Who would have thought that the master chef, who was so arrogant and fearless even by the head manager, would one day have a tearful voice?
Zhang Xianglian was startled and felt a little guilty for perhaps going too far.
But she really couldn't respond.
The experience of being beaten, bossed around, humiliated, and suppressed in the past was too deeply etched in my memory.
Having finally climbed out of one pool of bitterness, is she about to step into another?
No.
A dog can't stop eating shit, but a person has to change.
“Master, I’m not good enough. I’m a withered woman, and I can’t have children. All I want to do in this life is raise a few children and live out my remaining years.” Zhang Xianglian was somewhat embarrassed. “I’m not as good as you think. I just want to live a peaceful life.”
If all happiness requires tears and sorrow to be earned.
She would rather have no happiness than any tears or sadness.
Peace is the only thing one can hope for after being hurt.
"No, hello, you're very good." The head chef stammered, "Xianglian, you're not a withered flower, you're really very good, better than anyone I've ever met. I want to take care of you, to take care of you for the rest of my life."
“But I don’t want to take care of you.” Zhang Xianglian took two steps back. “I just want to grow old peacefully. I just want to watch my children grow up. What’s in front of me is the best.”
Her face was calm, and her voice was sincere; it was clear that she was speaking from the heart.
The head chef felt as if he had fallen into an ice cave, and even his little round belly trembled. Despair enveloped him, and he realized that no matter what he did, he could not warm this woman's heart or enter her soul.
Knowing that she was afraid of being touched by men, the master chef kept a distance from her.
Knowing that she was not good at speaking, the head chef negotiated a cooperation with Youranju on her behalf to secure benefits for Jiuzhenfang.
In the end, it was all for nothing.
Whether it was disappointment or sadness, the master chef turned away in despair and staggered away.
Someone in the distance is singing: "My clothes grow looser, yet I have no regrets; for her sake, I grow thin and haggard..."
Unfortunately, he didn't even have the right to look haggard.
The master chef staggered with every step, while Zhang Xianglian calmly observed.
Only those who know her can see that her hands are trembling and tears are welling up in her eyes, which she quickly wipes away.
He turned around, knocked on the door of the second courtyard, and the beautiful woman's figure disappeared from sight along with the old man turning around on the street.
"well……"
"How much sorrow can one have? It's like a river of spring water flowing eastward."
"Having seen the vast ocean, other waters seem insignificant; having beheld the clouds of Wushan, other clouds are not worth seeing."
Wang Xiaosong sighed deeply. Jiang San and Jiang Si recited the only poems they knew, which were supposedly poems they had asked Xu Mo to teach them in order to please a girl.
"That's enough for you three," Zheng Ruqian said with a dark face. "Go home now."
In other words, the head chef and Aunt Zhang were so engrossed in their disappointment that they didn't hear the carriage. Anyone else would have already come over with a sharp look.
Jiang San awkwardly loosened the reins and quickly arrived at the entrance of the courtyard.
As they got off the bus, Jiang Sheng finally asked in confusion, "Second Brother, why did Auntie refuse Master Chef and then secretly wipe away her tears?"
In her view, it's perfectly normal to refuse someone you don't like.
Secretly wiping away tears signifies reluctance to part.
Reluctant yet unwilling, the adult world is truly complicated.
“Because… Auntie is scared, right?” Zheng Ruqian sighed softly.
Zhou Zhiqiang certainly wasn't an alcoholic and violent person from the beginning. He must have genuinely cared for Zhang Xianglian. It's just that his love was worn down later, and time added to his resentment. The originally gentle and considerate person gradually became unrecognizable.
It is said that you can't judge a book by its cover; until the moment of death, who can truly make a judgment?
“But I’m sure my brothers will always be good to me.” Jiang Sheng tilted her head back, her eyes sparkling. “You won’t abandon me, you won’t hit me, and you won’t humiliate me.”
Those are her brothers, her brothers.
Zheng Ruqian felt a sudden pang of sadness. He reached out and ruffled the little girl's hair, chuckling as he scolded, "You're so confident."
But this confidence comes precisely from them.
Perhaps it is also related to Jiang Sheng's fearlessness and boldness. No matter when or how much hardship she has suffered, she is always a trustworthy and bright young girl.
Unfortunately, there is only one Jiang Sheng in this world.
Many people are afraid of being hurt; once bitten by a snake, they are afraid of a rope for ten years.
Their skin went from soft to hard, the wounds they suffered becoming armor that bound them tightly, protecting them from evil and hindering good people.
Don't they understand?
No, they understand perfectly well, they are insightful, but they cannot overcome themselves.
In the kitchen.
Just as Zhang Xianglian put the braised pork knuckle into the pot, she heard a commotion behind her.
A chubby little girl skipped over and buried her head in her arms. "Auntie, Auntie, you cooked braised pork knuckle again today! It smells so good! Auntie's cooking is so good!"
Zheng Ruqian complained from behind, "You're already so fat, yet you still eat braised pork knuckle."
"Hmph, you're not fat, you're skinny, you're almost as thin as four brothers." Jiang Sheng retorted, hands on her hips.
Zheng Ruqian was initially unconvinced, but when he turned around and saw his overly frail and thin fourth brother, he was speechless.
Jiang Sheng laughed triumphantly, her silvery voice echoing in the courtyard.
The slight disappointment in Zhang Xianglian's heart was suddenly erased. She looked at the children with a smile every day, which was better than anything else. This was already a life like that of a god. She shouldn't ask for anything more.
That shouldn't be done.
The braised pork knuckle was served, and dinner was a joyful occasion. Jiang Sheng and Zheng Ruqian complained about each other's weight while stuffing handfuls of meat into each other's mouths.
Occasionally, a piece would fall into Xu Mo's bowl and be eaten silently.
"Brother, is there any trouble at the Imperial Academy?" Chang Yan asked as usual.
Xu Mo paused slightly as he picked up some food. "There were no serious incidents."
Everyone, relax and have dinner before resting.
Zhang Xianglian calmed down completely and put her arm around Jiang Sheng to discuss, "The recipe for the lychee pastry needs to be changed. It's a bit too sweet. Come to the workshop to help out tomorrow."
The little girl readily agreed.
The next day, the mother and daughter took a car to the workshop of Baishui Noodles. It took them a long time to make two noodles, which they then sent to Jiuzhenfang for everyone to taste.
Zheng Ruqian had just arranged for people to go to the Sichuan region to transport something, but he also came to join in the fun.
"The boss has reserved a piece for us." Miao Zhaoying pulled Daya over.
The Jiuzhenfang was so bustling that no one noticed the lonely master chef outside.
After a restless night, he not only developed bags under his eyes, but his belly also seemed to have shrunk considerably. Now, hiding in a corner, he looked at Zhang Xianglian with eyes full of heartache.
"Master Kong, why don't you come in? We can talk inside." Jiang San, the gatekeeper, urged, chewing on a straw.
The head chef shook his head sadly.
“A man should speak his mind. What kind of man hides his thoughts?” Jiang Si added fuel to the fire. “You have to let your aunt see it so that she will feel sorry for you.”
Will she... feel sorry for him?
The head chef seemed to be tempted. He took a few deep breaths and finally mustered up his courage.
A figure stepped into Jiuzhenfang before him, grinning and saying, "Boss, as you predicted, the Liao family has made their move. They... have reduced the price of lychees by a full half."
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