“Third Master?”
Pei Zhao was about to leave with Chang Lin when he was suddenly called out.
Xi Ning had initially thought her eyes were playing tricks on her—how could Pei Zhao appear here? But as she approached, she realized it was truly him.
“What brings you to the northern part of the city? Is it for official business?”
Xi Ning was not so vain as to think Pei Zhao had come to see her shop’s opening. Besides, she had never mentioned her shop to Pei Zhao, so official business was the only reason she could think of.
Pei Zhao maintained an aloof and dignified demeanor, nodding slightly. “Mm.”
“Then I won’t delay your important matters, Third Master. Please go ahead.”
“…”
Her eagerness to shoo him away nearly made Pei Zhao laugh in exasperation. He was her master, after all. Not only did she not try to curry favor, but she was even trying to drive him away.
He had intended to leave, but now he refused to go.
“Is this your shop?”
He spoke in a low voice, his gaze fixed on the interior of the shop.
Xi Ning glanced back. The shop was now filled with people, bustling with the lively chatter of ordinary folks from the northern part of the city—a world apart from the man standing before her.
She smiled and nodded. “Yes, I enjoy experimenting with food. Since you gave me fifty taels of silver last time, I used it to open this shop.”
She had offered a bit of flattery, but Pei Zhao was not pleased.
This woman had used the silver he gave her to open a shop, yet she didn’t even invite him in for a meal. It felt as though she was discarding him after using him.
“Mm, the cold skin noodles last time were quite delicious.”
They had lingered in his thoughts for days, and even now, the memory made his mouth water.
“Shall I make some more for you, Third Master?”
The words slipped out before Xi Ning could stop herself, and she immediately regretted them.
Pei Zhao had tasted all manner of delicacies. His praise was likely just a casual remark.
“If Third Master is busy—”
“Alright.”
“Huh?”
Pei Zhao agreed so quickly that Xi Ning’s words caught in her throat, leaving her speechless.
“Get in the carriage. I’ll take you back.”
Pei Zhao naturally wouldn’t queue up in the shop, and besides, he only enjoyed food made by Xi Ning.
Xi Ning knew she couldn’t refuse. She followed Pei Zhao and stepped onto the carriage footboard.
The man’s hand steadied her arm. Her spring attire was thin, and the warmth of his palm seeped through the fabric to her skin, sending a shiver through her body.
“Third Master?”
Pei Zhao had actually taken the initiative to help her. Wasn’t this man supposed to be indifferent to women?
Wait—last time, when she had thrown herself into his arms, she had already felt his intensity. He was far from indifferent to women.
Xi Ning’s thoughts were in disarray. Sitting inside the carriage, she pressed herself tightly against the wall, keeping as much distance from him as possible.
Seeing her avoid him like the plague, Pei Zhao felt as though a stone were lodged in his chest, suffocating and infuriating.
Was he truly so repulsive to her? Or was this woman deliberately using such tactics to attract his attention?
A storm brewed in Pei Zhao’s eyes, as if he could devour the woman before him.
Finally, the carriage stopped at the entrance of the outer courtyard. Before it even came to a complete halt, Xi Ning gathered her skirts and leaped out.
Pei Zhao watched from behind, his brow twitching in irritation. This woman truly knew how to provoke him.
Back home, after drinking a bowl of chilled sour plum juice, Xi Ning’s pounding heart finally settled.
She took a deep breath, waiting until she had calmed down before attending to Pei Zhao.
“What would you like to eat, Third Master? Today, besides cold skin noodles, we also have shredded chicken noodles, wontons, and crossing-the-bridge rice noodles. How about trying the crossing-the-bridge rice noodles?”
Pei Zhao didn’t know what crossing-the-bridge rice noodles meant. Seeing the woman’s restored smile only made his chest feel heavier.
“Mm.”Whether Pei Zhao was angry or not, his face remained cold. Xi Ning didn’t notice his irritation at all and simply returned to the kitchen to prepare.
Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles emphasize a light, fresh, and fragrant taste, with fresh ingredients preserving their original flavors. The chicken broth had been simmering in the clay pot all afternoon, and a layer of pale yellow oil had already formed on the surface. All that was needed was to cook the rice noodles in it.
At this point, the prepared ingredients were arranged on plates and brought to the table.
It was still spring, so there weren’t many vegetables available. Xi Ning had prepared seasonal vegetables like spinach and carrots.
Though vegetables were limited, there was an abundance of meat.
The meat slices, cut as thin as cicada wings, cooked instantly in the boiling chicken broth. Coated with a layer of oil and then dipped in a sauce infused with zanthoxylum oil, the flavor was simply divine, surpassing even the finest delicacies.
In addition to the meat slices, there were fish slices and live shrimp. Both cooked quickly and absorbed flavors easily. After being cooked in the chicken broth, they carried the freshness of river delicacies combined with the richness of the broth. A single bite was so delicious it felt like one could swallow their tongue.
After listening to Xi Ning’s introduction to the way of eating, Pei Zhao finished the entire pot without a single distracting thought.
With the bright spring sunshine and such delicious food, why bother worrying about other matters? All he wanted was to enjoy such delicacies every day.
“Another pot.”
Pei Zhao’s long-unsatisfied stomach was finally able to indulge to its heart’s content.
Fortunately, Xi Ning had prepared plenty. After adding ingredients twice more, Pei Zhao was finally full.
She looked at the man’s tall and slender figure, her eyes slightly lowered. It was so unfair that he could eat so much yet maintain such a good physique.
After the meal, Xi Ning served him a glass of chilled sour plum juice, yet another novel treat for Pei Zhao.
The sweet and tangy juice quenched his thirst and cut through the greasiness, while its coolness helped soothe the lingering warmth from the meal.
After finishing it, he subtly observed Xi Ning.
How many hidden talents did this woman possess that he was unaware of? He couldn’t help but feel a growing curiosity.
It was worth noting that Pei Sanlang had never been interested in women before. Xi Ning was the first person he ever wanted to understand.
His gaze lingered a little too long, and it was caught by Xi Ning as she looked up.
Unaware of his thoughts, Xi Ning curved her lips into a smile. Her radiant expression was as charming as peonies in May. Pei Zhao’s fingers trembled slightly, nearly dropping the cup in his hand.
“It’s getting late. I still have duties to attend to, so I’ll take my leave.”
Feigning composure, he stood up and led Chang Lin out the door.
Before Xi Ning could even finish her polite farewells, he was already gone.
“Hey, he didn’t pay this time!”
She had put so much effort into making the Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles, yet they weren’t even as valuable as the cold skin noodles?
Xi Ning frowned, feeling shortchanged.
Had Pei Zhao realized he’d been overpaying before and decided not to pay for meals anymore?
That wouldn’t do. She’d have to ask for the money back next time.
She hadn’t yet noticed how naturally she spoke of “next time,” as if she already assumed Pei Zhao would return.
Unbeknownst to them, their relationship was quietly changing, with something new beginning to sprout.
After leaving the outer courtyard, Pei Zhao’s ears felt faintly warm.
Chang Lin, unaware of his master’s thoughts, was still thinking about the rice noodles.
So fresh, so delicious—truly unforgettable.
Licking his lips, he couldn’t help but ask.
“Master, where do you think Miss Xi learned such skills? Does the Misty Rain Pavilion even teach these things?”
Chang Lin’s question echoed Pei Zhao’s own doubts. He had eaten Jiangnan cuisine before, but never anything like what Xi Ning made. This woman was like a puzzle, with layer after layer waiting to be uncovered.Mystery lures one into its depths.
Pei Zhao lowered his gaze, and when he raised it again, his eyes were filled with cold solemnity.
“This is her opportunity. There is no need to ask further in the future.”