Chapter 126-130

Chapter 126: Proposal

"It's a little rough, so just make do with it," Xia Mingyue said casually, placing the delicate mooncakes in front of He Shunzi.

He Shunzi blinked, momentarily puzzled. Was Madam Xia implying that these mooncakes weren’t visually appealing? That couldn’t be right.

Everything she prepared was always beautifully crafted and delicious. These mooncakes, in particular, were unlike anything he had ever seen before. They were pristine white——their soft, translucent skin glistening under the lantern light. Unlike the typical golden-brown, oven-baked mooncakes that had a firm crust, these appeared smooth, tender, and delicate, as if crafted from snow itself.

Such a novel and exquisite creation, yet she dismissed their appearance as lacking?

'Madam Xia is truly a humble person,' He Shunzi thought with admiration.

Then again, those who possessed real skill were often the most critical of their own work. Many powerful and talented individuals had high standards for themselves, striving for perfection in even the smallest details. Madam Xia, being an excellent cook, clearly held herself to such rigorous expectations.

With that realization, He Shunzi chuckled. "Madam Xia, that's not true. Just by looking at them, I can tell these mooncakes will be delicious."

Curious, he examined the mooncakes more closely. Their appearance alone set them apart from any pastry he had seen before. "But this type of mooncake is new to me. What is it called?"

"This is called a snow skin mooncake," Xia Mingyue explained. "It has two kinds of fillings——one made with red bean paste and the other with mung bean paste. Both are sweet and smooth."

"The name is just as elegant as the mooncakes themselves," He Shunzi remarked before picking one up. He took a bite, and the soft, sweet texture immediately melted in his mouth. The delicate chewiness of the glutinous rice skin paired perfectly with the smooth, fragrant bean paste filling.

"It's delicious!" He exclaimed, giving Xia Mingyue a thumbs up.

'I knew it,' he thought, satisfied. How could anything made by Madam Xia be anything less than excellent?

A thought flashed through his mind——'if these mooncakes made it to Dexinyuan, wouldn’t they become as popular as the ice jelly had been last time?'

A profitable business opportunity was knocking again.

A knowing smile crept onto He Shunzi's lips.

As they continued their conversation, He Shunzi suddenly recalled something important. "Speaking of business, Madam Xia, there's something I must inform you about regarding the price of bamboo skewers."

Xia Mingyue raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"I’ve recently encountered someone deliberately lowering the price of bamboo skewers to as low as four cents per bundle."

"Four cents?" Xia Mingyue frowned. "That's significantly cheaper than the current market price."

"Exactly. While a lower price might seem beneficial in the short term, I see trouble ahead," He Shunzi explained. "At the current price of six cents, the suppliers are still willing to produce in steady quantities. But if the price drops too much, fewer people will be willing to make bamboo skewers, and the supply will shrink. If that happens, the cost will inevitably skyrocket later."

Xia Mingyue immediately understood. Just like how low grain prices harmed farmers, forcing them out of business, if bamboo skewer production became unprofitable, the entire cold pot skewer industry would be affected.

And once the prices surged, she might have to pay even more than what she saved now.

The gains would not be worth the losses.

"That makes perfect sense," she agreed. "Let's continue purchasing at six cents per bundle."

She had worked with He Shunzi for a long time and had complete trust in his judgment.

He Shunzi grinned. "Alright. I'm glad we see eye to eye on this."

More than anything, he was pleased that Xia Mingyue trusted him. It made their partnership all the more solid.

With that matter settled, He Shunzi carefully packed away the mooncakes Xia Mingyue had given him and set off for Dexinyuan.

Upon arriving at Dexinyuan, He Shunzi immediately sought out Jinbao, who took the mooncakes straight to the kitchen.

"*Madam Luo, didn't you say that if He Shunzi brought anything new and interesting, you wanted to see it first?" Jinbao said with a grin. "Well, today, he delivered some rare mooncakes called snow skin mooncakes. What do you think?"

*Madam Luo, who had been slicing vegetables, put down her knife and wiped her hands. She took the bundle from Jinbao and carefully unwrapped the cloth.

As soon as she laid eyes on the snow skin mooncakes, her eyes sparkled with intrigue.

"They look exquisite," she murmured.

