Transmigrating Into A Sadistic Novel And Becoming A Master Of Painting Rosy Pictures - Chapter 43

Shang Qingfeng hadn’t expected his sister, who usually clashed with Bian Yingning, to openly embarrass Nangong Jin for her.

Even Bian Yingning was surprised.

Hua Cancan’s intervention was expected.

Shang Qinghui’s was a pleasant surprise, like finding money.

His little sister wasn’t a viper after all. But how did she become so close to Bian Yingning?

He had no idea.

Nangong Jin, completely exposed by Shang Qinghui, clenched his fists. His venomous gaze swept across the table. He wanted to leave, but his reason wouldn’t allow it.

Leaving would make tomorrow’s headlines: Nangong family against the three major families, snubbing them at Bian’s Family banquet.

He swallowed his anger, forcing a smile. “Excuse me, Miss Bian, I misspoke. I don’t like foie gras. The dish was exquisite, and I ate it before realizing I disliked it. I apologize.”

A chuckle escaped Duanmu Zhenghao’s lips. He winked, clearly teasing Nangong Jin.

Everyone understood but pretended otherwise.

“Mr. Nangong, you’re overthinking it. We wouldn’t have put that dish in front of you if we knew you disliked it. Please, sit and eat.”

Bian Yingning looked approvingly at Nangong Jin, gesturing for everyone to resume eating, pulling Hua Cancan back to her seat.

She underestimated this man; he was truly capable of bending to power.

The drama ended with unspoken understanding, but Hua Cancan was still upset.

“Don’t be angry. Look at him, he’s furious but has to apologize with a smile. You’re beautiful, don’t bother with him,” Bian Yingning comforted Hua Cancan, patting her hand.

“Don’t touch me, it’s like a greasy uncle trying to get a young girl,” Hua Cancan pulled her hand away.

Bian Yingning: “?”

“Don’t push it!”

“I’m pushing, so what?” Hua Cancan raised an eyebrow.

Bian Yingning lowered her head: “Then… then I’ll retreat.” What else could she do?

“Eat something,” Bian Yingning offered her some crispy fried yellow croaker.

Hua Cancan glanced at it: “No appetite.”

“What do you want?” Bian Yingning was determined to appease her friend.

She had to comfort her after she’d gotten upset defending her.

Hua Cancan touched her lips, pondering. “Crab roe rice.”

“…”

You’re such a foodie!

“Wait!” Bian Yingning gritted her teeth, turning to Duanmu Zhengjie. “Sister Duanmu, I’ll be right back,” then to the others, “Excuse me, enjoy yourselves.”

Duanmu Zhenghao watched Bian Yingning leave, wishing he could talk to her more.

Duanmu Zhengjie took a sip of wine impassively. She seemed more attentive to Hua Cancan than to her. Perhaps she’d overthought things. Maybe girls were just naturally more enthusiastic.

It was rare for someone to barge into her life so uninhibitedly, like a burning flame. She’d foolishly assumed the flame was for her.

“You and Bian Yingning…” Shang Qingfeng looked at Shang Qinghui hesitantly.

Shang Qinghui acted unconcerned. “Don’t overthink it. I just hate seeing someone twist the truth. Even if it wasn’t her, I would have spoken up.”

Shang Qingfeng was skeptical.

He didn’t know his sister was so kind. The world of girls was too complicated.

…

In the kitchen, Bian Yingning changed into a chef’s uniform. A chef approached nervously. “Miss Bian, what can we do for you?”

“I want to make crab roe rice. Check how many hairy crabs we have; steam some more.”

Crab roe rice seemed simple, but it was difficult. It wasn’t the rice; it was the crab roe. You had to extract the roe from the crabs. Each crab only yielded a small amount. To make a satisfying dish, you needed many crabs.

Bian Yingning carefully steamed the crabs with ginger, preparing the sauce. Suddenly, she heard the system’s voice.

[Host, Hua Jiangrong will be photographed entering a hotel with a famous director, leading to a scandal and her career being ruined. Please prevent this.]

