"Okay, if you're not free this weekend, next weekend is fine too. I hope your video can bring more guests to our hotel during this summer break."
After hanging up the phone, Yu Wanwan began to think. The family's resort had beautiful scenery and pleasant views, but she didn't understand why its performance had been declining over the past two years.
Because of the severe decline, Yu Pingsheng had specifically sought out a famous fortune-teller for a divination. The conclusion was that it was suppressed by his own destiny.
It was also because the fortune-teller said that only after she got married would the family business have a chance to revive, even reach new heights. That was why Yu Pingsheng had been arranging blind dates for her recently.
When Yu Wanwan heard this, she was furious and wished she could report that so-called master as a cult.
If the business was poorly managed, just say so. If you want to urge marriage, come out and say it. Don't say that her destiny was suppressing her father's career. That's just nonsense.
Besides, now that she was married, the hotel's performance was still a mess with no sign of improvement.
Around six o'clock, Yu Wanwan finally finished two rough blanks. She placed them in a ventilated area to dry naturally.
Pottery is a very patient job. A perfect piece usually takes about three weeks to transform from clay into a delicate and practical ramen bowl.
She rubbed her sore lower back and heard the sound of a car pulling in. She quickly trotted out.
Zhang Jingxu got out of the back seat, and the driver drove the car into the garage. Yu Wanwan quickly approached: "You came back later than yesterday. Are you busy?"
This was the first time Yu Wanwan had asked about his work. Zhang Jingxu showed a flash of surprise, then said, "Not busy."
They entered the living room together. Yu Wanwan continued, "Since you're not busy, are you free this weekend?"
Zhang Jingxu looked at her with confusion, thought for a moment, and asked, "Do you need me to assist with your filming?"
"You're so smart." Yu Wanwan gave him a bright smile and said, "My sister wants us to go to our family's hotel this weekend to shoot a promotional video for traffic. So I was wondering, if you're free this weekend, could you come with me to the resort for two days and cooperate with me to film some sweet couple content?"
Sweet couple... Finally, they were going to film that.
Zhang Jingxu's interest was piqued. Without thinking, he agreed directly: "Sure, then... should I book the hotel?"
"No, you just need to appear in the video. I'll cover the hotel costs." At this point, she suddenly remembered the fireworks show her sister mentioned and asked again, "If we come back on Monday morning, will it affect your work?"
"No."
Confirming that he had enough time to accompany her at the resort for three days and two nights, Yu Wanwan immediately decided: "Then I'll make plans now. We'll set off tomorrow morning!"
Seeing her about to go upstairs, Zhang Jingxu softly called out, "Do you still need me to provide cooking content today?"
"Of course." Yu Wanwan turned around. "I have to upload a video every day. So unless you're working overtime or have something to do, you need to cooperate with me filming content every day."
She thought for a moment, gave up going upstairs, and directly said, "Forget it, let's start filming now."
...
Tonight, Yu Wanwan provided him with a Western menu: Salmon and Mango Potato Bites, Pan-Seared Steak, Spanish Garlic Shrimp, Bolognese Pasta, Mediterranean Roasted Chicken Wings, Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus, and Melon with Prosciutto.
A very typical fancy meal. It took the auntie several trips to different supermarkets to buy all the ingredients.
As dusk fell, the spacious open kitchen in the Zhang family house was brightly lit, like a professional film studio.
Zhang Jingxu rolled up his sleeves, revealing his smooth wrist and the expensive watch.
He stood at the counter, his gaze sweeping over the various ingredients Yu Wanwan had sorted in advance, and began to formulate a plan.
Because today's menu was more delicate, Yu Wanwan upgraded her filming equipment. She adjusted the fill light on the stand to ensure the light perfectly outlined Zhang Jingxu's profile, then adjusted the camera settings and started filming.
Zhang Jingxu first dealt with the time-consuming Bolognese sauce. He skillfully diced onions, carrots, and celery into uniform small pieces. His knife skills were fast and steady, making a rhythmic "thump thump" sound on the cutting board.
He heated the pan, quickly melted the butter, and added the diced vegetables, stir-frying until the enticing aroma rose. Then he poured in the ground meat, breaking it apart with a wooden spatula. His movements were calm and unhurried, each step methodical.
Yu Wanwan held her breath, feeling that watching him cook was a pleasure. She slowly zoomed in and took several close-ups of his steady and powerful arm as he stirred.
She had initially worried this menu might be difficult for him, but unexpectedly, he handled it as effortlessly as yesterday.
After stir-frying the sauce, Zhang Jingxu started on the steak. He patted the steak dry with paper towels and seasoned it with salt and black pepper.
He poured olive oil into a hot pan. Just as the smoke point was about to be reached, Zhang Jingxu placed the steak in steadily.
Sizzle—a loud noise, and hot oil splattered.
Yu Wanwan's shot shook in fright, but Zhang Jingxu remained unfazed. He steadied the pan, showing no retreat. He even used this gap to quickly toss crushed garlic and dried chili into another preheated pan, preparing for the garlic shrimp.
Two stoves ran simultaneously under his hands in an orderly manner.
Zhang Jingxu softly reminded, "Step back a bit, don't get splattered by the oil."
Olive oil soaked the garlic and chili, releasing a strong, enticing aroma that blended with the meaty scent of the steak and filled the whole kitchen.
He poured in the plump shrimp and quickly stir-fried. The shrimp quickly curled up, turning a beautiful red...
When all the dishes were ready, Zhang Jingxu took out artistically designed plates and began the final plating.
For the Salmon and Mango Potato Bites, he used dill sprouts as a final garnish, making the colors instantly vivid. He sliced the steak diagonally into thick pieces, revealing a perfect pink cross-section, and arranged it with roasted garlic cloves and rosemary, like a still-life painting. He cleverly stood the bacon-wrapped asparagus upright, creating a layered structure...
Yu Wanwan held the camera, moving around the island counter, changing angles, her eyes filled with undisguised amazement.
This had completely surpassed cooking; it was a feast for the eyes and nose.
"Done." He placed the last slice of prosciutto on the melon and looked at Yu Wanwan, who was still absorbed in filming. "See if you have enough footage?"
"Enough, definitely enough." Yu Wanwan put down the camera and helped him carry the dishes out of the kitchen.
She stood at the dining table and took a few final close-ups to post on Moments.
Yu Wanwan could already imagine how much her two best friends would drool over this post.