However, looks were not everything.

*Madam Luo took a mooncake, placed it on a chopping board, and made precise cuts, dividing it into small bite-sized pieces. She gestured for Madam Wang and Jinbao to try them together.

The moment the mooncake touched her tongue, a wave of sweetness and softness spread through her mouth.

"It's even better than the red bean paste cakes and osmanthus sugar cakes we make," Madam Wang said in astonishment.

*Madam Luo nodded in agreement. She took another piece, savoring its unique taste.

As she chewed, a thought occurred to her. She lowered her voice. "Why don’t we present these to the Old Madam for the Mid-Autumn Festival tomorrow?"

Madam Wang hesitated. "Do you think that’s a good idea?"

"Why not?" *Madam Luo smirked. "The Old Madam has likely never had mooncakes like these before. If she enjoys them, we might receive another reward."

Their previous success with ice jelly had earned them generous praise and even a salary increase. If the Old Madam found these mooncakes just as delightful, wouldn't they stand to gain even more?

Of course, they couldn't serve them as they were.

Looking at the large  mooncakes, Madam Wang frowned. "They’re quite big for something served in a noble household."

*Madam Luo laughed. "That’s easy to fix."

She swiftly cut another mooncake into delicate triangular pieces, carefully arranging them on a celadon plate. To enhance the presentation, she added preserved fruits and fresh osmanthus flowers as garnish.

The contrast was stunning——the soft, white mooncake pieces framed by the golden hue of osmanthus flowers and the deep brown of dried fruits.

It looked like an artistic masterpiece.

Now, even before tasting them, the Old Madam would be captivated.

Madam Wang beamed. "Perfect! Let’s present them tomorrow and see how much our wages increase this time!"

With the prospect of extra silver, both *Madam Luo and Madam Wang smiled like blooming flowers.

*****

Meanwhile, back in the county town, Xia Mingyue found herself facing an unexpected problem.

The snow skin mooncakes she had made were completely gone. Every single one had been eaten before the Mid-Autumn Festival had even arrived.

Realizing that she needed to prepare more, she quickly gathered ingredients——soaking red beans, grinding them into paste, and mixing the glutinous rice flour.

But this time, to avoid running out too soon, she prepared four times the usual amount.

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Chapter 127: Cooked Beans

Some of the finished mooncakes were set aside for the Mid-Autumn Festival the next day, preserving the sense of tradition and celebration. The rest were distributed among the workers at Xia Ji as a small token of appreciation from Xia Mingyue, their boss.

Additionally, Xia Mingyue sent some to all the franchisees of Xia Ji Stall and Xia Ji Cold Pot Skewers, allowing them to taste this new delicacy. She also shared mooncakes with her neighbors, as well as Aunt Feng and Aunt Han, ensuring that the joy of the festival was spread far and wide.

*****

The pickling process had taken over a month, and now the watermelon feemented beans had fully fermented. Early in the morning, with the help of Jiang Zhuguo, Xia Mingyue carefully removed the mud seal from the large jar and lifted the lid.

A rich, fragrant aroma immediately filled the air, teasing the noses of everyone present.

"It smells incredible," Jiang Zhuguo remarked, her voice tinged with awe.

Using a clean wooden spoon, Xia Mingyue scooped out a generous portion of the fermented bean paste. The deep brown-red hue glistened under the light, making Jiang Zhuguo marvel again.

"The color is beautiful," she observed, admiration evident in her tone.

Xia Mingyue examined the contents closely——checking the color, texture, and degree of fermentation. She even took a small taste before nodding in satisfaction.

"Not bad," she concluded.

The pickling process had been a success. There were no signs of failure, no off-putting flavors. However, the beans at this stage were still raw. While edible, their taste was far from the rich depth that true watermelon bean sauce could offer.

To bring out its full potential, the beans needed to be cooked.

The so-called cooking process was, in reality, a simple but essential stir-frying technique. Chopped scallions were sautéed in hot oil, releasing a tantalizing fragrance before the fermented beans were added and stirred thoroughly over the heat.

For those who enjoyed a little spice, red chili peppers could be tossed in during the frying process, enhancing the flavor with a subtle heat. However, considering the dry autumn air and its tendency to cause indigestion, Xia Mingyue chose to forgo heavy seasonings like chili and star anise.

