A Culinary Romance

sent word again through Mrs. Liu. He's still willing to take Li Yan as his wife, even after h

the ongoing pressure to conform to societal expectations. Mrs. Zhang's voice carr

frustration. She had no desire to be tethered to a marriage of convenience,

of emotion. "This is too much!" she exclaimed, her voice trembling with anger. "I have already sai

aimed, turning to Mr. Chen for support. "Aren't I just looking out for her to be settled? So what if Mr. Wong is a little obese? He has a house and farm in the provinc

ship between stepmother and stepdaughter. Li Yan's chest heaved with the weight of her

in her way. She would not be swayed by the pressures of society or the expectations of others. With a ste

already told you not to interfere in Li Yan's affairs, especially her relationships. And why are you bringing up that boy's incident again? Didn't we agree not

and empathy, a stark contrast to her stepmother's relentless criticism. In that moment, she felt a glimmer of hope

gnation and frustration. Yet, beneath her facade of superiority, there was a

Li Yan," he said, his voice gentle and apologetic. "You deserve better than this. We'll talk about th

atic flair. "So now I'm the evil one?" she lamented, tears streamin

de a quick decision to remove herself from the situation, signaling her departure wi

away the tension that had coiled within her. As she stood beneath the steady

one, chatting with her best friend Yan Yan. "Yan Yan, I'm telling you, I don't know how lon

stable job in this city. I always assumed that with my skills, getting

your stepmother sounds incredibly tough, especially with all the pressure she puts on you. But hey,

hing, don't sell yourself short. You're incredibly talented, Li Yan.

agement. "Thanks, Yan Yan. I needed to hear that. I won't let my stepmother or anyo

s shelter. With music blaring through her earphones, Li Yan escaped the

overished. Though the pay was meager, the satisfaction of helping others was immeasurable. And the best part? They