Chapter 685: Intricate Taste (1)

When Liu Jinfei and Lin Xiao came down from their rooms to have breakfast at five in the morning, they didn't see Shen Lingqing around and wondered if she was already up. Even back at Savory Alley, they rarely saw Director Shen unless she went out of her office to do an inspection in the kitchen.

They already showered and changed into a pair of casual clothes since Director Shen didn't bother them about proper kitchen attire during this training. However, Lin Xiao made sure he had his small notebook and pen with him, so he could jot down notes to review later.

"Chef Liu, what do you think about the training we would have today? I hope it isn't the same as yesterday," Lin Xiao asked with a laugh. He could feel that his sense of taste had come back, but it's a little more sensitive than usual.

Liu Jinfei agreed with him, but he briefly wondered if there was a reason behind the concoction they had drunk yesterday. It's impossible for Shen Lingqing not to know what happened even if she wasn't with them yesterday, given that she frowned at He Haotian the moment she came back from Blue Haven Restaurant.

However, Liu Jinfei was aware that Shen Lingqing was their mentor during this trip. As her disciple, he had no right to question her intentions and the reasons behind her decisions. He had an impression that Director Shen was a perfectionist, but she allowed others to only make a mistake once.

Even though she was cold to everyone, Liu Jinfei didn't think she was petty enough to force her way without considering Lin Xiao's and his opinion. He was certain that behind the icy facade Shen Lingqing had, she was a gentle and caring person.

When their breakfast was done, it was too early for them to go to the kitchen and see Shen Lingqing, so they decided to step out of the resort to get some fresh air. However, what greeted them was Shen Lingqing who was dressed in a light sweatshirt and sweatpants.

She finally stopped jogging in place. She pulled the headphones off of her ears and wiped the sweat from her face with a towel. It seemed like she had just returned from her morning jog. No wonder she wasn't able to join them for breakfast.

"Good morning, Director Shen," Lin Xiao called after her, and it was only when the Shen princess realized that she wasn't alone outside.

"Morning." She nodded at the two impassively as always.

Up close, Liu Jinfei noticed that her face was bare and free from any makeup. Not that he had seen her wearing one before, but it had been made obvious since there was a thin layer of sweat on her pale skin, which made him unable to look away.

Shen Lingqing was a pretty young woman, and in a couple of years more, Liu Jinfei had no doubt that she would turn into a stunning beauty. He shook his head in an attempt to clear his thoughts, chastising himself for having such thoughts towards his superior.

"You're up early today. You should have taken a few more hours of sleep. We wouldn't have to meet until nine in the morning," Shen Lingqing said.

"I was too nervous last night, Director Shen," Lin Xiao admitted with a laugh, "In fact, I worry that you would ask us to drink the same concoction Chef He made for us yesterday if we made a mistake during our training."

"Oh? Why haven't I thought of that, Chef Lin? Would your performance be at its peak if I propose such terms to you and Chef Liu?" Shen Lingqing chuckled.

Lin Xiao was stunned in place upon hearing what she had said. She was joking, right? She couldn't be serious! His face blanched before a deep flush of red crept on his face from embarrassment.

Liu Jinfei coughed behind his hand. He could tell that Shen Lingqing was joking as an amused glint hinted in her eyes. This was something he didn't expect to see and hear from the demon princess.

"I'm just joking, Chef Lin. You don't need to worry about that concoction, but really... I hope that you didn't think Chef He was trying to ruin your palate. In fact, that concoction has made your taste buds sensitive, hasn't it?" She asked.

Liu Jinfei nodded in agreement. Yesterday, he thought that his tongue had gone numb after tasting that horrifying concoction, but as soon as he woke up today and had breakfast, he noticed that he was able to appreciate the food he had eaten.

"So that's why..." He muttered under his breath. He knew there was a reason behind that concoction. There were several flavors on it that he couldn't distinguish, but oddly enough, what Shen Lingqing said was right.

"Now that you mention it, Director Shen. My mouth feels clean now," Lin Xiao commented.

The corner of Shen Lingqing's lips curled up. Well, at least they knew that He Haotian wasn't particularly trying to poison them with his weird concoction. In fact, even she had once fallen victim to her Grandpa He's drink of hell.

"Then, I hope you'll be able to utilize it well later. I'll see you both at nine," she said before placing her headphones back in place and continued her jog, leaving the two chefs behind.

Lin Xiao took a deep breath next to Liu Jinfei and patted his chest in relief. What would he do if Shen Lingqing agreed with him and decided to punish them using that concoction? Lin Xiao didn't think he would be able to regain his sense of taste if that happened.

"Man, I thought Director Shen was serious earlier. Me and my big mouth!"

Liu Jinfei smiled and shook his head as he watched Shen Lingqing's figure disappear at the corner of the road.

"It only meant that Director Shen was fully prepared for this short training.. Let's do our best, Chef Lin."