In most households, watermelon bean sauce was pickled with an excessive amount of salt. This was a necessity for long-term storage, especially during the harsh winter months when fresh vegetables were scarce. However, the downside was that the sauce often became overwhelmingly salty, requiring dilution before consumption.

Xia Mingyue, prioritizing taste over preservation, had adjusted the salt levels during pickling. The result? A perfectly balanced flavor that required no additional water. All it needed was a quick stir-fry to bring out its best qualities.

As the fermented beans sizzled in the pan, their color deepened, and the rich aroma intensified, making everyone's mouths water. Even though she had already eaten breakfast, Xia Mingyue couldn't resist tearing off a piece of freshly steamed bun, dipping it into the sauce, and taking a bite.

The fluffy, fragrant bun paired with the savory, umami-rich watermelon bean sauce was a perfect combination. The flavors melded beautifully, each bite bursting with depth and satisfaction.

"This is absolutely delicious!" She exclaimed.

Jiang Zhuguo, who had also taken a bite, stood frozen for a moment, her expression caught between astonishment and delight.

It was as if Xia Mingyue had stolen her words before she could say them. But she didn’t mind.

"It's really, really good!" She said after recovering from her daze. Then, after a moment of thought, she added with conviction, "It tastes even better than meat!"

The best way to enjoy this sauce, Xia Mingyue thought, was in the early mornings——scooped onto a hot bowl of porridge, paired with simple side dishes, allowing its rich umami to complement a warm, comforting meal.

She smiled, pleased that her pickling efforts had paid off.

Since the sauce was too good to enjoy alone, she made sure to share it. Aside from giving some to the Zhao family, she also packed two small jars——one for Aunt Han and one for Aunt Feng.

Both women were overjoyed to receive such a special homemade treat and showered Xia Mingyue with heartfelt compliments.

After spending some time chatting with them in their homes, she finally set off to return.

Just as she was stepping out of Aunt Feng's house, she unexpectedly ran into Madam Ma.

Madam Ma, who had been walking through the alley, instinctively tried to avoid her. She quickly turned away, intending to take another path. But then, noticing that Xia Mingyue had just come out of Aunt Feng’s house, irritation flared up in her chest.

Clicking her tongue, she spat on the ground in frustration.

The past few days had been utterly miserable for her.

First, Aunt Feng had scolded her harshly. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, the other neighborhood women followed suit, criticizing her without hesitation. It had been humiliating.

Furious, she had stormed off to East Street and North Street to find Madam Luo and Madam Qiao, hoping to rally them against Xia Mingyue. She warned them not to be deceived by Xia Mingyue’s 'hypocritical kindness'.

But instead of siding with her, those two ungrateful women had turned on her.

Madam Qiao had sneered, "Madam Ma, if you really have so much free time, why not put it to good use? Go collect manure for the neighborhood farms. If that’s not enough work, try finding a job at a restaurant. Maybe you’d be good at feeding the fish. You certainly have a knack for handling waste!"

The sharp retort had left Madam Ma fuming.

Madam Luo was even worse. She hadn’t wasted a single word. She had simply grabbed a ladle, scooped up a spoonful of steaming hot soup, and splashed it toward Madam Ma without hesitation.

"Stay away from our business, you filthy woman!" She had shouted. "The last thing we need is your negativity polluting our workplace!"

Madam Ma had been utterly stunned.

How dare they treat her this way? All she had tried to do was warn them, to help them see through Xia Mingyue’s so-called 'kindness'.

But instead of gratitude, all she received was ridicule and scorn.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.

Seething, she no longer avoided Xia Mingyue. Instead, she marched directly into the alley and blocked her path.

"Well, well," Madam Ma sneered, crossing her arms over her chest. "Isn't this Madam Xia? What a rare sight. How come you're out and about today? Shouldn't you be busy deceiving more people into working for you, lining your pockets with their hard-earned money?"

Xia Mingyue stopped in her tracks. She took a moment to study Madam Ma’s face, taking in the smug arrogance mixed with barely concealed resentment.

Then, to  Madam Ma’s surprise, she laughed.

It wasn’t a cold or mocking laugh. It was a bright, genuine laugh——like peach blossoms blooming in the warmth of spring.

