84 Enemies Mee (1/2)

Xia Chunyu saw her face darken and immediately backpedaled, not wanting to make her angrier at him than she already was. ”I'm kidding, I'm kidding. Lighten up, Yaoyao.”

”I actually heard about this culinary competition and I wanted to bring you around to some of the more popular restaurants to familiarize yourself with your opponents' skills. It's helpful to at least know what you're going up against, right?” he continued.

”How do you know about the culinary competition? Who did you hear it from?” Ye Jiayao asked curiously.

As if Xia Chunyu would tell her that he had a few drinks with Manager Du from Laifu Motel who blabbered everything out to him. He replied nonchalantly, ”Who else? Song Qi, of course. That chap is a really good informant, you know.”

Yes, as a matter of fact, she did know. All the brothers in Black Wind Ridge thought that Song Qi was merely a little attendant who was just barely capable of fetching things. In reality, Song Qi was actually Xia Chunyu's most able helping hand. It looked like having him around, following her everywhere, would pose some trouble. There would be no secret that she could keep.

Ye Jiayao pursed her lips and said nothing.

Fortunately, the waiter came up with the dishes and prevented the long moment of awkwardness. Xia Chunyu changed the topic hurriedly to discuss Princess Liu Li.

”Sneaking out of the palace was no big deal actually. Isn't it just the nature of a child, being a little too naughty? A few reprimands would've been sufficient, but Liu Li's nonchalant attitude angered the empress dowager. I think she can forget about going out of the palace doors before mid-autumn...”

Ye Jiayao secretly exhaled a relieved breath. The crisis was over for the time being. It would've been a miserable ordeal trying to keep her guard up against Liu Li's mischief as she prepared for the big feast as well as the culinary competition.

Head Chef Niu's cooking emphasized strong flavors and a particular attention to freshness. It was not the freshness that the ingredients possessed originally, but the freshness of additives like 13 fragrances seasoning. People who liked that kind of flavor would find these dishes delicious.

Ye Jiayao was a bit disappointed to find out that this was all Head Chef Niu was capable of. She removed him from her list of formidable opponents.

After having her fill, Ye Jiayao wiped her mouth and asked Xia Chunyu, ”What do you think of Head Chef Niu's skills?”

Xia Chunyu gave her a teasing look and said, ”Not as good as someone I know.”

Whether it was Head Chef Niu, Head Chef Zheng, or even an Imperial chef from the palace, no one could make food that suited his taste more than Yaoyao.

Ye Jiayao raised a brow. ”Who is that someone?”

”You should know!”

”What should I know? I don't know anything.” Ye Jiayao pressed her lips together. Why does everything have to be difficult with you? Would it really kill you to compliment me just this once?

Xia Chunyu replied, ”Looks like you are not knowledgeable enough. You need to go out more, see and try more things so you can discern between good and bad.”

Ye Jiayao bit her tongue to keep from lashing out at him. You insufferable git.

”I am leaving,” Ye Jiayao snapped and stood up.

”Hang on, I'll see you off.”

”There is no need for that, I know the way.”

”I know, but I don't feel assured letting my woman walk back home alone,” Xia Chunyu said firmly.

Did he just say she was his woman?

”Excuse me? I am not your anything,” Ye Jiayao protested.

Instead of getting angry with her rejection, Xia Chunyu pinched her nose indulgingly as if she was an adorable stuffed bunny. ”Let's go, woman.”

It was only when he walked out of the suite did his words registered in Ye Jiayao's mind. He was not allowed to call her his woman, or a woman, whenever he likes, especially in public. It was not like he would take responsibility if her identity gets exposed and cause detrimental consequences.

Ye Jiayao chased after him at the same time that two people exit the suite next door, the three of them crashing against each other.

”ARE YOU BLIND?” one of them howled angrily.

Ye Jiayao frowned. Isn't this Mu Qinchu who loved pitting himself against me? The one that Zhao Qixuan invited the last time?

The other young man held on to the railing to steady himself, asking hurriedly, ”Cousin, are you alright?”

Ye Jiayao eyes widened. This was the man who was stuck in the bathroom because he did not have any paper with him. If she had known, she would've asked for 500 taels or even 5000 for that toilet paper instead of five.

She would've never dreamed of bumping into Wei Liujiang here.

And to think that Wei Liujiang and Mu Qinchu were relatives.

A thought immediately flashed through her. If Wei Liujiang is here, Jinrong would be here, too...