Gourmet: The Master Chef Just Wants to Leisurely Set Up a Stall - Chapter 47

“Can’t you two find something better to do than betting on me? Why don’t you bet on who can unlock it or whose bike this is?” Wen Jieling scolded his friends in exasperation.

“No bets needed—we’re just betting on when you’ll unlock it.”

“I bet he’ll never unlock it!”

“Get lost, how can you bet the same as me?”

“Enough, cut it out, both of you!” Wen Jieling was frustrated.

The three were from out of town and didn’t know Yang City well, so they hadn’t ventured far from the construction site until spotting this shared electric bike.

He’d been seeing this bike parked here for days. Though odd being parked in such a secluded spot at the site, he scanned it daily, only to get an error.

At first suspecting it was broken, he’d checked at night but found it gone!

Is this bike discriminatory? Does it require a Yang City residency to unlock?

While arguing beside the bike, a young woman exited the construction gate and walked straight toward the bike, pulling out her phone.

“Miss, that bike won’t unlock—it’s deliberately left here to frustrate us!”

“Yeah, miss, it’s here to tease my son—you can’t unlock it!”

“Huh? What do you mean?” Zhao Xiaojing looked up, confused, mid-scan.

“Beep, welcome to Happy E-bike. Please observe traffic safety and enjoy your ride!”

???

Why did it beep again?! Zhao Xiaojing was embarrassed.

Does it pick riders based on appearance? Wen Jieling was incredulous.

Liu Yifan and Zhou Yicheng exchanged glances and burst into uncontrollable laughter.

“Before riding, please confirm your destination and return point. Let’s start our journey together!” The bike’s sweet system prompt continued.

Zhao Xiaojing shook her head, pushing the bike. Last time the bike acted up due to some punk; what’s its issue now?

“You ride this bike every day?!” Wen Jieling raised his eyebrows, nearly coughing up blood.

“Yes…”

“Did you modify the QR code so only you can ride it?” Zhou Yicheng asked, stifling laughter.

“No, it’s my own bike…” Zhao Xiaojing explained helplessly, unsure how many times she had to clarify this due to the system’s quirks.

“Your own? You bought a shared e-bike?” Liu Yifan nudged Zhou Yicheng playfully.

“Yes, I like the look of shared bikes—it’s my…quirk.

See, my app isn’t even for shared bikes.”

Pausing, seeing their disbelief, Zhao Xiaojing showed them the system’s custom app on her phone.

“Oh wow, really private. What’s with this unique hobby? Is fooling passersby part of the fun?” Wen Jieling raised an eyebrow, eyeing Zhao Xiaojing differently.

“…,” Zhao Xiaojing silently cursed the system under their curious gazes.

“Are you one of the canteen staff?” Liu Yifan recalled seeing her in the mornings and hearing coworkers gossip about whether she was single.

“No, I’m the sous chef.” Zhao Xiaojing pushed the bike out, answering before riding off.

“Oh, a sous chef, so young?” Liu Yifan muttered to himself.

“What?! Sous chef!” Wen Jieling exclaimed, realizing aloud.

“Isn’t she the new chef doing all the frying every day?” Zhou Yicheng also pieced it together.

They were avid fans of Zhao Xiaojing’s fried foods in the canteen. Realizing this, they quickly ran after her to say more.

“Chef! Wait a moment!”

“Chef, stop! Hear my confession!”

“Chef…”

Exaggeratedly shouting as they ran to the gate, they caught Zhao Xiaojing’s bike—and realized something was off.

Zhao Xiaojing hadn’t moved, standing still, staring at a well-dressed older woman ahead.

“Uh… Chef, you go ahead,” Zhou Yicheng touched his nose, signaling the others to release the bike and step aside.

“Aunt Wen.”

Zhao Xiaojing blinked lightly, speaking calmly.

In front stood Wen Juying, Zhang Guodong’s mother—her mother-in-law from her previous life.

She hadn’t expected to meet her here, so she was momentarily taken aback, given their deep connection in her past life as mother and daughter-in-law for years.

Those years weren’t peaceful; Wen Juying was domineering, picky, biased towards her son. Although not hostile due to Dong Mei’s influence, she never truly considered Zhao Xiaojing family.

Zhao Xiaojing didn’t hate her but felt no fondness either.

This was her first encounter since rebirth—over a decade later.

In Wen Juying’s mind, she probably still saw Zhao Xiaojing as she did a month ago during a family meal arranged by Dong Mei.

“Your aunt said you found a job—is it here?” Wen Juying eyed Zhao Xiaojing sharply and glanced at the construction site behind her.

“Aunt Wen, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving.” Zhao Xiaojing didn’t want to answer or engage further.

“Can’t we have a quick chat? I’ve known your aunt for so long and am your elder. Can’t we talk after so long?”

Wen Juying stepped forward, blocking Zhao Xiaojing’s path.

“So what do you want to talk about?” Zhao Xiaojing replied plainly, facing Wen Juying. She hesitated briefly before speaking again.

“When your aunt kindly invited us for dinner last time, you didn’t come. Later she said you cut ties. Why are you so stubborn at your age? Elders want what’s best for you—finding you a good match. You should be grateful, not quarrelsome!

Plus, our Guodong has a stable job and is honest. He’s been waiting for you and lost weight recently! We all think you’re a great match! Give yourself and Guodong a chance!”

Wen Juying advised earnestly.

“Aunt Wen, thank you. But who Zhang Guodong is waiting for or why he’s lost weight is clear to you. Instead of persuading me, why not let him have his way.”

After the mistress incident in her previous life, Zhao Xiaojing learned the mistress was Zhang Guodong’s ex-girlfriend. Wen Juying pressured him to marry Zhao while forcing the breakup.

Zhang brought the ex home. After learning her background, Wen disliked her family’s lack of pensions and having a brother, finding her strong-willed and incompatible. Thus, she urged Zhang to break up and hurriedly sought a match, leading to Zhao Xiaojing.

“How do you know? Did Zhang Guodong tell you something!”

Wen Juying’s face fell immediately, her tone turning anxious.