Chapter 40

Chapter 40

Mrs. Zhao watched the commotion from her doorstep for a while but couldn't make out what they were saying. When she saw the matchmaker get up, she spat on the ground a few times and then pulled the matchmaker aside to talk.

The matchmaker was seething with anger and cursed at Mrs. Zhang and the other two, saying they were ungrateful and lacked manners.

This made Mrs. Zhao even more curious about which family the matchmaker was talking about. After listening for a while without hearing any names, she decided to ask directly.

"It's Wang Chuizi's eldest son from Wangjia Village."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Zhao understood why Mrs. Zhang and the others were so angry. She stopped pulling the matchmaker and her tone became much cooler.

"Aren't their three sons known for being lazy? The only one who works is the girl!"

Wangjia Village wasn't far from here, and many people had relatives there, so they knew the situation with the Wang family well.

"So what? Their daughter is still young and can help around the house. They have three sons after all..."

Mrs. Zhao didn't bother arguing further, feeling that the matchmaker deserved the scolding from Mrs. Zhang.

Regardless of Lin Chunyan's cooking skills, why would a decent young woman want to marry a lazy man?

The matchmaker was upset, thinking no one in the village understood proper etiquette, not even the kind-hearted Mrs. Zhao.

Lin Chunyan was just an orphaned young woman; she should be grateful someone came to arrange a marriage for her. Given her character, no one would dare take her home.

Many people recognized the matchmaker, and those sitting under the big tree chatting greeted her.

The matchmaker wasn't in a hurry to leave as she hadn't figured out how to respond to the Wang family. She took the opportunity to vent her frustrations to these women.

As soon as she started speaking, the women put down their work and listened attentively.

Qian Niangzi moved closer to the matchmaker, who became animated and spoke with gusto.

But the faces of the women under the tree grew increasingly strange.

Goudan's Mother stood up first, "You foolish woman! If it were me, I'd chase you away with a broom too!"

The matchmaker scoffed, "Mrs. Zhang treats her daughter like a treasure, but she doesn't realize that besides cooking..."

Seeing the matchmaker wouldn't stop talking, Goudan's Mother grabbed a finished shoe pad from her basket and hit her with it.

The matchmaker was stunned, feeling a burning pain on her body. Before she could react, someone pushed her, causing her to fall sideways.

Sun Niangzi, standing next to her, didn't help her up but instead jumped aside, allowing the matchmaker to fall face-first into the dirt.

The matchmaker knew Sun Niangzi, who had been widowed for years and had asked the matchmaker to find her a husband several times. If this had worked out, the matchmaker would have earned some money.

However, Sun Niangzi always treated her coldly, and nothing ever came of it, leaving the matchmaker running errands for nothing.

The matchmaker got up, dusting off her clothes, her fingers trembling as she pointed at them, unable to speak.

Qian Niangzi, who had three sons, wasn't afraid of the matchmaker—she was the one who pushed her. Seeing the matchmaker still there, she spat on the ground.

This matchmaker only cared about money, not the quality of the matches she made. Previously, a young woman had been deceived by her exaggerated descriptions of the groom, leading to a disastrous marriage.

It was better to drive her away than let anyone else in the village suffer the same fate.

Knowing she couldn't win against these women, the matchmaker dusted herself off and ran away.

Goudan's Mother sneered and shouted after her, "If you come back to our village again, we'll chase you away with a big stick!"

She had two daughters whom she loved dearly. If they were matched with a family like the Wangs, she would be devastated.

The matchmaker couldn't understand why she was chased away after trying to arrange a marriage for Lin Chunyan, and she reported the incident to the Wang family, exaggerating the details.

"I'm not trying to avoid helping, but that family is so unreasonable—everyone in that village is unreasonable! In all my years of matchmaking, I've never encountered such people. They wouldn't even let me inside their house!"

Wang Chuizi was also upset. His family had three sons, and marrying Lin Chunyan would ensure she wouldn't be bullied. They felt she should be grateful for the opportunity.

He decided to visit personally, despite wasting the money he had given the matchmaker.

Mrs. Zhang went to the dock frequently and had become familiar with the vendors nearby, losing her initial shyness.

Once relaxed, her tendency to boast emerged. She bragged to Jin Niangzi, claiming her daughter Lin Chunyan could make a fish soup better than Song Niangzi's famous fish meat soup.

