Сhaptеr 24: Реi Zhао Gets Jealоus
Рei Zhaо’s facе suссеssfullу dаrkenеd tо thе сolor оf charcoаl.
“Whаt did yоu sау?”
Тhе spiсу hоt pot rеstаurant sеemed to еmit a сhill. Shen Ji rubbed his arms, nоt understаnding what wаs gоing on.
“I said Мiss Xi is my future wifе! Shе соoks so dеliсiоuslу and is so bеautiful—I’m сomplеtely smittеn. I’ll go homе and have mу mоthеr cоmе propоse!”
Shеn Ji’s еyes turnеd into heаrt shaреs аs he stаred foоlishly at Хi Ning, соmpletely unaware that his friеnd’s gаze could kill.
“Pfft! Соugh, cough!”
His vоiсe wasn’t loud, but the tables nearby were full, and those closest heard him clearly.
Hearing Shen Ji wanted to marry Xi Ning, they couldn’t hold back.
This young master really had guts, openly competing with Third Master Pei for a woman.
Was this the legendary “friend’s wife, no need to be polite”?
“Huh? What’s wrong with them? Do they think I’m not good enough for Miss Xi? Hmph! I’m the legitimate son of the Minister of Personnel—Miss Xi hasn’t even rejected me yet!”
Shen Ji grumbled inwardly. Pei Zhao glanced at him with narrowed eyes. “She’s taken.”
“How is that possible? I’ve come here so many times and never seen Miss Xi’s husband. Besides, what kind of man would let such a lovely young lady run a business? Third Brother, don’t try to fool me.”
He had set his heart on Xi Ning and was determined to marry her!
Pei Zhao’s face grew darker and darker. He really wanted to throw this friend out.
“Third Master, are you here to see our young lady?”
Rendong walked over and asked eagerly.
After Third Master and the young lady had their falling out, she and Nanny Su had been extremely worried, especially since the young lady had been sad for so many days—she must still care for Third Master.
Taking advantage of Xi Ning being in the kitchen, Rendong couldn’t wait to come ask.
“See your young lady? Third Brother, you know Miss Xi?”
Shen Ji looked utterly naive. The nearby customers couldn’t help but pity him.
Was there anything worse than falling for your friend’s woman?
Rendong didn’t know Shen Ji, so she replied when he asked, “Our young lady is Third Master’s mistress.”
“What did you say?”
Shen Ji shot to his feet, staggering slightly. The customers in the restaurant looked over, and Pei Zhao, with a stern face, pressed him back down into his seat.
“Making a scene in public—what kind of behavior is that!”
“Miss Xi is your mistress? Why have you never told me?”
He had been like a fool, dreaming of marrying Xi Ning every day, while Pei Zhao watched him make a fool of himself.
Shen Ji’s face flushed red, rivaling the spicy hot pot broth.
Pei Zhao sat there calmly. “You never asked.”
“So you just watched me make a fool of myself? Third Master Pei, I see you clearly now. We’re done! Absolutely done!”
Shen Ji bared his teeth, itching to throw a couple of punches at his friend, but he was no match for Pei Zhao. He could only imagine it.
No wonder the noble and peerless Third Master Pei would come to the north of the city with him—it turned out this restaurant was run by his woman.
Hmph! He really was lucky, keeping such a charming mistress who also cooked so well. Why didn’t he have such good fortune?
Shen Ji was determined to cut ties with him. Pei Zhao glanced at him, moved his leg aside to make a path, and waited for him to leave.
“Why should I? I’ll finish the hot pot first, then go our separate ways.”
“Fine.”
Rendong watched the two nearly come to blows, feeling at a loss. Had she said something wrong?
“Where is your young lady?”
Pei Zhao asked quietly. He had clearly seen Xi Ning in the restaurant earlier, but she disappeared as soon as he entered.
Pei Zhao pursed his lips, his heart heavy with discomfort.That woman truly detested him, unwilling to even see him now.
So all the affection she showed before was just an act?
