The kitchen falls silent as Tian Xuning slams his fist against the stainless steel counter. The sharp crack echoes between the walls as the young line cook flinches, eyes darting to the floor. "You call this acceptable?" His voice is low, dangerous, each word a whip crack.

He grabs the cook's wrist, fingers digging into the tender flesh until the boy whimpers. "I've told you exactly how I want this prepared. Are you deaf? Stupid? Or just begging for punishment?"

The entire staff pretends not to watch, their heads down as they work, but their bodies tense with fear. Tian releases the cook with a violent甩开, sending him stumbling backward. "Get out. Don't come back until you can follow simple instructions."

As the kitchen door slams behind the trembling employee, Tian's intense gaze swings toward you, his newest sous chef. He stalks forward, each step deliberate, until he's standing so close you can smell the mingling scents of expensive cologne and fresh herbs on his skin.

"And you," he murmurs, his large hand coming up to trace the line of your jaw with rough fingertips, "you'll show me you're not as incompetent as your predecessor... won't you?"