Taboo Mage - Chapter 230 - You Don't Welcome Her?

Lin Huan immediately stood up straight, flashing his signature sycophantic grin. “Boss, I just came to see if you were awake. The food downstairs is ready.”

“Food’s ready? Who cooked it?”

I looked at him skeptically, and as Lin Huan spoke, my stomach growled loudly.

Lin Huan chuckled, and I shot him a glare. Despite my lingering doubts, the hunger in my belly was undeniable, so I followed Lin Huan downstairs.

All the way down, I pondered who could be so proactive to actually get up and cook!

Zhou Qifang was definitely out of the question; he’d rather order takeout than cook. Jue Chi wouldn’t either; although he seemed harmless and always willing to help, cooking was not his forte. When he stayed at Chan Guang Monastery, he would just nibble on some greens. But here, he waited to be served.

The only ones who could cook here were Lin Huan and me.

However, judging by Lin Huan’s demeanor earlier, it didn’t seem like he was the one who cooked.

In the short span of descending those few dozen steps, I considered all possibilities, yet I was still puzzled.

As I ruled out everyone, I reached the kitchen door. Seeing the table laden with dishes, my stomach growled again.

But when I saw who emerged from the kitchen, I wished I’d stayed asleep in bed.

“Brother Gu, you’re finally awake!”

Indeed, the person holding a plate in one hand and chopsticks in the other, with an apron tied around the waist, was none other than Li Mi!

Li Mi smiled warmly as she placed the last dish on the table, and Jue Chi, sitting nearby, actually smiled back and nodded at her. “Thank you.”

“No problem! Don’t mention it. If Master Jue Chi likes the food, you can stay here a few more days, and I’ll cook for you every day!”

Hearing Li Mi’s words, I nearly ground my teeth to dust. The most infuriating part was that Jue Chi actually nodded in agreement!

Even Zhou Qifang chimed in, “I agree. You should stay a few more days. Li Mi’s cooking is ten times better than Lin Huan’s and Gu Qingshu’s.”

I shot Zhou Qifang a sharp look. This guy, living in my place, eating my food, sleeping under my roof, even though he pays a monthly fee, betrayed me for a good meal, knowing full well I’m avoiding Li Mi!

Unbelievable!

I took a deep breath and said coldly to Li Mi, “How did you get into my house?”

“Master Jue Chi opened the door for me,” Li Mi replied matter-of-factly, then flashed a gentle smile at Jue Chi.

I squinted at her. “This is my house! Didn’t I say before that you’re not welcome here?”

“What? You don’t welcome her?” Zhou Qifang suddenly turned to me, looking incredulous.

I stared back. What? I can’t make decisions in my own home?

Zhou Qifang scrutinized me for a while, then smirked, “Gu Qingshu, you’re really cold. It’s been two or three months since you last slept with a woman, right? You don’t feel anything? Or have you been with us so long that you’ve switched to liking men?”

I swung a fist at Zhou Qifang’s pretty face. He dodged swiftly, even managing to intercept my fist mid-air with one hand.

“Hit a nerve, did I?”

I rolled my eyes and withdrew my hand. “Trying to provoke me? Not a chance. If you’re so keen on keeping her, then after this meal, you can leave with her.”

I chuckled and sat down at the table. I had to admit, the aroma of the food had already reached me when I was on the stairs.

When I first met Li Mi, she was a delicate girl from a modest background, untouched by kitchen chores. Yet, in less than a year, her culinary skills had improved remarkably.

Li Mi didn’t say much, just removed her apron and sat beside me, sharing jokes while serving everyone food.

She played the role of a perfect housewife, if I didn’t know her real occupation.

Zhou Qifang and Lin Huan were particularly fond of Li Mi, especially Lin Huan, who treated her like a dear sister after a few meetings, almost ready to swear brotherhood at the table.

Despite the delicious appearance of the meal, I ate with a belly full of frustration.

After quickly finishing my meal, I tossed my chopsticks aside and got up to leave. But before I could stand, Li Mi suddenly grabbed my sleeve.

“What? Is there something else? Or was I not clear enough?” I glanced at Li Mi’s slender fingers, noticing a band-aid on one. Perhaps she had cut herself with a kitchen knife while cooking.

Looking at that band-aid, a wave of sympathy surged within me, and in a moment of weakness, I didn’t shake off Li Mi’s hand.

“Brother Gu, I know you look down on me now and have no intention of being with me, but I hope you understand that I have my pride too. Your previous words and attitude made your intentions clear, so this time, I’m not here to pester you into accepting me.”

“Then what do you want?” I asked, curious.

“I want to ask Brother Gu for a favor.” Li Mi looked up, tears welling in her big eyes, trickling down her fair cheeks, making her look pitiful.

I stroked my chin, pondering whether Li Mi’s words were genuine or not. But seeing her like this, perhaps she really just wanted my help.

“Alright, tell me what the favor is, and I’ll see if I can help.”

I pulled my sleeve from Li Mi’s grasp and sat back down, waiting for her to explain.

Li Mi bit her lip and said softly, “Actually, this matter involves one of my clients.”

Client. When Li Mi said client, she meant the boss who was supporting her.

Hearing this opening, for some reason, I had already mentally crossed this person out.