Country Maiden: Fields and Fortune

29, Scallion Tofu (1 more update)

Yuan Cheng understood.
He immediately went back to the private room.
After knocking and entering, he saw that the dishes on the table were untouched, which made his heart sink, “Young Master, do the dishes not suit your taste?”
Li Hengyi swept him a glance and turned his head away without saying anything.
That glance sent a shudder through Yuan Cheng.
A cold sweat broke out on his back.
Yuanbao stepped forward, “My young master has a poor appetite and cannot eat anything. Does your inn have another chef?”
“There is indeed one. She asked me to inquire if the Young Master has anything in particular he wishes to eat. She will try to make it!” Yuan Cheng immediately spoke out.
He was extremely respectful.
“Go ahead,” Yuanbao gestured with his hands.
He didn’t have much hope in his heart.
He always felt that a small county town could not possibly have a chef who could make something that his master would deign to eat…
When Yuan Cheng returned to the kitchen and saw Xie Zhinuan instructing the chef again, he let out a sigh of relief and approached her, “Zhinuan!”
Xie Zhinuan nodded her head, “Uncle, let’s talk outside!”
She left the kitchen first, and Yuan Cheng immediately followed.
At the kitchen door, Yuan Cheng finally said, “That young master seems to have a poor appetite; he didn’t touch any of the dishes at all!”
“?”
Xie Zhinuan pursed her lips, thought for a moment, and then had an idea.
It seemed that the person couldn’t eat and had anorexia.
The dishes contained too many spices, and anorexia could have many causes…
“Uncle, I know what to make!”
Xie Zhinuan turned back into the kitchen, moved to an empty spot, and asked someone to start a fire.
She took a piece of tofu, pressed it into crumbles, boiled it in a pot, and then chopped some green onions.
She ladled up some of the tofu and sprinkled in the green onions.
She hadn’t used any spices at all.
She placed the tofu into a food box and carried it out to hand to Yuan Cheng, “Uncle, when you deliver this, please ask the guest to go to a separate private room and not open the food box; let him open it himself!”
“…”
Yuan Cheng quickly shook his head, “I’m afraid that’s not appropriate!”
Xie Zhinuan just smiled without saying a word.
To her, this was just a trivial episode, a matter of no consequence.
Seeing that the kitchen was almost done with the rush, she felt a bit hungry, scooped some soup into a bowl, found a seat, and sat down to drink.
Thinking of Routuan locked up in the house, her eyes gradually filled with tenderness and warmth.
This was her first time keeping a pet.
In the past, she wanted to, but she had neither the time nor the energy. Living life over again, she wanted to live simply and comfortably.
It was better to earn a little less money and have a comfortable and happy life, not so exhausting and worry-free.
Yuan Cheng took the food box upstairs, hesitating for a moment before he said, “Young Master, could you please go to the opposite private room?”
“?” Li Hengyi frowned.
His gaze was deep and piercing.
Like a sharp blade, it cut straight to the heart.
Yuanbao, on the other hand, shouted angrily, “You lowly manager, you have the audacity to direct my master!”
Frightened, Yuan Cheng quickly pleaded for mercy, “I dare not, I dare not. The one who cooked the dish said that the Young Master has to open the food box himself…”
Before Yuanbao could speak, Li Hengyi already said, “Lead the way!”
“My lord…”
Yuanbao spoke softly.
Thinking of how his master hadn’t had a full meal in three years, Yuanbao swallowed his anger.
He took the food box and had Yuan Cheng lead the way ahead.
Yuan Cheng let out a sigh of relief and led them to the opposite private room.
Yuanbao motioned for him to leave, and Yuan Cheng did not dare stay a moment longer.
He ran off quickly.
Once there were only Li Hengyi and Yuanbao inside the private room, Yuanbao prepared to open the food box lid.
“You may leave,” Li Hengyi said softly.
Looking at the food box, his gaze was faint and indifferent.
He was rather curious about what kind of dish the chef had prepared, making such a mystery of it.
Yuanbao pursed his lips and reluctantly said, “Then, I will wait at the door.”
“Go have your meal,” Li Hengyi said softly.
He could never be too harsh with someone who had been with him for nearly twenty years.
Yuanbao obeyed and left, even closing the door behind him.
Li Hengyi sat in the chair, looked at the food box for a moment, and then opened the lid.
“…”

Chapter 31