Footsteps could be heard coming from outside the kitchen until the door flung open, with Gu Meina stepping inside in panic.
"We heard a scream. What happened?"
Following after her were He Haotian and the Mo siblings. They found Shen Yi and Lu Xinyi at the sink, running cold water on Lu Xinyi's hand. They caught a glimpse of the fallen frying pan on the floor. The source of that scream was now obviously apparent to the newcomers.
He Haotian had an unreadable expression on his face which seemed to contradict his usual playful attitude. It was like he'd already expected that Lu Xinyi would fail.
"I'll get a first aid kit. Keep her hand under the water for fifteen minutes." He told Shen Yi and got the first aid kit that they needed.
"Is it serious? Do we need to take you to the hospital?" Gu Meina asked worriedly as she watched Lu Xinyi bit her lip, clearly in pain.
"No, it's nothing serious," Lu Xinyi replied.
Mo Liwei saw the pot of discarded soup near the sink and checked on it. He noticed there wasn't a new pot simmering on the stove.
"What is it?" His sister asked and peeked over her shoulder. "Oh? The corn soup is done?"
He shook his head. "No. Madam Shen is planning to make another batch." He pointed at the chopped ingredients on the other countertop.
Mo Lihui knitted her brows. The soup at the countertop looked okay and done so why would Lu Xinyi decide to cook another batch this time? In her opinion, there was nothing wrong with this soup.
He Haotian went back with the first aid kit and passed it to Shen Yi.
"Let's go. Madam Shen doesn't need us here. She probably realized by now what she should do to make up from her previous mistakes."
The older chef turned his back from the couple and left them as soon as he said those words. Lu Xinyi's doubts and frustrations were her own business to deal with, and he would give her respect that she hadn't broken down at that moment's weakness.
The Mo siblings gave each other a confused look, not understanding why they couldn't help Lu Xinyi when it was obvious that she was struggling. Gu Meina shook her head and patted their shoulders before leading them outside, leaving the couple alone in the kitchen.
Shen Yi flicked open the box and began to riffle through it, pulling out the ointment for his wife's burn and some bandages. The sound of water coming from the faucet stopped, and he found Lu Xinyi standing next to him, with a clean towel on her injured hand.
"Sit and let me bandage your hand." Shen Yi told his wife to which she complied without a word, sitting at the nearest stool to let him check her hand.
"Give me your hand," he asked her, his hand open—waiting for her to comply.
Placing her injured hand on her husband's, Lu Xinyi sucked in a deep breath when he spread the cooling ointment on her injuries. The stinging sensation coming from her hand made her wince and tried not to retract her hand from Shen Yi's hold.
Shen Yi's grip on her hand went tight but not enough to hurt her. "What's going on, Xinxin? You're not in your usual self."
Lu Xinyi looked up at him, her brows drawing together. "What do you mean?"
"You're upset and undecided. This is not the Lu Xinyi I know. She never let anything or anyone to put her down. She welcomes challenges head-on. What change now?"
Lu Xinyi swallowed thickly, her eyes averting his before going back to watching how he wrapped her hand with gauze and bandages. Her mind reeled at what logical reason she could give him for her predicament. He was right. Why was she hesitating now?
Shen Yi wound the bandages on her hand and secured it tightly. He felt tears drop on his hand, causing his head to look up at his wife. His eyes widening slightly as he saw Lu Xinyi crying. He wanted to say something, but his words were caught in his throat, not knowing how he should deal with a crying woman—especially if it's his wife.
Lu Xinyi sighed. She was glad that Shen Yi was able to put her worries at bay, clearing her mind to focus on the matter on her hands.
This time, there was nothing at stake that she must protect except her pride as a chef. If there was something she should know by now, it was the obstacle she should overcome was her own self. Her worst enemy was herself.
People who felt down about themselves were the kind of people who couldn't embrace change in life. When He Haotian pointed out a possibility of her leaving Silver Leaf and treading another path, Lu Xinyi's resolve had been affected with self-doubt. She was afraid to step out of her comfort zone which was cooking using the style of her father.
She was afraid of the unknown. This skill of her tongue that could distinguish the ingredients from a dish was new to her. She hadn't really paid attention to it before, and now that He Haotian opened another possibility for her, Lu Xinyi realized that there was more to her than cooking.
To become a better chef and be a more productive person, she should be willing to step out of her comfort zone and embrace the changes that could occur in her life.
"You are right. I shouldn't put pressure on myself. I know myself better than anyone else. The only one who can beat me… is me."
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