The palace kitchen was filled with the scent of dough, laughter, and tension. Xiaoxi kneaded a small piece of dough, sneaking glances at Haoran, who was demonstrating a tricky folding technique to Mingzhu.
Her heart skipped a beat as she watched Mingzhu laugh softly at one of Haoran's rare, awkward smiles. Wait… is he smiling at her?
Xiaoxi (thinking, fuming, tiny storm building): What?! He smiled at Mingzhu… and not me?! 😤
She slammed her rolling pin down slightly harder than necessary, drawing Haoran's gaze.
Haoran (raising an eyebrow, a hint of annoyance in his tone): "Careful. You'll ruin the dough."
Xiaoxi (forcing calm, hiding her flustered heart): "I-I'm fine. You're… too precise. Always hovering over her. Are you teaching or… flirting?"
Haoran froze, then slowly turned to her, dark eyes glinting with amusement and possessiveness:
Haoran: "Flirting? Me? Don't flatter yourself, little puffer fish. I'm just… making sure she doesn't ruin anything. Like I'd ever let her get too close to you."
Xiaoxi's cheeks burned. Her jealousy flared hotter than Haoran's words had intended.
Xiaoxi (muttering, arms crossed, trying to sound casual): "Hmph. Sure, sure… only concerned about me, right? Not about Mingzhu." 😤
Haoran stepped closer, lowering his voice, so only she could hear:
Haoran: "Do I look like I care about anyone else? Focus here… on me."
The proximity made Xiaoxi's heart race. She knew he was teasing—but her jealousy had turned into a sweet, sharp twist of desire.
Suddenly, Mingzhu laughed softly at a mistake Haoran made while folding the dough. Xiaoxi couldn't take it.
Xiaoxi (snapping, pointing a finger): "Haoran! Why are you smiling at her? Don't think I didn't notice! Are you… jealous of me, too?"
Haoran blinked, momentarily caught off guard. Then he grinned, dangerously amused:
Haoran: "Jealous? Maybe… but you're the one acting like a little storm over every glance. Focus, little puffer fish… before I lose my patience entirely."
Xiaoxi's jaw tightened, but the fiery spark in her eyes softened into something else—something tender. Her lips quirked into a small, teasing smile.
Xiaoxi: "Hmph… fine. But don't think I'll just let you flirt with her! I can get jealous too, you know!"
Haoran leaned close, so their shoulders touched. His breath was warm, and his dark eyes flickered with amusement and something deeper.
Haoran: "Good. I like a little fire in you… but don't start a war you can't finish."
Xiaoxi's heart skipped again, and this time, the jealousy between them was no longer about others—it was about each other.
Mingzhu watched the subtle battle unfolding, a soft laugh escaping her lips, while the family outside the kitchen wondered if the palace had gone completely mad.
And in the middle of all this, Xiaoxi realized something: Jealousy, teasing, and a little bit of anger… might just be the perfect recipe for love. 😏💕