Gourmet: The Master Chef Just Wants to Leisurely Set Up a Stall - Chapter 12

After hanging up on her third aunt, Zhao Xiaojing wondered if she would let things go so easily. Was Dong Mei someone who would just hang up and leave it at that?

She knew Dong Mei too well; she was most likely on her way over!

Right now, Dong Mei was fuming. As long as Zhao Xiaojing didn’t agree to marry, talking to her would only add fuel to the fire.

Even though Zhao Xiaojing had resolved not to be controlled anymore, she couldn’t help but fear Dong Mei!

What to do? Better avoid confrontation—run away!

Panic flooded through Zhao Xiaojing. Looking at the almost-finished Qingbuliang and considering the hour-long task time limit, she quickly grabbed the largest lunchbox, scooped a big spoonful of each ingredient, drizzled the prepared coconut milk slush over it, and topped it with coconut shavings and crushed peanuts for garnish.

There was no time to eat it. She closed the lid, added two ice packs, placed it in an insulated bag, and got ready to leave.

Seeing that all the Qingbuliang materials were gone from the table, having been reclaimed by the system, she didn’t waste any more time lamenting. Grabbing the bag, her folding stool, and today’s cash, she locked the door and fled swiftly.

Though she could have simply pretended not to be home, imagining Dong Mei banging on the door while she hid inside was too much pressure.

Better safe than sorry—running was the best option!

Zhao Xiaojing carried her stool and rushed to the spot she found yesterday, suitable for practicing recipes in the virtual space.

It wasn’t far and off the main road. She’d planned to come later anyway—just arriving earlier now.

This new practice spot resembled yesterday’s small eatery, with the stove and ingredients outside to attract customers.

The difference was that this place had a pharmacy next door with its door open. With the air conditioning on, elderly people often sat outside in the evening to cool off, making Zhao Xiaojing sitting there inconspicuous.

At this hour, it wasn’t dark yet. The sunlight cast a long shadow from the restaurant’s red awning next door, shading Zhao Xiaojing perfectly.

Carefully, Zhao Xiaojing opened her insulated bag and lifted the lunchbox lid.

A bowl of snow-white dessert mixed with a riot of colors and a rich aroma appeared before her eyes.

Holding the bowl, Zhao Xiaojing smiled genuinely, taking several photos with her phone. After capturing the mixture of toppings beneath, she carefully scooped a spoonful and tasted it.

“Oh my gosh!” Zhao Xiaojing felt the summer heat and agitation disappear with one taste. Whether it truly cleared heat and soothed lungs, the sweet coolness certainly felt healing.

Though not her first time tasting system-provided cuisine, it never ceased to amaze her.

With so many toppings, each bite offered a different sensation—soft mango, chewy adzuki beans, tart hawthorn bits.

Sweet, but not cloyingly so—a natural fruit sweetness enhanced by creamy coconut-flavored slush, refreshing every bite.

This alone could make anyone fall in love with summer.

After finishing contentedly, Zhao Xiaojing remembered the system notification she had overlooked in her haste.

Checking, she saw the task was marked complete.

She claimed the reward.

[Congratulations! You have received 20 system coins, 100 cash, and 100 experience points.]

Such generosity—recipes and rewards! Having you as my system is my blessing!

Happily, Zhao Xiaojing took out her phone, turned off airplane mode, and connected to the pharmacy’s free Wi-Fi.

Choosing a couple of her best Qingbuliang photos, she posted them on social media, blocking relatives from seeing.

She praised the system subtly: Being able to taste this is my good fortune.

With that done, Zhao Xiaojing packed up the lunchbox, discreetly counted today’s earnings, and balanced the books.

Having spent 800 yuan in the morning—with over 500 on ingredients and nearly three hundred on tools and seasonings—she now had 1561 yuan.

Subtracting her original balance and the system’s 100 yuan reward, her stall sales amounted to over 1400 yuan.

Zhao Xiaojing breathed a sigh of relief; her heart found some solace.

She could pay tomorrow’s rent! At 350 yuan a month, she’d still have over a thousand left for restocking—smoothly overcoming the first hurdle of her rebirth.

Satisfied, Zhao Xiaojing stored everything safely. Then she projected the neighboring restaurant’s stove into the virtual space and began practicing for the day.

This restaurant’s ingredients differed slightly from previous days’, focusing on poultry like chicken and duck, neatly divided by parts, offering her new practice materials.

Practicing until ten PM when her alarm rang, Zhao Xiaojing exited the space and stealthily returned to her rental building.

Standing quietly to listen for any unusual sounds before cautiously heading upstairs.

“Hey Xiao Zhao, just getting back?”

As she reached the second floor, her landlord’s familiar voice called from behind.

“Your aunt came by earlier, knocked for ages! Said she couldn’t find you and your phone was off.”

The landlord lived on the second floor; she owned the whole building and always knew first when anything happened. Embarrassed, Zhao Xiaojing smiled awkwardly.

“Auntie Li, I went for a walk and my phone must’ve turned off in my pocket. By the way, I can pay rent now—are you still up?”

“Yes, my grandson just quieted down. Remember to call your aunt back; she seemed pretty upset.” The landlord opened her payment app.

“Sure thing, Auntie. I’ll head up then.”

After paying rent and returning upstairs, Zhao Xiaojing felt both relieved and guilty—

guilt from dodging a confrontation, but relief from narrowly avoiding one.

She needed to earn money quickly. Although she knew Dong Mei wasn’t demanding repayment, owing her made even simple refusals difficult.

After a brief hesitation, Zhao Xiaojing turned off airplane mode on her phone. As expected, she was bombarded with over a dozen messages, most of them from Dong Mei.

There was emotional blackmail: “I haven’t slept for several nights because of you. How am I supposed to face your mother after this? How could you do this to us?”

There were softer attempts at persuasion: “It’s just a meal to meet someone, nothing more. If you like him, great; if not, no big deal. I’m not forcing you.”

And then there was outright anger: “If you don’t marry, you’re unfilial, disloyal, and immoral! Why should the country bother raising someone like you?!”

Messages poured in, a jumble of guilt-tripping, persuading, and scolding.

Zhao Xiaojing thought for a moment before composing a heartfelt and serious reply.

In addition to the barrage from Dong Mei, she noticed two messages from Su Yuchen and a notification confirming the system task’s cash reward had been credited.

Opening Su Yuchen’s messages brought an instant grin to her face.