Chapter 49

It was nearing noon.

Jia Fuhai and Zhen Lina had finished cleaning up the venue and returned home. It was just some tables and chairs, so the task was simple. Everything else had already been delivered.

Upon arriving home, the eldest son, who was usually immersed in reading food encyclopedias, was unexpectedly playing chess with his brother.

The rest of the family were gathered around, watching the match.

Jia Fuhai couldn't help but think about how his eldest son had devoured all sorts of encyclopedias—everything from plants and insects to obscure knowledge about chemistry.

He even wondered if there might be some dark culinary world that his son was preparing for. But he shook off the thought as pure imagination.

At least today, his son wasn't buried in a book, and he was glad. Children should play sometimes.

He didn't realize that it was his influence, with his focus on culinary skills, that had sparked his son's interest in learning from such a young age.

Despite their young age, both of his sons had already been tested for intelligence, and though they excelled, no one gave it too much thought.

They were simply more well-behaved than other children.

Watching the chess match from a distance, Jia Fuhai quickly retreated. He knew his limits when it came to games of intellect.

Though his skills were solid when it came to physical dexterity, brain games like this were beyond him. Even in video games, he could pull off flashy moves, but when it came to strategy and calculations, he was often outmatched.

He had built a reputation for his gameplay videos, known for his impressive solo skills.

But when it came to team strategy, he often fell short, losing not due to lack of skill but because he couldn't keep up with the mental calculations.

Avoiding the intellectual pressure of his children, Jia Fuhai turned to the kitchen to prepare lunch. At home, he usually kept things simple, cooking basic dishes.

Despite his mastery of cooking, which could make even the most basic ingredients taste divine, he preferred not to overcomplicate things.

While he was in the middle of cooking, Zhen Lina's voice came from behind him. 

"Why did you give away all the cakes, Hai-ge?" She complained as she walked into the kitchen, disappointed to find none left.

"Hmph!" Jia Fuhai let out a soft snort, continuing to stirfry without turning around. "If you don't want me to cook, just say so."

"Don't be like that! I didn't say anything!" Zhen Lina quickly backtracked. "Is there anything I can help with?"

"No need. Just help me plate the dishes, and don't talk," Jia Fuhai replied, still focused on his cooking.

"Okay, I won't say anything," Zhen Lina agreed, mimicking a zipper closing over her lips.

Jia Fuhai finished stir-frying and poured the dish onto a plate.

"I'll do it, I'll do it! Ow!" Zhen Lina winced as she tried to sneak a taste but got lightly flicked on the forehead instead.

"I told you to help plate the dishes, not to steal a bite," Jia Fuhai scolded, disapproving of her sneaky behavior.

"Fine, fine!" Zhen Lina pouted, though she obediently took the plate to the table.

It wasn't long before the aroma of the food drew the rest of the family to the dining table.

At this point, they had all become accustomed to the high standards set by Jia Fuhai's cooking, to the extent that eating out was rarely satisfying anymore.

Thanks to his exceptional culinary skills, Jia Fuhai had won over his in-laws. Whenever his two sons were around, Zhen Lina's parents were never far behind. 

As he watched his family enjoying the meal, Jia Fuhai was filled with a sense of satisfaction.

He looked at Zhen Linqi, who was eating gracefully, and then at Zhen Lina, who was wolfing down her food without any care for her manners.

Thank goodness for Linqi, Jia Fuhai thought, and of course, the system. Without it, he'd still be lazing around at home.

Thanks to the system, he had ventured out and tried new things, and everything had turned out for the better. His current life was something to be grateful for.

His wife, Linqi, and Lin Feifei, who were both pregnant, had been showing signs of remarkable talent, something he had been keeping an eye on.

But lately, Jia Fuhai had learned to pay more attention to their well-being and knew when the best times were to enhance their talents. 

His thoughts wandered, realizing that with more children on the way, his leisurely life might soon become a thing of the past.

Life was full of contradictions—he wanted to enjoy it without the burden of responsibility, but at the same time, he couldn't ignore it. 

Glancing at Zhen Linqi, he thought about how much responsibility he had taken on because of her.

Despite everything, she was always supportive and never complained, which made him feel even more determined to live up to her expectations.

As they ate, Zhen Linqi noticed Jia Fuhai's gaze and their eyes met. The two exchanged a deep, affectionate look, and for a moment, the rest of the world seemed to fade away. 

The others at the table also sensed the shift in the atmosphere. Zhen Lina, however, paid no attention and continued eating. Chen Lina, Zhen Lina's mother, felt a little uncomfortable.

After all, this was the younger generation's home, and she didn't want to intrude on their space.

Zhen Fugui, Lina's father, cleared his throat, feeling a bit awkward. Though he had been won over by Jia Fuhai's cooking, he was still a doting father at heart and couldn't help feeling a bit protective of his daughter.

The intimate moment between Jia Fuhai and Zhen Linqi was broken, and the two quickly resumed eating as if nothing had happened.