Gourmet: The Master Chef Just Wants to Leisurely Set Up a Stall - Chapter 23

Instead of heading straight home, Zhao Xiaojing’s thoughts were a whirlwind as she pedaled to Fengping River.

This was her favorite spot for walks, especially on summer nights. Sitting by the riverbank with the breeze blowing away all her worries always brought her peace.

She settled on a patch of grass near a streetlamp.

The area was quiet, with only an old man in a white tank top fishing nearby. Zhao Xiaojing sat behind him, eyes red, staring at an empty bucket on the ground.

In this residential district, tranquility nestled amidst the bustle, with fishermen scattered along the bank. Some rods even had glowing screens in the dark. But in the light, the old man opted for traditional gear.

The float remained motionless for ages, prompting the old man to turn for his teacup. Spotting Zhao Xiaojing, he jumped slightly.

“Girl, why are you crying? No need to be upset over an empty catch.”

“…Seeing you reminds me of my grandpa,” Zhao Xiaojing fibbed casually.

“Oh, when did your grandpa pass? Did he also love fishing?” The fisherman, Wen Zhiyi, loved chatting with youngsters.

“Old man, why not use those fancy rods with lights and screens?” Zhao Xiaojing had little memory of her grandfather and changed topics.

“Heh! Such flashy things aren’t for real anglers like us. Too pragmatic!

Fishing is about savoring the unknown—a creative process. You must research bait recipes, what fish prefer which bait, where specific fish thrive, and how different fish create distinct bubbles. Casting technique, angle, force—all are crucial.

Unlike those who just extend rods and rely on screens to spot fish, moving if none appear. That’s not fishing; it’s impatience! It’s restlessness!”

Wen Zhiyi’s passionate spiel intrigued Zhao Xiaojing, revealing new insights into fishing.

“How long have you been fishing, Grandpa?”

“Two months.”

Zhao Xiaojing burst out laughing—such contrast lightened her mood considerably.

“Grandpa, you’re funny! I thought ‘old angler’ referred to experience, not age!”

“Hehe! And you, young lady? How old are you? Coming here alone at night, so emotional over your grandpa—must be a deep bond?” Wen Zhiyi chuckled.

“I’m 24. Honestly, I barely knew my grandpa. Just joking earlier—not crying over him.”

Originally a deflection, Zhao Xiaojing found Wen Zhiyi delightful and spoke truthfully.

“Haha! Tricking me from the first word!”

Wen Zhiyi chuckled heartily, unfazed.

“Grandpa, you’re so humorous—your kids must be happy, right?” Zhao Xiaojing asked abruptly.

“I wouldn’t know. Happiness is theirs to declare. I think they’re happy with stability and success. But maybe they’d say reaching stars or the moon is happiness. I can only claim my own happiness—not theirs.”

“Grandpa, your mindset is admirable. If every parent were as easygoing and fun…”

Initially reflecting on her lack of family, Zhao Xiaojing now genuinely admired his outlook.

“And you? Young lady, are you happy?”

“I’m happy too. Life isn’t perfect, it’s tough—but becoming independent and having a passion is my greatest joy.”

After pondering, Zhao Xiaojing answered firmly—a response for both the old man and herself.

“Oh? What’s your passion?” Wen Zhiyi’s interest piqued.

“I run a stall selling snacks.”

“Well, I didn’t expect that! So young, neatly dressed—I’d never guess you run a stall!

What snacks do you sell? How’s business?” Wen Zhiyi was intrigued.

“Skewers. Business is great—they sell out daily.” Pride filled Zhao Xiaojing as she spoke.

[Ding~ Random Task Triggered]

[Random Task: Invite Wen Zhiyi to Try Skewers. Choose whether to accept.]

[Yes/No]

Hearing the system prompt, Zhao Xiaojing realized Wen Zhiyi was the fisherman before her and immediately accepted.

“What are you thinking? Where’s your stall?” Wen Zhiyi waved a hand before Zhao Xiaojing’s face.

“Oh, oh, in the snack alley beside Chunfeng Experimental School. Grandpa, drop by if you’re free—I’ll treat you!”

“Haha, I intended to! No need to treat—I’m curious about your stall.”

“I set up at 4:20 PM; students get out around 4:30. I usually close by 5:30, but I’ll save some for you.”

“Alright then!” Wen Zhiyi agreed cheerfully.

Thanks to him, Zhao Xiaojing’s emotions settled completely.

After more chatting, she returned home and remembered to claim her fridge reward.

True to form, the system delivered a deluxe model—a 600L double-door luxury fridge—leaving Zhao Xiaojing stunned.

However…

“System, this is huge! It takes up too much space in my rental—I’ve no room for prepping food.”

[All items provided by the system can be stored in the system backpack for continuous use.]

Delighted, Zhao Xiaojing promptly moved the fridge into her system backpack, testing storage—it felt like magic, working seamlessly otherwise.

“So it’s like having personal storage?”

[If your spatial expectations are that low, you could interpret it that way.]

“Oh!” Initially thrilled, Zhao Xiaojing suddenly felt naïve under the system’s snark.

Meanwhile, Li Jingying, leaving the cinema while boyfriend Wei Liguo visited the restroom, seized his phone to search.

All evening, during the movie, Wei Liguo seemed distracted, frequently checking his phone.

Determined to uncover whatever held his attention—perhaps sneaky videos—Li Jingying delved into his Douyin² app.

There she found his latest follow—a guy?

Perplexed, she clicked his profile—her face darkening on viewing the first video.

When Wei Liguo returned, Li Jingying faced him grimly, his phone playing a noisy video before her.

“What did you tell me?! Didn’t you say you’d forgotten this person? Then what’s this?!”

She pointed at the screen showing Zhao Xiaojing looking awkward amid a bustling stall scene.

—

Footnote ²Douyin “抖音” (Dǒuyīn) : Douyin is a popular Chinese social media platform known for its short-form video content. It allows users to create and share videos ranging from 15 seconds to a few minutes, featuring music, filters, and various effects. Douyin is the original version of what is known internationally as TikTok, and it remains one of the most widely used apps in China, especially among younger demographics.