Chapter 538 In A Quandary
Ning Ran explained patiently, “These aren’t leftovers that have been sitting in the fridge for a long time. It’s just that we didn’t manage to finish—”
“I don’t eat leftovers,” Nan Chen repeated. It was clear to Ning Ran that his intention was to look for trouble. “Then, shall I cook a fresh bowl of noodles for you?”
“I don’t eat noodles, either.” As expected, he’s purposely trying to find faults.
“In that case, what would you like to have? I can make anything.” Ning Ran suppressed her anger, trying her best not to offend the man.
After all, what happened at the filming site earlier had caused Nan Chen to be extremely irritated and annoyed. Hence, he was looking for a way to release his anger.
“I don’t know.”
A standard laconic reply from him was enough to make Ning Ran upset.
There’s cooked food on the table, but he’s complaining that they are leftovers. He is rejecting my offer to cook him some noodles, yet he doesn’t know what to eat. Is he playing a fool with me? What gives?
“I shall make a couple of your favorite dishes.” Ning Ran strode toward the kitchen with a plastered smile on her face.
Nan Chen was very surprised at her exceptional level of patience but said nothing about it. Why is she enduring all these? This isn’t her style.
Meanwhile, Ning Ran was scratching her head in the kitchen, struggling to think of a menu.
What does he usually like to eat? He doesn’t seem to have a favorite dish. He’s a small eater and rarely gobbles down his food. It’s so tough trying to guess what a person like him would like to eat. Moreover, he has never mentioned this before. I hate the quandary I’m in now. What if I make him something simple that he hasn’t tasted before? Oh well, I’ll just play by ear and let my cravings and tastebuds lead the way. After all, he didn’t order anything specific.
Moments later, Ning Ran served him a plate of egg-fried rice in his study room.
Upon entering the room, she saw that Nan Chen was chatting happily with the two children. As soon as he saw her, his bright smile faded away.
“Wow! The egg-fried rice smells so good!” Erbao exclaimed.
“Don’t even think about it, you little foodie! You have already taken your meal. Go now and read a book outside,” Ning Ran said.
Dabao shot Erbao a look, indicating that their parents needed their alone time. Then, the duo quietly left the room.
A mouthwatering aroma saturated the air and invoked Nan Chen’s appetite. He subconsciously glanced at the dish.
While it was a typical staple food for others, it was a rare dish for a rich brat like Nan Chen.
“What’s this?” He frowned.
“It’s my yummy egg-fried rice. Quickly go wash your hands before digging in,” Ning Ran asserted proudly.
“No, I don’t want to eat that. Fried rice is very unhealthy,” Nan Chen grumbled.
Ning Ran was taken aback by his comment. “Why is fried rice unhealthy? It’s perfectly fine to eat it occasionally. In fact, it’s nothing like fast food. So, don’t be so pampered.”
“No, I won’t eat it,” Nan Chen refused coldly.
At this point, Ning Ran’s blood was already boiling in rage, for Nan Chen’s attitude made it hard for her to keep it in.
Suit yourself! You can starve for all I care.
However, she changed her mind within seconds. I can’t put up a fight with him yet. We haven’t discussed the important matter.
“Take a bite and try. If it’s not to your liking, you can leave it. I won’t make the same dish for you next time. Okay? I asked just now if you had something you wanted to eat, but you didn’t state anything specific.”
She paused for a while and continued, “You were born with a silver spoon and have tasted all the gourmet delicacies in the world. It’s not easy for me to come up with one dish that can satisfy your sophisticated palates. Therefore, I thought about giving you something you’ve never experienced before. Considering my earnest effort to cook for you, would you be so kind as to at least give it a taste?”
Her tone was utterly gentle and sincere, causing Nan Chen to reconsider his stance.
He took a glance at the golden egg-fried rice.
It actually smells amazing. Perhaps, I can give it a try.
After going to the bathroom to wash his hands, he returned to the plate of tempting fried rice and had his first try.
Oh, it’s indeed delicious.
“How’s it?” Ning Ran anticipated a positive response from him.
“Not bad. Just that it’s bad to eat such high-calorie food at night,” he replied indifferently.
Ning Ran heaved a sigh of relief, knowing that Nan Chen had approved of her dish because he seldom sang praises to others.
“No worries. You are lean and fit. I’m certain that you won’t put on weight so easily,” she coaxed him subtly.
Hearing so, Nan Chen felt good and took another bite.
The more he ate, the better it tasted. It had been a very long time since he had anything this flavorful.
I never knew she could whip up such an appetizing meal. Why didn’t she cook this earlier? Why only now? Whatever, I can’t make it any more obvious that the food is good. Otherwise, she’s going to be so full of herself. Moreover, one shouldn’t consume such calorie-rich food at night. I have to stop eating.
“Say it. What do you want from me?” Nan Chen put his spoon down.
Ning Ran was astonished. How can he tell?
“Nothing. I’m doing great. What is there to ask? I don’t need anything in return for cooking you a plate of fried rice. So, don’t overthink it.” Ning Ran’s grin was stiff.
“All right. Take this dish away. It’s awful.” He pointed at the plate with only a little bit of rice left on it.
Awful? Is that all he can say after eating almost two-thirds of it? That’s so fake. If it’s that bad, would he have eaten so much of it? What does he take me for?
“I’ll take my leave now. Have a good one.”
Ning Ran had to put up with him because she had not achieved her objective.
After a while, she came back to the room.
“I’m done with the dishes, so I was thinking of having a little chat with you,” she said, standing in front of his desk.
Nan Chen answered with minimal effort, “I thought you said there was nothing?”
“Well, it’s not anything important—”
Before she could finish her sentence, he interrupted, “If it’s nothing urgent, drop it. I’m busy.”
Ning Ran was struck speechless.
The anger she was trying her utmost best to suppress threatened to get the better of her.
No, I must be calm and take this easy. If an argument starts between us, all of my previous efforts will be for naught.
“It’s not a big deal, but I still want to talk to you about it.” She could not let it go.
“Are you going to say it or not? You’re so fickle-minded. On the one hand, you initiated a conversation; on the other hand, you hesitated. If it holds any importance, say it now. Otherwise, hold your peace.” Nan Chen was losing his patience.
Ning Ran was absolutely furious that she wanted to land a few powerful kicks at him.
How nasty and heartless can he be? To give me the cold shoulder after enjoying my food? I guess I can no longer be so gentle to him and make him think that I’m a pushover. He’d better watch out once I show him my temper. Otherwise, we can never bring this conversation further.
“The staff passed me the new script, and I heard that it’s your instruction,” Ning Ran cut to the chase.
Nan Chen scoffed. I knew it! So, this is what she’s been wanting to discuss.
“Indeed,” he admitted openly as he had nothing to hide.
“I feel that we can discuss this further. You know, there have been a lot of changes made to the script. I’m afraid that the box office will be severely impacted should we shoot the movie based on the revised version.”
“You will surely be paid with the amount stated on your contract regardless of the box office. That has got nothing to do with you, the actress. So, don’t worry about it.”
Nan Chen instantly killed the conversation, but Ning Ran was not ready to give up.
“I understand. However, I’m also one of the key members of the production team. Having said that, there’s an utter need for me to raise an opinion about it. Of course, I can only share my view. The decision is still the bosses to make.”
Ning Ran took a deep breath and swallowed her anger.
