CHAPTER 625: CHAPTER 625: WHY INSIST ON DRIVING ME AWAY?

Xia Duoduo was a whirlwind in the kitchen, knocking over two bowls, burning three fried eggs, and fumbling for over an hour before barely managing to prepare a dinner of four dishes and one soup.

Ye Cheng walked out of the bedroom and saw the chaotic state of the kitchen. His lips stiffened slightly without a word.

Xia Duoduo carried the freshly stewed pork trotters and lotus root soup over, placing it in the center of the dining table.

"Great Demon King, please eat!" Her fingers were burned, prompting Xia Duoduo to hastily grab onto her earlobes to cool them down.

The bowls and chopsticks were already set, two pairs placed directly opposite each other.

Ye Cheng pulled out a chair and sat in one of the seats.

"I’ll get you some rice." Xia Duoduo cheerfully grabbed a bowl and went to the kitchen. She soon returned with rice and handed it to Ye Cheng.

"Thank you." Ye Cheng responded blandly.

Xia Duoduo sat down across from him and eagerly promoted her cooking skills. "Try this—it’s my sweet and sour pork ribs."

She happily placed a piece into his bowl.

Ye Cheng stared at the blackened pork ribs in the bowl, hesitating to pick up his chopsticks for a long time.

Judging by its appearance, is it certain it won’t taste awful?

"Don’t worry, it won’t upset your stomach." As if reading Ye Cheng’s thoughts, Xia Duoduo picked up a piece herself and popped it into her mouth, chewing happily. "Mm, so tasty!"

Xia Duoduo’s lively expression prompted Ye Cheng to finally lift his chopsticks and try a piece of rib.

He chewed a few times, gracefully spat out the bone, and said in an even tone, "Not too bad."

"Heh heh, you can trust my cooking! Even if you loaned me some courage, I wouldn’t dare poison the Great Demon King!" Xia Duoduo cheerfully scooped up her rice bowl and began eating.

Ye Cheng’s hand holding his chopsticks paused. He looked up at her and suddenly asked, "Why did you give me that nickname?"

How did he possibly resemble a demon king?

With her mouth full of rice, Xia Duoduo mumbled her response, "It was just on a whim, no particular reason... hehe."

She certainly wouldn’t admit that calling him Great Demon King was a way to resent his cold and harsh treatment of her, akin to an emotionless demon.

If she did, he might kick her out.

Ye Cheng was silent for a few seconds before he suddenly spoke in a serious tone, "Director Zhu called and said you left without his permission, causing major inconvenience for the crew. He said you’re completely undisciplined. So, after dinner go back to the crew immediately—don’t waste any time."

Xia Duoduo heard his words and suddenly lost her taste for the food in front of her, unable to enjoy it anymore.

She lowered her head and ate her rice quietly, saying nothing.

Her eyes, however, grew a little misty.

"I’m done. I’ll clean up the kitchen first." Xia Duoduo stood up with her bowl and chopsticks in hand.

Just as she turned around, Ye Cheng swiftly blocked her path. "Leave the cleaning. Go now. The driver is waiting downstairs. It’s unsafe to drive late at night."

Xia Duoduo looked up at him, her eyes red with frustration, and stared at him defiantly. "Why are you forcing me to leave?"

"As an artist, you should understand self-discipline. Leaving without permission has offended both the director and producer. Who would dare hire you in the future?"

Ye Cheng grabbed her wrist and led her out of the apartment, picking up her bag off the sofa as they passed.

The disparity in strength between men and women left Xia Duoduo entirely powerless. She was dragged by Ye Cheng all the way downstairs.

A driver was waiting respectfully by her car.

"Make sure Miss Xia gets safely back to Heng City," Ye Cheng instructed the driver.

"Understood, Mr. Ye."

Ye Cheng extended his hand towards Xia Duoduo. "Hand me the car keys."

Reluctantly, Xia Duoduo fished the keys out of her bag and placed them in his palm.

Just as Ye Cheng was about to hand the keys to the driver, Xia Duoduo suddenly grabbed his sleeve. Her clear eyes looked up at him seriously as she said, "Great Demon King, don’t keep drinking so much. My artist career needs your guidance! If you collapse... you’d be irresponsible to me!"

Ye Cheng: "..."