Chapter 11 Classmate

Chapter 11: Classmate

Time ticked by, little by little, and a few more days passed.

Xie Fengshi was prepping ingredients in the back of the kitchen when Aunt Lin pushed the door curtain aside and poked her head in: "Xiao Xie, there's a guy outside who says he's your classmate, here to see you."

Xie Fengshi still had a kitchen knife in his hand, and he was taken aback: "My classmate?"

Aunt Lin said, "Come out and see for yourself."

Xie Fengshi washed his hands, took off his apron, and headed out. He was basically just clocking in and out at school; he didn't know a soul there. How could he have a classmate?

He stepped out and saw a guy about his age sitting by the window, wearing a light gray hoodie. Xie Fengshi recognized the watch on his wrist—a limited edition from some top luxury brand. In his predecessor's memories, Xie Yun had one just like it and treasured it like crazy.

The guy heard the noise and looked up. The moment he saw Xie Fengshi, his eyes lit up: "Xie Fengshi! It really is you!"

Xie Fengshi racked his brain using his inherited memories, but couldn't place who this guy was.

The guy was already on his feet, patting him on the shoulder like an old friend: "Me, Lu Shiyan! I'm the one you handed paint to!"

Xie Fengshi: ...

He'd handed paint to way too many classmates. How was he supposed to remember which one was which?

"Oh, right, Lu Shiyan. I remember now."

Lu Shiyan didn't notice Xie Fengshi's brush-off and smiled. "I was passing by outside just now and saw you, and thought I was mistaken. I didn't expect to find you actually working here! Great! I've been struggling to find a place to eat!"

Xie Fengshi: "Huh?"

Lu Shiyan pulled Xie Fengshi to sit down and started venting. This guy was also studying abroad; his family was in the new energy business. He was the youngest of the kids, with two older brothers and one older sister who had already taken over the family business, so he was basically just supposed to have fun and spend money.

Lu Shiyan looked indignant: "My brother bought me an apartment. It's great except there's no cook! He said he wants me to develop independent living skills, so he took the cook away!"

Xie Fengshi: "Can't you cook yourself?"

"Do I look like I can cook?"

Xie Fengshi gave Lu Shiyan a serious look. True to his name, he had the appearance of a pampered young master, the kind who's never touched a kitchen knife in his life.

"No, you don't."

"See! So I've been scouring the streets every day for food! I happened to pass by just now, saw you in here, and came straight in! People are saying your cooking is amazing."

Xie Fengshi was puzzled: "People? Who said that?"

"In the group chat." Lu Shiyan pulled out his phone, scrolled through it, and handed it to him. "Look, it's been going around these past few days."

Xie Fengshi took the phone and saw a message thread from the overseas Chinese students' group. The first message was from someone named "Meat Every Day": "Did you know? Xie Fengshi is working at a Chinese restaurant."

Someone immediately replied: "I know. Didn't Sun Zhiqiang say that Xie Fengshi got kicked out by his family and is waiting tables?"

"Eat All Day" replied with a string of ellipses: "No, you guys got it wrong—he's not waiting tables, he's the chef!"

"Really?"

"I'm not kidding! I went yesterday and holy crap, it was really good!"

Another chimed in: "I went too! His sweet and sour pork is amazing!"

"So that idiot Sun Zhiqiang went to pick a fight because the guy cooks well?"

"Hahahaha, he's back there flipping the wok while the other guy's jumping around at the door."

"Didn't they say anyone who talks to him is in for trouble? Then I'll go get myself in trouble tomorrow."

"Me too! Me too!"

Xie Fengshi couldn't help but smile. Sun Zhiqiang's stunt hadn't ruined his reputation; instead, it had brought more business to Lucky Fortune.

There had indeed been more overseas Chinese students coming to the restaurant lately. Xie Fengshi had thought it was a coincidence, but it turned out they were coming specifically for him.

Lu Shiyan leaned in: "See, they even praised you, so I came specially to try."

Xie Fengshi handed the phone back: "Then order whatever you want to eat."

Lu Shiyan flipped through the menu: "This, this, and this... forget it, just make whatever you're good at. I want to try everything you make!"

"Can you finish all that by yourself?"

"If I can't, I'll take it to-go!"

Since he'd said so, Xie Fengshi smiled and nodded, then went back to the kitchen. Uncle Li saw him come in with the ticket and handed over the wok: "Your turn."

Xie Fengshi tied on his apron and got to work. Meanwhile, Lu Shiyan was already outside chatting with Aunt Lin.

"I've heard of your family. Your family's really big in the new energy field."

