, Madam had never stepped foot in the kitchen again.

Now she was suddenly saying she wanted to cook herself. Could she have suffered some kind of shock?

Aunt Wang forced a dry laugh, wanting to say something but afraid of saying the wrong thing and angering Madam.

In the end, she could only squeeze out a single sentence: "Then... may I help you prepare?"

After eating her fill, Jiang Zaozao didn't wait for Chu Mulin to return.

She leaned back on the sofa, cupping a glass of warm water in her hands. Her stomach felt warm and cozy, and her whole body finally relaxed.

The phone screen lit up and then dimmed, but there was still no message from him.

She looked down at the time; it was already half past eight in the evening.

He won't be coming back. She should have gotten used to it long ago.

Since when had he stopped sleeping in this room with her?

She gazed at the large double bed in the master bedroom.

Once, they had sat side by side, talking about work, chatting about the weather, and dreaming of the future.

But one day, without her knowing, he had moved into the guest room next to the study.

Instead of sitting here waiting, I might as well go to sleep, she thought.

I'll wake up early tomorrow and make a hot breakfast. I can use that time to try and get closer to him.

She stood up and walked slowly toward her own bedroom.

Opening the wardrobe, she took out a soft nightgown, changed into it, and slipped into bed. The bed was warm, yet she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing.

She turned over, burying her face in the pillow, and a sudden smile touched her lips.

Tomorrow, I'll wake up early and buy the freshest vegetables.

She snuggled deeper into the covers, a smile still lingering on her face.

In her dream, she was in the kitchen, spatula in hand, the pan sizzling on the stove. Chu Mulin stood behind her, his arms gently wrapped around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder. "Smells delicious," he whispered.

She laughed out loud and turned to hug him, but her arms met only empty air.

When she opened her eyes, the sky was still dark.

But she was already wide awake.

The next day.

In the garden below, Aunt Wang was pruning the roses.

Jiang Zaozao sat up, rubbing her eyes, and checked her phone.

Ten o'clock!

No way!

She'd set her alarm for seven!

The screen showed five missed calls, all from Aunt Wang.

She slapped her forehead in frustration. This body is so useless.

But it doesn't matter. Today is the first day she's truly back in control.

She threw off the covers and stepped onto the carpet, the chill creeping up from her soles.

Even if I only have thirty days, I'm confident I can handle everything!

She tied her hair into a ponytail in front of the mirror.

The woman in the reflection had bright eyes and a confident smile. Where was any trace of her former, timid self?

Taking a deep breath, she turned and walked to the walk-in closet, choosing a light blue knit sweater and a cream-colored maxi skirt.

Since I missed breakfast, I'll make a lavish lunch and bring it to Chu Mulin.

Downstairs, Aunt Wang had already returned from the market and was busy in the kitchen as usual.

Aunt Wang, wearing her apron, was plucking vegetables. Hearing footsteps, she looked up and saw Madam. She immediately stopped what she was doing, a forced smile appearing on her face.

"Madam, you're up? I was just about to start cooking. Perhaps you'd like... a glass of warm water first?"

Jiang Zaozao smiled and walked over.

"Aunt Wang, I'll make lunch today."

Jiang Zaozao tied on an apron, clumsily wrapping the straps around her back and tying them in a knot. She looked down at the crooked bow on her chest and couldn't help but chuckle.

Then, she turned and walked to the kitchen sink.

The faucet was turned on with a whoosh, and a stream of clear water washed the dirt off the green vegetables. She washed them one by one, her fingertips turning slightly red from the cold water.

Next, she picked up the kitchen knife and started chopping. The shredded potatoes were uneven in thickness, and the carrot slices were inconsistently thick and thin.

Aunt Wang stood at the kitchen doorway, her hands clasped in front of her apron, her eyes wide with shock. She rubbed the corners of her eyes and stared intently for a moment longer before she dared to be certain.

Madam was actually cooking!

Last night, she had been kicking herself for not recording Madam's promise to cook tomorrow.

But now it seemed Madam hadn't forgotten. Not only had she remembered, she'd even put on an apron and gotten to work.

As Jiang Zaozao lit the stove and began to stir-fry, the pan heated up quickly, and the oil began to shimmer with tiny bubbles.

Sizzle!

The minced ginger and garlic hit the pan, releasing a sudden, intense aroma that wafted straight into Aunt Wang's nose.

Her feet moved forward before she could stop them, and she leaned in to peek into the pan.

The next second, she watched as Jiang Zaozao unhesitatingly dumped in a handful of chopped dried chilies.

The bright red chili pieces crackled in the hot oil, sending up a pungent cloud of spicy white smoke.

Aunt Wang's heart tightened. The words "Sir doesn't eat spicy food!" almost escaped her lips.

But she choked them back just in time.

She quickly pressed her lips together and took a half-step back.

Forget it, she thought. Whether Sir eats it or not is up to him. At worst, he'll just frown. But if I run my mouth and upset Madam, it's my wages that will be docked.

Finally, Jiang Zaozao checked her reflection in the hallway mirror before heading out.