57 Dumb Donkey Wants To See Her (1/2)

Since big Yaoyao was busy, Helian Jing did not want to disturb him further. He simply ordered a cup of tea and a plate of snacks as he patiently waited in the Lotus Suite, occasionally jotting down some ideas for the birthday feast he was throwing.

As soon as Shopkeeper Li arrived at the restaurant, someone informed him of the current situation. He was shocked and embarrassed, finding Li Yao's behaviour outrageous. He rushed over to the Lotus Suite and immediately apologized to the young prince.

”I will get Li Yao to come over at once,” Shopkeeper Li promised.

”It's okay, it's okay, don't bother. I will wait until he is done,” Helian Jing said indifferently.

Shopkeeper Li was surprised to find the Young Prince Jing so accommodating to a mere cook. There were rumours that Young Prince Jing was a bit spoiled and not at all an easy-going person. Shopkeeper Li was wondering what was going on.

Helian Jing waited until lunchtime but big Yaoyao still hasn't come out. He ordered a few dishes and continued waiting again.

Xia Chunyu, on his way to the palace with two Imperial bodyguards, passed by Heavenly Residence.

”Sir, I am afraid it would be way past lunchtime by the time we reach the palace,” a bodyguard informed him.

Xia Chunyu considered it for a while before dismounting the horse. ”Then, we shall have our meal here.”

Little Jing has been singing praises about his friend Jin Yao's cooking skills, so Chunyu thought that it was time for him to put it to the test.

The waiter named Ah Xing welcomed him gracefully. ”Sir, would you like to take our Orchid Suite? It oversees the river so you can enjoy that wonderful view as you eat.”

Ah Xing has been a waiter for years now and he has skillfully mastered discerning the customers, identifying their status by their clothing and presence.

A waiter must practice till he has a pair of discerning eyes, telling the status of every customer from their clothing and presence. He recommended the best suite because one look at Xia Chunyu's official Imperial bodyguard uniform and his imposing manner, he knew that he was not just an ordinary rich person.

Xia Chunyu couldn't care less about any lavishness. ”Lead the way.”

Helian Jing walked to the mouth of the staircase, on his way back to his suite from visiting the latrine, when he ran into Xia Chunyu.

”Little Jing…”

”Brother Chunyu? What a coincidence! Are you here for lunch?” Helian Jing was shocked to see brother Chunyu in the restaurant, big Yaoyao's warning flashing in his head.

Xia Chunyu frowned. What else will I do in a restaurant? Practice sword fighting?

”Yes, what about you? Who are you here with?”

”I… I am about to leave!” Helian Jing squeaked in panic.

Ah Xing was baffled and asked, ”Young Royal Highness, the dishes that you've ordered are not served yet.”

Helian Jing wanted to strangle the meddlesome waiter. He said fiercely, ”I just don't feel like eating. Am I not entitled to leave whenever I want to?”

Xia Chunyu raised his brows, finding little Jing's reaction very unusual for him. He looked flustered and Xia Chunyu found it odd that he'd leave without eating what he ordered. Wasn't he always boasting of Jin Yao's cooking skills?

”Brother Chunyu, why don't we go to another restaurant. Come on, I'll treat you to Fu Ji.” Helian Jing smiled and tried to pull Xia Chunyu away.

Xia Chunyu refused to budge. ”I went here because I wanted to support your friend. Besides, we're already here, there's no sense in leaving. Waiter, where's Young Prince Jing's suite?”

He was pretty certain that little Jing was hiding something, and as his brother's friend, Xia Chunyu was obliged to check it out.

”It's the Lotus Suite,” Ah Xiang replied.

Xia Chunyu immediately veered straight to the Lotus Suite, Helian Jing on his heels.

”Brother Chunyu!”

Xia Chunyu opened the door to the suite but there was no one else inside. He was a bit bewildered because he was sure that little Jing was hiding someone in here.

Xia Chunyu took a seat and asked, ”Waiter, what are your specialty dishes?”

Helian Jing sighed in defeat. Now that brother Chunyu has made himself comfortable, he couldn't really just send him away. He would just have to reason to big Yaoyao that Chunyu came here on his own accord. Hopefully, big Yaoyao would believe him. ”Well, brother Chunyu, the pork stomach chicken here is good. It is big Yaoyao's specialty dish, I tried it yesterday and it is absolutely delicious.”

Xia Chunyu perked up. This dish sounds familiar! Isn't it the one that Yaoyao used to entice Song Qi and the gang to play Rock, Paper, Scissors with her? Song Qi never got to taste it and until now, kept bringing it up. Wasn't it a big coincidence that this Jin Yao fellow also knew how to make it?

”Okay, I'll have one of that. What else do you recommend?”

”Waiter, add a Carp Leaps Over the Dragon Door, a crab powder pork meatballs, and simmer-fried spare ribs,” Helian Jing ordered smoothly. He knew that these were brother Chunyu's favourites so he knew that this was a must.

”That's enough. This is just lunch, no need to be so grand.” Xia Chunyu still has work in the afternoon!

When the order form was sent to the kitchen, Ye Jiayao looked at the numerous orders from Lotus Suite. She asked, ”Does Young Prince Jing have guests?”

”Oh, yes. He ran into someone he knew so they sat in the same suite,” Ah Xing replied.

”Okay, then you bring these dishes over first,” Ye Jiayao told him.

Xia Chunyu noticed the little notebook on the table and he asked Helian Jing, ”Are you doing homework?”

Little Jing was notorious for being mischievous. Back in his days at Imperial College, no teacher was willing to school him because they could not stand him. Since he was not learning anything at college, the Helian family hired a tutor to teach him in the palace. Little Jing ended up setting his tutor's moustache on fire. It was an accident, of course, but it was enough to build his reputation. No one dared to teach him so Helian Xuan was forced to be his brother's tutor.

”No, no. My brother assigned the preparation of my grandmother's birthday feast to me. Those are some ideas for the program.” Helian Jing smiled embarrassedly.

”That is good! If there is anywhere you need my help in, just tell me.” Xia Chunyu smiled encouragingly. He was glad that Helian Xuan heeded his advice.

The waiter came in and served their dishes; one grilled shiitake, one seasonal vegetable, and one sweet and sour carp.