[Task value: 280 points, Failure: Five lightnings]

Bian Yingning paused. Nangong Jin was finally making his move.

He’d lost face, so he’d retaliate.

…

With help from the kitchen staff, Bian Yingning quickly made six bowls of crab roe rice. She scooped some from five bowls into one.

When the waiter served the rice, everyone found they only had a few spoonfuls.

Hua Cancan’s bowl was full.

Was this backdoor treatment?

Shang Qinghui looked at her bowl, then at Hua Cancan’s… She wanted to throw her spoon and go home.

Was this preferential treatment? Was she, a Shang family heiress, not worthy of more crab roe rice?

Bian Yingning freshened up and returned, finding Nangong Jin gone, and an extra bowl of rice in front of her.

Good, he was gone, I could eat it. Otherwise, people would say I was stingy. But the crab roe was limited.

Hua Cancan was almost finished. She ignored Bian Yingning, focusing on her food.

Bian Yingning tasted her rice. “Even if the Bian family goes bankrupt, I can still make a living with this skill.”

Others: “…”

They’d never heard someone curse their family’s bankruptcy to praise their own cooking.

Shang Qinghui, initially dismissive, picked up her spoon. She had to taste Bian Yingning’s supposedly amazing cooking.

Mmm…

The slightly pink crab roe mixed with tender crab meat, both stir-fried, were not fishy but slightly sweet. “Fresh and fragrant” didn’t do it justice.

Shang Qinghui almost bit her tongue. She realized her bowl was empty.

She looked at her brother, Shang Qingfeng.

He’d finished too.

Everyone who hadn’t eaten started after learning Bian Yingning made it.

Only Hua Cancan and Bian Yingning had a spoonful left.

Shang Qinghui watched longingly.

Damn it, when did Bian Yingning learn to cook? How much would she pay for another serving?

This was so delicious she didn’t care if it was for Hua Cancan, or that Hua Cancan had more.She wouldn’t let her pride stop her from enjoying this. She surrendered to the deliciousness.

Hua Cancan noticed only two spoonfuls remained. She held her bowl, slightly opening her lips to Bian Yingning.

“Ah—”

Looking at her bowl, then hers, Bian Yingning: “…You have drool.”

Hua Cancan frowned: “Make another bowl?”

No need.

Bian Yingning resigned herself to her fate and scooped the rice from her bowl and brought it to Hua Cancan’s mouth.

Duanmu Zhengjie finished her drink. “I’m going to the nightclub next door.”

She left. Bian Yingning didn’t realize what was happening and signaled a waiter to guide Duanmu Zhengjie.

With Duanmu Zhengjie gone, Duanmu Zhenghao finally spoke to Bian Yingning.

“Ningning, this rice is delicious. I could eat three bowls.”

Bian Yingning chuckled. “You can eat it anytime, though this restaurant might not have it, but other Bian family restaurants definitely will.” She did not forget to advertise her family’s restaurants.

Shang Qinghui saw the interaction between Bian Yingning and Hua Cancan.

She elegantly wiped her mouth. “Bian Yingning, you’re so stingy; you didn’t let us eat our fill.”

Bian Yingning: “! ” She didn’t know how many crabs were needed for one bowl of crab roe rice. This was a Western restaurant; they didn’t have many crabs. She wished she could have made more.

Though she could eat more, Hua Cancan knew she’d had the most. She drank some lemon water to settle her stomach.

“Don’t worry, Miss Shang, there’s a Bian family restaurant 100 meters to the left. Mention Bian Yingning’s name, and you’ll eat your fill.”

“And after dinner, come to Queen’s Bar. We have a gathering later.”

“Gathering?” Duanmu Zhenghao was interested. If Bian Yingning was going, he wouldn’t mind joining.

Hua Cancan smiled. “It’s a girls’ gathering. Are you interested, Mr. Duanmu?” Meaning it was a women’s-only party.

Duanmu Zhenghao: “…Since it’s a girls’ gathering, I won’t go.”