When Xiao Zhan went to bed last night, it was after planning a healthy menu and dishes that were not too difficult to prepare. For someone who has been cooking since he was thirteen years old, it was not a difficult task to be able to do without one ingredient or change it for another without causing the taste of the dish to suffer a change in flavor or texture.

With a sense of extreme joy and contentment, he slept in until five in the morning, got ready right away and the first thing Xiao Zhan did, was to visit Zewu-Jun, the leader of the Lan Clan. If he was going to cook, he needed a kitchen obviously but asking the chef could be problematic, so he had better go talk directly to the Sect Leader.

When Xiao Zhan saw Lan XiChen, he was accompanied by his brother, they were having tea together, but Xiao Zhan completely ignored the second Lan even though he bowed to the two of them, his attention was fixed on the elder brother, he smiled at him casually, something very typical of Xiao Zhan, he did it involuntarily.

Lan XiChen was surprised by the younger one's gesture, he looked at his younger brother who was still wearing his usual stoic expression, he looked back at the young man in front of him and smiled back.

"Young Master Wei, no lessons today" Lan XiChen said kindly "Why are you here so early?"

"Excuse me sect leader" Xiao Zhan bowed again, now he felt a little embarrassed, since he is here, he just has to ask "I just wanted to ask for the kitchen or at least a part of it so that I can be the one to prepare today's meal. "

"Does Young Master Wei know how to cook?" Lan XiChen opened his eyes slightly in surprise and looked almost automatically at his brother, who was still just as quite as always but paying attention to the conversation, Zewu-Jun cleared his throat and returned to his usual calm expression "If Young Master Wei wants to borrow the kitchen, he can, although I doubt the cook will be happy to leave the kitchen... "

"Oh don't worry" Xiao Zhan hastened to clarify "If the chef wants to supervise my work, I have no problem, I would even be grateful to have extra help."

"If so, you can rest assured Young Master Wei that the kitchen today is at your disposal."

"Thank you Zewu-Jun" Xiao Zhan bowed smiling full of happiness, he turned around heading in the direction of the kitchen.

"Did you two have a fight?" asked Lan XiChen to his brother as he watched the young man walk almost running towards the kitchen.

Lan Zhan only clenched his fists and followed silently, not answering his older brother. [Note of the translator: Citing a comment I just read *gay clench*]

When he entered the kitchen of the Lan Sect he almost cried with happiness. It had been so many days since he had touched culinary utensils or done anything of use with his talent in this area, that it seemed as if it had been years. Even when it was his turn to film, he didn't spend that much time away from the kitchen, there was always some time that he would prepare the food himself or for the whole crew. Even when he was filming The Untamed. [Note of the translator: Xiao Zhan is a man of many talents]

A man in the Lan Clan's trademark white robes and white headband stood in the middle of the kitchen with his arms folded. At first glance the man did not appear to be in his thirties, twenty-five or twenty-seven at most, with a handsome appearance and a good temperament, although the scowling expression on his face said clearly that he was not in the mood.

He must have received the notification from Zewu-Jun thought Xiao Zhan.

"Ehm... Good morning" Xiao Zhan hurriedly bowed " I am Wei Ying, Wei Wuxian and I will be in your charge Chef" he bowed again "This disciple will be borrowing your kitchen". [Note of the translator: I don't really know how cuisine hierarchy works, but just imagine that Xiao Zhan is using 'Chef' as a respectful honorific]

"My kitchen is not for games" said gruffly the man, who ignored Xiao Zhan's greeting "I won't let you ruin it for me."

"I understand Chef" Xiao Zhan was very clear that many cooks, or chefs in his world, are very reluctant to let outsiders into their world and their world means the kitchen. It is their sacred place "I know very well that I will never in a thousand years be like you but I would really like you to allow me just for today to make use of your beloved kitchen" he smiled as he usually does, calm and serene, not realizing that his own temper was coming out "Please. "

The chef or rather, Chef Lan Li, was not very convinced when he let that Young Master enter his beloved sacred world. But since it was an order from the Sect Leader he could not disobey, but mind you, he could keep an eye on this brat in case he set the whole kitchen on fire or broke something. ". [Note of the translator: In all seriousness Wei Ying would probably do this]

However, although he was very watchful and distant at first, his impression of the brat changed when he saw him chopping vegetables so nimbly. His knife handling was simply amazing, the way he went about in the kitchen, asking only where the seasonings or oils were kept, the choice of vegetables was very good too.

When Xiao Zhan began to make the dough for the wonton, Lan Li had already fallen for the talent of this Young Master. The smell escaping from the pots was very fragrant and his mouth was watering, he wanted to open it and taste some. He had to make use of his greatest self-control and not lose face.

The other kitchen helpers were crowded at the entrance, amazed at the work of that young man who had the image of an expert cook and that the kitchen was the one who followed his orders and not the one who manipulated everything with his hands. More than one stomach roared at the exquisite smell of food, some were even a little perplexed, so used to the bland food of their Clan that they thought their taste buds were no longer functioning properly.

"Fruit?" asked Lan Li in confusion when he saw Xiao Zhan dicing the fruits "What do you want the fruit for?"

"For dessert" said Xiao Zhan casually without stopping dicing the apple "What's a good menu without a good dessert?" he asked without waiting for the elder to answer "Although it would taste better if it had a wider variety of fruits but this is enough."

Actually Xiao Zhan was far from feeling tired, he had been all morning and part of the midday/afternoon preparing dinner for a whole sect and disciples of other sects alone, with a small participation Lan Li. And it had been great!

It had only been a few dishes, in large quantities, but it was enough to make him happy. And it seems that Chef Lan Li liked Xiao Zhan's cooking, so cooking won't be a problem in the future, even if it's not Xiao Zhan who does it, just helping in the kitchen is enough.

If you found any spelling or grammar mistakes in this chapter, please let me know, and I'll do my best to correct it. Thanks for reading, don't forget to , if you can please also Hope you enjoyed the marathon! Byeeeeeee

PD: Sorry if I've been absent and thanks to the people who dm me, but studying medicine really takes a lot of my energy and lately I've been so stressed that I get easily sick and tired (which is kinda ironic, isn't it?). But just so you know I'm really thankful for the support this fic has received and you guys keep me motivated to make an effort lyyyy