"The taste is top-notch, even better than Song Niangzi's. It's the fish soup I mentioned the other day!"

Jin Niangzi didn't believe her. "Song Niangzi's fish meat soup is a family recipe, praised by many. Many have tried to replicate it but failed. What's your daughter's 'fish soup'?"

Over time, Jin Niangzi noticed Mrs. Zhang's habit of exaggerating. She often inflated minor things into something grand.

Seeing Jin Niangzi's disbelief, Mrs. Zhang became anxious. "You've seen Yan Niang's skills. I'm not making this up; she can really make that delicious soup."

Jin Niangzi rolled her eyes and deliberately challenged Mrs. Zhang. "If that's true, could your daughter cook a few dishes for me?"

Her grandfather was approaching his birthday, and they always celebrated it lavishly. However, her cooking skills weren't great, so she always hired a chef.

The old grandfather loved celebrations, especially his birthday, and always insisted on a grand event, paying the highest price for the chef.

Mrs. Zhang thought for a moment, hesitant to make decisions for Lin Chunyan. "I'll ask her when she comes later. But remember, my Yan Niang's skills are excellent, equal to any chef. You must pay her accordingly."

Aunt Jin didn't argue over the details, knowing Lin Chunyan might not agree anyway. If she could make a soup comparable to Song Niangzi's, it would be worth the money.

Fish meat soup was delicious but expensive, and only the grandfather and the children in their family could enjoy it regularly.

If Lin Chunyan can really pull it off, then everyone who comes to their family's banquet will be able to eat, and at that time, who wouldn't say that their family is well-off.

Lin Chunyan's stall has a steady stream of customers every day. Many people come to buy tofu, snails, and small crabs; these are all from families with some extra money.

There are also little children, with runny noses, hanging around the stall, eyeing others buying things with envy.

Snacks were limited in those days, and what they could afford was even less. They never acted like the sons of wealthy families, demanding food.

It was Li Niangzi's young son, who helped wash clothes for others, who discovered that the stall sold fragrant tofu. His family lived a hard life; his father fell ill early and passed away, leaving only Li Niangzi to raise him.

Their meals weren't particularly good, but since everyone in this alley was poor, Li Xiaolangjun didn't feel he lacked anything compared to others.

One day, while playing outside, he saw a crowd gathered around a stall, and the air was filled with an enticing aroma. Li Xiaolangjun couldn't resist squeezing into the crowd.

Lin Chunyan found him cute and gave him a piece of tofu to eat.

Li Xiaolangjun ran home with the tofu and handed it to Li Niangzi, who was doing laundry.

"Where did you get this?" Li Niangzi's hands, swollen from constant soaking in water, didn't eat it right away but asked Li Xiaolangjun first.

"The lady running the stall gave it to me." Li Xiaolangjun swallowed his saliva and nudged Li Niangzi. "Hurry up and eat it; everyone says it's delicious."

Seeing his filial piety, Li Niangzi felt that no matter how hard life was, she could endure it. She took a small bite of the tofu and found it so flavorful that her tongue seemed to have a mind of its own, wanting to finish it all at once.

Li Niangzi restrained herself and offered the remaining tofu to Li Xiaolangjun. "Eat it quickly; I'm already full."

Li Xiaolangjun didn't refuse and took a bite. His eyes widened instantly; he had never tasted anything so delicious before.

He wished that small bite could stay in his mouth forever, but eventually, he swallowed it. Then he offered the rest to his mother again.

The two of them kept passing it back and forth until they finished it.

"Where is that stall?"

After hanging up the clothes and taking off her apron, Li Niangzi led Li Xiaolangjun to search for the stall on the street.

Such delicious food would naturally sell well. They gave Li Xiaolangjun the tofu because they were kind-hearted.

Li Niangzi wanted to thank them. When she arrived, she saw that the crowd was still large, so she waited quietly for a while.

When Lin Chunyan took a break, she noticed the two standing nearby. The child looked familiar.

Seeing that Lin Chunyan wasn't busy, Li Niangzi quickly approached and thanked her.

Lin Chunyan, seeing her manners and neat appearance despite her patched clothes, felt a warm regard and asked Lin Taohong to pack up the remaining snails.

There wasn't much left, just some broth, which wouldn't fetch much from others. They were about to close the stall anyway.

Li Niangzi insisted on paying, asking for the price and reaching for her coins.

