Chapter 16

"I only know how to eat," Jonah Pierce scratched his head, looking innocent. "But I can wash vegetables."

Several male guests chimed in: "Same here."

Serena Blake's eyes lit up as she raised her hand. "I can cook some simple dishes." She secretly rejoiced—the cooking skills she'd honed in her past life to save money were finally coming in handy.

Audrey Lane twisted her fingers awkwardly. "I... I've never cooked before." She glanced at the others pleadingly. "I can help with prepping ingredients."

All eyes turned to Aria Bennett, who had yet to speak.

Nolan Reed's throat moved slightly. He remembered how skilled Aria was in the kitchen and selfishly didn’t want her cooking for others. Yet the familiar aroma of her cooking seemed to already drift into his senses, leaving him conflicted.

"I can cook," Aria said with a soft smile, breaking the silence.

Caleb Monroe made the decision. "Perfect! Then Aria and Serena will be the main chefs, and the rest of us will assist."

Inside the kitchen, everyone froze at the sight of the primitive clay stove. There was no rice cooker—just a large black iron wok. Dry firewood was stacked beside the hearth, and not even a lighter was in sight.

Serena’s heart sank. This was nothing like what she’d imagined! But she had to keep smiling for the cameras. "Aria, how should we divide the work?"

She deliberately tossed the challenge to Aria, a glint of calculation in her eyes.

Aria rolled up her sleeves calmly. "You choose."

"Well..." Serena quickly strategized. "For seven dishes, how about you handle the rice and three dishes, and I’ll take four?" She deliberately left the trickiest task—cooking rice—to Aria.

"No problem," Aria tied on her apron, moving as effortlessly as if she were in her own kitchen.

The live comments exploded:

[Aria’s totally faking it! Just wait till she burns the rice—then we’ll see if she’s still smiling.]

[Serena’s so kind, taking on most of the work.]

[I bet five bucks Aria has no idea how to use a clay stove.]

The male guests split firewood and struggled to start the fire. Damian Cross rolled up his shirt sleeves, revealing well-defined forearms as he swung the axe with precision. Nolan wasn’t far behind, logs splitting cleanly under his strikes.

But when Caleb and Wesley tried to light the fire, thick smoke instantly filled the kitchen. Serena choked, tears streaming as she covered her nose and fled outside.

Meanwhile, Aria crouched down and effortlessly coaxed a strong flame to life. As the smoke cleared, she rinsed the rice with practiced ease, the grains glistening in the bamboo sieve.

[Holy crap, Aria actually knows what she’s doing!]

[Where are the haters now? How’s that humble pie tasting?]

[The way she handles fire is so hot—help!]

Outside, Serena clenched her fists. She hadn’t expected Aria to master even these primitive tools. No way—she couldn’t let her steal the spotlight!

"Need any help?" She forced a smile as she re-entered the kitchen, only to find Aria already swiftly chopping ingredients. The rhythmic clatter of the knife against the board was crisp, the carrot slices so thin they were nearly translucent.

Serena’s smile stiffened. This opponent was proving far more formidable than she’d anticipated...