Gourmet: The Master Chef Just Wants to Leisurely Set Up a Stall - Chapter 67

Upon hearing those words, Zhao Xiaojing immediately understood. She chuckled to herself, thinking no wonder the old man had such a disdainful expression before Wen Jin arrived, claiming he wasn’t particularly eager for him to come back.

It seemed that the elderly man was simply fed up with being overly managed and was starting to rebel.

After taking half a glass of red wine, its rich yet slightly astringent taste spread through her mouth. Zhao Xiaojing recalled a recipe from the system that mentioned a Yangmei and Lychee⁹ iced drink.

The system tutorial had briefly noted that the finished Yangmei and Lychee iced drink could also be mixed with red wine. This would create a fruity, icy red wine cocktail. She wondered what it would taste like?

“Xiaojing, what’s wrong? You don’t like the wine?”

Fan Guiying noticed that Zhao Xiaojing was staring blankly at the red wine and asked with concern.

“Are you drunk already, Xiaojing? Want a different drink?”

“No, no! I just think this red wine tastes quite good.”

“Nice! Xiaojing’s even got a drinking capacity that matches our family!” Wen Zhiyi laughed.

Wen Jin continued tasting different fried dishes, becoming more and more amazed. “Sis, did you recruit Xiaojing to help at the construction site?”

“Yes, the site manager was thrilled! How is it? Tasty, right?” Wen Yulan scooped some soup, raising an eyebrow as she observed her brother succumbing to the “delicious food law.”

“This cooking skill is truly something else. Will she follow you all to Jiangcheng later on?” Wen Jin eagerly asked, completely unaware that he had been defeated by his own appetite.

“Oh right, Xiaojing,” Wen Yulan recalled something. “Manager Li mentioned last time that he wanted you to join the construction crew, but you haven’t given him an answer. What do you think?”

“I’ve decided not to follow the construction team for now. I’ll continue setting up my stall.” Zhao Xiaojing put down the crab she had been holding and wiped her mouth clean.

Since the system had assigned her a task of paying off 80,000 yuan in 114 days, she had already resolved not to work in the construction site’s canteen anymore.

First, she wouldn’t be able to complete the task; earning 80,000 yuan in three or four months was impossible. Second, there wasn’t much room for growth.

“That’s fine too—the construction site isn’t exactly convenient,” Wen Yulan nodded. “With your skills, sticking to a fixed salary would be a waste of talent. It’s just a pity that our canteen isn’t privately contracted, and all employees are permanent staff. Ah, what a shame.”

“My little booth is just too small…” Wen Jin sighed and shook his head.

“This is great! Xiaojing will be close by, and we can see her often! That calls for another toast!” Fan Guiying happily declared.

“I’ll do the honors! A toast to my grandpa catching big fish every day! My grandma leading every dance! My mom staying strong and spirited forever! My uncle getting more open-minded! And Xiaojing making more and more money!” Yun Yun eagerly raised her glass, prompting a round of joyous laughter from everyone.

Amidst the clinking glasses, each face became tinged with a rosy flush.

The old man, Wen Laoyezi, began talking more and more, sharing stories of his tough younger days. Meanwhile, Grandma Fan cast a sidelong glance at him and quietly drained most of his wine glass.

Wen Jin and Yun Yun listened intently while continuing to munch away, eventually wiping out an entire plate of fried snacks.

Zhao Xiaojing, on the other hand, grew increasingly addicted to the lotus root soup. Noticing how much she enjoyed it, Wen Yulan thoughtfully adjusted her position, moving the clay pot closer to Zhao Xiaojing with a gentle smile.

As the evening sky turned crimson with sunset, night gradually descended. Around the table, some people were chatting, while others listened. Wen Yulan propped her elbow on the table, smiling as she pulled out her phone.

“Alright, look over here!”

Wen Yulan switched the camera to selfie mode, adjusting the angle to fit everyone into the frame. With a loud shout, everyone turned their heads toward her just in time for the shutter to click.

In the photo, Wen Yulan was holding the phone high, smiling at the camera; Wen Zhiyi was flashing hand gestures with an excited grin; Fan Guiying had her hand on his shoulder, laughing so hard her eyes almost disappeared; Wen Jin was leaning forward with his mouth open, his eyes glancing upward comically as though he were missing a few brain cells; while both Yun Yun and Zhao Xiaojing had flushed cheeks from drinking, sporting silly smiles…

“Perfect! This is Xiaojing’s first group photo with our family!”

Wen Yulan opened the picture and burst into laughter at the circus-like expressions captured around the table.

