Chapter 6: The First Time Eating Hot Pot

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It wasn’t just spicy hot pot that Ning Chu was forbidden to eat; strong-flavored foods like snail noodles, crayfish, and barbecue were all off-limits. Her meals were meticulously planned by a nutritionist to maintain her figure and ensure she retained a pleasant natural scent.

Her diet was always light and bland. Although the chef prepared it skillfully and the flavors were quite good, the monotony over ten years was palpable.

Ning Chu had never once eaten at roadside stalls or street vendors—those places were beneath her station, as Zhou Erqin often said.

Her clothes were all custom-made. There was no “nine yuan nine” or “nineteen yuan nine” from online shops on her phone because she didn’t even have those apps installed.

She never needed to shop for herself. Before marriage, Zhou Erqin prepared everything for her; after marriage, her assistant took over.

She simply followed the planned schedule without much variation unless unexpected events arose.

Before marriage, she woke at seven every morning to study and practice piano. After marriage, her mornings were devoted to attending to Dantai Chao—yes, attending to him.

Although servants were present, Zhou Erqin insisted she rise earlier than Dantai Chao every day to dress him and tie his tie.

At first, Dantai Chao said it was unnecessary, but Ning Chu always smiled and said, “I’m willing. As your wife, this is my duty.”

She would then accompany him to breakfast, see him off, and only then start her own day.

Her daily routine was dull: attending gatherings of wealthy ladies, charity events, occasionally visiting her parents to hear their advice on how to flatter Dantai Chao for the benefit of the Ning family.

Other than that, she read, practiced yoga with an instructor to maintain her figure, delivered lunch to Dantai Chao at noon, and waited for him to return in the evening to dine together. If he didn’t come home, she would eat alone and wait in the living room.

Sleeping in late? That was unthinkable.

Going out for leisure? Impossible. She was always surrounded by a team of bodyguards, a formidable entourage.

As for playing games or watching TV dramas, Zhou Erqin forbade such time-wasters. Instead, she was allowed to attend concerts or watch plays—refined cultural pursuits.

If there was one thing she enjoyed, it was reviewing her assets with her financial advisor and discussing how to maximize their value. That was the one pleasure Ning Chu allowed herself.

Shortly after Zhou Ran left, Ning Chu instructed the servants to prepare the guest room next door. Before divorcing Dantai Chao, she planned to live there.

“Make the curtains blue, the bedsheets pink and white. Change the rest to coordinate with the overall style,” she ordered.

“Yes, Madam.”

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At this time, Dantai Chao was still on a business trip in N City, unaware that Ning Chu intended to sleep apart from him—and even more, that she was planning a divorce.

In the evening, Ning Chu went downstairs and told the chef, “Tear up all my previous menus.”

Recalling Zhou Ran’s mention that next time they could have spicy hot pot together, she commanded, “I want hot pot today. Prepare one non-spicy and one spicy.”

The chef asked, “A dual-flavor pot?”

“Yes, a dual-flavor pot.”

The chef was puzzled by Madam’s sudden craving for hot pot; she had eaten only bland food for a year. But as a professional, he knew how to prepare anything.

“Please wait a moment, Madam.”

He entered the kitchen to have someone clean the pot that hadn’t been used for a long time, quickly prepared the broths, and gathered an assortment of ingredients for her.

Sauces were placed in small dishes for Madam to mix as she pleased.

Ning Chu, unfamiliar with how to make dipping sauces, said, “Help me prepare one.”

“Would you like it spicy or not, Madam?”

She hesitated, then said, “Make one of each.”

“Yes, Madam.”

Ning Chu tried eating hot pot like those she’d seen online: putting items into the broth, cooking them, and dipping into sauce before eating. Afraid of undercooking, she cooked longer but ended up overcooking.

The servant Ah Hua, noticing her unfamiliarity, quickly stepped forward. “Madam, would you like me to help you dip?”

Ning Chu looked at her own clumsy attempt and said, “Yes, please.”

Watching Ah Hua skillfully dip meat and vegetables and place them in a bowl, Ning Chu quietly studied, counting how long each item was cooked.

No doubt, Ah Hua’s results were superior.

Ning Chu first tried the clear broth with non-spicy sauce. It tasted good, though the hot pot flavor was strong.

Then she tried something from the spicy broth without sauce. The moment she ate it, her face flushed bright red and she desperately drank water.

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Ah Hua occasionally stole glances at Madam while dipping food. Over the past year, she had been captivated countless times by Madam’s beauty—it was a joy to behold.

More than that, Madam was gentle and elegant. Even eating was graceful. Oh no, Madam had been overwhelmed by the spice.

Ah Hua quickly handed Ning Chu a glass of water and then suggested, “Madam, if it’s too spicy, you can drink iced cola or iced tea—it helps relieve the heat.”

Ning Chu, tongue tingling, said, “Please bring me an iced cola.” She rarely drank cola; as a child, Zhou Erqin warned her it was bad for teeth and high in sugar, not conducive to maintaining her figure, so she had only tasted a little.

“Yes, Madam.”

Sipping the cola, Ning Chu found the sweetness indeed helped soothe the spice. She looked at the fiery hot pot and worried it might be too spicy.

She then tried the non-spicy broth again, dipping it lightly in the spicy sauce which had only a hint of chili, hoping it wouldn’t be too hot.

She took a bite and found it still spicy for her, so she drank two more sips of cola before returning to the clear broth.

Soon, she craved the spicy broth again, took a little more, and was burned once more—but strangely, she wanted more.

She ate most of the clear broth dishes and a fair amount from the spicy side, downing two bottles of cola in the process.

Her lips glowed bright red, her eyes glistened, and her complexion flushed with a delicate pink. Watching her, Ah Hua silently exclaimed, “Ah! Madam is like a human poppy flower—so stunning! All those people online claiming their idols are beauties are nothing compared to her. I declare, my Madam is the most beautiful.”

Ning Chu wiped her mouth with a tissue. Though the spice was intense, it was quite enjoyable.

No wonder people online seemed so passionate about hot pot.

Her belly felt full and slightly bloated—her first time eating so heartily. Yet afterward, she noticed her body scent had intensified.

After taking a stroll in the garden and drinking some digestive tea, Ning Chu went to the bathroom to wash away the lingering smell.

The time was still early. Remembering Zhou Erqin’s ban on TV, she took out her phone and began downloading apps, purchasing memberships as needed.

Then she clicked on a recommended drama and became engrossed. Before she knew it, it was past two in the morning…