Bab 3: Number 1
In the succeeding weeks, Midori has been sharing her lunch with Dan. Their house cook cannot help but ask her how she suddenly had the appetite to finish her lunch.
"Shobe*, I see you like your lunch more in the past weeks. What would you like today?"
"Aunty Lan, to tell you the truth, I have been sharing my lunch with classmates. But rest assured that I have plenty for myself. Also, can you teach me how to make okonomiyaki*? I would like to have that for lunch today." She made puppy dog eyes with her request.
Xiu Lan is actually a second cousin of her father. She was raised to be a good housewife and her cooking skills were exemplary, mastering two Asian countries' dishes, one was innate in their family, while the other was for the Mistress' taste. However, she was not originally their cook. She was married once. Though it was an arranged marriage, she loved her husband and he cared for her a lot. It was marriage of convenience for their companies, but they developed their friendship into a blissful relationship between husband and wife. However, she became a widow and had a miscarriage due to grief when her husband perished in a plane crash abroad. She never remarried.
Midori's father is her favorite cousin. She did not have siblings and she grew up with him. So when he married, she decided to help out in the house as their cook. They happily took her for she is basically family.
Xiu Lan looked at her niece and smiled.
"Of course, Shobe. What would you like to toss into your okonomiyaki?"
"Uhm, do we have octopus?" She tapped her fingers together shyly.
Xiu Lan was shocked for a bit. They don't usually store such ingredient. However, since the mistress asked her to prepare spicy baby octopus for dinner mid-week, they luckily have some.
"Shobe, you're so lucky. Your Mama asked me to buy some yesterday. However, they are baby octopus, if you dont mind?"
Midori's face lit up. "Yes! Thank you, Aunty Lan! Maybe we can also make some takoyaki?"
Her beaming smile made her aunt laugh.
"Okay then, I'll teach you how to make them as per tradition, so it will look and taste authentic."
Her aunt was very pleased that she finally showed some interest in the kitchen.
Midori felt satisfied and carried her bag and lunch towards their classroom.
"Good morning, Miss Xiu." Classmates greeted her one after another.
A cute girl in pigtails and blue-framed glasses approached her.
"Midori! Good morning!" She looks so refreshing with her smile.
"Mei!" Midori responded abruptly turning her body towards her.
"Ready for practice later?"
"Yeah. You brought knee support pads?"
"Yep! I also got you a matching pair..teehee!"
Midori's eyes widened. She does not really use it, but she cannot turn this friend down.
"Uhm..thank you!" She responded awkwardly after some delay.
Classes went through. It is now apparent that Midori may not be the best student in class anymore.
Competing with her and beating her in answering problems on the board was Verdan Zhou.
Their classmates have mixed feelings towards this change.
Some thought that Midori is still number 1 and that this newcomer should not be praised.
Some had a new model student and understood that he is better than Midori, with a few females among this group secretly sneered towards her.
And there is a group of people who thought they look good together and was silently shipping this tandem.
Hadiah
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