Lu Shiyan scratched his head: "Auntie, you keep up with that stuff?"

Aunt Lin said with a smile, "My son works at the embassy. He talks about it all the time. You're alone abroad, you need to take care of yourself."

Lu Shiyan made a face: "I want to take care of myself, but I really can't cook."

Aunt Lin laughed: "That's simple. Just come here often and let Xiao Xie cook for you."

"Can I really?!"

"Why not? We're open for business—anyone's welcome."

By the time Xie Fengshi came out with the dishes, he saw Lu Shiyan and Aunt Lin chatting up a storm, and Aunt Lin was laughing so hard her eyes were practically shut.

He set the plates down: "Eat up."

Lu Shiyan looked at the table full of food: "This smells amazing!" He took a bite, then started eating faster and faster.

"My mom's sweet and sour pork tastes just like this—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. So good, boohoo."

The homesick kid ate with tears in his eyes but with huge appetite: "I've been out for six months and haven't gone back. My brother told me to be independent or I can't come home. But I can't cook, I can't clean, I can't do anything."

Xie Fengshi said softly, "You'll pick it up over time."

"I can't learn. Xie Fengshi, you're amazing. How do you know how to cook so many dishes?"

"You just pick it up over time when you live alone."

"Can you teach me? Or how about you just come cook at my place? I'll pay you!"

Xie Fengshi laughed: "I already work here."

"After work then! Come cook for me at my place after work, three times a week, and I'll pay you double."

Before Xie Fengshi could answer, Aunt Lin let out a laugh. "Xiao Lu, are you trying to poach my staff?"

Lu Shiyan finally caught on and quickly waved his hands. "I didn't mean it like that, Auntie."

Aunt Lin patted him kindly. "Alright, just teasing you. Xiao Xie's time after work is his own. You two can work it out yourselves."

Xie Fengshi thought it over. He really needed the money right now.

He'd managed to pay the rent, but there were still debts to clear, and school expenses kept piling up. The salary Lu Shiyan was offering would save him from having to work extra jobs for months.

"Fine, twice a week. I have classes and work at the shop, so I don't have much free time."

Lu Shiyan beamed. "Deal! How about Monday and Thursday?"

Xie Fengshi nodded. "Okay."

Lu Shiyan immediately pulled out his phone. "Let's swap numbers. I'll send you the deposit first."

Xie Fengshi stared at the transfer amount on his screen. "This much?"

"Not much at all. I'm counting on you from now on."

Lu Shiyan's steps were practically floating as he left Haoyunlai. As a spoiled brat sent by his family to this culinary wasteland, the past six months had been pure torture for him.

His brother's so-called "independent living" meant dumping him in a luxury apartment, removing the nanny, firing the chef, and even reducing the cleaner's visits from weekly to every two weeks.

"You're a son of the Lu family. Can't even take care of yourself? How is that acceptable?"

What kind? The useless kind, of course, Lu Shiyan thought bitterly.

He'd tried, though. He downloaded three cooking apps, bought a full set of pots and pans, even followed video tutorials. But the food burned, the pan blackened, the smoke alarm went off, and his brother called right on cue.

"Lu Shiyan, if you trigger the fire alarm again, I'm cutting your card."

After that, Lu Shiyan gave up on cooking for good and started living on takeout indefinitely.

But where was he? This was a food desert, folks!

Occasionally, he'd find a decent place. The first time, it was mind-blowing. The second, passable. By the third, he wanted to throw up.

So when he saw someone in the overseas students' group chat praising Xie Fengshi's cooking, he scoffed. You've got to be kidding.

After all, eight out of ten messages in that group were full of it. Last time, someone recommended a restaurant, and he drove forty minutes to try it, only to get dishes that could have been used as weapons.

But today, he'd gone out of his way to pass by this street and walked into Haoyunlai to give it a shot.

Lu Shiyan had a vague impression of Xie Fengshi—he knew he used to be popular, got sent here after Xie Yun came back, and then rumors said he was waiting tables. Sun Zhiqiang had even gone out of his way to mock him.

Back then, Lu Shiyan had just rolled his eyes at Sun Zhiqiang. "Got nothing better to do than bully him?"

But now, Lu Shiyan patted his full belly and savored the memory of the meal.

Delicious—he loved it.

He pulled out his phone and started typing without hesitation.

Xiao Lu Xiao Lu: "Guys!! I've found a lifeline!!"

Someone popped up in the group chat immediately.

Meat Every Day: "? You freaking out again?"

Xiao Lu Xiao Lu: "I went to Haoyunlai today!!"

Left Foot Stepping on Right Foot to the Sky: "Hahaha another one conquered by Xie Fengshi!"

