Gourmet: The Master Chef Just Wants to Leisurely Set Up a Stall - Chapter 22

“Don’t bother. If you get married, everything I eat tastes great. Why not focus more on your own future?”

For some reason, Dong Mei was triggered, angrily dropping her chopsticks and turning away, staring at the wall. The atmosphere instantly became tense.

“Auntie, I’ll handle my future. Marriage isn’t something that should be rushed. I’m an adult now; I want to make my own decisions.”

Zhao Xiaojing controlled her tone, trying to communicate calmly.

“You’ll handle it? If you knew how to handle things, would you have done this? Zhang Guodong’s family dressed up, brought gifts, and waited for you. And what did you do? Didn’t show up! Who do you think you are? Who gave you the right to stand them up?”

“If you don’t like my choice, find someone yourself. But act like I’m forcing marriage on you! You’re old enough to know better, yet you still can’t decide for yourself?”

“All high and mighty—this one’s not good, that one’s not good. Ever thought about what you have to offer? Why would anyone choose you?!”

Dong Mei finally opened up, talking nonstop. She no longer ignored Zhao Xiaojing, but things hadn’t improved.

“Auntie, you didn’t tell me in advance that Zhang Guodong’s family was coming over. If you had, I’d have told you I wasn’t coming over. I didn’t intend to disrespect anyone—I just want to make my own choices.”

Suppressing her anger and frustration, Zhao Xiaojing explained calmly.

“I’m not looking down on anyone. Marriage is a big deal. I can’t just marry someone because they’re well-off. I’m only 24; I have nothing—no job, no degree. Why rush into marriage? To become a housewife?”

“Not marrying means rising to power, becoming an official? Lots of people marry with jobs and degrees; are they all aiming to be housewives?

By your logic, half the country shouldn’t marry at all!” Dong Mei retorted passionately.

“Auntie, that’s not what I meant. I didn’t say I wouldn’t marry, but I need to be outstanding first to find someone equally outstanding.”

Having experienced two disastrous marriages in her past life, Zhao Xiaojing had no expectations for marriage. She believed in love but didn’t expect it for herself. She wasn’t planning to remarry and repeat past mistakes. However, she couldn’t say that to Dong Mei—it would cause an explosion. She opted for a balanced approach.

“So you’re saying my choices aren’t good enough? You dismissed Wang’s eldest son because his mom’s a troublemaker. What about Zhang Guodong? He has a stable job, parents with income, a big house—what’s wrong with that?”

“But as I said, I have nothing to change by marrying him—just being a housewife.”

“What’s wrong with being a housewife? Men work outside, women inside—it’s tradition! Must one have everything before marrying? Then why does the saying ‘establish a family before a career’ exist? You’re just selfish, refusing marriage! If you understood my intentions, appreciated your mother’s efforts in raising you, you’d be married by now!”

“You think anyone else…”

“Who else like you…”

Back to square one, Dong Mei kept harping on, her relentless logic unbeatable.

In the past, Zhao Xiaojing always compromised, but across two lives, compromise solved nothing.

“Even if you’re foolish, think clearly today. Zhang Guodong isn’t working tonight; come apologize at his place now. Keep your mouth shut—do as I say! Speak out of line, and I’ll deal with you!”

“What are you standing there for? Fix your hair! Going out looking unkempt—have some manners! Your sister’s makeup is in the guest room—put some on!”

After scolding, Dong Mei began making decisions again, grabbing gift boxes and directing Zhao Xiaojing to tidy up.

Seeing Dong Mei unchanged, ignoring her words, truly planning to drag her to apologize with preparations in place, Zhao Xiaojing abandoned restraint, determined to refuse.

“Auntie, am I selfish, or are you? Marriage is my business—why control my life?”

“You claim I’m grown but deny my decisions, never giving me room to grow! Zhang Guodong might be your choice—not mine!”

Stepping back in defiance, Zhao Xiaojing shouted words she’d been too afraid to speak for years.

“What did you say?! Say it again!”

Dong Mei slammed the cabinet door, pointing at Zhao Xiaojing in fury.

“I said it’s not what I want! I won’t marry! Even with a knife at my throat, I won’t marry him!”

Zhao Xiaojing abandoned diplomacy, embracing rebellion.

Slap!

Dong Mei stormed toward Zhao Xiaojing, swinging her hand with full force, but Zhao Xiaojing dodged.

“Don’t act ungrateful! If not for your mother, who’d care for you?”

Dong Mei shook her hand in frustration.

“Auntie, do you see me as human? Must I follow your every whim—even in marriage? How is this different from owning a pet?

You claim it’s for my mother—but she never hit me. She discussed things with me—I had opinions!

I know what I owe you, but life can’t be repaid with it! I can’t ruin my life out of guilt for you!”

Zhao Xiaojing shouted back.

“Fine! You’ve grown wings! Do whatever you want! Don’t call me Auntie again—we have nothing more to do with each other! Get out now!”

Dong Mei yelled furiously, pointing at the door.

Zhao Xiaojing walked out immediately.

Reaching the deserted downstairs, her facade crumbled. She squatted, head buried, fighting tears but succumbing to sobs.