Debbie sniffed and carefully followed Jin Yaotiao’s instructions, pulling out the scalding hot baking tray.

A sweet aroma wafted toward her, the heat still radiating from the dish, with the pastry crackling and sizzling as the outer layers of the dough visibly flaked open.

The pastries in the tray looked somewhat ordinary in shape.

However, the process of making them was not as simple as it seemed.

If Jin Yaotiao had done it herself, at least five or six different dough colors would have been needed just for shaping the flowers.

But since there was a beginner involved, they kept things simple to make the experience more enjoyable for her.

They skipped the step of decorating the pastries.

Though the pastries looked simple, their fragrance was anything but.

The outer crust’s buttery aroma blended with the complex sweetness of the filling—mild, with notes of nuts and red beans mixed with floral jam. It was the taste of calories.

But it also felt satisfying.

Jin Yaotiao, holding a spatula, scooped out a piece made by Debbie and passed it to her. “Want to try?”

The dough contained butter, carbohydrates, and a rich amount of sugar.

Normally, Debbie would have avoided even touching it.

But this time, she had made it herself.

Debbie, feeling the heat through her gloves, gently blew on the pastry before taking a small bite.

Crunch.

The crispy layers fell apart around the edges.

The fragrance quickly spread across her mouth, and the hot filling melted, turning from semi-solid to a thick, flowing sweet syrup.

The mixture of nutty and red bean sweetness, interspersed with the delicate floral jam, was a rush of flavor.

It made her feel content.

Jin Yaotiao said, “I used to diet like you, only eating one apple a day. Then I realized how foolish that was. Do you know why?”

Debbie, still with her mouth slightly open from the heat, didn’t stop chewing and shook her head.

Jin Yaotiao tapped her forehead lightly. “To give up all the good things for a man who doesn’t love you—it’s something only a fool would do.”

Debbie rubbed her forehead where she was tapped, listening to Jin Yaotiao’s words, but she couldn’t help but think of her own situation.

She had done so much psychological counseling for others, but because of her identity, she always worried about stirring up trouble and never dared to reveal her emotional experiences.

She found it strange that in this faraway country, she had met someone who seemed to understand her so well.

Whether it was from empathy or from a sense of injustice, hearing Jin Yaotiao’s words made Debbie slowly crouch down, holding the pastry in her hands, crying uncontrollably, shaking all over, unable to stop.

Before leaving New York, her boyfriend told her that he might soon marry the daughter of a rich businessman and politician he had been pursuing for a long time.

Yet, he begged her not to leave, saying that he didn’t actually like the woman and was pursuing her only for the benefit.

After so many years, with countless breakups and reconciliations, Debbie had never dared to admit that her boyfriend might not love her as much as he said.

She listened to his words, maintained her figure, worked hard, releasing two albums a year, striving to earn money for their shared company, hoping that one day he would no longer need to be with others for business interests.

How foolish…

But even though she was foolish, she couldn’t keep up the pretense much longer.

Jin Yaotiao stood by, letting her cry, no need to ask further, knowing the situation without words.

The wine-steeped chicken in the other oven was also ready.

Jin Yaotiao opened the oven and took out the large baking tray.

The lid on top was removed, and the bubbling broth released a steam cloud, carrying a powerful aroma that filled the air.

The little bit of broth that was originally in the pan had mostly evaporated, leaving a golden chicken that had been pre-cooked with wine and now lay on soft, elastic tendons that had soaked up the broth.

The chicken juices dripped down, and the flavor of the ingredients in the pan had also infused the chicken during the roasting.

The alcohol had mostly evaporated, but the moisture was tightly trapped in the pan, and the aroma was rich and fresh.

Jin Yaotiao wasn’t sure what the dish would taste like if prepared according to the original recipe—after all, she certainly wouldn’t use bear paws as the recipe suggested.

Despite her love of cooking, there were still basic moral boundaries to observe. Many ancient recipes were incompatible with modern ingredients.

Still, even with modified ingredients, the wine-steeped chicken’s aroma was still satisfying.

It seemed like Debbie had cried enough.

Holding the pastry, she glanced at the chicken in the pan, sniffing the fragrance, and softly asked, “Is this the wine-steeped chicken you mentioned?”

Jin Yaotiao nodded, “Want to try it?”

This time, she didn’t actively offer it.

Debbie hesitated for a moment but then nodded.

Jin Yaotiao took a fork, tearing off a small piece of chicken leg and offering it to her.

Debbie had a serious aversion to food.

Even now, her tolerance for eating was limited.

After just having a few bites of the pastry Jin Yaotiao made, she didn’t feel like eating the chicken.

But she still firmly placed the meat in her mouth.

The skin of the chicken, having been pre-cooked in wine, absorbed the steam and juices from the chicken during the roasting process.

