Just as he was about to answer, Yu Zhizhi interrupted him.
Frowning, she said, “Forget it. It’s probably cheaper if I buy charcoal outside.”
Seeing that Yu Zhizhi was about to leave the private room, Shopkeeper Luo hurriedly asked, “What are you buying charcoal for? If you’re planning to do something foolish, I won’t rent the room to you!”
Hearing that, Yu Zhizhi burst out laughing.
She truly hadn’t expected Shopkeeper Luo’s imagination to be so wild that he would think she was planning to take her own life.
“Don’t worry. I value my life very much.”
Shopkeeper Luo forced a smile, though suspicion was still written all over his face.
He continued questioning, “Then what exactly are you buying charcoal for?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“Would you like some tea or wine later? I guarantee I won’t overcharge you!”
Yu Zhizhi answered without hesitation, “No need. I’ll bring my own.”
Whether in ancient times or modern times, drinks at restaurants were always expensive.
And Yu Zhizhi was broke.
Naturally, she wasn’t willing to waste money on overpriced drinks.
Besides, this hot pot banquet for the Sixth Prince had already cost her quite a bit, so she planned to buy some cheap wine outside.
Just enough to show some courtesy.
Watching Yu Zhizhi guard her purse like a miser, Shopkeeper Luo felt bitter.
He had originally thought he could earn more money from her, but she had become far too shrewd.
It seemed that tricking her in the future would be nearly impossible.
After paying one hundred wen, Yu Zhizhi returned to the Yun residence and began preparing all the ingredients.
Hot pot wasn’t complete without meatballs.
She had Ping’an mince fish and pork into paste, then made fish balls and mushroom pork meatballs.
She also prepared garlic dipping oil and sesame paste sauce.
Once everything was ready, it was nearly time for lunch.
Together with He Ping’an, Yu Zhizhi loaded all the ingredients onto a carriage.
This time, when she arrived at Fuju Restaurant, she entered through the back door.
There were too many people at the front entrance.
She didn’t want to be disturbed, nor did she want others to know that she had come to apologize to the Sixth Prince.
Fortunately, with the help of the young and strong He Ping’an, they only needed two trips to move everything into the private room on the second floor.
After helping her arrange all the ingredients on the table, He Ping’an left the restaurant.
Only Yu Zhizhi remained, waiting for Zhao Yunjin’s arrival.
Meanwhile, at the Sixth Prince’s residence—
Zhao Yunjin was having lunch.
Across from him sat Qi Yize, who had come to freeload and satisfy his curiosity.
While chewing on a chicken drumstick, Qi Yize grinned and said, “I really want to see Yu Zhizhi explode after waiting for you.”
At that moment, guard Zhao Wu quickly entered the dining hall to report.
“Your Highness, according to my investigation, Yu Zhizhi is already waiting for you at Fuju Restaurant.”
“What’s strange is that she only rented a private room and didn’t order any dishes. Instead, she brought a stove-like contraption I’ve never seen before. It’s divided into two sections, one filled with white broth and the other with red broth. There are also many vegetables and meats on the table, but they’re all raw.”
What he didn’t dare mention was that he had also seen pig brains, pig blood, and other offal that even dogs wouldn’t eat.
Zhao Yunjin nodded.
It seemed Yu Zhizhi hadn’t lied.
She really had cooked everything herself.
But what was with the raw ingredients?
Qi Yize slammed the table in annoyance.
“Yu Zhizhi has gone too far! She has absolutely no sincerity!”
“She’s actually asking you to eat raw food? Is that reasonable?”
“If she doesn’t have money, then she shouldn’t pretend! She invited you to Fuju Restaurant for lunch, yet she’s being this stingy! I’m going there right now to give her a good scolding on your behalf!”
With that, Qi Yize jumped to his feet, ready to march over and settle accounts with Yu Zhizhi.
However, Zhao Yunjin calmly said,
“Sit down and finish your meal. Otherwise, don’t bother coming here to freeload next time.”
Qi Yize stared at him in disbelief.
“You’re not angry? That woman is treating you like this…”
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Zhao Yunjin’s lips.
“Why would I be angry? I never intended to attend in the first place.”
Still, her actions had sparked his curiosity.
He didn’t believe she would serve raw ingredients to someone she was trying to apologize to.
Renting only a private room without ordering food.
Bringing her own ingredients.
Probably only Yu Zhizhi could come up with such a bizarre idea.
What exactly was this dish she intended to personally make for him?
Back at Fuju Restaurant, Yu Zhizhi waited and waited.
An entire hour passed.
The lunch period was already over.
Shopkeeper Luo, who had secretly been observing her movements, was also curious about what she was doing inside the room.
For more than an hour, no one had entered.
Nor had any aroma of food drifted out.
Of course not.
Because Yu Zhizhi hadn’t even lit the charcoal.
She planned to wait until the Sixth Prince arrived before heating the hot pot broth.
Otherwise, with his turtle-like pace, the broth would probably evaporate dry before he showed up.
At this point, tired and hungry, Yu Zhizhi decided to wait a little longer.
Perhaps the Sixth Prince had truly been delayed by something important.
And wasn’t deliberately standing her up.
This time, however, she intended to sleep while waiting.
Back at the prince’s residence, Zhao Yunjin was busy reviewing case files in his study when Zhao Wu came to report again.
“Your Highness, Yu Zhizhi has been waiting for a very long time.”
“In the end, she fell asleep on the table. The kind where she was asleep in a single second!”
As Zhao Wu spoke, he recalled the scene he had witnessed and was still astonished.
Qi Yize, who had not yet left, looked doubtful.
“How do you know she fell asleep in a single second?”
Scratching his head, Zhao Wu explained,
“Because I heard her snoring. It wasn’t very loud, but it sounded like a pig squealing. Extremely memorable.”
“Hahaha!”
Qi Yize burst into laughter.
At that very moment, Yu Zhizhi, who had been sleeping soundly, was suddenly awakened by the system.
Without having slept enough, she furiously shouted,
“Who dares wake this young lady up?!”
She had been having a wonderful dream.
A handsome man had been feeding her hot pot.
He had even gently wiped the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief.
And then—
“Host, it’s me, Little Winter Melon!” the system said weakly.
“Rotten Winter Melon! Give me back my handsome man!”
Why was it calling itself “Rotten Winter Melon” again?
Looking pitiful, Little Winter Melon said,
“Host, things in dreams aren’t real. If you want a handsome man, you could consider pursuing the Sixth Prince. Once the scar on his face is healed, he’ll be quite the catch!”
At once, the image of the cold, expressionless Sixth Prince appeared in Yu Zhizhi’s mind.
She immediately felt a chill run down her spine.