Madam Ma froze.

She had anticipated many reactions——anger, defensiveness, even an insult hurled back at her——but laughter?

That, she had not expected.

"What are you laughing at?!" She demanded, flustered.

"Oh, nothing." Xia Mingyue waved a hand dismissively, suppressing another chuckle. But her eyes sparkled with amusement. "I just find this meeting quite the coincidence. Tell me, Madam Ma, are you not busy today?"

Madam Ma scowled but didn’t answer fast enough.

Before she could speak, Xia Mingyue continued with a carefree smile, "Of course, I suppose Madam Ma is meant to enjoy a life of leisure. Unlike me——I still have a business to run and errands to complete. I’ve only just finished some family matters, and now I must head to the cloth shop."

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Chapter 128: Frustrated

The weather was turning colder, and Xia Mingyue knew she had to prepare. "I need to make two more sets of padded clothes quickly so I can rotate them," she mused aloud. "Just yesterday, I heard that the cloth shop got some new fabrics. They say some of them are from Songjiang Prefecture——high quality, with beautiful patterns. I might as well buy a few extra pieces to make winter clothes at the same time. And if I make matching shoes, the whole outfit will look even better."

Then, as if struck by another thought, she smiled. "Speaking of which, seeing Madam Ma here reminds me that I should also prepare two sets of clothes for Qiyan. He came back in such a hurry this time that I didn’t even get the chance to celebrate his promotion. When he returns next time, these clothes can serve as a gift."

Madam Ma stood frozen, her face twitching with barely concealed fury.

Was this woman deliberately flaunting her wealth in front of her?

Buying multiple sets of clothes at once, choosing patterns and materials at will, even commissioning matching shoes——who else had the luxury to do such a thing? And as if that weren’t enough, she was parading around the fact that Lu Qiyan had been promoted!

It was unbearable.

Madam Ma's anger flared, and she jabbed a finger at Xia Mingyue’s nose, ready to spit out a vicious retort. "You black-hearted——"

"Oh my," Xia Mingyue interrupted, her tone light and cheerful. "I was so caught up in our conversation that I nearly forgot——I have an appointment with Madam Liu, Boss Qian's wife. She mentioned wanting to check out the new facial cream at the shop. They say it contains pearls and is excellent for the skin. It's made using the Yangzhou method and is said to work wonders."

She tilted her head, as if suddenly remembering something important. "Oh, but I must be on my way now. We’ll talk another time, Madam Ma."

Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and walked away.

Madam Ma was still standing in the middle of the alley, her lips parted in outrage. The alley was wide enough for three people to walk side by side, yet as Xia Mingyue passed, she deliberately brushed against her shoulder with enough force to make Madam Ma stumble.

Unprepared, Madam Ma staggered backward, nearly losing her footing. She flailed for balance, her arms waving clumsily. By the time she righted herself, Xia Mingyue was already striding away, her pace unhurried, as if she hadn’t just knocked someone off balance.

Madam Ma's rage burned hotter. She clenched her fists, her face turning red as she inhaled sharply, ready to hurl an insult.

But Xia Mingyue was already gone.

Madam Ma stood there, shaking with fury.

How infuriating!

She had no way to vent her anger, so she swung her foot at a nearby walnut tree.

August was the season when walnuts ripened, and many were already loosening from their shells. Some fell naturally, without anyone needing to pluck them.

The moment Madam Ma kicked the trunk, several walnuts rained down.

One of them landed squarely on her head.

Pain shot through her skull, and she yelped. She instinctively reached up, only to recoil when she felt something sticky. The walnut’s green outer shell had already begun to rot, leaving a dark stain on her fingers.

The black juice from walnut peels was notoriously difficult to remove. It would take days——sometimes longer——before it fully faded from the skin.

Madam Ma stared at her stained palms, horror dawning on her face.

A moment later, her horror turned to frustration, and she let out a shrill, angry wail that echoed through the alley.

Meanwhile, Xia Mingyue, already far ahead, curled her lips into a satisfied smile as she heard the outburst behind her.

She had long understood that people like Madam Ma thrived on conflict. The more you argued with them, the more they relished the battle. But if you denied them the chance to fight back——if you overwhelmed them with wealth, status, and absolute indifference——then you could suffocate them with their own helplessness.

