Chapter 10

Chapter 10

The manager thought to himself. Could it be that she thinks the pay is too low? He gritted his teeth. “Six taels!”

Xiao Wanling: “Huh?” She had only been thinking about why the manager suddenly wanted her to be the chef. She suspected there were hidden interests involved. A three-day tea party wasn’t worth putting herself in a risky situation just for a few taels of silver.

The manager took a deep breath. “I really can’t offer more!” Even the restaurant’s full-time chef didn’t earn as much in a month as she would in three days!

The more hesitant Xiao Wanling seemed, the more the manager felt he had found the right person. Even if the rival restaurant wanted to poach her, it wouldn’t be easy. Estimating that his boss should be arriving soon, he tried persuading her to reconsider.

Xiao Wanling said, “Ten taels. As the saying goes, ‘An open spear is easy to dodge; a hidden arrow is hard to guard against.’ All the guests at the tea party are people of status—if anything goes wrong, I’ll have to take responsibility. Let’s agree upfront: I’ll fulfill the three-day contract, but I won’t accept any other job offers during this time. Anyone who wants to collaborate on pastry or tea businesses afterward can approach me for cooperation.”

The manager’s eyes nearly popped out. “This is outrageous—taking advantage of the situation!”

Xiao Wanling remained calm. “I need the money.”

The manager flung his sleeves. “I don’t have the authority to make that call! Besides, you haven’t even shown your skills yet, and you’re already naming such a high price. You’re a shrewd one!”

Xiao Wanling stood up. “If you won’t agree, then never mind. I’ll just deliver tea tomorrow as usual.”

“I agree!” The voice arrived before the speaker did—it was the restaurant owner. She had already tasted the tea and pastries delivered to the residence. She genuinely liked these fresh and innovative foods.

The manager was dumbfounded. His usually frugal boss had suddenly turned generous?

Madam Zhang was dressed in a ginger-yellow outfit today, adorned with tinkling accessories, and fully decked out in jewelry. “Madam Xiao, please!”

Xiao Wanling noticed Shen Qing looked quite unhappy and said, “I have one more request. Shen Qing must assist me as a runner and helper. The secret recipes are exclusive, and I don’t want anyone else gathering the ingredients.”

The manager said, “You’re asking for too much!” And adding conditions on top of a price hike.

Madam Zhang replied, “Agreed! Do you have any other requests? Let’s hear them all now.”

The manager looked at his boss suspiciously, wondering if she had come down with a fever.

Seeing such a straightforward boss, Xiao Wanling asked, “No, that’s all. Does Madam Zhang have any dietary preferences or taboos?”

Madam Zhang cleared her throat. “I like things that are novel, attractive, and delicious!” Ideally, something no one else in Jin City had ever seen before.

Xiao Wanling’s mind spun quickly. A tea party centered around tea, paired with pastries and snacks.

Besides what she had already prepared, accessible ingredients included chicken feet, small fish, river shrimp… She had already started planning the menus for the next two days.

***

The Zhang Residence wasn’t far from the restaurant. It was just across two streets. A maid led Xiao Wanling to the eastern wing’s small kitchen. It was fully equipped with cooking and tea utensils. Jars of tea leaves were neatly arranged in the wall cabinets, and fresh ingredients were laid out on the counter.

The maid said, “My lady is in the main hall entertaining guests.” If you need anything, just let me know.” She bowed and quickly left.

Shen Qing stood just outside the kitchen, looking hopeful. “Wanling, what do you want me to do?”

Xiao Wanling handed him a tael of silver. “Go buy some fresh fruit, river seafood, and several chicken feet.”

Shen Qing acknowledged the task and left through the side door. The old woman guarding the side door didn’t stop him; it seemed special instructions had been given.

Xiao Wanling took grains and leftover milk from her basket, planning to make some pancakes.

Half an hour later, Shen Qing returned carrying a basket of ingredients, still radiating heat. “I ran into the restaurant chef. He asked me to bring these ingredients back.”

Freshly slaughtered chicken, duck, fish, and eggs, along with melons, peaches, and plums.

Xiao Wanling paused in surprise before realizing what was happening—Boss Zhang wanted her to cook the meals too. Since she’d taken the money, she’d do the work.

She had Shen Qing clean the innards and chop the meat.

