Gourmet: The Master Chef Just Wants to Leisurely Set Up a Stall - Chapter 21

Zhao Xiaojing’s silence was deafening as she stared at the task assigned by the system.

“System, why does this task feel tailor-made?”

[The system is very intelligent. As long as it serves the culinary purpose, any reasonable demand can be made, and the system will create a customized reward task, usually revolving around your personal challenges.]

“What if I can’t complete the task?”

[If the task is not completed, the system will deduct half of the next task’s rewards. If the subsequent task also remains incomplete, all rewards from the following task will be deducted.]

[Friendly Reminder: You have already chosen to accept this task before it was issued.]

“Ugh…” Zhao Xiaojing felt a shiver run down her spine.

On the system interface, one line of text stood out prominently.

[Reward Task: Cook a Delicious Meal for Dong Mei]

[Task Progress: 0/1]

Cooking wasn’t hard, nor did she mind doing it; she was just apprehensive.

Since sending that heartfelt message to Dong Mei two days ago, there had been no response.

In her past life, she compromised twice and married thoughtlessly because, on one hand, she lacked skills and couldn’t repay debts—marriage seemed her only option. On the other hand, Dong Mei’s overbearing personality meant that if things didn’t go her way, she’d unleash a storm of anger and lectures. Disregarding her resulted in being treated like air, which Zhao Xiaojing couldn’t handle.

But in this life, she had goals and her own business, even if it was just a small stall.

She admitted her cowardice—facing issues she’d rather avoid, like putting her phone in airplane mode or leaving home to dodge Dong Mei.

Facing problems head-on was too difficult! Rejecting overpowering, influential elders wasn’t her strength. Forcing refusal often led to disaster, resulting in awkwardness like now.

After much internal struggle, Zhao Xiaojing headed to the market, quickly picking fresh chicken wings, green peppers, eggplants, half a pound of cherry tomatoes, some preserved plums, and seasonings like onions, ginger, and garlic.

There was time—Dong Mei finished work at six and would be home by six-thirty.

Carrying a bunch of ingredients to Dong Mei’s house, Zhao Xiaojing waited ten minutes at the door until she returned.

Dong Mei glanced sideways at her, then ignored her, pulling out keys to open the door.

“Auntie,” Zhao Xiaojing greeted under invisible pressure, unsure what to say while following Dong Mei inside.

Upon entering, with items put away in the kitchen, Dong Mei followed without a word, grabbing an apron.

“I’ll cook today, Auntie. Take a break,” Zhao Xiaojing quickly offered as Dong Mei reached for a cutting board, ignoring her completely, setting down the board and opening the fridge.

Seeing Dong Mei was intent on continuing, Zhao Xiaojing hurriedly opened her grocery bag, starting to unpack ingredients.

“Auntie, you don’t need to. I bought groceries—I’ll cook!” Zhao Xiaojing insisted, placing chicken wings into a bowl to wash them.

Dong Mei slammed the fridge shut, snatched the bowl away, and waved Zhao Xiaojing off.

“I’ve already started—let me finish!”

“I’ve never cooked for you. Try my cooking at least.”

Panicking, Zhao Xiaojing recited the line she’d rehearsed en route.

After some back-and-forth, seeing Zhao Xiaojing’s determination, Dong Mei neither left nor spoke—just stood watching her cook.

Under immense pressure, Zhao Xiaojing swallowed nervously and got to work.

Luckily, today’s dishes were quick to prepare: Pan-seared Chicken Wings, Pepper Scrambled Eggs, Cold Eggplant Salad, and Plum-Cured Cherry Tomatoes for dessert.

First, she washed and steamed eggplants whole for about ten minutes.

While steaming, she prepped chicken wings by slicing through each one.

Marinated them with black pepper, a pinch of salt, rice wine, and ginger slices.

During marination, she washed and chopped green peppers, frying them until soft with a little oil.

Beating three eggs, she added softened green peppers and a teaspoon of salt, mixing well.

While waiting, she removed steamed eggplants to cool.

Boiled enough water to cover cherry tomatoes.

Chopped garlic, green onions, and red chili peppers. Added soy sauce, oyster sauce, vinegar, sugar, and hot oil to make dressing.

Scooped tomatoes into cold water with plums and rock sugar, brought to a boil. Peeled tomatoes into a bowl, poured plum syrup over them, covered, and refrigerated.

Back to the pan—dried it thoroughly. Heated oil—enough to cover the base—poured in egg-pepper mix, spread evenly, let set, then flipped and browned both sides before removing.

Chicken wings were marinated by now. In a pan with a little oil on low heat, she placed skin-side down, covering with a lid.

After two to three minutes, once skin was crispy and fragrant, she flipped them over, repeating until cooked through. Turned up heat to brown both sides before serving.

Golden-browned chicken wings glistened with oil. She sprinkled non-spicy skewer seasoning over them for added flavor—confident in her secret blend.

Shredded cooled eggplant into finger-width strips, drizzled with prepared dressing.

Four dishes done.

Throughout, Dong Mei stayed silent, observing Zhao Xiaojing efficiently prepare four aromatic dishes before setting them on the table. After a long stare…

“Auntie, try this,” Zhao Xiaojing nervously offered a wing into Dong Mei’s bowl.

Sighing, Dong Mei tasted it—a moment’s pause—then moved on to eggplant salad and scrambled eggs.

“I thought you only knew how to make congee. When did you learn all this?” Dong Mei asked, breaking her silence with surprise.

Caught off guard, Zhao Xiaojing hesitated before nodding. Dong Mei referred to when Zhao Xiaojing’s mom was sick—she’d cook various congees trying to make her mom eat.

Actually, she learned stir-frying post-marriage in her past life; before that, she wasn’t skilled. Rebirth couldn’t be explained—she vaguely nodded along.

Dong Mei took another bite of chicken wings—crisp skin and tender meat. Seasoning wasn’t spicy but flavorful, enhancing the wings nicely.

Her brows relaxed slightly as she scrutinized the seasoning sprinkled on top.

“Auntie, it’s my homemade non-spicy seasoning. I brought some for you to try. If you like it, I’ll bring more next time.” Sensing Dong Mei’s demeanor soften, Zhao Xiaojing eagerly offered.