She had overheard the prices earlier and realized that the tofu, though delicious, was reasonably priced.

No wonder there were so many people here.

Lin Chunyan didn't want to offend them, so she charged them one coin.

Mother and son took it home and ate it with bread. The snails were spicy and fragrant, making the meal very satisfying.

Later, Li Xiaolangjun told his friends how delicious the tofu and snails were. The other children, having not tasted it, all wanted to try it.

They pooled their coins, bought some tofu, divided it among themselves, and each took some home.

It added a dish to their meals.

Mrs. Zhang sold out quickly at the dock. By the time Lin Chunyan arrived with her basket, Mrs. Zhang was almost done.

Lin Chunyan collected the coins, and Mrs. Zhang mentioned Jin Niangzi's request.

She didn't dare mention her boasting, fearing Lin Chunyan might be upset, and simply said that Jin Niangzi wanted Lin Chunyan to make fish soup for their banquet.

"I thought if you could do it, their old man would be pleased, and she'd pay you like the other chefs."

Lin Chunyan glanced at Mrs. Zhang and asked, "How much would they pay for one session?"

"At least one or two hundred coins, maybe even three hundred, but we should ask Jin Niangzi."

Lin Chunyan was tempted. After considering her finances, she agreed to go and see.

The next day, Lin Chunyan went to the dock with Mrs. Zhang.

Jin Niangzi sized her up when she arrived.

Previously, she only thought this young lady was capable, but today, Lin Chunyan's eyes appeared remarkably composed and mature, unlike those of a teenager.

Lin Chunyan let Jin Niangzi look her over and asked about the payment for cooking.

"Cooking once is two hundred coins, and we'll provide the ingredients like chicken, duck, fish, and meat."

Although it wasn't as much as the silver she received from Hu Xiaolangjun's family, two hundred coins was still significant.

Satisfied with the offer, Lin Chunyan agreed, carefully noting the date and promising to help on that day.

Mrs. Zhang suggested, "Last time, the braised pork and pork bone noodles you made were delicious. Add the fish soup, and they'll surely be impressed."

Lin Chunyan was contemplating what to cook. According to Jin Niangzi, besides inviting her, they also invited a famous chef from the surrounding area, Wang Da.

That chef usually cooked for men. In the past, women like them couldn't sit at the table and could only eat leftovers or take some beforehand, which was always unsatisfactory.

Jin Niangzi asked Lin Chunyan to come over to prepare a few dishes for the women in the inner room.

If that fish soup really tastes good, two hundred copper coins wouldn't be considered too much.

Moreover, these copper coins were all coming from the old master, so there was no need for her to be frugal.

Lin Chunyan planned out the menu at home. Jin Niangzi's house was in the neighboring village, which was closer to the dock and more prosperous than their own village.

Lin Taohong also wanted to go and eat at the feast, volunteering to help with the firewood.

Mrs. Zhang wanted to go as well, giving herself an excuse, "I could say I'm here to taste the food."

Lin Chunyan looked at Mrs. Zhang with a half-smile, "Taking two hundred copper coins isn't enough; you want to bring two extra mouths along?"

Mrs. Zhang was embarrassed, "Then when you make something delicious, bring some back for me."

Lin Chunyan ignored her and went to set up her stall without another word.

Back home, she first counted the eggs hanging from the beam in the kitchen. The newly raised chicks weren't laying eggs yet, so the main egg-laying responsibility still fell on the old hen.

Mrs. Zhang was willing to invest in the old hen, hoping it would lay more eggs, ideally one every day.

The hen seemed to feel its status had improved, strutting around the yard all day, occasionally bullying the new chicks, quite pleased with itself.

Lin Chunyan took out the eggs she had collected earlier, planning to pickle them.

Many of the cucumbers were getting a bit old. People liked to clean these old cucumbers, cut them in half, and pickle them with salt, soy sauce, perilla, and licorice. Every evening, they would boil them in brine and dry them in the sun during the day. After three rounds of steaming and boiling, they became triple-boiled cucumbers.

These triple-boiled cucumbers, once pickled, could be stored for a long time and served with bread in the morning.

Lin Chunyan instructed Lin Taohong and Mrs. Zhang to pickle the triple-boiled cucumbers in the yard.

When Liu Niangzi came in, she saw them busy and marveled at their work.

