The Family Dinner

"Oh no! I didn't get you a birthday gift!" Fanmuir exclaimed suddenly, his voice filled with regret.

Seeing the genuine concern and nervousness in his expression, Caroline felt a surge of warmth in her chest. She could tell that this young man sincerely wanted to give her something meaningful—not out of shallow motives, but from the bottom of his heart.

"Well, you'll have to be punished! A proper penalty is in order!" she teased.

Fanmuir couldn't help but think to himself, How was I supposed to know it was your birthday? You didn't tell me—how is this fair? But, of course, he didn't say it aloud. Instead, he nodded earnestly and said, "Yes, yes, absolutely. Caroline, whatever punishment you have in mind, I'll take it. It's entirely my fault for forgetting your birthday! If you want me to act like a monkey all day, I'll do it, as long as it makes you happy!"

"Wow, look at you! When did you start talking sweet like Ronnie and his gang? Fine, I'll let it go this time. I know it's not your fault—I didn't even tell you today was my birthday," Caroline said with a playful, captivating glance.

Though Fanmuir wholeheartedly agreed with her reasoning, he didn't dare slack off in his response. "No, no, it's still my fault for not paying more attention to you, Caroline!" he replied quickly.

Watching his exaggeratedly earnest performance, Caroline couldn't help but laugh out loud. Pretending to be annoyed, she said, "Alright, enough of that. Don't try your friends' honeyed words on me; they don't work on this big sister. I won't punish you today—just treat me to a shopping trip and a nice meal!"

Although Fanmuir didn't entirely agree with the idea that accompanying a beautiful woman for shopping and dining was some kind of reward, he still put on an expression of exaggerated gratitude, as if he'd just been bestowed a great honor.

By 10 a.m., the chilly Parisian air was starting to set in, but the mountain climb had left Caroline flushed and covered in a light sheen of sweat. Like many women, she had a strong sense of cleanliness, and today was no exception. Taking Fanmuir's hand, she declared, "Let's go home first so I can shower. Then we'll head out for lunch and shopping."

In the time Fanmuir had spent working at the bar, he had immersed himself in mastering its craft, delving into its knowledge and connecting it with his understanding of music.

Good wine, after all, pairs perfectly with good food—they're like siblings. During his free time, cooking had become one of his favorite hobbies. He had read every culinary book available in the university's library, honing his skills and discovering the harmony between gastronomy and the natural world.

Since it was Caroline's birthday, Fanmuir suddenly had the idea of preparing a special meal for her.

"Caroline, if you don't mind, how about I cook lunch for you today? Let me give it a shot," he suggested humbly, despite being quite confident in his culinary abilities.

"You can cook, too? Is there anything you can't do?" Caroline exclaimed, her astonishment making her look at him as though he'd just landed from another planet.

"Is it really so surprising that I can cook? Fine, if you don't want to eat, forget it!" Fanmuir said, a little flustered, as if his pride had taken a hit. He was slightly annoyed, though he tried to hide it.

"Hehe, I believe you! Let's go grocery shopping right now. I haven't cooked at home in ages—this is wonderful! I can finally have a home-cooked meal today! Come on, hurry up, let's head to the supermarket for a big haul!" Caroline's excitement lit up her face, her cheeks flushing pink. Just moments ago, she had been complaining about being too tired to walk, but now she was practically skipping ahead with boundless energy.

Fanmuir shook his head, smiling as he watched Caroline wave at him like an excited schoolgirl, urging him to keep up. He followed after her, still amused by her sudden transformation.

What Fanmuir didn't understand, however, was the reason behind Caroline's joy.

Caroline had grown up showered with love and care. Her father, in particular, had doted on her with unmatched devotion. No matter how busy he was, he always made time each week to cook her favorite dishes from cuisines around the world.

Now, years after her father's passing, those warm memories of family meals remained a bittersweet treasure in her heart. Since his death, Caroline hadn't eaten a single meal at home—it had become a distant luxury, something unattainable for her and her daughter. Fanmuir's simple suggestion had suddenly rekindled her longing for that long-lost sense of home, filling her with an eagerness to recreate it.

Because it had been so long since Caroline had cooked, her kitchen was practically bare. Aside from the permanent fixtures like the stove and range hood, almost everything else needed to be replaced. It was clear that today's shopping trip was going to be a massive undertaking! And, of course, Caroline took her time carefully choosing each item—something that even tested Fanmuir's patience. The mighty Vampire Prince silently prayed for mercy as the process dragged on.

