Gourmet: The Master Chef Just Wants to Leisurely Set Up a Stall - Chapter 48

“I’m telling you, marriage is arranged by parents and matchmakers—how can you just do whatever you want? Rest assured, as long as you agree to marry in, Zhang Guodong won’t dare say a word against it!”

Wen Juying glared angrily.

“No need, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be going.”

Zhao Xiaojing was tired of engaging and didn’t want to prolong the matter, attempting to leave with her bike.

“What, do you think our family isn’t good enough for you? Feeling high and mighty mingling with these workers? You’d feel wronged marrying into our family? Let me tell you, with Guodong’s conditions, do you think he can’t find anyone better?”

Wen Juying got angrier seeing Zhao Xiaojing’s indifferent attitude, raising her voice.

“Then go find someone else.”

Zhao Xiaojing remained indifferent.

“You’ve really got an attitude! Want to mix with these shady people and disgrace your aunt? How is our Guodong inferior to them?”

Wen Juying pointed at the three workers nearby, relentless in her scolding.

“Aunt Wen, having a conversation with others means mingling? How many do you mingle with daily? If you’re not disgracing your family, why should I worry? Whether Zhang Guodong compares doesn’t concern me—I’m not interested!”

Initially viewing Wen Juying as a stranger she wouldn’t engage with in this life, Zhao Xiaojing decided to drop pleasantries when faced with such harsh words.

“Fine, talk back to your elders! I thought you were a good girl from your honest appearance! Truly no manners; how did your mother raise you? I’ve seen it all now!”

Wen Juying’s chest heaved with anger.

“Using age to call yourself an elder without knowing someone is considered well-mannered? Should everyone worship you along the way? Why not travel with a ceremonial entourage?”

Zhao Xiaojing retorted sharply.

“How dare you speak like that! Say it again!” Wen Juying stepped forward, trembling with rage, pointing at Zhao Xiaojing’s nose.

“What, looking for trouble?”

Zhao Xiaojing slapped away Wen Juying’s hand, knocking it aside. Zhou Yicheng, Wen Jieling, and Liu Yifan rushed over, shielding Zhao Xiaojing.

Having heard Wen Juying’s derogatory remarks earlier, they wanted to confront her but held back for Zhao Xiaojing’s sake. Seeing her aggressiveness now, they quickly stepped in to help.

“Fine! Bullying with numbers, huh! I’ve misjudged you!”

“Just wait, I’ll be telling your aunt!”

Wen Juying clutched her sore hand, glaring at the four before storming off.

“Are you okay, Chef?”

“Chef, who was that? An enemy?”

“She talks terribly—no wonder there’s animosity!”

As Wen Juying left, the trio turned their attention to Zhao Xiaojing.

“No worries, thank you all! What did you want to say earlier, and why call me Chef?”

The lively trio warmed up instantly at Zhao Xiaojing’s inquiry, chatting for a while before she headed home.

…

At nine o’clock in the evening, Zhao Xiaojing began her daily basic practice.

Focused on balancing the pot weight with her left hand, a loud knock sounded on her rented apartment door.

“Zhao Xiaojing, open up!”

Dong Mei’s loud voice came from outside. Unperturbed, Zhao Xiaojing gently set down the pot and opened the door.

She expected Wen Juying to report today’s incident to Dong Mei.

“Auntie, you’re here.”

“Do you still consider me your aunt? Acting so boldly today, am I insignificant to you?” Dong Mei entered with an accusatory stance.

“Auntie, of course, I respect you. But when insulted directly, I can’t just swallow my pride and cater to them.”

Since their last fallout, she hadn’t contacted Dong Mei. Seeing her now under such circumstances felt like one wave after another. Sighing inwardly, Zhao Xiaojing poured her a glass of water.

“Hmph, swallowing your pride indeed! I never realized how sharp-tongued you are lately. Have you been bewitched? Talking back to elders and refusing to listen! Why would we say anything if not for your benefit, hoping you’d settle down happily? Yet you can’t distinguish right from wrong and even insult others!”

Dong Mei sat heavily on a chair, frowning and tapping the table as she spoke.

“Auntie, I’m not bewitched nor intentionally defiant. I have my own goals and things to achieve. I want to make my choices—I explained last time.”

Keeping a respectful distance, Zhao Xiaojing patiently tried to clarify.

“Then tell me, what are your goals? What do you want to achieve?” Dong Mei crossed her arms, glaring upward at Zhao Xiaojing.

“My goal is independence—to have my career and support myself financially. I’ve found my path and already earned over ten thousand yuan.”

“Over ten thousand yuan?!”

Dong Mei exclaimed, raising her voice in surprise.

“Yes. I’m cooking at the construction site canteen—my monthly salary is 8300 yuan. Before that, I set up a small stall selling fried snacks. Business was great; in seven days, I earned over ten thousand.”

Zhao Xiaojing retrieved a thick envelope from a drawer, taking out the money to place beside Dong Mei.

She’d prepared this money early on, intending to repay part of her debt to Dong Mei to show her earning ability and ease her worries.

However, hesitating since their argument, she hadn’t dared visit.

“Auntie, here’s ten thousand yuan. I wanted to repay part of my debt earlier…”

“Construction site? Fried snacks?”

Ignoring the money on the table, Dong Mei stared intently at Zhao Xiaojing for a while, her face taut before finally speaking.

Zhao Xiaojing nodded at her.

“So Aunt Wen wasn’t lying! She told me this afternoon—I didn’t believe it, thinking you just saw classmates there. I defended you for nothing!”

“Do you know what a construction site is like? It’s full of society’s bottom rung—a mixed bag! Are you really mingling with them?!”

“And who recruited a young girl like you for this? What’s their ulterior motive?”

“Even setting up a stall to sell fried snacks openly?! In our small town, everyone knows everyone. What would people who know you think seeing you doing this?”

“While you don’t care about your reputation, consider mine and your mom’s! Think about what acquaintances would say behind our backs!”