Chapter 65: This woman is no ordinary person.
After a moment of reflection, everyone nodded in agreement. Their young master had once been hot-tempered and impetuous, always ready to defy everyone in the family. When the elders asked him to learn business, get married, and have children, he refused outright and ran away from home to travel and enjoy life.
But the young master just now had no temper at all; he was completely different from the young master he used to be.
"So you still don't understand? I don't need to explain the ins and outs, do I?"
Some people suddenly realized, while others remained puzzled.
What do you mean?
"So, this is obviously a show put on for the head of the family. I bet it's the young master's sweetheart, but unfortunately, her background isn't good enough, so they staged this whole thing. Haven't you heard the saying? If you want to win someone's heart, you have to practice your cooking skills."
"Ah? If what you say is true, then this woman is no ordinary person."
"Didn't you see how she acted just now? She doesn't look like someone to be trifled with. If she enters the Jin family and becomes the mistress of the house, she'll probably stir up a storm."
"The matriarch? Are you kidding me? A large family like the Jin family would definitely choose a woman with status and position. A woman who wants to rise in rank just by relying on her cooking skills is far too naive. Besides, given the young master's temperament, he might not even be able to take over the entire Jin family. In my opinion, no chance. But her braised dishes are really delicious!"
"It's not just the meat gravy that's fragrant. Didn't you see her hand-pulled noodles? I think among all of us, probably none of us can make them like hers. Her knife skills are amazing. She cuts the noodles so thinly, and not a single one is broken. When she cooks them and takes them out, they look so chewy! I'm drooling just looking at them."
After a while of chatting amongst themselves, it was time to prepare lunch.
On her way back, Yu Wan sensed that Jin Yifei was acting differently than usual.
This young man used to be very talkative and never let the atmosphere get dull. What's wrong with him today?
"Young Master Jin, are you worried that they won't be used to the noodles with gravy?"
Upon hearing the address "Young Master Jin," Jin Yifei's expression became even more helpless.
“We’re already so familiar with each other, yet you still call me so formally. Isn’t that a bit inconsiderate? You address Young Master He and Young Master Xue by their first names, so why can’t you treat me the same way?”
Yu Wan laughed and said, "I'm used to it. Besides, they're different from you; they're my buddies."
Jin Yifei looked aggrieved. "I would like to be your employee, but you won't take me."
"Why would you choose to be a waiter instead of a proper young master?" Yu Wan felt that the two of them had argued about this topic several times already.
She didn't know why this person was so obsessed with being a shop assistant. With so many shops in her family, couldn't he just go wherever he wanted?
Is it because you feel it's inconvenient to stay at home and want to gain more experience outside, starting from the bottom?
Jin Yifei sighed, changed the subject, and stared intently at her.
"Awan, what do you think of me?"
Yu Wan glanced at him and noticed that he seemed to have gained a touch more nobility since returning to Jiangnan. This was probably because he had lived a relatively simple life in Sui County. Back in Jiangnan, he resumed his original lifestyle, wearing gold and silver, and always decked out in the finest clothes.
Even Zhu Zhifeng was the same; she received many gifts after arriving at the Jin residence.
"That's great, you're excellent in every way."
Jin Yifei forced a helpless smile. "Isn't that too perfunctory? Could you be more detailed? Or do you think there are any shortcomings I need to correct?"
Yu Wan thought for a moment, "I didn't find any flaws in you. You're perfect. You're handsome, have a good personality, and don't have the bad temper of some rich kids. You're happy as long as there's good food. You're strategic, knowledgeable, and have too many advantages to list."
She recalled their first meeting. Who would have thought that a young nobleman would stop in front of her stall and even eat her kebabs? She couldn't help but feel grateful.
Jin Yifei, visibly excited, stopped and stared intently at her face.
“A-Wan, there’s something I want to tell you…”
Before he could finish speaking, He Jing appeared before him with a stern face.
Yu Wan's gaze shifted from Jin Yifei's face to the boy's face.
"Why did you come here? Is it urgent?"
He Jing glanced coldly at Jin Yifei. "It's nothing."
Yu Wan breathed a sigh of relief: "You scared me." She thought something had happened to Xue Xiujun.
The three walked back to the courtyard without saying a word.
Upon arriving at the courtyard, she found that the maids had already brought back the noodles she had prepared and placed them on the table.
Zhu Zhifeng and Xue Xiujun have finished eating.
After Yu Wan and the other two finished eating and were about to leave, Madam Jin sent someone to invite Yu Wan over, saying that there was something to discuss in detail.
Let her go alone.
Jin Yifei personally accompanied her to the gate of the old lady's courtyard, but he was blocked outside by the maid and watched helplessly as Yu Wan walked in alone.
As soon as Madam Jin saw her, she warmly took her hand and invited her to sit down.
"The noodles today were so delicious. Yifei said you're a good cook, but at first I didn't pay much attention. I thought, how good could they be? Our Jin family's head chef is a disciple of the imperial chef. But I never expected that this meat sauce mixed with the noodles and then eaten would be so delicious. It's no exaggeration to say that today's noodles are the best I've eaten in decades."