After over an hour of shopping, Caroline finally ended her spree. Poor Fanmuir, now reduced to the role of a pack mule, carried a mountain of bags as they exited the supermarket.

With so many items in tow and Caroline eager to get home and start cooking, they decided to hail a taxi despite the short distance. As the car passed the New York Story Bar, Fanmuir suddenly remembered something. He asked Caroline for the bar's keys, ran inside, and returned with bartending tools and an assortment of base liquors.

Caroline watched him curiously. Could Fanmuir really know how to make cocktails? Bartending wasn't just a skill—it was an art form, something that took years to master. Fanmuir had only been working at the bar for a few months. How could he possibly know how to mix drinks?

When she asked him what he needed the tools for, he glanced at her as if the answer was obvious and replied, "To make cocktails, of course!"

"You can make cocktails as well? Oh, stop, you're killing me!" Caroline couldn't contain her laughter. For some reason, whenever she was with Fanmuir, she felt completely relaxed. Influenced by her impression of him, she burst into laughter without a second thought when he confidently claimed he could mix cocktails.

Like most women, Caroline had a natural inclination toward cleanliness. Coming from a distinguished background and being a stunningly elegant woman, her standards for cleanliness were even higher. As soon as they arrived home, she flopped onto the sofa, catching her breath as she exclaimed, "I'm absolutely wiped out!"

Fanmuir barely had time to admire her graceful, relaxed demeanor before she arched a delicate brow, got up, and dashed toward the stairs. Just as she reached the second floor, she glanced back, flashed him a dazzling smile, and teased, "Fanmuir, I'm leaving everything downstairs to you. I'm going to grab a shower!" Before he could respond, she disappeared. Clearly, Caroline was in an exceptionally cheerful mood today.

The kitchen and dining area were seamlessly connected in an open-plan design. Within ten minutes, Fanmuir had familiarized himself with all the kitchen tools.

With the tools mastered, cooking and soup-making were child's play for Fanmuir.

With Caroline upstairs, Fanmuir felt no need to downplay his extraordinary culinary skills. Had anyone—especially a professional chef—been present to witness the scene, they would have been utterly disbelieving.

As someone who had long mastered the principles of nature, Fanmuir seamlessly merged these with the culinary arts, achieving a state of complete harmony. With just a touch of his spiritual power, he flawlessly prepared all the vegetables, premium beef cuts, and other ingredients, leaving only the cooking itself to be done.

By intertwining nature's essence with his culinary craft, Fanmuir's dishes transcended imagination, offering flavors that no one else could replicate.

The menu he crafted included:

Burgundy Beef Stew – Tender beef braised in Burgundy wine with mushrooms, onions, and vegetables, offering a rich and complex flavor.Cassoulet – A traditional French stew with white beans, sauerkraut, and an array of vegetables, layered in flavor and packed with nutrition.Coq au Vin – A traditional dish of rooster braised in French red wine, seasoned with various herbs. Served alongside a light, refreshing French dry white wine, the flavors were unmatched in their sweetness and depth.Seafood Platter – Featuring fresh, premium French oysters, purified through Fanmuir's spiritual power to eliminate impurities. Served with a custom dipping sauce and paired with a glass of Chablis, the dish was a celebration of pure and authentic flavors.Duck Confit – Duck legs deboned and slow-cooked in duck fat, then paired with Bordeaux Right Bank wine. The tender, melt-in-your-mouth dish was plated with thinly sliced meat, drizzled in its own rich sauce.French Onion Soup – A Parisian dish dating back to the 18th century, made with beef broth, caramelized onions, and freshly baked bread. Fanmuir's spiritual power elevated the dish further, combining the best Gabriel cheese with his own custom seasoning mix to create a cheese topping unmatched in the world.

The enticing aromas of the meal soon filled the kitchen, evoking an irresistible sense of hunger.

Once everything was plated and paired with the appropriate wines, Fanmuir noticed that Caroline had yet to reappear.

For women, bathing was always a ritual of meticulous care, unlike men's quick, no-fuss approach. With everything prepared, Fanmuir could only wait as Caroline continued her shower.

While waiting, he found himself pondering what gift he could possibly give her for her birthday.