Xiao Lu Xiao Lu: "No, you haven't tried it—you don't get it!! I'm gonna cry!"

Meat Every Day: "What are you crying about?"

Xiao Lu Xiao Lu: "I'm crying because I only just got to eat it now!! What was I eating for the past six months?!"

Meat Every Day: "So now you get how I felt that day?"

Xiao Lu Xiao Lu: "I get it, I really do! And you know what!! I hired him!"

The chat got even livelier.

Meat Every Day: "Hired what?"

Thinking of You Every Day: "Are you trying to hit on him?"

Xiao Lu Xiao Lu: "What's on your minds? I hired him to cook at my place, twice a week!! My place!!"

Meat Every Day: "Holy crap?"

Thinking of You Every Day: "Holy crap?"

Left Foot Stepping on Right Foot to the Sky: "Holy crap?"

Lu Shiyan named a price, and the chat exploded again.

Meat Every Day: "Lu Shiyan, you big spender—does your brother know?"

Xiao Lu Xiao Lu: "My brother doesn't check the chat, and I'm happy about it!! His cooking is worth it!!"

Meat Every Day: "Can we come mooch off you then?"

Xiao Lu Xiao Lu: "Get lost, he's mine!"

Lu Shiyan grinned at the screen and pocketed his phone.

Honestly, this money was nothing to him. He might not have much else, but he had plenty of cash. His brother was strict with him but never shortchanged him financially.

As his brother put it: "You can be useless, but you can't be a broke loser."

And this was money well spent!

Xie Fengshi's cooking was so good it made Lu Shiyan want to put him on a pedestal. Plus, he'd noticed how efficient Xie Fengshi was—reassuring to watch. He'd even observed him at the shop, moving like a well-oiled machine.

While the chat was in chaos, Lu Shiyan was already home. He sent Xie Fengshi a message to confirm the schedule and started looking forward to it eagerly.

Monday, Monday, hurry up and get here.

...

Xie Fengshi returned to the kitchen. Uncle Li saw him come in and said, "Your classmate left?"

"He left. Uncle Li, there's something I want to discuss with you and Aunt Lin."

"What is it?"

"That classmate from earlier wants me to cook at his place, twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays. If we're not too busy at the restaurant on those two days, could I leave a bit early in the evening?"

Before Uncle Li could respond, Aunt Lin walked in and overheard him. She immediately chimed in, "Go on, go ahead!"

"Aunt Lin, you don't mind?"

"Mind what?" Aunt Lin walked over and patted Xie Fengshi. "What did I tell you? If you ever find a better opportunity, you're free to leave anytime, don't be embarrassed. Now someone is asking you to work as a private chef—that's a good thing."

"No, it's not that I'm leaving." Xie Fengshi quickly explained. "I'm just leaving a bit earlier in the evening."

"I know, I know. Mondays and Thursdays are usually quiet anyway. Go ahead with peace of mind; we can handle it here."

Uncle Li added from the side, "How much is your classmate paying you?"

Xie Fengshi mentioned a number. Uncle Li's hand trembled. "How much?!"

It was the first time Xie Fengshi had seen Uncle Li react so strongly. He chuckled and said, "Uncle Li, I just got lucky."

Aunt Lin didn't like that. "It's because of your cooking skills. These past few days, more international students have come to our store than usual. They walk in and ask if you're here; when they hear you are, they immediately sit down and order. How much business have you brought us?"

Xie Fengshi felt a bit embarrassed. "Aunt Lin, don't say that."

"I'm telling the truth, Xiao Xie. Listen to my advice: take on this job and do it well. If things go well for you, maybe you can open your own restaurant. With your skills, you'll never have to worry about making a living."

Xie Fengshi felt touched. "Thank you, Aunt Lin."

"No need to thank me. But you must make it clear to him: only twice a week. Don't overdo it."

Uncle Li added from the side, "Don't be like me when I was young, working yourself to death for money."

Xie Fengshi smiled and agreed, "I understand, don't worry."

After settling things with Aunt Lin and Uncle Li, Xie Fengshi felt a weight lifted off his shoulders.

Actually, he quite enjoyed working at Good Fortune Eatery. Aunt Lin and Uncle Li treated him well, and while the work was tiring, it gave him peace of mind. Now, with the extra job from Lu Shiyan, even though he had to run between two places, his income had increased, and life was finally looking up.

When Xie Fengshi got off work and returned home, the light in Isaac's room was still on.

He went over and knocked on the door. It opened quickly, and Isaac stood in the doorway.

"Still awake?" Xie Fengshi asked.