Yu Wan smiled and thanked the old man for his praise, but she knew in her heart that what the old man said was just a prelude, and he had not yet revealed his true purpose.
After chatting for a while, Madam Jin finally spoke tentatively.
"Miss Awan, I have a favor to ask. Could you stay in Jiangnan and not leave?"
Yu Wan looked at her with a puzzled expression, wanting to say something, but then held back.
Respect the elderly and care for the young; let's wait for the elders to finish speaking.
The old lady had sharp eyes and naturally noticed the confusion on her face.
She explained with a smile, "Don't take it personally, I don't want you to sell yourself into servitude. Yifei, you've known us for so long, you should know something about the Jin family. We're involved in all sorts of industries. However, we're currently facing some difficulties. Yifei's cousin's restaurant is having some problems, mainly because they don't have any innovative dishes that will impress. If you could give the kitchen some pointers on cooking, I believe the restaurant could overcome these challenges. Of course, I'd also love to try some of your other dishes. Yifei said you can cook many other dishes, and your restaurant is very popular; many diners travel long distances to taste your cooking."
Yu Wan's eyes lit up; this was indeed an opportunity.
Aside from her own Yu Family Restaurant, she rarely had the opportunity to enter the kitchens of other restaurants.
She also wanted to know if there was room for improvement in her existing system.
This was also one of the purposes of her trip.
"Madam, you flatter me. I would never dare to offer guidance. I am eager to learn from the chefs of the Jin family. However, there are still some places I haven't visited since I left home, and my mother and younger brother are waiting for my early return. Staying for a long time is not possible, but a few days would be fine."
The old lady then revealed her true purpose. In a few days, a very important person would be coming from the capital, and if they didn't take good care of this distinguished guest, it could bring considerable trouble to the Jin family.
Yu Wan understood, said she would think about it, and then took her leave.
Jin Yifei was still waiting at the door. When he saw her come out, he immediately went to greet her.
"What does my grandmother want with you?"
Yu Wan then recounted what had happened. For some reason, Jin Yifei's expression changed. He was sullen on the way back to her courtyard, and he was out of sorts the entire day shopping afterwards.
Jin Yifei also subtly inquired a few times, wanting to know if she would agree.
Yu Wan couldn't understand for a moment whether they wanted her to agree or not.
You must have been thinking about it, right?
Perhaps Jin Yifei's occasional hesitation in speaking to her these past few days was a way of asking for her help?
But when asked why, Jin Yifei didn't give a clear answer, saying he wouldn't interfere with her decision and that it was up to her.
It's really confusing.
Zhu Zhifeng always seemed to have something to say, but she would fall silent every time she met her cousin's gaze.
Everyone, including Xue Xiujun and He Suzhi, seemed to understand something, but none of them told her.
For the next three days, the atmosphere remained very strange. No one seemed to ask her what choice she had made, and everyone was carefully observing her every move.
On the last night, Yu Wan was invited to the old lady's courtyard again.
There were a few more people present this time, including a middle-aged man who bore a resemblance to Jin Yifei, but was older and more composed and mature.
Yu Wan recognized the man as one of Jin Yifei's cousins. Considering that Old Madam Jin had mentioned the grandson in charge of the restaurant, this must be him.
When the man saw her arrive, he nodded politely, and then got up to pour tea for his grandmother and another middle-aged man with half-white hair and beard.
Madam Jin gestured for Yu Wan to sit down, but before they could even exchange a word, Jin Yifei arrived.
But clearly, his appearance was not permitted by those individuals.
Madam Jin sternly rebuked, "Yifei, this is none of your business, get out!"
Jin Yifei was particularly excited, "Grandmother, cousin, father, you...you..."
He looked at Yu Wan with pleading eyes, as if telling her to leave with him immediately.
Yu Wan couldn't figure out what they were up to, but she had already made her decision.
She knew she was insignificant in front of these people, merely a tool at best, but she didn't care; it was still uncertain who was whose tool.
Although this matter appears to be orchestrated by the Jin family, Yu Wan has never actually relinquished control.
Her lips curled up, her chin slightly raised, and her aura radiated outwards. It was as if the previously restrained imposing presence had been awakened, making her appear extremely dignified and unapproachable.
"So you two are Young Master Jin's father and cousin."
Mr. Jin nodded with a smile, "I heard that Yifei invited some friends back for a visit, but unfortunately he has been too busy to host a proper banquet. I hope Madam Yu will not take offense."
Yu Wan smiled faintly and said, "You don't need to be so polite. We are the ones who have troubled you the most. Please forgive us if we have caused any trouble for your household."
Madam Jin observed the girl with a look of surprise. Why did she feel that she was not the same person she had seen a few days ago?
The girl from a few days ago had a gentle personality, but why does she seem different now?
If asked to pinpoint exactly what had changed, she couldn't quite put her finger on it; it was just a feeling.
For example, his eyes changed; his soft eyes became bright and sharp.
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