Chapter 26: The Kitchen Queen

Janie's eyes widened as she noticed the overloaded shopping cart. "You bought all this?"

When Yan Sen nodded, she still couldn't believe it. "Since when did you start cooking?"

Yan Sen's eyes shifted to Qin Li, who picked up the conversation effortlessly. "I bought everything."

"You?" Janie's skepticism was palpable. "You can cook?"

Qin Li raised a brow at the odd tone. Cooking wasn't rocket science. Why wouldn't she know how to cook?

Janie pressed further. "What can you cook?"

"Chinese food," Qin Li answered simply.

Janie's smirk grew smug. "Yan Sen loves roasted pork knuckles, crispy and tender. Can you make that? Or Thuringian sausages with sauerkraut and pork chops? I used to make them for him all the time. He's used to it."

Yan Sen didn't refute her words, and Qin Li noticed his slight nod, acknowledging his former wife's culinary skills. Janie's smirk grew as she lifted her chin, her expression dripping with provocation.

Qin Li smiled faintly, undeterred. "Sorry, I don't cook German food. But I'm confident that in time, Yan Sen will grow to love Chinese cuisine and realize he can't live without it."

Her words were deliberate and calm, landing like a sharp jab. "Besides, no matter how well you know him, you're his past, aren't you?"

Janie's triumphant smirk faltered, and her face turned a shade darker. She glared at Yan Sen as if blaming him for not stepping in.

Sensing her frustration, Janie struck with a snide comment. "Oh, right. I heard you Chinese eat dogs, frogs, snakes... Is there anything you don't eat? How about poop? Is that on the menu too?"

Qin Li remained composed, her eyes narrowing. "Every culture has its traditions. It takes a person of high moral standing to respect that. As for your question, I wouldn't know if Germans eat excrement. But if you're curious, I can source some for you."

Janie's face flushed with rage. "You Chinese pig! You're not welcome in Germany! Go back to your country!"

Unbothered, Qin Li shot back, "That's not for you to decide. Your chancellor opened the doors. If you have a problem, take it up with her. And by the way, racial discrimination is unbecoming. Don't try to channel Hitler—it won't end well."

The verbal takedown left Janie speechless. Even Yan Sen, who rarely reacted, seemed impressed.

Qin Li gave him a pointed look. "Enough of the free entertainment. Let's check out. We've got plenty to do back home."

With that, she pushed the cart toward the registers, leaving Janie fuming.

As they loaded the car, Yan Sen warned her quietly, "She holds grudges."

"So do I," Qin Li retorted without missing a beat.

"She has a brother in the skinhead gang."

Qin Li shrugged. "Then I won't shop here again."

After a moment's thought, she asked, "You're not in that group, are you?"

Yan Sen shook his head. "No."

She breathed a sigh of relief, but then teased, "You do have the hair for it. Classic Hitler slick-back."

Yan Sen glanced at her, his lips twitching in silent exasperation.

Back at the farmhouse, Thomas practically sprinted out to greet them. "Did you get the groceries? What's for dinner?"

"Help unload first," Qin Li instructed, nodding at the trunk.

Even Dani joined in, her eyes widening at the number of bags. "Wow, you went all out!"

"We're out of everything," Qin Li explained. "And with four big appetites, nothing ever seems like too much."

Thomas eagerly carried the bags inside. "So, what's the menu?"

"Something light for lunch," Qin Li said. "Dinner will be a feast, but I haven't decided on the dishes yet."

Thomas's excitement bubbled over. "Just say the word if you need help!"

Dani whispered conspiratorially, "Look at him—he's practically your eunuch servant."

Qin Li burst into laughter. "Now that you mention it, he does look the part."

Once the laughter died down, Qin Li asked, "What do you feel like eating?"

Dani waved it off. "Anything you make will be amazing."

After some thought, Qin Li decided on a showstopper dinner: sweet and sour pine nut fish, braised pork knuckles, and a seasonal vegetable stir-fry.

She set to work, meticulously prepping each dish. The fish was cleaned, seasoned, and fried to a golden crisp before being shaped into a lifelike curve. She crafted the perfect sweet and tangy sauce with a balance of vinegar and sugar, letting its aroma fill the kitchen.

The smell was too much for Thomas, who abandoned his laptop and drifted into the kitchen like a moth to a flame.

