Sleeves.]

Step aside, Master Shen. You will owe me a favor, and I’ll make you experience true delight by tasting my food.

[Shen Qingqiu was right. There was absolutely nothing a person could offer him materially that would make Murong Lian happy. But he was a strategist by nature, used to playing the long game, so he gave the other an enigmatic grin and put his pipe away, making sure to clean his hands and to tie his+

[He narrows his eyes and hummed, eyeing the other with a pensive face while smoking.]

Master Shen is bold, making such a request to a lord as important as me. But, luckily for you, this lord is very merciful! What would I gain from this ‘hands-on’ approach, though?

Of course it does, darling. Food is an experience, it’s supposed to bring comfort and joy. Like a ritual! How will it bring anything good if you make it look disgusting?!

[He rolls his eyes with a huff, playfully tapping Shen Qingqiu’s head with his pipe.]

Do it properly, or hire someone who will.

[He hummed, watching Shen Qingqiu’s actions with a neutral look while analyzing it.]

It seems so. Remember to cut it in small pieces, and roll them until they are paper thin. Or else, your wontons will be thick and inelegant! Nobody likes ugly food, after all.

[He watches Shen Qingqiu’s actions with an amused grin, before taking another puff of his pipe and exhaling slowly.]

Be gentle went kneading it, Master Shen. Or else your dough is going to get… too hard. And dry.

[He raises an eyebrow, smirking as he used his warm pipe to brush some specks of flour off the other’s face.]

Think a little bit, baobei; what do you do when the texture is too liquid and you have the right thing to make it solid?

I’m not a professional, I’m a lord. A very demanding lord, at that! Who… was curious. About things and stuff. But… hm…

[He takes another puff, narrowing his eyes and staring at the wontons with something skin to pity.]

Fine. I will teach you the basics of how to prepare a dough.

Well, usually those who cook for a living can help you with that. This lord learned how to bake with a kind old lady that sold pastries!

[He stares at the wontons with a hum, taking a puff of his pipe and thinking.]

Your dough seems to soft. It won’t hold.

Oh, darling…

[He snorts, clearly amused.]

This lord commends you for your efforts, but… it seems like you might need some professional help.

It could be… if you know what you are doing. And if you have high tolerance for frustration.

Any success yet?

Are you poor? Can’t you buy it prepared, baobei?