“Let me see!”

“I want to see too!”

“Me too!”

Several necks craned forward eagerly to catch a glimpse of the photo on Wen Yulan’s phone.

“I’ll just send it to you all!”

Amused by the eager faces crowding behind her, Wen Yulan sent the photo to both their family group chat “I Love My Family” and Zhao Xiaojing’s WeChat.

After dinner, Zhao Xiaojing said her goodbyes and prepared to leave. The others escorted her to the yard where her cart was parked. Wen Yulan quickly dashed into another room.

“Xiaojing, here are some things for you to take home.”

Wen Yulan hurried back with a large red bag, clearly stuffed with various items.

“Auntie Wen, I don’t—”

“No need for that! I already told you—you’re like my goddaughter now. Stop with the formalities!”

Before Zhao Xiaojing could refuse, Wen Yulan cut her off decisively and opened the glass case on Zhao Xiaojing’s vending cart, stuffing the bag inside.

“Just take it, Xiaojing. Lanzi has always been so thoughtful. Last time you left, we realized too late that we hadn’t given you anything to bring home.”

“That’s right, girl. Last time, we didn’t give you anything, and this old lady has been scolding me ever since. If we let you leave empty-handed again today, I’ll be kicked out of the house!” Wen Laoyezi chimed in with a smile.

With both of them insisting, Zhao Xiaojing couldn’t refuse any longer.

After thanking them profusely, she finally rode her cart home. Worried about her safety after having some wine, Wen Yulan even had their driver, Xiao Wu, follow behind her in his car to ensure she got home safely.

Once home, Zhao Xiaojing placed the red bag on her table and began unpacking it piece by piece.

What she saw surprised her.

Inside were bags of snacks she had never seen before, a box of premium snow-skin mooncakes¹⁰ , a beautifully packaged tin of Tieguanyin tea¹¹, two bottles of the red wine she had complimented during dinner, and a brand-new lipstick in English packaging.

Were these gifts too extravagant?

The snacks were one thing, but she had no idea how much each bottle of wine cost. Judging by the way the Wen family displayed them in their transparent wine cabinet, they probably weren’t cheap. Was it really okay to accept them? The tea was also elegantly packaged, and she recognized the lipstick brand—it must have cost a few hundred yuan at least…

The more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt. She picked up her phone and called Wen Yulan.

“Hello, Xiaojing? Did you forget something?”

“No, Auntie Wen. The things you gave me are just too valuable. I feel bad accepting them—I should return them tomorrow.”

“Oh, come on now! You’re too honest! These things aren’t valuable at all. My second and third kids brought them back home, but your grandparents don’t use them.”

“They don’t like red wine, and they find Tieguanyin’s flavor too intense. The lipstick is an extra I bought—its shade is a duplicate of one Yun Yun already has.”

“But Auntie Wen… they still feel too valuable. Dinner tonight was already generous enough—I can’t just take these gifts on top of that…”

“What do you mean ‘just take’? You’ve brought plenty of things over for your grandparents before. It’s only fair they give you something in return. It’s called reciprocity!

Besides, you took things we like, and we’re giving you things we don’t need. If anything, we’re getting the better end of the deal!

And honestly, if these things stay at home, they’d just go to waste. Think of it this way: you’re helping us reduce waste and contributing to environmental protection!

If you still feel bad about it, just promise me you’ll visit your grandparents more often when I’m back in Jiangcheng. Deal?”

“Alright then, I’ll accept them. Thank you very much, Auntie Wen.”

“Now that’s more like it.”

With Wen Yulan’s words leaving no room for further argument, Zhao Xiaojing could only thank her again and agree.

After hanging up the call, she looked at the pile of items once more, feeling a warm sense of gratitude wash over her.

She opened her phone and pulled up the group photo from earlier that evening, gazing at it thoughtfully.

***

⁹ Yangmei Lychee : A type of refreshing iced drink made with Chinese bayberry (杨梅, yángméi) and lychee (荔枝, lìzhī). This drink is often served chilled and is popular in summer for its sweet and tangy flavor.

¹⁰ Snow Skin Mooncake (冰皮月饼, bīng pí yuèbǐng) : A non-baked mooncake with a soft, chewy crust typically made from glutinous rice. Unlike traditional baked mooncakes, these are served cold and are especially enjoyed during the Mid-Autumn Festival.

¹¹ Tieguanyin (铁观音, tiěguānyīn) : A variety of oolong tea known for its rich aroma and smooth taste. It is one of the most famous teas from China and is highly prized for its complex flavor profile, which can range from floral to roasted.