"That smells incredible!" he exclaimed, drooling at the sight of the fish.

"Hands off!" Dani barked, smacking his reaching hand.

The braised pork knuckles were next. Qin Li simmered the meat until tender, then deep-fried it for a crispy exterior before braising it with soy sauce and sugar. The rich, savory aroma even brought Yan Sen into the kitchen.

Three humans and a cat stood silently behind her, captivated by her culinary artistry.

As the rich aroma of the braised pork knuckle deepened, it tantalized their senses, teasing out even the most dormant cravings within them.

Even Yan Sen, usually stoic and reserved, couldn't hold back. He tapped his fork against his plate and asked, "When can we eat?"

"Almost done," Qin Li replied with a knowing smile.

Thomas groaned dramatically. "You're torturing us!"

"I'm starving to death!" Dani chimed in, equally desperate.

Their impatience thrilled Qin Li—clearly, her cooking had already won the "aroma" test.

Finally, she plated the dish. The pork knuckle gleamed with a glossy, rich glaze, the skin a perfect reddish-brown hue. Crispy on the outside, tender within—just as it should be. The moment it hit the table, three pairs of hungry eyes locked onto it, radiating sheer desire.

"Wait!" Qin Li raised a hand. "I still need to stir-fry the vegetables."

To her surprise, the trio chorused in unison, "Forget the vegetables!"

"We'll just eat meat!" Dani added enthusiastically.

The table had only two dishes—braised pork knuckle and sweet-and-sour fish—but it felt like a banquet. They eagerly served themselves rice and dove into the long-awaited feast.

The pork knuckle was melt-in-your-mouth tender, the fatty bits perfectly balanced by the slightly crisp skin, which soaked up the rich, savory sauce. Every bite was a symphony of textures and flavors.

The fish, with its crispy exterior and juicy, tender interior, delivered an irresistible combination of sweet and tangy. Each bite was a burst of flavor that made their taste buds dance.

There was no conversation—only the sound of chopsticks and forks clinking against plates. Everyone was too engrossed in eating, fearing that any delay would leave them empty-handed.

Thomas devoured bowl after bowl of rice. On his third serving, his stomach was on the brink of rebellion, but he couldn't stop.

"This is amazing!" he exclaimed with tears welling in his eyes. "I've never tasted anything this good in my entire life!"

Even Yan Sen, though more composed, was visibly impressed. The interplay of lean and fatty pork, perfectly cooked, was a revelation. Despite his usual aversion to fatty cuts, he couldn't stop himself from taking bite after bite.

In no time, the two pounds of pork knuckle vanished. Thomas licked his lips, already yearning for more.

"Li, this is incredible! How do you do it?"

Qin Li glanced slyly at Yan Sen. "This is just a typical Chinese dish. You can find it in any decent restaurant in southern China."

"Seriously?" Thomas's voice was filled with disbelief.

"Absolutely," Dani affirmed with a grin.

Thomas, still in awe, declared, "Then I have to visit China!"

Yan Sen didn't say much but nodded in agreement. While the others spoke, he quietly speared a large piece of fish with his fork and brought it to his plate.

When Thomas finally remembered the fish, only the tail remained. He pointed an accusing finger at Yan Sen. "You sneaky devil! Eating it all by yourself? Hand over half the fish!"

Yan Sen, unbothered, popped the last piece into his mouth, leaving Thomas wailing in mock despair.

After swallowing, Yan Sen said plainly, "Every dish was excellent."

Qin Li beamed. The hours she had spent laboring in the kitchen had paid off. She teased, "So, how does it compare to Janie's roasted pork knuckle?"

"Not even close," Yan Sen replied without hesitation.

Thomas nodded fervently in agreement.

Satisfied, Qin Li remarked, "Too bad the ingredients here are limited. I could've done even better."

Thomas's eyes widened. "Even better?"

"Of course! If I had live fish, the freshness would elevate the dish. And the vinegar and soy sauce brands matter too—they make a difference."

"Where can you buy those authentic sauces?"

"An Asian supermarket," Qin Li explained.

Without a word, Yan Sen abruptly stood up, startling everyone. They turned to him, confused, until he calmly announced, "We're going to Munich tomorrow."

The realization hit Qin Li like a bolt of lightning—Munich had an Asian market.