"No."

"Perfect, I need to tell you something."

Isaac stepped aside, and Xie Fengshi walked in, plopping down into the impossibly comfortable sofa.

Xie Fengshi ran his hand over the armrest and remarked, "Your sofa gets more comfortable the longer you sit on it."

Isaac looked up at him. "What's the matter?"

Xie Fengshi told him about Lu Shiyan coming to find him today. After hearing it, Isaac frowned. "Going to his place to cook?"

"Twice a week, Mondays and Thursdays."

Isaac's brow furrowed even deeper. "Where does he live?"

"I don't know. Shouldn't be far."

"What does he look like?"

"Why the sudden question? Fair skin, round eyes, pretty cute."

"How old is he?"

"About my age, I think. What's up?"

Isaac didn't speak, but his expression was clear. Xie Fengshi could tell. "What are you thinking? I'm just going to earn some extra cash. It's not like I'm not coming back."

"Then will you still cook for me?"

"Yeah, of course I will. Only twice a week; the rest of the time I'm still here, right?"

Isaac's expression relaxed a bit.

Xie Fengshi added, "But he's paying quite a lot. Enough for me to pay off my debt and save a bit."

"You owe money?" Isaac asked.

"Yeah, once it's paid off, it'll be fine."

Isaac didn't ask further, but Xie Fengshi noticed he was deep in thought.

"Don't overthink it. I don't need your help." Xie Fengshi cut him off before he could say anything. "I can handle it myself. Alright, I'm going back to sleep. You should get some rest too."

"Mm."

Xie Fengshi walked to the door, turned around, and waved at him. The door closed.

Isaac sat on the floor, staring at the door for two seconds. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number.

The phone rang three times before someone picked up, a deep voice answered: "Isaac?"

"Bro."

Kaelen was a bit surprised. "Calling this late, something up?"

Isaac cut straight to the point. "Can you get Xie Fengshi to cook at our place?"

Kaelen: "..."

Isaac continued, "Just hire him as a chef. Come a few times a week. You set the salary, or I'll pay it."

"We already have a chef at home."

"We can give Allen some time off."

"..."

Kaelen took a deep breath. "Allen has worked for our family for fifteen years."

"Then give him a raise and give him time off."

Kaelen rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Isaac, what are you really trying to say?"

"I want Xie Fengshi to cook for us."

"Why?"

"Because he cooks really well."

"He cooks for you all the time now, right?" Kaelen asked.

"He picked up a gig cooking for someone else, twice a week."

Kaelen understood—this was about him being possessive over his food source and taking it to someone else's house.

"So you want him to cook for us so he won't have time to cook for others?"

"Right."

"Isaac, have you thought about whether he'd even be willing?"

Kaelen continued, "If he wants to be our chef, that's his decision. But you can't tie him down just because you don't want him going somewhere else.

He's good to you, so you should be good to him. What does that mean? Respect his choices and support what he wants to do."

Isaac muttered a sullen "Oh."

Kaelen thought the matter was settled, but then Isaac spoke again: "Then could you hire him?"

"What?"

"Hire him, but not as a chef—have him do something else."

"Something else? Like what?"

"Let me think... like... eat with you?"

Kaelen: "..."

"You always eat alone, right? Have him eat with you and pay him, so he won't have to cook for other people or work so hard at the shop."

Kaelen held the phone, momentarily speechless.

"Isaac, do you even realize what you're saying?"

"I do."

"Do you know what it means to hire someone just to eat with me?"

Isaac thought for a moment. "It means having someone to eat with you?"

"And do you know that I don't want him to just eat with me?"

There was a two-second pause on the line, then Isaac's voice suddenly jumped: "Kaelen! What are you up to?!"

"Nothing."

"That tone! You're definitely up to something!"

"I was thinking your proposal isn't completely impossible."

"What?!"

"But if he comes to eat with me, it won't be as a chef."

"Then what would he be?"

Kaelen chuckled softly. "What do you think?"

Isaac froze for a second, then blew up: "Kaelen!! He's mine! Mine!"

"Your what?"

"He's my friend! I met him first!"

"Mm, and then?"

"You can't—"

"Can't what?"

"You can't make a move on him!"

Kaelen drawled, "I remember you said that before."

"Did you listen?"

"No."

Isaac: "..."

Kaelen heard the silence on the line and actually laughed.

Isaac ground his teeth. "You did that on purpose!"

"I didn't."

"You did! Last time you said you weren't interested in him!"

"That was then."

"And now?!"

Kaelen thought about it and answered honestly, "Now it seems I am."

Isaac hung up furious.