Rendong was somewhat afraid of Pei Zhao’s cold expression. The joy she felt upon seeing him earlier vanished, and she replied timidly.
“Miss Xi went to the back kitchen. The shop has many customers today, and the staff couldn’t keep up, so Miss Xi went to help.”
“If there aren’t enough staff, hire more. Why is she, as the owner, doing such work herself!”
Hearing that Xi Ning wasn’t avoiding him, Pei Zhao’s expression softened slightly, but he was still displeased that Xi Ning was doing manual labor.
Why should his woman have to do such tiring work?
Pei Zhao’s anger silenced Rendong, but Shen Ji couldn’t stand it and sneered sarcastically from the side.
“It’s all because her man is useless. She follows him without any status or recognition, and he probably doesn’t even give her money on a regular basis. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have to start her own business. Tsk tsk, if she were my woman, I’d marry her and cherish her properly.”
“Nobody would mistake you for a mute if you kept quiet.”
Pei Zhao, stung by his words, rebuked him with a dark expression.
“Hmph!”
Shen Ji was ultimately afraid of him and obediently shut his mouth after being scolded, though his expression remained defiant.
He wouldn’t treat Miss Xi properly, yet he wouldn’t let others speak about it. Just wait—Miss Xi would eventually kick him to the curb. When that time came, he’d swoop in and take Miss Xi home, making Pei Zhao regret everything.
Shen Ji gritted his teeth, silently cursing in his heart. Pei Zhao could easily see what he was thinking. Though his face remained calm, jealousy churned inside him.
That woman really knew how to charm people!
The dishes they ordered arrived quickly. Both of them were well-off, and Shen Ji, being a foodie, had ordered every item on the menu, nearly covering the entire table.
The shop provided condiments, allowing each customer to adjust the flavors to their liking.
It was Shen Ji’s first time trying sesame paste. Dipping the cooked lamb into the sesame paste was an absolute delight.
After finishing the lamb, he tried the duck blood. He used to avoid animal offal, finding it unclean, but it turned out to be incredibly delicious when cooked.
Shen Ji buried his face in his bowl, unable to tear himself away. The spicy aroma and the savory taste of the meat were simply irresistible.
For those who couldn’t handle the spiciness, they could cook ingredients in the tomato broth. Snow-white tofu, tender pink duck intestines, and various green vegetables, all infused with a sweet and sour flavor, were both delicious and appetizing.
Especially the potato slices—crisp and refreshing when firm, soft and flavorful when tender—they were delicious no matter how they were cooked.
Not just Shen Ji, even Pei Zhao couldn’t stop eating.
He thought he already knew Xi Ning well, but this woman always managed to surprise him.
How could he ever let her go!
Pei Zhao lowered his gaze, having already made a decision.
He was determined to have Xi Ning.
Even if this woman despised him, he would never let her go.
“Sir, this is Corn Juice, a gift from our manager. Today is the shop’s opening, so everyone gets one.”
A waiter placed a pitcher on each table. Though the spiciness was thrilling, it could become overwhelming.
“Corn Juice? Another new delicacy.”
Shen Ji took it and filled both their cups. This hotpot meal had introduced him to many novel foods.
Pei Zhao looked at the clear, thick yellow drink in his cup and tapped his knuckles on the table.
Even a fool would start to wonder by now.
Where did Xi Ning get so many new and unique foods?
As he pondered deeply, Shen Ji had already picked up his cup and taken a big gulp.
“Mmm! Delicious. This Corn Juice is thick and sweet, and it soothes the spiciness in my stomach. Third Brother, you should try it too.”Over a meal, Shen Ji had long forgotten his intention to cut ties with Pei Zhao, urging him to quickly drink the beverage.
Pei Zhao snapped back to attention and also picked up his cup to take a sip. Unlike Shen Ji, who focused solely on the delicious food.
The Corn Juice had a thick texture, and after drinking it, there was a noticeable sense of fullness—it was even more nourishing than rice soup.
Thinking of the refugees outside the city, Pei Zhao’s eyes lit up.