And that, she thought with amusement, was exactly what she had done.

A double victory.

Perhaps now Madam Ma would think twice before meddling in other people's affairs.

Feeling refreshed, Xia Mingyue turned her attention back to her original plan. Since she had time, she might as well head to the cloth shop.

*****

Upon arriving, she examined various fabrics, selecting materials for both padded jackets and cotton-lined winter clothes for herself and Lu Qiyan.

Winter clothing required more effort to make than the lighter garments of summer. With Xia Ji’s stall growing busier, she didn’t want to trouble Sister Lu or Jiang Zhuguo with sewing. Instead, she decided to have the clothes made directly at the shop.

The cloth shop, owned by Boss Wu, also employed two skilled embroiderers. Their craftsmanship was excellent, and they paid great attention to detail.

Recognizing her at once, Boss Wu greeted her with enthusiasm. He immediately called for the embroiderers to take her measurements, help her select patterns, and introduce various embroidery designs for the lapels.

After choosing materials for herself and Lu Qiyan, Xia Mingyue’s gaze landed on a particular bolt of fabric——delicate pink with intricate floral prints.

"Ah, Madam Xia, you have an eye for quality," Boss Wu said, stepping closer. "This fabric comes from Songjiang Prefecture. It’s a blend of pure cotton and silk——soft yet durable. The print was woven using a new jacquard loom, which gives it such fine detail. The price is reasonable too."

Then, hesitating, he added, "The only thing is..., the color is quite youthful."

Women from Jiangnan, with their fair skin and gentle features, could wear such pink fabric with ease. But in Jinqiu County, where the women were often taller and had darker complexions, this particular shade might not be the most flattering.

Moreover, Xia Mingyue was a married woman. Pink floral prints might seem a little too frivolous for someone of her status.

Boss Wu had been doing business for years, and he didn’t believe in pushing customers to buy something unsuitable.

Xia Mingyue, however, merely smiled. "Oh, this isn’t for me. I plan to make a dress for Zhuguo. She’s still young and fair-skinned——this color will make her look even more vibrant."

In addition to the pink floral fabric, Xia Mingyue picked out several darker-colored fabrics suitable for married women.

These were meant as gifts for Sister Lu, Sister Zhou, Sister Song, and the other women working at Xia Ji. She wanted them to have two sets of warm jackets for the winter.

After confirming that the finished garments would be delivered to her home in seven days, Xia Mingyue paid in full.

Boss Wu, weighing the silver in his hands, beamed.

"A good start to the day!" He said cheerfully.

Nearby, one of the embroiderers murmured, "Madam Xia is really generous to her workers."

"Yes," another agreed. "Not only did she buy them fabrics, but she chose such soft materials, and she’s having them made into two full sets!"

They turned to Boss Wu. "Boss, isn’t that rare?"

Boss Wu had been jotting down numbers in his ledger. Distracted, he looked up. "Hmm? What are you saying?"

"We were just talking about how well Madam Xia treats her servants," one of the embroiderers repeated.

This time, they spoke loud and clear.

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Chapter 129: Is Not Easy

Boss Wu nodded in acknowledgment before lowering his head to continue jotting down the accounts. Seeing that he was no longer paying attention, the two embroiderers resumed their quiet chatter, their voices filled with admiration and envy.

"It's truly a blessing for Jiang Zhuguo and the others to have such an employer!" One embroiderer sighed, her fingers deftly smoothing out the fabric in her hands.

"Absolutely. They're fortunate beyond words. I wonder if we’ll ever have such luck in our lifetime," the other added wistfully.

"Shh! Don't say that out loud," the first embroiderer cautioned in a hushed tone. "If the Boss hears, he'll think we’re criticizing him!"

Boss Wu, who had been quietly tallying numbers, couldn't help but pause. His brows twitched as he thought to himself: Aren't you implying exactly that?

Running a business was no easy feat. Customers had become increasingly demanding, scrutinizing every detail of the fabrics, haggling over prices, and constantly seeking better designs elsewhere. The competition was fierce, and sourcing good materials at reasonable prices was getting trickier by the day.

Even his own workers, it seemed, had begun comparing their circumstances to others. It wasn’t easy being a a shopkeeper!

