Chapter 7

Wen Xin had gone along with Luo Juan mainly because she was afraid that staying in the Wen family’s home any longer would make it easier for them to notice the differences between her and the original supporting female character.

She wanted a change of environment—somewhere no one was scrutinizing her every move. It would also give her more freedom to gather the information she needed. After all, at the Wen household, there was no one she could ask without raising suspicion.

But once she arrived at the Yan household, she quickly realized that being a nanny was no easy job.

Her assigned room was a hastily converted storage space on the first floor, with only a bed inside. She had barely finished settling in when He Wenyan called her out and handed her a list.

The paper was densely packed with notes detailing each household member’s food preferences—what they liked, what they disliked, and what type of meals they expected for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

As a doctor, He Wenyan was extremely particular about food—what should and shouldn’t be eaten, and how kitchen hygiene should be maintained. Her standards were meticulous, to say the least.

In short, she was not easy to please.

Wen Xin glanced at the list.

He Wenyan was from the south and preferred light, vegetable-based dishes. Uncle Yan, on the other hand, was a meat lover—but He Wenyan insisted on a balanced diet, meaning he couldn’t have meat every meal, and what he did eat had to be carefully selected for nutritional value.

Yan Zeyang was the least picky of the bunch—he ate anything.

There was also a six-year-old girl in the house who adored sweets.

So, Wen Xin was expected to cook for four people, ensuring each meal was not only nutritious but also catered to everyone’s individual tastes. And above all, the food had to be hygienic and delicious.

Wen Xin exhaled slowly.

With these requirements, what He Wenyan really needed wasn’t a nanny—she needed a professional chef and a certified nutritionist.

This job was anything but easy.

By the time she finished tidying up, it was already past four. He Wenyen first showed her around the house, pointing out the areas that needed cleaning and explaining where various household items were kept. Then, she led her into the kitchen.

“Every day, the guards will deliver fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits. Just use them to prepare the meals as needed. You know how to use the fridge, right? Any leftover vegetables should be stored inside, but try to use them up quickly; they shouldn’t be kept for too long.”

“Oh, and tonight, Weiguo will be home for dinner, so make a couple of extra dishes.”

Holding the list in her hands, Wen Xin sighed inwardly. “Alright, Auntie.”

…

Before she transmigrated, she often cooked to reward herself, but back then, there was air conditioning. Turning on the stove never felt like a big deal.

Now, however, she had entered a summer without air conditioning. Although the kitchen windows were open, not a single breeze passed through. The stifling heat left her drenched in sweat. She lifted the lid of the fish head soup pot to check if it was ready. The broth had turned a rich, milky white—just about done.

Since she would be eating too, she used the purest underground spring water extracted by her system. The system didn’t just draw water; it refined and concentrated the most beneficial and essential elements from it. From an entire cubic meter of water, only a small cup’s worth of the purest essence could be extracted. The system allowed her to select the source region, and she usually chose deep-sea water from below sea level or pristine mountain spring water from snowy peaks. The extracted water was automatically stored in the system, lasting her a long time for personal use.

On the stove, two other pots were steaming hot. The fish head soup was noted on the list as Yan Weiguo’s favorite, while the second pot contained a hearty stew called “family feast”—a simple yet nutritious dish made by stewing pork ribs, potatoes, and corn together. These ingredients had been delivered by the guards that day. She had simply chopped everything up and tossed them into the pot to simmer.

It was a generous, filling, and homely meal—nutritious, delicious, and perfectly aligned with the list’s requirements.

Ever since obtaining the extraction system in her third year of high school, Wen Xin had researched it extensively. She later discovered that the most valuable extracts from plants were their essential oils. The system automatically separated various components, but she only retained the essential oils and plant-based water extracts, discarding the rest.

Back when she partnered with Song Qian to start their business, they focused on cosmetics and essential oils.

Everything she provided came from her system—pure, top-quality, and 100% safe. In fact, they were so pure that they could be consumed. Just a few drops in a glass of water would leave a lingering fragrance in one’s mouth for three days—far superior to the diluted essential oils sold on the market.

