“And this concerns me because?” Lu Xinyi lifted her head, her eyes questioning her mentor.

He Haotian shook his head.

“Whether you like it or not, Xin’er, you’ll have to participate in it. Your father and I have once competed for that cooking competition. It was my starting point and becoming my stepping stones to where I am now. Not only the competition will give you money, but it will also give you a 60-week intense cooking class at Country F’s School of Culinary Arts. Why did you think your brother attended Silver Leaf?” the man asked her in return.

Lu Xinyi couldn’t answer that question. Her brother, Tian Lingyu, had not disclosed anything to her. What his future plans and his motives for attending Silver Leaf wasn’t clear to her.

“I have no idea…” she confessed.

He Haotian looked at her thoughtfully. Tian Lingyu had been working in the industry for as long as he could remember but hadn’t gotten far because of the education he was lacking. After Lu Sibai’s death, Tian Lingyu had worked not only for himself but to support Lu Xinyi’s education. Now that Lu Xinyi had Shen Yi on her side, the weight on his shoulder had been lifted. He could now pursue his career without worrying over his sister’s welfare.

“I was the one who told him to attend Silver Leaf with Chairman Han’s support. He was also able to get financial support by being the Li family’s sponsored student. This competition… this Interschool Culinary Competition is what he’d been aiming for.”

Acquiring the best culinary education could help him get to his desired professional level a lot easier. While many successful chefs had attained success and fame without attending the best culinary schools, well-respected culinary schools could help someone like Tian Lingyu and Lu Xinyi learn the skills, knowledge, artistry, and techniques that they need to rank high in the field.-.

“Then, let him take a spot. I don’t see why he wouldn’t be able to secure his place.” Her brother was currently the second-best in their school, but from the looks of it, Lu Xinyi believed that Tian Lingyu’s cooking challenge against Huang Shenghao would happen sooner or later.

Lu Xinyi watched as the twins finish their meals and ran outside the garden where Xiao Bai was waiting for her. The poor tiger must have been waiting for his breakfast, and with her being the only one who could touch and command him without a problem, Shen Yi’s men had a hard time controlling the tiger.

“Each year, Culinary Federation in the country conducts a cooking competition for Culinary School Students. The aim of this competition is to give students an insight into the hospitality industry and to identify and encourage students who demonstrate a talent and a passion for cooking.

“Competing schools can nominate two students to compete as a team who will be required to replicate the dish that the demonstrating chef prepares within a 90-minute time-frame. Two identical portions of that dish will be produced by each team with one dish presented to judging chefs for scoring and one dish for public presentation.

“The team that achieves the highest score for their dish in each kitchen, as determined by the judging chefs, will then be declared the winning team of the culinary challenge.”

“Uncle, do you mean to say that the juniors and seniors will fight for this nomination. I don’t think I’ll be able to compete given that Silver Leaf has already made me an entry for World Patisserie Challenge.” Lu Xinyi shrugged. She really didn’t know why she had to compete with her brother. She’s always up for a good friendly battle, but if Tian Lingyu’s future was at stake, she would give way for him.

“World Patisserie Challenge, huh.” The man rubbed his chin, thinking that maybe Lu Xinyi was right. If Tian Lingyu could secure his spot and win the Interschool Culinary Competition, he’d be able to study overseas. Silver Leaf might be a prestigious Culinary School in their country, but the world-class experience that he could earn at Country F was incomparable to what Silver Leaf could give him.

Meanwhile, if Lu Xinyi won the World Patisserie Challenge, she’d also have a chance to get her degree in the Pastry Arts. It would provide her the practical—as well as theoretical—foundations essential for success in the foodservice industry.

Taking a glance at his best friend’s daughter, He Haotian thought that Lu Sibai’s children were destined to dominate the culinary world something that the man wasn’t able to fulfill when he was alive.

“Well then, let’s see if your brother will manage to win this competition.”

Lu Xinyi let out a laugh and stood from her seat to follow her children. “There’s no doubt that he’ll be able to get that nomination soon, Uncle.”

—

That afternoon, Lu Xinyi and her small family arrived at their destination. Just like what her husband said earlier, it took them three hours on the road. Her eyes swept over the sea. How long had it been since she went to the sea?

Didn’t her last visit was with Shen Yi when they were newly-wed couples? Had it really been half a year already?

The scenery there was the best she had ever seen. The sea was blue, and the sand was soft beneath her shoes. Fortunately, Shen Yi owned a private beach nearby as the public beach was crowded. Many international hotel groups have established top-end hotels in the area as well.

“We’re here!” He Haotian sat beside her inside the car they were in as they watched the crowd at the bay. “Oh, wow, I can’t believe it’s crowded already.”

“It’s winter back in the capital. Of course, people will find something to warm themselves,” she replied.

“I should have brought Meina with me. I’m sure she would love this.”

An hour later, Shen Yi sat in the shade of a tree on the blanket his wife brought with them and looked around him. Unlike the public beach they passed earlier, the private beach of his hotel was less crowded; but there were still far too many people around for his liking.

The only good thing was Lu Xinyi was given a three-day break by the academy to prepare for her next cooking battle. In a way, this short break was really what they needed. Between running his companies and with her shops and attending Silver Leaf, Shen Yi didn’t think they could take leisure like this from their packed schedules.

The twins were paddling in the shallows of the water with Zhang Qing and Jiao Jiao looking after them while Lu Xinyi was nowhere to be found. Where could that woman be? Don’t tell him she left with He Haotian as soon as they arrived? Didn’t they say they’ll go to He Haotian’s friend’s place tomorrow?

“Daddy! Join us! You have to swim with us!” Shen Zhichen appeared beside him with buoy and floaters on each hand.

“Shouldn’t we wait for your mother?”

After all, they were on a beach. How could he miss a chance to see his wife in a bikini, ah?

“Eh? Didn’t Mommy say she couldn’t swim? She said she won’t be joining us today and will buy some local delicacies.” The boy tapped his chin. “Oh, Mommy is here!”

“Hey!” The woman in question arrived with two bags of food on the one hand, behind her was her mentor.

Shen Yi glanced at her evilly as he eyed her clothes. She was wearing one of his white dress shirts and short shorts.

“You aren’t going to swim?” he asked his wife, a little disappointed not seeing her in her bikini.

Lu Xinyi shook her head and sat beside him.

“No, I didn’t bring a bathing suit with me.” Her eyes couldn’t help but trail over the taut muscles of her husband’s as he sprawled casually next to her.

“That’s easy. I’ll call someone to get you a new set of bathing suit.” Shen Yi took his phone and was about to make a call when Lu Xinyi snatched it from his hand.

“Don’t you dare!” She hissed at him. She was glad that Shen Zhichen left and joined his twin sister on the waters while her mentor gave them some privacy and went back to the hotel.

“Are you worried about the size? Don’t worry, I’ve been your husband for some months now. I know what size to get for you.” He winked at her.

His wife ran a hand on her face. This pervert! Thankfully, the twins were out of earshot; or else there would be hell to pay!