Chapter 15

Moreover, Miss Chu acted a bit strangely every time she saw her…

Chu Lingyue paused in her thoughts for a moment before greeting her calmly. “Please come inside, honored guest.”

“Lingyue.” Chu Shaoyang smiled faintly and nodded. She glanced around the restaurant, spotted a familiar face, and went over to greet him. “Uncle Miao, I hope you’re doing well.”

“Ah, it’s niece Shaoyang. You know about this place too?” Lord Miao had some business dealings with the Chu Family, and his own daughter, Miao Liu, was good friends with Chu Shaoyang. The two families were somewhat acquainted.

Chu Shaoyang replied, “I’ve heard a little about it.”

Lord Miao chuckled warmly. “No need to stand on ceremony, Shaoyang. Have a seat and eat. I’m here today accompanying Brother Cao. I’ll have that girl Liu invite you over another day for a proper welcome.”

Even young ladies had heard of this restaurant. It seemed his information really was outdated. He’d send someone right away to investigate the place thoroughly. He couldn’t afford to lose face as a renowned gourmand.

Chu Shaoyang gave a slight bow before taking a seat at the next table over. Tang Second Aunt stood attentively by her side.

“What dishes do you have available?” She looked at Chu Lingyue, her eyes dark and inscrutable.

Chu Lingyue met her gaze, inwardly noting that this was the strange look she meant—like there was some deeper meaning behind it.

Yet they’d only met a few times…

For now, Chu Lingyue chalked up Chu Shaoyang’s odd behavior to Tang Jin’s past obsession with her. Her expression cooled. “You’ve come at a bad time, honored guest. We’re down to just two dishes today.”

She was Tang Jin’s wife, after all. When facing the object of Tang Jin’s unrequited affections, a touch of coldness was only appropriate.

At least, that’s how it should appear to outsiders.

Chu Shaoyang studied her for a moment before curving her lips into a smile. “Then just bring whatever you have.”

Chu Lingyue didn’t move. Instead, she pointed to the paper on the wall. “To be clear, honored guest, our food is delicious but expensive. The last two dishes are five taels of silver each and ten taels respectively. If that’s too pricey, no need to order.”

Tang Laidi, who had just returned carrying a bowl of rice, nearly tripped and sprawled flat on her face.

Was this any way to talk to customers? “Delicious but expensive”? “Too pricey, don’t order”? Was she chasing them away or chasing them away?

As the restaurant owner, she needed to have a serious talk with Lingyue about customer service.

But when she saw who was sitting there—Chu Shaoyang—she fell silent.

No wonder. Her love rival had shown up at the door.

Tang Laidi felt a pang of sympathy for Chu Lingyue in her heart. She inwardly cursed Tang Jin for not knowing a good thing when she had it—marrying such a wonderful wife and still pining after someone else. How disloyal.

“Five taels for one dish, ten for another? Why don’t you just go rob us?” Before Chu Shaoyang could respond, Tang Second Aunt couldn’t hold back her snide remark.

They must be desperate for money, trying to pay off their debts in one go with overpriced food. Did they think they were fools?

Chu Shaoyang shook her head at Tang Second Aunt. She glanced at the menu, then smiled at Chu Lingyue. “I’ll have the ten-tael dish then. Thank you, Lingyue.”

Cheese Bacon Egg Tart?

She recognized every word individually, but only really understood “egg.” What did this dish even look like? Made with eggs?

Nearby, Cao Kesang couldn’t help but marvel to himself. This restaurant really sold out with every question asked. He was all too familiar with that treatment—good thing he’d come early today.

Just then, Tang Jin returned with a tray. Cao Kesang brimmed with anticipation. “Brother Miao, you have no idea. The first time I heard ‘delicious but expensive,’ I thought it was a shady joint. But once you taste their cooking, I guarantee it won’t be a wasted trip.”

Chu Shaoyang overheard Cao Kesang’s words too. So it really was worth the price?

It seemed Tang Jin had the silver to pay her debts now.

Unfortunately…

“Four Happiness Meatballs, Salt-and-Pepper Pork Ribs, New Style Orleans Roast Wings, and Pepper Numb Saliva Chicken. Your order is complete.” Oblivious to what had transpired in the restaurant, Tang Jin beamed as she arranged the dishes. Only then did she notice the new guest.

She froze.

This was… Chu Shaoyang? The original host’s unattainable white moonlight? Had she come to collect a debt?

Chu Shaoyang didn’t spare her a glance, however. Her eyes remained fixed on Chu Lingyue.

Chu Lingyue’s expression was impassive. “A-Jin, this guest ordered the Cheese Bacon Egg Tart. Serve it up.”

“Got it!” Tang Jin responded cheerfully and headed straight to the kitchen. As long as it wasn’t about collecting debts, she was fine. She only had nine taels on hand—she couldn’t very well demand payment before the guests had eaten. That would be too awkward.

Tang Laidi stood quietly behind the counter, her eyes flicking back and forth between Chu Lingyue and Chu Shaoyang. A trace of doubt gradually emerged in her gaze.

Something was off. Very off…

By now, Cao Kesang and Lord Miao had started eating.

“Brother Miao, try this roast wing. Crispy on the outside, tender inside, with an irresistible savory crunch. Isn’t it better than anything at Tower Beyond Towers?” Cao Kesang wished he could suck the bones clean. The flavor was no exaggeration.

“And this Saliva Chicken—it’s perfectly seasoned, spicy-numbing with fresh aromas. Wonderful, just wonderful. It would be even better with some wine.” Lord Miao was at a loss for words. He’d decided: from now on, he’d eat his evening meals here.

Cao Kesang nodded vigorously, too busy eating to comment further. The Salt-and-Pepper Pork Ribs were fragrant down to the bone, and the Four Happiness Meatballs were soft and juicy. Drizzling the sauce over rice was pure perfection.

This time, he could finally eat his fill—and impress Lord Miao to boot. Twenty taels was an absolute steal.

Before long, Tang Jin returned. On her tray were five egg tarts. Hmm, there had been six originally, of course. She’d pocketed one for herself.

It was her system, after all. Keeping one to taste was only natural.

“Miss Chu, your Cheese Bacon Egg Tart.”

Chu Shaoyang pulled her gaze away and looked at the egg tarts on the plate. She picked one up with her chopsticks and took a bite.

It was chewy and resilient. When she bit down, strands of cheese pulled apart, blending milky richness with savory meat. The flavor was neither cloying nor gamey—complex and novel, unlike anything she’d tasted before.

Ten taels? Fair enough.

She ate two slowly and methodically before looking back at Chu Lingyue. In a gentle voice, she said, “If it’s not too much trouble, Lingyue, could you pack these three up for me? I’d like to bring them home for my father to try.”

With that, she placed ten taels of silver on the table.

Chu Lingyue swiftly pocketed the silver but didn’t touch the egg tarts. “We don’t have takeaway boxes here, honored guest. If you don’t mind, you can just take the plate with you.”

Her words were bluntly rude, but Chu Shaoyang merely smiled and glanced at Tang Second Aunt.

Understanding the cue, Tang Second Aunt turned and went off in search of a box.

Soon after, Cao Kesang and Lord Miao finished their meal, paid contentedly, and left.

Chu Shaoyang was now the restaurant’s sole remaining guest.

“Lingyue, could you pour me a cup of tea?”

Before Chu Lingyue could respond, Tang Laidi jumped in. “I’ll do it. Serving tea is my job.”

As she spoke, she shot Tang Jin a look. “The tea isn’t boiled yet. A-Jin, come help me add some firewood.”

Something was wrong. Very wrong. She needed to have a good chat with her friend about this.