She handed a bowl to Lin Chunyan, asking for some fragrant tofu.

Relatives visiting her home enjoyed these fragrant tofu pieces as a dish, both tasty and presentable.

Lin Chunyan packed some for Liu Niangzi. While Liu Niangzi was talking to Mrs. Zhang in the yard, they discussed Li's affairs.

Liu Niangzi lived next door to Li, and the walls between their yards were shared, making it easy to hear any commotion.

"Before, your third branch couple used to live so harmoniously, discussing everything together, rarely arguing."

Mrs. Zhang put aside her work to chat with Liu Niangzi.

"My sister-in-law was so haughty, thinking she was better than us because she could embroider. When I asked her to teach my two girls, she rudely chased me away. She deserved the argument."

No matter how much time passed, Mrs. Zhang still harbored resentment over this incident.

Liu Niangzi had also approached Li before, thinking that since they were neighbors and had a good relationship, Li would show some face.

"Who doesn't think so? Her eyes are always looking down on us, only seeing the Village Headman's daughter."

Liu Niangzi then mentioned the Village Headman's family, "That girl paid three hundred copper coins to learn embroidery. When the eldest branch found out, they made a fuss and sent their daughter over too."

"Isn't the eldest branch in town? Why send her back?"

"Just to compete for those three hundred copper coins. Although they're in town, their expenses are high, and life is tight. They also support Erlang's studies, so those three hundred copper coins aren't trivial."

Mrs. Zhang felt both envy and resentment, thinking about how Li could earn six hundred copper coins by teaching two students, faster than her daily trips to the dock selling goods.

Lin Taohong, after cutting cucumbers for a while, noticed Mrs. Zhang wasn't working and ran to the kitchen to complain that Mrs. Zhang was slacking off.

Mrs. Zhang heard Lin Taohong's complaint, blushed, cursed under her breath, and fearing Lin Chunyan would reprimand her, obediently picked up the knife and stopped chatting with Liu Niangzi.

This surprised Liu Niangzi, who thought Mrs. Zhang had changed.

"At first, I wondered why you didn't come to talk under the big tree, thinking something happened... Your Yan Niang is quite capable."

She whispered the last part.

Mrs. Zhang mumbled an explanation, waiting until Liu Niangzi left to explain to Lin Chunyan, "I wasn't slacking off; I just forgot to cut while talking."

Lin Taohong huffed, pointing to the cucumbers she had cut and then to Mrs. Zhang's, "Mother is still lying; she cut far fewer than I did. She should be fined."

"You little imp!"

After pickling the eggs, Lin Chunyan placed them in the cellar, where they would be ready to eat after some time.

The previously empty cellar now held some items thanks to her efforts.

Most of them were various pickled vegetables and bamboo shoots.

With no land, their grain storage was limited, bought only when prices were low.

Lin Chunyan had previously mentioned to Uncle Lin that when his rice and wheat matured, he should save some for them.

Their location was good for growing rice and wheat. Families with many children often planted more beans to make bean porridge.

Bean porridge was hard to eat and caused bloating, but it filled the stomach, at least preventing starvation.

Climbing out of the cellar, Mrs. Zhang and Lin Taohong were still sulking, ignoring each other.

A few days later, Jin Niangzi, fearing Mrs. Zhang might cause trouble, gave her the list of dishes early, instructing her to take it to Lin Chunyan.

Lin Chunyan was preparing meals for the female guests, and Aunt Jin had already boasted about serving Song Niangzi's fish soup, leaving many eagerly anticipating it.

Mrs. Zhang asked for an additional fifty coins from Jin Niangzi. "My Taohong is helping with the fire too; she can't work for free."

Jin Niangzi was reluctant. "That's not necessary. I'll give her a red envelope with ten coins later."

"That's too little; you should add more."

Lin Chunyan looked at the list Jin Niangzi had given her. The dishes weren't difficult and were all popular seasonal favorites. She heard that the men's table would even have mutton.

On that day, Lin Chunyan got up early and took Lin Taohong to prepare. When they arrived at Jin Niangzi's place, it was just dawn.

However, today was a big day, and everyone in Jin Niangzi's family was already up and busy. Seeing Lin Chunyan arrive, Jin Niangzi quickly led her to the makeshift kitchen area.

The so-called kitchen was merely a platform hastily built, with firewood underneath, barely functional.