It became soft and sticky, with a thick layer that was sweet and savory, giving the skin an exceptional texture.

The meat inside was also coated in the wine sauce, which permeated both the exterior and interior of the chicken.

The wine flavor was faint, only a subtle hint of alcohol, as the sauce had transformed into a new flavor after roasting.

Complex and mysterious, it was nothing but freshness.

Though Debbie had lost her appetite, the freshness in her mouth still impressed her.

She had already eaten enough but found herself staring at the pan. “Is this how you cook in your country?”

She recalled all the intricate steps Jin Yaotiao had taken when handling the chicken earlier, and the warm, comforting feeling she had when making the pastry.

Jin Yaotiao also forked out a piece of tendon and tasted it.

The broth before roasting had been just the right amount, and the sealed baking tray kept the steam inside, circulating in the small space.

By now, the broth had mostly evaporated, leaving a thin layer of essence, which had been fully absorbed by the ingredients.

The tendon had been soaked in wine during the preparation, and the wine flavor had been perfectly balanced through the broth’s influence.

As the chicken dripped its juices, the flavors soaked into the tendon, making it soft, sticky, and rich with a salty, savory taste. It truly had more layers of flavor than other methods.

Hearing Debbie’s question, Jin Yaotiao nodded and asked, “Your doctor and friends are outside. Should we take some to them?”

Debbie looked at the chicken in the pot for a moment and then said, “Jin, that’s not my doctor. He’s a doctor hired by my company to treat me, and he’s been monitoring me for the company during my treatment.”

Jin Yaotiao was startled. “Monitoring?”

Debbie wasn’t sure what she was thinking, but after a moment, she put on gloves and moved forward to pick up the baking tray. “Let’s go outside.”

Outside, the crowd that had been waiting for a long time suddenly caught a distinctive fragrance in the air.

There are many types of fragrances.

For instance, Mingde’s bamboo sugarcane tea has a faint, subtle scent, gentle and unobtrusive, making one feel warm when it is inhaled.

However, some fragrances are more assertive, like the one now.

The moment it appeared, it powerfully captured everyone’s attention, causing them to instinctively turn their heads to locate its source.

Ye Baiqing’s stomach growled, and he immediately felt hungry.

Saliva began to flood his mouth, and the doctor, who had already finished his third cup of bamboo sugarcane water, was also stunned by the source of the fragrance.

But what surprised him even more was the scene that followed.

Jin Yaotiao and Debbie came out from the back kitchen, and the person holding the roasting pan was Debbie.

Debbie was smiling and seemed relaxed, chatting with Jin Yaotiao as she walked.

This was behavior she would rarely show towards strangers, which startled the doctor, making him stand up in surprise. “Debbie?”

Debbie usually behaved very obediently in front of him, but now she only glanced at him without responding.

She calmly placed the roasting pan she had brought out on the table.

As the pan came closer, the fragrance grew stronger, causing everyone around to unconsciously focus on it.

The doctor, who had been growing increasingly impatient with Debbie for staying in the city rather than returning to work, couldn’t help but glance at the pan.

But the chicken could wait.

The doctor quickly shifted his focus back to Debbie, who had ignored him. “Debbie, are you okay?”

Debbie smiled and said, “I’m fine.”

She didn’t seem unusual and appeared mentally stable.

The doctor nodded, relieved, ready to eat the chicken, but then Debbie said, “But I don’t plan to return to New York for now.”

The doctor’s hand was already on the fork, but he immediately looked at her. “What did you say?”

Debbie said, “I want to stay here for a while longer.”

The doctor’s expression turned serious. “Debbie, the medical facilities here are limited. I don’t recommend you make such a decision. Also, with your diet…”

He paused, realizing his hand was still on the fork.

Opposite him, Ye Baiqing was giving him a look of disbelief.

His fingers quickly pulled away from the fork, and Debbie smiled. “See, this restaurant actually has quite good food.”

The doctor furrowed his brows. “Debbie, your mental state is unstable. We need to return to New York for further treatment so you can continue with your work…”

Debbie stared at him for a moment and suddenly smiled. “Please go back and tell Tommy to suspend my work. I need some rest.”

The doctor was stunned. “Go back?”

Debbie nodded. “Yes.”

She had always been peaceful with the doctor sent by her boyfriend, sometimes aware that some of his words were meant to get her to keep working for the company, but she had never said anything to ask him to leave, no matter how uncomfortable she felt.

But now, when she spoke, the doctor looked incredulous.

After a while, he looked toward Jin Yaotiao. “What have you done to my patient?”

Jin Yaotiao recalled the news about Debbie she had seen before, and thinking about the “watcher” Debbie had mentioned earlier, she could sense that something was off with the doctor now.