If not for her deep friendship with her best friend, she wouldn’t have shared such a precious resource.

Summoning the system, she browsed through her stored extracts. She still had plenty of essential oils, not only from flowers and herbs but also from various culinary ingredients—such as spice extracts and ginger oil.

Among them, she found an extract that enhanced food’s taste and aroma. She took out a few drops and added them to the pot. Instantly, a rich and enticing corn fragrance filled the kitchen.

As for dessert…

Wen Xin actually knew how to make a lot of them. If she had an oven, her options would be even greater. But for now, she had to make do with what was available. After searching through the kitchen, she found only two jars of brown sugar.

After some thought, she decided to knead two types of dough—one plain and one mixed with brown sugar, turning it a deep reddish-brown. She rolled them out, stacked them, and shaped them into a spiral log before slicing them into thin rounds. Then, she fried the slices in hot oil until they turned golden and crisp.

When she took them out, the result was a plate of crispy, layered treats that looked like little curled cat ears. They weren’t overly sweet but had a delightful crunch and fragrance—perfect for kids.

As the small pot of oil bubbled, she carefully flipped the little cat-ear pastries, ensuring they fried evenly. Finally, once they were perfectly crispy, she fished them out and set them on a plate. When she turned around, she noticed a small figure peeking timidly from behind the door.

A tiny girl with two pigtails was cautiously watching her.

Her chubby little face resembled a peach, making Wen Xin’s heart melt instantly.

So, this was the six-year-old daughter left behind by Yan’s ex-wife?

Wen Xin immediately turned off the stove, took a few freshly fried cat-ear pastries, and walked over. The little girl didn’t recognize her, but her eyes kept darting toward the fragrant treats in Wen Xin’s hand. Seeing her approach, the child shrank back slightly, hiding behind the doorframe, yet she couldn’t bring herself to leave.

Wen Xin had always been good with kids. Her younger cousins adored her, often clinging to her legs and begging for food when their parents weren’t home.

Looking at this little girl, Wen Xin was reminded of her own younger sister. A warm smile spread across her face. “These are called cat ears. Look, don’t they look like a little kitten’s ears?” She playfully wiggled the pastry in front of the child.

The little girl’s big eyes followed the movement of the treat. When Wen Xin brought it close to her lips, she hesitated, then carefully took a bite. After chewing for a moment, her tiny lips smacked together in satisfaction. Finally, she allowed Wen Xin to scoop her up into a hug.

Children this age were so easy to win over—a simple treat, and they’d let you hold them as much as you wanted.

Cradling the little girl’s soft cheeks, Wen Xin chuckled. “How are you so adorable?”

For some reason, she suddenly thought of her aunt and her younger sister. A wave of nostalgia washed over her, and she couldn’t resist planting two kisses on the little girl’s chubby cheeks.

“Miao Miao!”

A cold voice suddenly rang out from the doorway.

The little girl, who had been happily munching on her cat-ear pastry, immediately turned her head. “Big brother!” She chirped excitedly, then bolted toward the source of the voice, her short legs wobbling with enthusiasm.

The man at the door removed his military cap, casting a cold glance at Wen Xin before blocking the little girl’s attempt to hug his leg. Frowning, he eyed the snack in her hand.

“What’s this?” he asked with obvious disapproval.

“Cat ears! Big brother, try some!” Miao Miao held up the treat with both hands.

Yan Zeyang snatched the pastry from her fingers, gave Wen Xin an indifferent look, and tossed out a curt command. “Dinner’s almost ready. Stop snacking before the meal.” Then, without another word, he turned and went upstairs.

Back in his room, he unbuttoned his shirt with one hand while casually glancing at the two remaining pieces of “cat ears” on his desk. Without much thought, he tossed them aside and headed to the shower.

When he returned, dressed and ready, his gaze once again fell on the desk.

Food shouldn’t be wasted.

He picked up a piece and popped it into his mouth.

…