Welcome to the Potato Cult

04. Potatoes and Potatoes Galore

As promised, Lin Fan showed up at Keran's doorstep at seven for dinner. Before she could even ring the doorbell, the front door flew open, revealing a very enthusiastic Keran.

"Oh, hi!" she smiled. "I was wondering who rang the doorbell! I definitely didn't expect it to be you!"

"Um, I haven't even-"

"Come in! Come in!"

And just like that, Lin Fan was ushered, more like dragged, into the house. Lin Fan barely had time to recompose herself as Keran dragged her through the house.

"Welcome to my humble abode!" Keran said as she dragged Lin Fan around. "This is the living room, the kitchen, the dining room. The bedrooms and bathrooms are upstairs. It's not much, so."

Not much, my ass! Lin Fan thought as she stared at the Swarovski jaguar sitting on the China shelf. She could buy the whole damn village with the money she spent to buy everything in here!

"Thanks for showing me around!" Lin Fan smiled and handed Keran the pot. "Look, I brought potatoes!"

At the mention of potatoes, something flashed in Keran's eyes. Nevertheless, she held her composure. Lin Fan did not seem to notice, however. She was way too mesmerized by Keran's beautiful face to care.

"Thank you!" Keran smiled, somewhat forced, which also went unnoticed. "You like potatoes?"

"Duh?!" Lin Fan said like it was the most ridiculous question anyone could ever ask her. "Potatoes are my passion!"

Keran thought of the pile of uneaten potatoes in the cellar, and died a little inside.

"That's awesome!" Keran squeaked as she took the pot and set it on the dinner table. "Is that why you started a potato farm?"

"Yes!" Lin Fan exclaimed as she sat on the chair Keran pulled out for her. "When I had my first taste of mashed potatoes, I told myself that I will grow the food of the gods myself. Open the pot! I tried to replicate my grandmother's mashed potatoes recipe."

"Well, I can't wait to taste the 'food of the gods' that convinced you to grow potatoes for a living!" Keran said as she opened the lid. "Oh, damn!"

The heavenly whiff of mashed potatoes hot Keran's nose. Keran's eyes almost rolled back at the smell. She doesn't know whether it's because her crush made it or the recipe was great, but it was the best thing she's ever smelled in her entire life.

"Alright," Keran rubbed her palms together. "Let's dig in!"

Lin Fan didn't need to be told twice. She sampled every single dish that Keran had prepared, singing praise about every one of them.

"The pork is so tender!" she exclaimed as she chewed. "It's the best I've ever tasted!"

"Thank you!" Keran smiled shyly.

"Oh, damn! The soup is heavenly! Right amount of spice!"

"Thanks! I was worried it might be too spicy-"

"Woah! How did you get your carrots to taste like that? It's like you run a Michelin star restaurant or something."

Keran chuckled.

"Not to brag but a friend of mine does," Keran said. "I am a shareholder of her restaurant chains."

The utter look of awe Lin Fan gave her was enough to send Keran into an internal frenzy.

"Woah, you have to get me a potato supplier contract from her one day," Lin Fan joked.

"Is that why you came over for dinner? For a potential job?" Keran teased right back.