Chapter 669

Kingston thumped his chest and reassured Wendy. "Of course, I can cook. Back when I lived alone, I just didn't bother, but it's different now that you're here. Seriously, I've mastered all the cooking techniques—pan-frying, baking, you name it." He was like a young student in school, trying to impress the teacher whenever a question came up. After waving his hand, he headed to the kitchen. Seeing Kingston's eagerness, Wendy couldn't help but feel warm inside. He might have been clumsy, but he genuinely and truly cared for her. She felt a pang of regret—it was a shame such a devoted guy had to go to waste. Unfortunately, all she was after was Plague Compendium. Her plan originally only involved Kingston, but now that there was an extra person, she mulled over how to deal with this unexpected guest. Meanwhile, Matthew was dumbfounded. The house had a fresh look, looking like a completely different place before Wendy arrived. The floor and the table were spotless. It blew his mind even more when Wendy didn't mind Kingston being such a slob. Seeing Matthew stay silent, Wendy cleared her throat and asked with a grin, "Are you Kingston's friend?" "Yes. We are friends," Matthew replied without a second thought. Whether Kingston thought of him as a friend, he had to see Kingston as one because he was with the medical sect. On top of that, he had to protect Kingston as well. Wendy instantly became more friendly, making small talk with Matthew before suddenly changing the subject. "Kingston can really hold his liquor. Since you're his friend, can you keep up with him?" How well could Matthew hold his liquor? Matthew wasn't sure why Wendy brought that up, but he chuckled and responded, "I'm not good with alcohol. One sip and I'm done." In truth, Matthew had a strong tolerance for alcohol. It was a skill he had picked up when he was in business, but he hadn't seen any reason to drink with her. Wendy beamed. "I doubt you'd actually get drunk so quickly. As a man, you should be able to handle at least a few drinks." Matthew quickly shook his head. "I honestly can't hold my liquor. My face goes red right after the first sip." They continued with awkward small talk. 30 minutes later, Kingston started bringing out the dishes. The meal turned out to be unexpectedly hearty and abundant, with plenty of meat, veggies, and even soup. Wendy was taken aback, her eyes wide open. "Did you go grocery shopping?" Smiling, Kingston replied, "I swung by the grocery store in town. I didn't have much time to prep, but let's make do with it." Wendy picked up her utensils and grabbed a piece of fried chicken, putting it in her mouth slowly. She took a gentle bite, and the crispy coating cracked with a satisfying crunch against her teeth. As she kept chewing, she found the meat to be juicy and soft. Right after, a burst of rich flavor filled her mouth. Wendy felt a sense of joy she'd never known before. It was the first time in her life that a man had ever cooked for her, which felt special. When Wendy was with Alan, she always ended up being the cook, making tartare. It could be mushy at times, and the flavor was often thrown off because he asked her to add too many condiments, like onions, vinegar, and mustard. It was alright for a one-time thing, but having it day after day made her want to puke. On the other hand, the tuna tartare was soft and slimy with a chilly and raw taste. Even with the condiments and seasonings, Wendy couldn't get used to it. She had an even harder time with other foods like blue cheese. It looked like it had gone bad, and just picking up a crumble made her hands sticky. The sight of it made her feel nauseous. That was why eating with Alan was a real pain. Meanwhile, a wave of joy washed over Wendy when she got to enjoy the hearty meal. A thought popped into Wendy's mind. It didn't seem so bad to spend the rest of her life with Kingston, sharing some delicious meals together. Unfortunately, she wasn't here to settle down, so she continued eating with a hint of regret. Kingston was all fired up, constantly putting food on Wendy's plate. Like a guy who tried too hard, he was eager to impress her.