Xiao Wanling added eggs, milk, and sugar to the flour, mixing it into a thick batter. The small kitchen filled with heat as the batter rose. She cooked the pancakes over a small charcoal stove and handed the finished ones to a little maid waiting in the corridor.

In the main hall, Madam Zhang kept glancing toward the entrance. When the little maid came in with a tea tray, she immediately stood to get her.

The little maid whispered, “Pancakes!”

Madam Zhang beamed. “Sisters, do try the new pancakes our chef just invented.” She made sure each distinguished guest received a serving.

The young ladies had already tasted Immortal Tofu, honey tea, and fruit tea and were now extremely curious about what other surprises this mysterious chef had in store.

Golden pancakes on both sides, filled with sweet, soft red bean paste; after half a piece, they were already craving more.

Suppressing the rising corners of her mouth, Madam Zhang turned to Han Shuyi, who had always been at odds with her, watching her face alternate between green and pale. Madam Zhang felt completely refreshed.

She reached up to adjust the hairpin in her hair and said, “Sister Shuyi, can your chef make something like this? Don’t disappoint me!”

Han Shuyi clenched her fists under the low table and quietly instructed her trusted maid, “Find out the identity of that chef.” She smiled faintly—let’s see who has the last laugh.

In the small kitchen, Shen Qing poked the chicken with a chopstick and said, “It’s tender!”

“Take it out!” After it cooled, Xiao Wanling shredded it into thin strips, added her secret sauce—it became a sour and spicy cold chicken dish, perfect for summer—and paired it with a thick vegetable porridge.

Lunch and dinner were now covered. As well as pastries and tea were prepared.

The cleaned chicken feet were placed in a pot to boil. Seeing Xiao Wanling tidying up the workbench, Shen Qing hurried over with a cloth. “Let me!”

He was distressed seeing her work all afternoon.

Xiao Wanling sat down, rubbing her sore shoulders and legs. In a large bowl were leftover melons and fruits—she called Shen Qing over to eat them together.

As evening approached, a maid politely came to lead Xiao Wanling and Shen Qing to the guest room to rest.

Inside was only one bed and a table and chairs, with no space for bedding on the floor. Shen Qing held a pillow awkwardly.

Xiao Wanling was also troubled; there were still two more days of work ahead. She sat on the bed while Shen Qing sat at the table. The atmosphere was a little tense.

Footsteps sounded outside. A maid saw the light on and called from the door, “Madam Xiao, has Master Shen settled in?” I’ve brought cooling mats for you!”

Xiao Wanling let out a breath. “Not asleep yet!” She quickly walked over, opened the door, and took the items.

After closing the door, she laid the cooling mat on the table. “Get some rest.”

Lying on the bed, drowsiness quickly overcame her. She vaguely heard Shen Qing say she should sleep first and that he was going to wash clothes.

“Madam Xiao!” A sudden shout chased away her sleepiness.

Shen Qing stuffed the wooden basin under the bed as it held her small garments and dresses. Her face flushed red. Shen Qing laid the cooling mat on the bed, assuming she was shy, and explained quietly, “We’re husband and wife.”

Right, to outsiders, they appeared to be a married couple.

Xiao Wanling nodded. “Madam Zhang, do you need something?”

Madam Zhang’s and her maid’s silhouettes appeared behind the window. “I just wanted to discuss tomorrow’s tea and snack menu!” Her tone was full of cheerfulness.

Xiao Wanling exchanged a glance with Shen Qing and walked to the door. “I’ll write you a list.”

Madam Zhang widened her eyes in surprise. “You can read and write?”

In these troubled times, having enough to eat was already difficult, so female literacy was even rarer.

Xiao Wanling’s mind raced. “I’ve seen my father write before, so I know a few characters.”

Madam Zhang’s mouth fell open. “Just tell me the menu. I won’t be able to sleep otherwise!” The more she looked at Xiao Wanling, the more she felt a sense of affinity. She had just helped her solve a huge problem. Once the three-day tea party was over, Ruyi Pavilion’s status in Jin City would surely rise.

Xiao Wanling had no idea the boss had such ambitions. Standing outside, enjoying the cool breeze and the scent of flowers, she felt quite refreshed. The two of them walked to the small garden and sat at the stone table. A maid brought paper, ink, a brush, and an inkstone, then waited from a distance.

