Chapter 178 - Tastes Good

Later that night...

After Zoey freshened up, she looked around to find no one inside the room. Knitting her brows, Zoey headed outside as Matthew Xi would normally work on his laptop during this time. 

Jogging downstairs with only her bathrobe on, Zoey arched her brows as she heard faint noises coming from the kitchen. "Darling?" She called out softly, taking feather-like steps towards the kitchen. 

Peeking what was happening, Zoey narrowed her eyes. 'He's cooking?' She muttered internally. 

It's been two days since Matthew Xi moved in. However, both of them survived by ordering food or eating out. 

Even during breakfast, Zoey and Matthew Xi would only have a cup of freshly brewed coffee and a toast — very western. Thus, Zoey didn't think he could cook too. 

Sniffing the aroma of the food he was preparing, Zoey licked her bottom lip. "Smells like poison," She murmured, yet the meat of the person who was cooking seemed to be more to her liking. Yummy. 

"Darling, do you know the entire house smells like poison?" Chuckling at the thought, Zoey decided to intrude in the silent kitchen and leaned against the kitchen counter. 

Turning to face her, Matthew Xi opened his lips slightly but then closed them again. Deep down, he knew he was messing things up. Well, he has top tier chefs to cook and balance his diet. 

Therefore, Matthew Xi had little experience in cooking. Still, he recalled the simple dishes his mother had taught him. Alas, it was evident that without practice, he mostly forgot about it. 

"Are you trying to impress me?" Seeing his reaction, Zoey giggled as she teased him and then walked over beside him. 

"No, it's for my dinner." Matthew Xi denied, cocking his head to the side for her to see the one serving dish he was trying to make edible. 

Glancing at the dish good for one person, Zoey scoffed as she glared at him. "Well, I'm not suicidal — I won't eat it." 

Upon hearing her defense, his eyes darkened as he frowned. That's harsh... he's trying his best! At least she could pretend to be disheartened!

"Jeez... what are you making? Want me to help?"

"You're not a good cook either." Bearing a disinterested tone, Matthew Xi cast her a side eye before he stared at the hot poison in the pot he was concocting. 

"Well, I lived alone, alright? The time I cooked for you was my first try after months of not cooking. Still, It was edible, but this...?" In a matter-of-fact tone, Zoey darted her gaze from the pot to Matthew Xi's imperious side profile. 

"Oh god... I wonder how you managed to live alone like this." Zoey added in dismay as her under eye twitched watching his lack of talent in cooking. 

Well, he's good-looking and adapts in his environment faster than others. So, the world couldn't be so unfair if he's good at everything, right? 

"Watch and learn." Sighing heavily, Zoey pointed her forefinger at him as she took over the kitchen while he stepped aside. 

Picking up a spoon, Zoey scooped a spoonful from the pot, blew on it softly and had a taste of it. As soon as her tongue touched the food, she turned to Matthew Xi with eyes full of criticism. 

"It's bad, I know." Even without words escaping her mouth, Matthew Xi could easily read the insults inside her head. 

"No, it's not." Shaking her head, Zoey clicked her tongue as she placed down the spoon on the saucer plate. 

Raising her gaze back to him, she added. "It's close to being a poison — bad is understatement." Without filtering her words, Zoey spoke her mind as she felt she needed to give her honest thoughts to him. 

Upon hearing her criticism, Matthew Xi remained silent as he nodded his head. 'I don't even know what to feel...' he whispered inwardly, having mixed emotions that these words were coming from Zoey's lips. 

If not for the fact that Zoey kissed him earlier, he wouldn't have thought of this idea. Moreover, he noticed that their lifestyle here was unhealthy. 

Therefore, he wanted to change it himself. Alas, it was easier said than done. If only he could hire someone... it would be much easier for them. 

For a minute, Zoey stared at him and could not help but sigh. "Jeez... stop frowning. You look like a lost puppy." She murmured, averting her gaze away as she wanted to kiss him and cheer him up. 

Imagine Matthew Xi, the man of few words, always bearing his cold demeanor was frowning — looking all dejected which he failed to conceal properly. Now, he made her feel like the bad, heartless person for spouting such comments. 

"Don't bother with it. You can order your dinner." Shaking his head, Matthew Xi decided that there's no need for them to bother and salvage his first attempt at making her dinner. 

"I don't waste food no matter how bad it tastes." Zoey sighed, moving her gaze on the ingredients nearby. "This might not be for me, but since it's made under my house, I won't throw it in the trash knowing that poverty exists in the world." 

"Who said I'm going to throw it in the trash?"

"My instincts." Picking up the bottle of salt, Zoey cast him a side eye before she sprinkled some salt in it because the dish lacked flavor. "I survived this long following my instincts... and it never failed me." She muttered, leaning down a little as she sniffed the aroma of the food. 

For a moment, Matthew Xi pursed his lips into a thin line as he watched Zoey add ingredients to the dish he was making earlier. "Instinct..." He whispered, questions swirling inside his mind. 

Meanwhile, Zoey picked up another spoon and had another taste check of the dinner she was making. Nodding her head, Zoey turned to Matthew Xi who was watching her silently. 

"Taste a bit better. Wanna try?" Out of good will, Zoey smiled as she offered magnanimously. 

Staring back at her, Matthew Xi moved his gaze from the pot to Zoey. "Mhmm," He hummed a tune, nodding his head. 

"Hehe," Giggling, Zoey turned to the pot as she was about to scoop a spoonful for him to taste. However, just as she turned, his hand snaked around her wrist and tugged it gently towards him. 

As Zoey turned, his hand stilled the back of her head and leaned closer and closer until his lips pressed against hers. At his sudden initiation, Zoey widened her eyes the moment his tongue guided her lips to part. 

"Hmm!" 

Despite her short protesting hum, Matthew Xi licked her lips before he drew away. "Tastes good.." Licking his bottom lip, he said as he nodded his head.