39 Show Off Some Skills (2/2)

He secretly rejoiced, knowing that he found just the right person today.

When the golden hour has arrived, the feast began. There were distinguished guests everywhere and the sounds of gongs and drums rang in the sky. Ye Jiayao and Helian Jing, together with the other aunties, had their meal in the kitchen.

Only then did Helian Jing get to enjoy Ye Jiayao's meticulously prepared food.

The Auspicious Phoenix Cry was a pure delight in his mouth. The fragrance of the chestnut stuffing has been sufficiently absorbed by the chicken, and likewise, the chestnuts have absorbed the chicken's juice. The scent of the chestnut was thick and the meat was tender, rich, and mellow.

The celery was tasty, the lily light and sweet, and the shrimp fresh and smooth in the Hundred Years of Happiness. All the ingredients harmonized together to produce a distinct flavor.

Calling the Distinguished Friends All Around simply delicious was insufficient. The collection of sea cucumber, abalone, fish lips, fish stomach, fresh bamboo shoots and shiitake mushroom was a divine match.

”Jin…”

Ye Jiayao gave him a hard stare and Helian Jing immediately corrected himself. ”Brother, after such a long time, your culinary skill has improved.”

Ye Jiayao broke into a smile. ”Of course! Master has always praised me to be talented in cooking. No matter what dish it is, I can replicate it almost perfectly with just one look.”

Helian Jing rolled his eyes at her. Look at your smug face! Can't you be more humble and restrained? Are you not afraid of people laughing at you?

However, when he turned to look at the women in the kitchen, none of them has the intention of mocking. They were all staring at brother Jin with a look full of admiration.

Helian Jing rolled his eyes once again. A bunch of women with no knowledge.

Ye Jiayao scooped a quail egg for him, saying, ”Eat more. This is very nutritious and you are still growing.”

It was totally the way an older brother would care for his younger brother, and it elicited more respect from the women. They have the urge to swindle this young man back home to be their son-in-law.

Helian Jing also took an egg for her, and mocked, ”Brother, eat more too. Look at you, years of being a chef and tilting the ladle so much caused you to stop growing. Those who don't know would think that you are my younger brother.”

Ye Jiayao replied calmly, ”Little Jing, having some capabilities is of the utmost importance. If you have real-life skills, you will be able to survive anywhere. With just height and no skills, you'd get nowhere. We don't have the life of being a parasite like those rich people.”

The women all nodded their heads, agreeing with Ye Jiayao.

Helian Jing deflated again. He could just not win with her!

After a while, Housekeeper Li came back, a wide smile on his face. ”Brother Li has good skills! The guests could not stop complimenting the dishes! They kept saying that they have never had such a delicious feast. Our master is delighted and wants to see the both of you after the wedding.”

Ye Jiayao accepted the praise humbly. ”As long as everyone is satisfied, that would be fine.”

She secretly looked at Helian Jing. Aren't I awesome?

Helian Jing looked away expressionlessly, ignoring her.

After the feast, rich man Li invited the both of them over to thank them personally. He even added to their monetary reward!

10 taels! If it was in the past, Helian Jing would not even bat an eyelid. Now that they were so poor, they were about to go crazy, 10 taels were extremely precious. He could not even conceal his happiness.

Ye Jiayao rolled her eyes at him in scorn. Little Jingjing, though your dimples look good, your smile is about to reach your ears. Do you know how embarrassing is this? I thought you came from a rich family! She chose not to acknowledge the embarrassing look she had on when she rolled happily on the bed the night she managed to swindle 10 taels from the dumb donkey.

”I heard from my housekeeper that you are going to Jin Lin. You're just in time because my business group would be going to the area around Yang Zhou in three days. Stay here for a while and we can set off together!” rich man Li invited.

Ye Jiayao responded gratefully, ”That would be great! We can make meals for the group on the way.” She knew that she has to show her value as much as possible and not just take advantage of the help that has come their way. After all, a hardworking person was welcomed everywhere.

The biggest perks of all were that the two of them could finally sleep comfortably on a huge bed.

However, Ye Jiayao started to fret.

She had introduced little Jingjing to everyone as her brother, and therefore, they arranged for them to stay in a room with only one bed.

Although she has slept in the same bed with little Jingjing before, it was a huge plank bed with 10 or more people in it. That was different.

Now, it was only the two of them in bed. A single man and a woman. Not only that there was a physiological barrier between them, Ye Jiayao's secret was at the risk of being exposed.

Helian Jing plopped face down on the bed, spreading his arms and legs wide. ”We've been sleeping in ruined temples and pavilions every day, I almost forgot how it feels like to sleep on a huge bed.”

Ye Jiayao watched him roll around on the bed with her face full of worry.

I want to roll around too!