It wasn’t just Ouyang Jun and his brother who were worried about Zhan Yuan leaving—Mrs. Ouyang and the others shared the same concern.
With Zhan Yuan’s status, it seemed inappropriate for him to work as a chef in their household.
But his cooking was exceptional, and their palates had grown accustomed to his dishes.
If Zhan Yuan left, they’d have to adjust to a new chef’s food all over again.
Ouyang Ting was thinking deeper.
Her elder sister admired strength, and Zhan Yuan was a master in the culinary arts. He was also accomplished in business and a young master of a billionaire family.
He seemed an even better match for her sister. Could her sister be moved by him?
Zhan Yuan treated her sister differently—surely her sister sensed it to some degree?
“Big Sister, did you send Brother Zhan Yuan away? Why didn’t he come back with you?”
Ouyang Jun fired off a string of questions.
His words were laced with worry that Zhan Yuan might be driven away by their sister.
Not only was Zhan Yuan’s cooking delicious, but he also played with them.
Ouyang Jun and his brother genuinely liked Zhan Yuan, finding him fun to be around. They were always happy with him, and he even knew martial arts.
They wanted to learn martial arts from Brother Zhan Yuan.
“It’s cold outside, so I told Zhan Yuan to go rest.”
Ouyang Ya, pestered by her younger brothers, playfully poked each of their foreheads. “Zhan Yuan’s only been working for us for how long? Just two months, and he’s already won you over?”
“You’re so afraid he’ll leave.”
“Big Sister, I like Brother Zhan Yuan. He’s great, and I just like him. Please don’t send him away, okay?”
“When did I say I was sending him away?”
Ouyang Ya chuckled, gently pinching her brother’s cheek, then led both brothers back to sit on the sofa.
“I really just told Zhan Yuan to rest. I didn’t drive him away. He’s a chef—once we’ve eaten our fill, his work is done. It’s normal for him to clock off.”
Her explanation eased the brothers’ minds slightly.
Ouyang Jun voiced the question on everyone’s mind: “Big Sister, Sister Ruotong said Brother Zhan Yuan is a young master of the Zhan family, and their family is similar to ours. Now that you know his true identity, will you still let him be your private chef?”
Ouyang Ya thought for a moment before replying, “As long as I haven’t grown tired of his cooking and he hasn’t resigned, he’ll remain my private chef. You’ll still get to enjoy his delicious food.”
“Really?”
Ouyang Jun was overjoyed. After confirming her answer, he and his brother jumped up, clapping and laughing. “That’s great! Brother Zhan Yuan isn’t leaving!”
Ouyang Ya addressed the family: “Zhan Yuan is the sixth young master of the Zhan family from Wancheng—that’s his business. When he applied to work for us, he got the job on his own merits. He knew exactly what he was signing up for, and it was his choice.”
“I haven’t shortchanged him on salary or benefits. He’s doing what he loves, and his culinary skills are improving. So nothing changes—he’s still my private chef.”
“But he will leave eventually—either when I get tired of his cooking or when he chooses to resign.”
Ouyang Ya glanced at Ouyang Ting twice before continuing, “Zhan Yuan said he came to X Province, starting in City A, to work as a chef. But he has another purpose: his fiancée is from X Province, and he needs to go build a relationship with her.”
“So he’ll probably only stay with us for about six months. His grandmother gave him a one-year deadline.”
Ouyang Ya went on to explain how the Zhan family’s matriarch had chosen prospective wives for her grandsons, giving them one year to win their brides.
Everyone grew curious, eager to know who Zhan Yuan’s fiancée was.
But since Zhan Yuan wouldn’t say, they were left with no answers.
Ouyang Ya looked at Ouyang Ting again.
Ouyang Ting understood her sister’s meaning.