With a resigned sigh, Boss Wu set his pen down and addressed the embroiderers. "Clothes don’t just appear out of thin air, you know."

The two embroiderers exchanged glances, their expressions tinged with disappointment.

"But," Boss Wu continued with a small smile, "you have been working hard lately. From now on, I’ll be adding some meat dishes to our meals. But let me be clear——I decide what kind of meat gets added."

The moment the word meat was mentioned, the two embroiderers’ eyes lit up like lanterns.

Their work was demanding, and while the shop provided three meals a day, the dishes were mostly simple——plenty of white rice and steamed buns, but little variety in protein. Meat was a rare treat. Occasionally, they would have scrambled eggs or a thin meat broth, but even then, the portions were modest.

If a regular meat dish was now being added to their meals, their lives were about to become significantly better!

"Thank you, Boss!" They chimed in unison, their previous complaints forgotten. Without further prompting, they quickly gathered the fabrics and hurried to the backroom to resume their work with renewed enthusiasm.

Watching them, Boss Wu let out a chuckle.

In conversations with neighboring shop owners, he had often heard envious remarks about Madam Xia’s loyal and hardworking employees. But now, seeing firsthand how she treated her workers, he understood why.

A wise employer knows that generosity breeds loyalty, he mused.

Perhaps he could learn a thing or two from Madam Xia. If he managed his workers with similar kindness, his business might just flourish beyond his expectations.

*****

Back at home, Xia Mingyue distributed the fabrics one by one, ensuring that each member of her household received their share.

"It's the Mid-Autumn Festival, and these are my gifts to you all," she announced warmly. Then, with a teasing smile, she added, "If you refuse them, I’ll have to assume it’s because you think my gifts are too small. In that case, I’d have to find something even grander to give!"

Her playful words left everyone with little choice but to accept the gifts gratefully, each offering their heartfelt thanks.

Madam Lu, observing the thoughtful selection, noticed that Xia Mingyue had not only prepared cloth for her but had also included materials for Zhao Dahu and Zhao Erhu. She sighed, touched by the generosity.

"You really shouldn’t have spent so much, Sister Mingyue," Sister Lu said. "These two boys... it was already enough that you thought of them."

"But they’ve been running around tirelessly, helping with errands and inquiries," Xia Mingyue replied with a gentle smile. "They’ve worked hard, and they deserve this. And besides," she added, her eyes twinkling, "there’s much more work waiting for them in the future."

At that, the two brothers, Zhao Dahu and Zhao Erhu, puffed up their chests with pride. Clutching their new fabric, they grinned broadly.

"Aunt Xia, you can count on us!" Zhao Dahu declared. "Whatever you need, we’ll handle it——even if it means going through fire and water!"

His dramatic proclamation earned a round of laughter from everyone present, including Jiang Zhuguo, who chuckled at their exaggerated enthusiasm. But beneath the laughter, she too felt a quiet joy——partly from the merriment of the moment, and partly from receiving a thoughtful gift herself.

That evening, by the dim glow of an oil lamp, Jiang Zhuguo carefully unfolded the fabric and began cutting and sewing. Though her eyes grew red and tired, she pressed on.

She wasn’t in a rush to wear new clothes. Rather, she had come to understand an important truth:

When others extended kindness, it wasn’t enough to simply accept it with polite refusals or modest gratitude. Instead, one had to embrace it fully, put it to good use, and show tangible improvements in their life. By demonstrating change and expressing genuine appreciation through actions, one could honor that kindness and ensure its continuation.

In this way, goodwill and generosity would find their true meaning.

As Xia Mingyue stirred from a brief nap later that night, she glimpsed the faint light still glowing from the west wing. Smiling to herself, she let out a contented sigh.

*****

The next morning, Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu set out early, gathering the necessary offerings and making their way to the City God Temple.

It was the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month——Mid-Autumn Festival. But more importantly, it was the first fifteenth after the battle in Changzhou Prefecture, a day of deep gratitude for those whose families had remained safe.

As expected, the temple was bustling with people. Many had come to fulfill their vows, just as Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu had. The temple attendants moved about hurriedly, managing the influx of visitors and ensuring that order was maintained.

Amid the throng, a familiar voice called out.