Lin Taohong was dissatisfied and asked Jin Niangzi, "Isn't the kitchen quite large? Why do we have to cook outside?"

Jin Niangzi felt embarrassed. Initially, she had planned to let both cooks use the kitchen.

But when Chef Wang heard about it, he became very upset, thinking Jin Niangzi looked down on him and wanted to humiliate him by having a mere girl assist.

He even threatened not to cook, and only after the old master intervened and gave him an extra fifty coins did the situation calm down.

Of course, the chef also made a demand: Lin Chunyan could not use the kitchen.

Seeing Jin Niangzi's troubled expression, Lin Chunyan made her own request. "People keep coming and going; it's inconvenient to chop and wash vegetables here. We shouldn't be treated like this."

Jin Niangzi had heard Mrs. Zhang talk about Lin Chunyan before and knew that despite her quiet demeanor, she wasn't someone to be pushed around. She said, "I understand this is unfair to you, but that chef was personally chosen by my father-in-law, and he has been cooking for us for years."

"Fine, I'll let him have the kitchen. It's a good day, and we don't need to argue. But Jin Niangzi, if I make the fish soup, it must not be served to the men's table," Lin Chunyan said after some thought.

Jin Niangzi thought it would be an unreasonable demand, but upon hearing this, she quickly agreed and found a few young women to help with washing and chopping vegetables.

Lin Taohong was still unhappy while tending the fire, glaring at Chef Wang.

He was a burly man, and his clothes looked unwashed and greasy.

Chef Wang was also observing Lin Chunyan, curious about the girl who dared to challenge him.

But how could a teenage girl cook anything? He guessed Jin Niangzi had been deceived.

Cooking skills couldn't be faked; it took years of practice to make good dishes.

And without a mentor, some recipes wouldn't be taught.

Lin Chunyan ignored his gaze and efficiently chopped the washed vegetables.

Her knife skills were impressive; she sliced cucumbers and carrots finely, drawing the attention of the women washing vegetables.

Even Chef Wang's apprentice stretched his neck to watch.

"The young lady's skills are truly remarkable."

They had set up their makeshift kitchen outside, and Chef Wang had intended to embarrass Lin Chunyan. With so many guests passing by, a young lady would surely be too shy to continue.

But Lin Chunyan showed no embarrassment and displayed excellent knife skills, causing passersby to stop and watch.

"Bravo!" Someone cheered, and even the old master inside the house looked out.

"What's happening?" The old master, his voice trembling with age, asked Jin Niangzi, "Why are they all outside instead of inside?"

Jin Niangzi peeked outside and saw everyone watching Lin Chunyan carve a carrot into a flower.

Even Jin Niangzi was captivated.

She quickly ushered the guests inside, but they continued to inquire about the skilled young lady.

"Her knife skills are impeccable. I watched her turn a carrot into a tiny rabbit—it was lifelike!"

"Where did the old master find such a talented young cook?"

The old master, pleased by the guests' admiration, forgot his earlier displeasure over Jin Niangzi hiring Lin Chunyan.

"It was my daughter-in-law who found her; she's very filial!"

Praised, Jin Niangzi walked with a spring in her step. A nearby woman pulled her aside and whispered, "I heard we'd be having Song Niangzi's fish soup today. Is that true?"

Jin Niangzi pointed to Lin Chunyan outside. "Not Song Niangzi's fish soup; it's this young lady's fish soup."

Hearing this, the others turned to look at Lin Chunyan again. While they admired her knife skills, they doubted she could match Song Niangzi's famous fish soup.

Surely, they had misheard; the so-called fish soup probably wouldn't taste good.

Seeing their skeptical expressions, Jin Niangzi felt uneasy and went outside to ask Lin Chunyan, "Is the fish soup ready yet?"

Lin Taohong huffed and shoved another piece of wood into the fire, making it blaze. "How could it be ready? There's only one pot; we have to wait."

Jin Niangzi noticed Lin Taohong was still angry and Lin Chunyan didn't intervene, so she awkwardly smiled. "Let's put other dishes aside; the fish soup is most important."

Lin Chunyan echoed Lin Taohong's words. "We're not avoiding it, but there's only one pot. You know the fish soup needs hours of slow simmering to taste good."

Fearing the sisters might refuse to cook, Jin Niangzi hurried back to speak with Chef Wang.

Chef Wang, still upset about Lin Chunyan's display of skill, scoffed coldly.