She called for her employees who weren’t in the restaurant to return immediately.

After putting away her phone, she calmly locked eyes with the tall doctor. “I haven’t done anything.”

Ye Baiqing and Debbie’s friend, who had accompanied her, looked confused but also sensed something was wrong.

Debbie pressed her lips together, having hidden so much for so long.

She suddenly felt there was nothing to hide. “Just do as I say, go back and report to your boss. You should ask your boss what he’s done to me.”

Thinking the conversation was over, she was surprised when the doctor stared at her, suddenly calling the bodyguard’s name.

The towering bodyguard, who had been standing by the table, stepped forward after hearing the doctor’s voice.

The doctor said, “Debbie’s mental state is unstable. We need to take her back to New York for treatment.”

The bodyguard hesitated, glancing at Debbie, then at the doctor.

After a moment, he walked toward Debbie.

Debbie stepped back, suddenly realizing something.

Yes, these bodyguards were also hired by the company on her behalf.

They chose to listen to the doctor instead of her, and a sense of disbelief rose in Debbie’s chest—her boyfriend had arranged for people to control her from the beginning.

After all, she was the company’s biggest cash cow.

A feeling of hopelessness mixed with laughter rose in her.

She suddenly didn’t know what she had been chasing all these years.

These bodyguards were all huge and muscular, with arms thicker than her thighs.

If they tried to forcefully take her, she wouldn’t even have a bit of resistance.

Debbie’s lips trembled, and her arm was suddenly pulled by Jin Yaotiao.

Jin Yaotiao looked at the bodyguards, her expression cold and fierce. Her presence was no less imposing. “What are you trying to do in my restaurant? Do you believe I’ll call the police immediately?”

The bodyguards paused when they heard her, and the doctor signaled for the others to help. “Take Debbie with you. We’ll go to the airport immediately. We can be on our way to New York in two hours.”

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

One bodyguard hesitated for a moment, reached out to push Jin Yaotiao aside, but his arm was suddenly grabbed.

A deep voice came from behind. “I advise you not to touch her.”

Everyone present froze, and Jin Yaotiao looked up in surprise. “Mr. Shen?”

Shen Qiming, looking a bit worn-out with dark circles under his eyes but still handsome, stepped forward.

Despite his smaller frame, he was no less imposing than the bodyguard. His sharp, tense posture exuded authority as he slightly parted his lips and commanded, “Step aside.”

The bodyguard, under his intense gaze, instinctively stepped back.

Jin Yaotiao looked at the retreating bodyguard, then turned her gaze back to Shen Qiming.

Thinking about the argument they had a few days ago, she pursed her lips. “Mr. Shen, what brings you here? Were you passing by?”

Shen Qiming looked down at her, his gaze deep. Just when she thought he would say yes, he suddenly spoke. “I went to Mingde. They told me you were here, so I came to find you.”

Jin Yaotiao was stunned, not having expected this response.

Before she could react, her back was pressed against Debbie’s forehead. “Jin!”

Jin Yaotiao quickly turned to comfort her. “Don’t be afraid.”

Shen Qiming stared at the waist Jin Yaotiao was holding with both hands, his eyelashes trembling slightly. Who was this?

There was a commotion outside the restaurant as people poured in.

Some were Mingde employees, while others were mall security called by Shen Qiming’s assistant.

Amidst the noise, several people with special identities followed in.

Ma Le, along with three of his close disciples, had originally come to cause trouble for Mingde.

When they heard that Mingde’s restaurant had to wait, they came earlier than planned.

But as soon as they stepped off the elevator, they were caught up in the commotion and followed the crowd into the restaurant.

Seeing the tense scene ahead, they immediately realized someone had beaten them to it.

Seeing the burly men surrounding Jin Yaotiao, Ma Le raised his eyebrows and stepped forward. “What are you doing? A bunch of big guys bullying a woman?”

He stepped in front of Jin Yaotiao, mocking, “You sure know how to make enemies.”

He had no problem with it, but he didn’t expect her to anger foreigners too.

Jin Yaotiao: “…”

It took her a few seconds to recall that he was the one she had met at her father’s second brother’s house. “Ma Le?”

Ma Le saw that she didn’t remember him.

His fingers trembled, and he glared at her, angry.

Shen Qiming watched the interaction, his eyelashes trembling again.

Who was this?

But Ma Le soon noticed the faint scent coming from the restaurant.

His gaze slowly shifted to the direction of the fragrance.

In a deep roasting pan, a chicken lay quietly, still emitting steam. It looked familiar, but the aroma was much richer than anything he had tried making under his father’s guidance.

The doctor’s bodyguards, facing him, followed his gaze.

They too glanced at the chicken.

It smelled so good.