"Madam Xia, Madam Lu!"

It was the temple master, who recognized them from their previous visit. He greeted them with a warm smile.

"Thanks to the City God, my family is safe," Xia Mingyue replied, her voice filled with gratitude. "I have come today to fulfill my vow."

The temple master’s smile deepened. "Indeed, thanks to the City God."

With so many visitors, he had little time for conversation. Nodding in acknowledgment, he moved on to attend to others.

Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu, having completed their prayers, turned to leave.

Just as they stepped past the temple’s threshold, a voice called out.

"Madam Xia!"

She turned and saw a familiar young man approaching. It was the same man who had apologized to her during her previous visit to the temple kitchen.

"It’s you," she said with recognition.

He bowed politely. "My surname is Lou, and my name is Shanzi."

"Brother Lou," Xia Mingyue greeted. "Are you here helping again today?"

"I took the day off from the shop to assist Brother Lai," Lou Shanzi explained. "But I never expected to run into you here again, so I thought I’d say hello.

But seeing as you don't plan to have a meal here, and you might have other plans especially with Xia Ji stall being busy, then I won't hold you off. Goodbye, Madam Xia." He bowed again before he went back inside the temple.

Sister Lu chuckled as they walked away. "He seems like a kind-hearted man."

Xia Mingyue nodded. "Yes. But it's probably more of his love for cooking."

"Well, it seems like it." Sister Lu replied. Otherwise, he would not have apologized to Xia Mingyue after witnessing her incredible cooking. He must have been conquered and even probably admiring her skills.

"A pity," Xia Mingyue sighed. "It’s not easy to advance in that field."

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Chapter 130: Stupid

"How did you know that?" Sister Lu was momentarily stunned, her brows slightly furrowing as she recalled Lou Shanzi’s appearance just now.

He was a young man, probably only a year or two older than Xia Mingyue, with a round, youthful face that made him look particularly energetic. His bright eyes carried an unspoken enthusiasm, and his neatly kept clothes suggested that he was a capable and self-disciplined person.

To be honest, if it weren’t for what had happened last time, Sister Lu would have never guessed that Lou Shanzi had any particular interest in cooking just by looking at him.

Xia Mingyue, however, smiled knowingly. "There’s a distinct scent of spices and cooking fumes on him," she explained. "But it’s not the lingering smell from an occasional visit to the kitchen. It's something that has seeped into his skin over time——something that only happens to someone who has spent long hours working in a kitchen."

She paused before adding, "Did you notice his hands? When he raised them just now, I saw calluses on the palm and base of his right hand, the kind that comes from constantly gripping a knife or a ladle. But what stood out more were the tiny, almost invisible wounds on his left hand——fresh cuts, likely from handling ingredients and slicing vegetables."

Sister Lu’s eyes widened slightly as she absorbed this information. She had spent most of her life handling household chores, yet she had never paid attention to such details.

"I suspect he only does prep work, like cutting vegetables, and isn’t allowed near the stove yet. At his age, the head chef likely keeps him at a distance, limiting his exposure to actual cooking. Without proper guidance, it’ll be hard for him to develop real skills in the future." Xia Mingyue spoke with certainty.

She had spent enough time in the fast-paced kitchens of modern society to understand these dynamics. The culinary world could be harsh. Experience was only part of the equation——opportunity and mentorship were just as crucial.

Sister Lu sighed. "That’s a shame. Lou Shanzi seems smart and good-natured. It would be unfortunate if he never gets the chance to progress."

Xia Mingyue chuckled. "I only said it's not easy, not impossible. Someone like him——warm-hearted, perceptive, and determined——will find a way. Whether or not he succeeds depends on his luck and perseverance."

Sister Lu nodded in agreement. "That’s true. Fate plays a big role in everything."

She glanced at Xia Mingyue, a smile tugging at her lips. 'Just like me.'

If fate hadn’t aligned things just right, how else would she have ended up with such a capable Sister Mingyue?

The two women walked back home, laughing and chatting, while Lou Shanzi hurried toward the kitchen.

*****

Inside the City God Temple’s kitchen, Chef Lai was busy at the stove, stirring a large pot of mashed tofu. When he caught sight of Lou Shanzi, he frowned.