"Jin Niangzi, we've known each other for years. I think you've been fooled by that young lady! Song Niangzi's fish soup is their family's specialty, passed down for generations. No one can replicate its taste. How can a mere girl claim to make a comparable fish soup? Do you really believe it?"

Jin Niangzi knew Chef Wang was right, but since she had already boasted, she couldn't take it back.

"But we'll just give them a small pot to use. If they can't make it, we'll settle the score with her later."

Chef Wang initially wanted to refuse but, after a moment's thought, realized that if the fish soup turned out poorly, everyone in the vicinity would know she was a fraud. So, she agreed.

Lin Chunyan prepared the fish meat outside, removed the bones, and chopped up some shiitake mushrooms and tofu before adding everything to the large pot.

Chef Wang and her apprentice watched closely. Lin Chunyan wasn't bothered by their gaze and simply asked Lin Taohong to keep an eye on the fish soup.

Not having to tend the fire, Lin Taohong was more than happy to comply. She found a stool to sit on and kept a watchful eye, wary of any mischief from Chef Wang and her apprentice.

Not seeing how Lin Chunyan prepared the dish, Chef Wang felt a bit disappointed. Seeing Lin Taohong watching her like a hawk, she couldn't help but snort and instructed her apprentice to go chop vegetables.

She had decided to show off her skills today; otherwise, these newcomers might think they could step all over her.

The young wife helped with the firewood and occasionally chatted with Lin Chunyan. Lin Chunyan worked quickly, and before long, several dishes were ready.

To reward the hardworking young women, Lin Chunyan set aside some dishes for them to taste.

Worried that Lin Taohong might feel left out, she specifically brought some dishes into the kitchen.

Seeing her favorite dishes, Lin Taohong's eyes curved into a smile. Satisfied, she took a deep breath and started eating right there.

The young apprentice, while chopping vegetables, caught whiffs of the delicious aroma and felt his stomach rumble. His eyes kept darting toward Lin Taohong.

Lin Taohong pretended not to notice and sighed, "This is so delicious."

Chef Wang frowned, feeling a sudden unease. Though she didn't know what Lin Taohong was eating, her years of experience as a chef allowed her to discern something special about the cooking.

Lin Chunyan, despite her young age, might truly have some skill.

But so what!

After draining the water from the mutton, Chef Wang placed it in a pot with oil and rock sugar, slowly caramelizing the sugar over low heat.

This technique, learned from her master after twenty years, was rarely shown to others, but today she deliberately demonstrated it.

Her apprentice, seeing Chef Wang preparing her signature braised mutton, stopped watching Lin Taohong and focused intently on Chef Wang, not wanting to miss a single detail.

Feeling smug, Chef Wang worked even harder.

After chatting with the elderly gentleman, the guests finally began the feast. The men moved to the courtyard, while the women remained inside.

A few young wives came to help serve the dishes. In the past, the women usually ate the leftovers or received separate portions, always served later than the men.

But this time, thanks to Lin Chunyan's efficiency, the food was still hot when it was brought to the table.

The women marveled at the dishes, many of which they had never tasted before, and asked Jin Niangzi about them.

Jin Niangzi, unfamiliar with these dishes, smiled awkwardly and went out to find Lin Chunyan.

Lin Chunyan first checked on the kitchen. Lin Taohong hadn't even gone to the restroom, but fortunately, it was hot, and she hadn't drunk much water, so she wasn't too uncomfortable.

Seeing Lin Chunyan, she eagerly asked, "Sis, is the fish soup ready? I can smell it!"

Chef Wang and her apprentice listened intently. The apprentice, being quite curious, peeked over a few times.

At that moment, Chef Wang deliberately said to her apprentice, "Go check if our braised mutton is done. The old man loves this flavor!"

The apprentice hurried over and lifted the lid of the braised mutton pot, releasing a cloud of steam. The kitchen filled with the rich aroma of the dish.

"Master, look!"

Chef Wang walked over, examined the mutton, and commented, "It needs more time. Making mutton requires patience, especially since it's expensive and not something everyone can afford."

Hearing this condescending remark, Lin Taohong's face darkened, and she glanced over, "Sis, is the fish soup ready?"

Lin Chunyan lifted the lid of the fish soup pot, releasing another cloud of steam. Unlike the earlier mutton scent, the fish soup now blended with the freshness of bamboo shoots and mushrooms, making it even more appetizing.

