Chapter 49: Caught You

Shopkeeper Li personally went to the kitchen to inspect how the dishes were coming along. Since he could see that Li Yao was busy, he turned to Li Erniang and asked, “Is it all done?”

Li Erniang replied, “I’m on the last dish. What are the customers saying?”

Shopkeeper Li chuckled, “Heir-Son Lord is waiting until all of Li Yao’s dishes are completely served before giving a toast.”

“Well, this is done so he doesn’t have to wait any longer.”

Shopkeeper Li nodded, pleased.

The last dish, Liyue Longmen, was taken out from the pot and Manager Li frowned as soon as he saw it. He dubiously asked, “Why is Liyue Longmen made like this?”

It was a dish passed on from the northern part of the country. The main ingredient should have been a big red carp, but instead, shrimp was used here. Shrimp meat and minced pork were kneaded together and wrapped in a potato flour bun with two pieces of radish placed on both sides of the body and on its back to serve as the fins. The eyes were two green peas, and the shrimp tail was naturally curled, making it look like there were little goldfishes swimming towards the shrimp from all directions. In the middle of the plate was a blooming peony rolled from thinly sliced radish, giving the dish an aesthetically pleasing look.

Yes, it looked good, but it was completely different from what the customers were expecting. Shopkeeper Li wondered worriedly how it would be received.

Ye Jiayao laughed and said, “New chef, new cooking style. Tonight’s banquet already has three dishes of fish, another one would be too much.”

She didn’t know how this person picked his dishes. Three dishes of fish were already too many, and this uncultured man picked four. It might as well have been a fish banquet.

Helian Jing kept count of the dishes. Including the cold dishes, there were already 25. Were there any more to come?

“Waiter, bring me the menu,” Helian Jing ordered.

Zhao Qixuan quickly said, “Bring us the menu, waiter. Let Young Royal Highness Jing order a few more.”

Helian Jing rolled his eyes. You stupid, homosexual man. I just want to see how many dishes you ordered and if there are any more coming.

The waiter obeyed readily and quickly handed him the menu.

“I don’t want to order any more food. Bring us a list of what we ordered!” said Helian Jing impatiently.

Just as the waiter was about to say something, a dish arrived.

“Liyue Longmen. All your dishes are served, sirs, please enjoy.”

Helian Jing turned around and saw the face that he had been thinking about his every waking moment. He saw the face that had been tormenting him for many days.

Big Yaoyao.

It’s Big Yaoyao. 

Ye Jiayao also saw him and her eyes widened.

Helian Jing stared at Big Yaoyao in a daze, smiling so bright his dimples dug deep in his cheeks. His heart suddenly started beating so fast and so hard it felt like there were a thousand horses galloping in his chest.

How could he be this lucky?

Before the dishes were served, Ye Jiayao had asked the waiters who were present at the feast. The waiters neglected to tell her that Little Jingjing was here.

Seeing Big Yaoyao’s surprised face, Helian Jing was overjoyed. You thought you could hide from me, huh? Go ahead. Even God is helping me, you have nowhere to go.

If it wasn’t for Brother Chunyu’s suggestion, he wouldn’t have come here to look for Zhao Qixuan. If he hadn’t look for Zhao Qixuan, he wouldn’t have had to come here to eat. If he hadn’t come here to eat, he wouldn’t have found Big Yaoyao. All the choices that led him here… it was all Helian Jing could do not to burst into a crazy, grateful laughter.

“This is Liyue Longmen? Waiter, are you sure?” someone questioned.

Helian Jing immediately said, “Why wouldn’t it be Liyue Longmen? Don’t you see this little carp? How cute is it? My mouth is watering just looking at it.”

Zhao Qixuan thought that this dish was quite interesting. He turned to Ye Jiayao and said, “Explain.”

Ye Jiayao said, “This is a new cooking method, sir. The shrimp represents wealth and fortune and we served this for last because its name meant a rich ending.”

“Well said, well said.” Zhao Qixuan clapped lightly. This waiter was not only handsome, he was also good at speaking. Zhao Qixuan gave him a favorable look.

“I’ll try one. If it’s good, I’ll tip you,” Zhao Qixuan said.

Helian Jing quickly picked up his chopsticks. He knew that all the dishes on the table would be very delicious as they were all cooked by Big Yaoyao.

The shrimp body made of minced meat and shrimp pieces tasted fresh, it was in the right balance of tender and springy.

Zhao Qixuan commended, “Looks good and tastes good. Excellent. I made the right decision to come here.”

Zhao Qixuan quickly took out a piece of loose silver and give it to Ye Jiayao. “You’re good at speaking, this is your tip. Now, bring me the chef who made the dish.”

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Ye Jiayao laughed and replied, “I am the chef.”

Everyone was very surprised. The waiter from before said that the chef was still young, but it really couldn’t be this young ? How old was this fellow? Sixteen? Seventeen? How could he already have cooking skills this amazing? Why, if he changed his clothes, with his bright eyes and graceful brows, no one would contest if he claimed that he was from a rich family.