"Where have you been? Took your sweet time, didn’t you?" He scooped up a ladleful of mashed tofu and dropped it into hot oil. The golden-brown tofu balls sizzled and crisped up instantly. "But since you’re back, get over here and fry these. Make sure the oil temperature is just right."

Lou Shanzi quickly nodded and rolled up his sleeves. "Got it, Brother Lai."

As he worked, he casually added, "I stepped out to get some spinach and happened to see Madam Xia, so I went to say hello."

Chef Lai hesitated mid-stir. "Madam Xia? You mean the one who made that tofu meatball soup last time? The one everyone wouldn’t stop talking about?"

Lou Shanzi grinned. "That’s the one. People said her cooking was even better than yours, Brother Lai."

Chef Lai scoffed but didn’t deny it. He had tasted that soup himself, and truth be told, it was exceptionally well-balanced in flavor.

"So you ran over just to say hello?"

Lou Shanzi nodded. "Of course. It’s always good to make connections. If Madam Xia ever needs help in the future, she might remember me."

Chef Lai raised an eyebrow. "You think she’ll be able to help you someday?"

Lou Shanzi chuckled, his confidence unwavering. "It’s not just a guess——it’ll definitely happen." He flipped a tofu ball expertly in the oil before continuing. "I’ve worked at Yueran Restaurant for a while now. The food is good, no doubt, but it always feels like something is missing. It’s hard to explain."

He turned to look at Chef Lai, excitement flashing in his eyes. "But Madam Xia’s food? It’s different. Even though she only makes simple dishes, the flavors are perfect. Every bite feels just right. I can’t shake the feeling that she’s going to achieve something big one day."

Lou Shanzi’s voice lowered slightly, but his enthusiasm remained. "Who knows? Maybe she’ll even open a restaurant bigger than Yueran Restaurant."

Hearing this, Chef Lai’s frown deepened.

This kid is still too young and naïve.

He knew better than anyone how difficult it was to run a restaurant, let alone compete with an established one like Yueran. Good cooking skills were just one piece of the puzzle——business strategy, finances, and reputation were all equally important.

But when he saw the sheer excitement in Lou Shanzi’s eyes, the words of caution he had planned to say suddenly felt unnecessary.

What’s the harm in dreaming?

He thought about how hard Lou Shanzi had worked at Yueran Restaurant, constantly overlooked and pushed aside. Maybe this dream was what kept him going.

In the end, Chef Lai let out a chuckle and shook his head. "Fine, but if you really want to be part of Madam Xia’s future restaurant, you’d better sharpen your skills. Otherwise, when the time comes, she might not even let you in her kitchen."

Lou Shanzi laughed, his expression filled with determination. "Don’t worry, Brother Lai. I’ll work hard."

Chef Lai smirked and said no more. Instead, he pointed at the pot of golden tofu balls. "Alright, get them out before they burn."

*****

That evening, Xia Mingyue and Sister Lu busied themselves in the kitchen, preparing for the Mid-Autumn Festival celebration. Since their husbands were away, they had decided to gather as a family and make the evening special.

The mooncakes had already been made earlier and were now chilling in the well to enhance their texture.

But in Jinqiu County, there was another Mid-Autumn staple——dumplings.

Tonight, they would be filled with a special six-ingredient stuffing: finely chopped pork shoulder, fresh leeks, diced mushrooms, minced black fungus, fluffy scrambled eggs, and tender river shrimp. Each ingredient was carefully selected to complement the others, creating a rich, umami-filled bite.

To enhance the flavors, Xia Mingyue added rice wine, soy sauce, finely minced scallions and ginger, salt, and a generous drizzle of sesame oil. Then, to keep the filling juicy, she mixed in some thick, collagen-rich bone broth from the skewers she often prepared. She stirred everything together until the mixture became sticky and perfectly blended.

With the filling ready, she handed the dough and dumpling-making process over to Sister Lu and Jiang Zhuguo. Meanwhile, she turned her attention to preparing a selection of Sichuan dishes to accompany the meal.

Sichuan cuisine is one of the four major Chinese cuisines, famous for its unique spicy flavor and rich cooking techniques. It uses a wide range of ingredients in a variety of dishes. It is both mellow and rich, and has a strong local flavor.