Hu Lei remained silent and did not comment on the speculations about her apparent seduction and subsequent use of Bei Gong Hai. Instead, she focussed on the joys of decorating her old new apartment with help from Beatrice, who had proved to be quite reliable and capable.

Unfortunately, the problem did not disappear just because she had chosen to turn a blind eye and deaf ear to the gossip.

In fact, the issue seemed to become worse over time as if someone was fuelling it. More netizens were accusing her of ruining the novel industry which was supposed to be the last pure place in the entertainment sector. After all, it was supposed to be the one place where the only thing that mattered was skill.

In their opinion, her attempt to hog fame from the movie after abandoning her career as an author was an insult to everyone who loved reading. If she thought she deserved fame, she should work harder for it instead of leaching it off other people.

These people did not consider that it was through her own capabilities that she had come into the spotlight. She did not need to borrow anyone's name. After all, there were already plans to turn TQA into a TV series three years ago.

"Hu Lei, don't you think that you should respond to these wild accusations?" Beatrice asked as they walked around a cookware shop.

Since they had become more familiar over the past week, Beatrice felt more comfortable addressing her directly.

"What would you have me say?" Hu Lei asked as she lifted a cast iron pot with a look of puzzlement in her eyes.

"I am not sure." Beatrice sighed. "But these people have really gone too far. If they have that much time to waste, they could at least read the books and make a decision by themselves."

She felt angry on behalf of Hu Lei. Though they had not known each other for long, she had developed a liking for Hu Lei. At first, she had held some bias towards her in her heart. She was ashamed because she thought the girl was just an arrogant kept woman.

However, she had come to realise that Hu Lei was a hardworking and honest person. Moreover, she had a kind heart and did not look down on anyone. Beatrice had thought that she was a refined lady, but before Hu Lei, she could only be like a village girl before an empress.

The gap between them was too wide.

If Hu Lei had known her thoughts, she would have probably laughed until she cracked her jaw bone and a couple of ribs. She did consider herself to be an empress but not the refined and magnanimous kind. She was the type that would have anyone who eyed her emperor dragged to the back and beaten up in a burlap sack.

"You should stop thinking about this matter too much. You should instead be thinking about how to turn me into a godly chef." Hu Lei turned to flick Beatrice on her forehead with her index finger.

Beatrice could only give up on the topic once again.

"Why are you so determined to learn how to cook?" She asked.

When Hu Lei had asked about this matter some days ago, she had assumed that it was a joke. However, it seemed that her little boss was serious.

"Naturally, I want to please my man." Hu Lei looked at her assistant as if she was not using her brain.

Beatrice, who had been disdained, felt speechless. At the same time, a blush crept on her face because she had never seen anyone who behaved and spoke so boldly. Even people who had been married for years would not act so brazenly.

"It is not important for a woman to know how to cook these days. I am sure that Mr Zhong does not mind." She decided to speak.

Hu Lei smiled as she moved on to the pans.

"I know I don't have to, and Ah Feng would not care about such a thing. But I want to take care of him as he takes care of me. I want to give him a warm and comfortable home. It is not an obligation. It is my desire." She explained with a warm and gentle look on her face.

Beatrice looked entranced for a moment before shaking her head.

"Miss Hu, I did not know that you could be so poetic." She said.

Her little boss looked at her with disdain once again.

"I am an author. Naturally, I can say a few touching words."

Her response would make anyone think that she had been joking earlier. However, Beatrice knew that she was completely serious. There was something about Hu Lei in that moment that made her glimpse an indescribable love.

"I shall transform you into a godly cook in no time." She said earnestly. "Do you know how to cook anything?"

"Does poison count?" Hu Lei asked with a cheeky laugh.

"You have to take this seriously if you want to learn." The voice was filled with exasperation.

"I am completely serious. I can also make antidotes and maybe a few drugs." Hu Lei added while skipping off to another part of the store.

Hu Lei naturally meant what she said. It was no hardship for her to concoct a few poisons. Plus, she would not be Hu Ming's daughter if she could not cook a few legal and illegal drugs. However, Beatrice would never know that. She thought that her boss was being mischievous. She could only sigh heavily before following the overly excited girl.