The rich aroma wafted through the air, invading everyone's nostrils.

Someone's stomach growled loudly, breaking the silence of the kitchen.

"Taste this." Lin Chunyan scooped half a bowl for Lin Taohong. As she sipped, the exquisite flavors filled her mouth, making her wish she could swallow her tongue.

Seeing her enjoy it so much, the young apprentice swallowed hard, leaning closer.

Chef Wang, annoyed by his lack of composure, slapped him, "Go stoke the fire! You're such an inexperienced fool!"

Inside, she felt a growing unease.

Ignoring their comments, Lin Chunyan sent the young wives to bring the dishes inside.

Outside, the male guests had already started eating. Master Zhao, an old acquaintance of the elderly gentleman, arrived late with his two sons. After greeting everyone, they took their seats.

Seeing several dishes already on the table, he knew they were Chef Wang's work.

Master Zhao took a few bites without much interest, then suddenly noticed Lin Chunyan preparing dishes in the courtyard.

"Little Miss Lin, why are you here?"

Master Zhao was enthusiastic, and Lin Chunyan recognized him. They exchanged pleasantries briefly.

Master Zhao's two sons, smelling the rich aroma, saw Lin Chunyan holding the fish soup and demanded to try it.

Lin Chunyan had made only a limited amount and gave them each a small bowl. The brothers, not minding the small portions, ran back to the table.

They took turns sipping, and due to its deliciousness, they argued over who had eaten more. By the time Master Zhao intervened, only a few sips remained.

Master Zhao, also a food lover, told his sons to stop fighting and finished the remaining soup himself.

The two children were momentarily stunned, watching as Master Zhao was about to finish his meal. The youngest little master couldn't hold back and burst into tears.

Crying during someone's grand birthday celebration was considered inauspicious. Master Zhao hurried to comfort the child, and even the few guests beside him joined in trying to soothe him.

This child had a stubborn personality and only insisted on eating that fish soup.

The commotion even caught the attention of the elderly patriarch. Upon hearing that it was because of the food made by the young lady they had invited, he found it somewhat amusing, thinking that this little master must not have tasted much good food before, which was why he was so enamored.

Coincidentally, Chef Wang brought out the braised lamb, and the elderly patriarch placed a few pieces on the little master's plate. "Chef Wang's braised lamb is truly exceptional."

Little Master Zhao glanced at the elderly patriarch a few times, took a bite, but finding it unpalatable, continued crying.

Master Zhao felt embarrassed and quickly apologized to the elderly patriarch for his son's behavior.

The elderly patriarch, who enjoyed the company of children, became interested in the fish soup and asked Jin Niangzi to bring him a bowl.

Jin Niangzi had previously promised Lin Chunyan not to serve the fish soup in front, but now that the elderly patriarch wanted it, she had no choice but to persuade Lin Chunyan.

After much persuasion, Lin Chunyan finally gave her a bowl.

Seeing the fish soup, the child immediately brightened up, wiping away his tears and starting to eat eagerly, looking like a reincarnated starving ghost.

The aroma of the fish soup wafted through the crowd, and even the elderly patriarch could smell the rich fragrance, causing him to keep swallowing his saliva.

Since the elderly patriarch loved good food, he had invited Chef Wang to prepare the banquet. Seeing how much the little master enjoyed it, he couldn't help but ask, "Is it really that delicious?"

"Extremely delicious, even better than Lady Song's fish soup!"

The elderly patriarch didn't quite believe it. After some hesitation, the little master scooped a spoonful for the elderly patriarch to taste.

Thinking he would just humor the child, the elderly patriarch took a taste of the fish soup, already planning how to politely dismiss it. But in the next moment, his eyes widened.

"How is it? Is it good?" Little Master Zhao waited for the elderly patriarch's response, but his gaze was already fixed on the bowl of fish soup, unwilling to look away, eager to taste it again.

Indeed, the little master wasn't lying. The fish soup was incredibly fresh, soft, and tender, truly surpassing Lady Song's fish soup in flavor.

He then gestured for Jin Niangzi to come over and asked her to bring a few bowls of fish soup to the table.

Jin Niangzi looked troubled. "Father-in-law, it's not that your daughter-in-law doesn't want to bring it, but there simply isn't any extra fish soup left."