Helian Jing chuckled at everyone’s faces. You all are dumbfounded, aren’t you?This is my Big Yaoyao! From everyone’s faces, Helian Jing could tell that they thought the chef would be a big-bellied, shiny-faced man.

Zhao Qixuan coughed twice to clear his throat before taking a swig of wine. “That was… unexpected. What is your name?”

“I am Li Yao,” answered Ye Jiayao.

Helian Jing reigned in his surprise. He now wondered what was Big Yaoyao’s real name. Of course, Big Yaoyao might be hiding his real name to avoid him, but it hardly mattered now since he still found him.

Helian Jing elbowed Zhao Qixuan and teased, “Where is the tip you promised? How much will you tip since you’re so impressed and satisfied with your food? How much, huh, Rich Zhao?”

Helian Jing knew Big Yaoyao was short on money so he used the opportunity to coax Zhao Qixuan into giving him a big tip.

Zhao Qixuan was well-known to all the brothers of the royal park to be generous. With the motivation of Helian Jing, he proudly said, “Thousand gold can’t buy me enjoyment. Today, I am both satisfied and contented. Xiao Shao, bring one hundred taels of silver to tip this man.”

This time, it was Ye Jiayao’s turn to be dumbfounded.  No way! My income is only a hundred taels a year, but on my first day of work, I get to earn a year’s wage?   This is too much!  Rich men, indeed, do not have much care on how they spend their money.

Helian Jing joined in the fun and said, “Since you’re being so being generous, I’m going to match you. I will tip one hundred taels as well!”

Ye Jiayao was pretty sure that her heart had stopped for a few seconds.  What? What is going on? Am I dreaming? Little Jingjing, what are you doing?

“That…gentlemen, you visiting Heavenly Residence was already our biggest honor. Our service motto is always centered around satisfying our guests. Knowing that you are satisfied today is already our biggest reward. You really don’t need to tip. If you really like our dishes, you can just come often,” Ye Jiayao said humbly.

Shopkeeper Li breathed a sigh of relief from outside the door as he heard Li Yao. Little Li’s words were well-said, prioritizing the restaurant’s interests. If it were someone else, they definitely would have just laughed and taken the tips without a second thought.

“I still have other good dishes that I promise you haven’t tried before. Next time you visit, I’ll cook it for you,” Ye Jiayao added.

“I’ll come as well, I’ll come,” Helian Jing said, worried he won’t be invited.

Helian Jing was familiar with the scathing look in Big Yaoyao’s eyes. He pressed his lips together, trying to contain his smile. Even though it looked like Big Yaoyao was trying to kill him with his eyes, Helian Jing couldn’t be happier. A few minutes ago, he had thought that he’d never see him again, never hear him scold him for being too much of a spoiled rich man. Now, here he was, healthy and full of fire, standing in front of him.

Zhao Qixuan liked the chef’s humility, but he had already promised that he would tip, so he would. In the end, the chef had no choice but to accept the 100 taels of silver.

“Heir-Son Lord is being generous to you, Little Li! You should have some response,” Mu Assistant Minister’s son, Mu Qinchu, called out with a cheeky grin.

“Exactly, exactly!

“You must at least drink three cups of wine with us.”

Everyone started to laugh and chant.

Helian Jing’s face changed. Ye Jiayao knew this kid couldn’t hold his temper and was about to throw a tantrum. If a fight or an argument broke out, it would be bad for Heavenly Residence, thus bad for her.

She said, “You’re correct, sir. I will toast three cups to Heir-Son Lord. Please, join at your leisure.”

The waiters who came in with Ye Jiayao quickly served alcohol.

Ye Jiayao proudly toasted three cups in a row.

Zhao Qixuan gave Li Yao a thumbs up, impressed at how good he was at entertaining guests.

Helian Jing watched as Big Yaoyao drank one cup after another, his careful liver making its own silent protest. Could Big Yaoyao handle that much alcohol? Would she get drunk?

After Ye Jiayao finished her three toasts, she turned over the alcohol cups, showing that there was not a single drop left.

She said, “In the future, everyone please look after our business. I also toast three cups to everyone!”

“How are three cups enough? At least one cup per person!” said Mu Qinchu, goading for a fight.

Before Helian Jing could get angry, Zhao Qixuan said, “Mu Qinchu, did you drink the bowl of alcohol you owed me from before? And last round you lost a feast…”

Mu Qinchu turned red and immediately said, “Three cups it is. Little Li, the cups have to be full!”

Ye Jiayao laughed and signaled for the waiters to pour the alcohol.

Looking at the full cups of alcohol, Helian Jing’s heart started beating fast. He started, “Allow me…”

Ye Jiayao quickly interrupted him before he could finish, “Young Royal Highness Jing would also like a cup?”

Her eyes flashed him a warning.

Helian Jing said unhappily, “I’ll also have a full cup.”

Outside, Shopkeeper Li’s face was wrinkled from silent laughter. He found Li Yao a good man. He could cook, talk, and could also drink alcohol.

This fellow might just be what Heavenly Residence needed to become popular again.