Fortunately, Xiao Wanling had taken calligraphy classes in her previous life—her writing wasn’t messy. She carefully inquired about guests’ preferences from that day, kept the popular dishes, and added new ones: river fish cakes, chicken feet in spicy mala (numbing spicy), and five-spice flavors.

Madam Zhang stared at the menu for a long time. “You’re too modest; no one writes regular script this neatly without serious practice.”

Xiao Wanling found this boss quite agreeable and smiled. “As long as Madam Zhang is satisfied.”

Madam Zhang chatted with Xiao Wanling for a quarter of an hour, dropping hints about hiring her as the restaurant’s chef and that the pay would be negotiable.

Xiao Wanling knew once the three days were up, curious people would start looking into her background. She was worried they might discover something. All she wanted was to earn enough silver and escape far away.

Even after being refused, Madam Zhang didn’t take offense. Changing the subject, she remarked, “That summer outfit you wore today was really unique. Which shop did you buy the fabric from?”

It had been made from leftover fabric used for Shen Qing’s clothes and dyed with mulberries, leaf prints, and wild grass. The material was plain linen.

Hearing Xiao Wanling say she made it herself, Madam Zhang was stunned again. Purple fabric was hard to come by, so she had searched many times and found nothing like it.

Xiao Wanling said, “If Madam Zhang likes the color, I can dye a bolt of fabric for you later.”

Madam Zhang grabbed her hand excitedly. “That would be wonderful! You really are a heaven-sent blessing. From now on, call me Sister Zhang!”

A round moon hung high in the sky. Xiao Wanling yawned, and Madam Zhang reluctantly walked her back to the room.

Xiao Wanling closed the door. This was the first time she’d met someone so enthusiastic, so she wasn’t quite sure how to react.

Shen Qing had fallen asleep slumped over the table. When he heard her enter, he opened his eyes and saw her crouching beside the bed, peering underneath.

Shen Qing said, “The clothes are all washed!” I’ll go buy two outfits tomorrow.” They hadn’t packed any spare clothes today, so after bathing, they had to wear servant outfits from Zhang Residence.

Xiao Wanling distractedly replied, took off her shoes, and lay down. Turning her head, she saw Shen Qing placing a chair on the table, as it was too small in the room to stretch out his legs. Her heart softened, and she blurted out, “Just sleep on the bed.”

The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them, but it was too late to take them back.

Shen Qing’s heart surged with emotion. He slowly approached the bed. Seeing her scoot over, he lay down beside her, his heart thumping wildly.

He heard the soft rhythm of her breathing. Turning slowly, he looked at her face as sleep softened her cool, distant features. A faint blush colored her cheeks, and strands of hair clung to her forehead.

Shen Qing felt hot. He gently fanned himself. Xiao Wanling reached out and hugged his arm, resting her head against it, falling into a deeper sleep.

Smelling the faint fragrance from her body, Shen Qing felt a wave of heat rush to his face. His body instinctively leaned closer, his cheek brushing her hair. The heat in his body gradually faded, and just like that, he drifted off to sleep.

Xiao Wanling felt her head was heavy, as if she were being pinned by a ghost. She opened her eyes—and suddenly saw a face right in front of her. Strong eyebrows, deep-set eyes, a straight nose, and well-defined features. How had she never noticed how good-looking Shen Qing was?

His robe was slightly open, revealing his toned chest. She thought, with the fabric she used for his clothes, she could make two outfits for herself. She grew curious: did he have abs?

Her eyes couldn’t help but sneak a glance into his robe. Just then, Shen Qing’s eyelashes fluttered, and he opened his eyes, his lips slightly parted, filled with confusion.

Their eyes met.

Cultural Notes:

• • “Five-spice, mala, xiangla”—three distinct Chinese flavor profiles. Five-spice (五香) uses a blend of traditional spices; mala (麻辣) is a numbing-spicy flavor using Sichuan peppercorns and chili; xiangla (香辣) is more of a fragrant spiciness.
• Cooling Mat—A woven cooling mat used in summer to sleep on instead of thick bedding.

T’s-Food Notes:

Sour and Spicy Cold Chicken:

Vegetable Porridge:

River Fish Cakes:

Chicken Feet in Xiangla :

Chicken Feet in Mala:

Chicken Feet in Five-Spice Flavors: