Adorable Food Goddess

The trip to Laifu Inn ended up in vain.

When Helian Jing saw how sad Yaoyao was, he tried to console her by saying, “Yaoyao, don’t be worried, you still have me!”

Ye Jiayao smiled bitterly. “Don’t mind me. It’s not really a big deal.”

Of course, every owner would want to earn some big buck. Shopkeeper Li just had been too kind to her so she had been spoiled. She wasn’t used to working for someone who’s so strict so she was feeling out of sorts.

“Oh, right. Little Jing, I have to return this to you. I really cannot accept it,” Ye Jiayao said, handing the piece of jade to Little Jing.

Helian Jing jumped away. “Yaoyao, how can I take back the thing I already gave? What I will take back are the words I said that day. We’re still brothers, right?”

Seeing Little Jing flee from the jade, Ye Jiayao couldn’t help but laugh. Well, it looked like she was stuck with this jade.

The next day, Little Yang came over during lunch break, saying that Li Erniang has gone to ask Shopkeeper Li and he said that he signed a secrecy pact. Unless the new owner wishes to show himself, he was not allowed to say anything.

In the evening, Helian Jing came again. He said that he went to the constable to look for the restaurant’s modification document but it was password protected and he was unable to take a look. He reckoned that this person was in a high position to be able to pull this off.

Ye Jiayao’s heart was cramping from the depression. Who is this greedy rat?

“Yaoyao, tomorrow is mid-autumn, let’s go and admire the full moon! We can also go see the lanterns if you’d like,” Little Jing suggested.

Ye Jiayao shook her head. It has been a few days since Chunyu came to see her so she figured that he might be too busy. Since tomorrow is a celebration, it might be his only chance to come see her. “No, I already promised Uncle and Auntie Jiang that I will spend mid-autumn with them.”

Helian Jing was disappointed but he said, “Then I’ll go with you.”

“What? No! Your grandmother is very old, each year passing is a year lost. You should keep her company,” she scolded.

He knew that what Yaoyao said made sense, but he still wanted to spend mid-autumn with her! He said discontentedly, “Alright. We’ll celebrate it together next time.”

Ye Jiayao smiled assuringly. “Sure.”

The mid-autumn festival is a day where families have a reunion at their respective homes. Therefore, there were only a few random customers in so the crew had a free afternoon. However, Manager Qian has made it clear that Ye Jiayao has to go back by the evening to prepare supper to send over to Zui Chun Lou for Liu Yiyi.

There was also a repeated reminder to collect the money.

Once again, Ye Jiayao cursed Liu Yiyi out. It was rare to get a holiday and this darn woman has to torture her like that.

In her free time, Ye Jiayao went out to buy some presents for the Jiang family as a way to thank them for taking care of her.

She got Uncle Jiang a bottle of top-grade Zhu Ye Qing because it was his favorite wine. For Jiang Yue, she bought a jade bangle and pair of pearl earrings.

Ye Jiayao was in the fabric shop to pick out a cloth for Auntie Jiang when she heard someone behind her say, “I am in a hurry to wear this dress, get it done quickly. I don’t want any delay in this.”

“Yes, yes, certainly.”

She turned around and nearly jumped when she saw Jinrong and Xia He. They were with a young woman who has a sharp chin, big eyes, and a mole in the center of her brows. She looked a little familiar but Ye Jiayao couldn’t recall where she has seen her.

“Second sister, let’s go,” Ye Jinrong urged.

Second sister?  Was this the fake Second Lady Ye that Ye Ning brought? Ye Jiayao wracked her brains, trying to figure out where she has seen this lady.

Oh, right!   She’s Ning’s niece, Fang Wanting!  She has been to their house many years ago and Ning even praised her mole then, calling it a beauty spot.

Ye Jiayao smirked in excitement.  Fine. You think you’ve won just because you found someone to stand in as the Second Lady Ye? Just wait and watch how I expose you for your lies.

That Miss Fang was betrothed.

At this discovery, Ye Jiayao momentarily forgot the unhappiness brought about by the change of restaurant owner.

Back at the courtyard, Ye Jiayao distributed the gifts to everyone. Auntie Jiang kept saying that she shouldn’t have spent too much money even though her eyes are shining with gratitude.

Ye Jiayao said, “This is nothing. I just want to thank you guys since I have been giving you a lot of trouble by staying here.”

“It’s no trouble at all! We have actually benefited from you,” Auntie Jiang said, smiling.

“That’s right. You even give Ah Li and Yue-er wages, we are so embarrassed,” Uncle Jiang added.

“It is only right to give them wages as they have been a great help.”

“Sister Yaoyao, my brother has finished making the safe that you were talking about,” Jiang Yue chimed in, making her brother scratch his head in embarrassment.

“Is that so? Quick, show me,” Ye Jiayao exclaimed.

The ancient version of a safe has been crafted according to Ye Jiayao’s request. It was fixed on the wall and a secret door has been made in the huge closet. After opening the secret door, there was a box covered in metal that was around a foot and a half long and a foot tall. On top, there’s a row of wooden keys.

Jiang Li demonstrated to Ye Jiayao how it worked. She would have to press a few wooden keys first before inserting the key into the keyhole. The box would open once a click sounded.

“If the wooden keys are pressed wrong, it would not open,” Jiang Li said.

Ye Jiayao whistled, impressed.

“Ah Li, you are incredible!” Ye Jiayao praised.

With this safe, she wouldn’t have to worry about her treasures being stolen.

Jiang Li replied shyly, “I’m not that incredible. An expert would be able to decipher it with just a little bit of time, but it still won’t open without the key.”

Ye Jiayao smiled. “There aren’t that many experts. This level of anti-theft measure is enough.”

After placing her treasures into the safe, Ye Jiayao told Jiang Li, “Go to the Jing An Marquis Residence and tell the Heir-Son Lord that the ‘Second Lady Ye’ they’re parading around is Ning’s niece, Fang Wanting.”

Jiang Li nodded. “I’ll go now.

“Wait…” Ye Jiayao stuttered, “If… if he is free, invite him over tonight. I have some things to tell him.”

Because Ye Jiayao still has to work tonight, Auntie Jiang volunteered to make dinner later so they could celebrate mid-autumn together.

Ye Jiayao returned to Heavenly Residence and prepared the food according to the menu Manager Zhao gave her. In the huge kitchen, with only her working tonight, it felt a little sad.

After finishing the dishes, she stored them in a big food container. Uncle Guan who drives the cart was also on leave today so there was no one to take her to Zui Chun Lou. She had no choice but to walk and carry the food container.

Zui Chun Lou was a half-hour journey from Heavenly Residence and by the time Ye Jiayao arrived, she was drenched in sweat and her back was aching something fierce.

The pimp brought her to the backyard. It was a solitary little building with the words ‘Building Leaning on the Moon’ written on it.

From inside, a melodious sound of the zither playing and a suave singing voice could be heard.

It looked like Liu Yiyi has an important guest tonight if she was singing.

When she entered the building, Ye Jiayao noticed that the interior was not as grand as she had imagined. It was simple and classy, low-profile but extravagant with a whole set of yellow rosewood furniture, a set of pearl curtain, and an incense burning in the golden lion incense pot.

Ye Jiayao begrudgingly admitted that Liu Yiyi’s taste is not at all bad.

“Leave it here!” A servant lifted the bamboo curtain, pointing at a yellow rosewood table with embedded marble.

Ye Jiayao wanted to pass the food container and leave after collecting the money. Personally setting the table for Liu Yiyi was making her feel low.

However, the servant left after giving her instructions and she could only open the food container and start setting the table.

“Miss, the food from Heavenly Residence is here.”

The sound of zither continued to resonate.

After setting the table, Ye Jiayao peered around curiously. Even though they were separated by layers of muslin curtains, she could make out a vague silhouette of a man standing by the window.

Ye Jiayao wondered which noble would spend mid-autumn festival here instead of at his own home.  Must be a playboy.

With Liu Yiyi still inside, Ye Jiayao could only wait to collect her money.

After a short while, the singing stopped.

“Heir-Son Lord, I have embarrassed myself,” Liu Yiyi said in a sweet voice.

“Your voice makes one intoxicated,” the man’s low and magnetic voice resonated.

Ye Jiayao stiffened, staring blankly at the layers of the muslin.

Is it him?

No, that’s not possible. Why would Chunyu be here? Ridiculous.

The moment the muslins lifted, Ye Jiayao heard the sound of her heart breaking into a million pieces.

It’s really him. He was looking and smiling so tenderly at Liu Yiyi, pulling the chair out for her with such consideration…

She used to think that that gaze only belonged to her. On her way here, she kept thinking of things to say to him when they see each other again. She gritted her teeth and carried this heavy food container over here just so she could return early to wait for him.

When he said that there was nothing between him and Liu Yiyi, she believed him.  Oh, Yaoyao, you’re a fool.

After helping Liu Yiyi to her seat, Xia Chunyu lifted his head as though he just noticed Ye Jiayao’s existence and smiled lightly. “Li Yao, aren’t you going to pour us wine?”

How could he smile so nonchalantly and order her to pour wine as if he had done nothing wrong?

Every word he said to her was still ringing clearly in her ears, gentle, romantic, tender… she stupidly believed that he really has feelings for her.  Stupid, stupid, stupid!

“Head Chef Li, we meet again.” Liu Yiyi smiled, showing off her dimples. That sweet face contrasted to the mockery and pride hidden in the depths of her harsh eyes.

They deserved each other.

An adulterous pair.