Huo Chen frowned slightly, though a trace of a smile glimmered in his eyes.
“Xu Ying? You work here?”
The county town wasn’t small—there were plenty of restaurants scattered throughout. He had merely followed Wu Qingsong to a familiar place for lunch, only to unexpectedly run into her.
Xu Ying hadn’t expected this meeting either. As Huo Chen approached, her hands paused in surprise. Meanwhile, Sun Lifang, standing nearby, couldn’t help but stare at the tall, broad-shouldered man in front of them. Handsome, aloof, and dressed in his usual soldier-like manner, he radiated presence. Her eyes flickered between Xu Ying and the man, practically overflowing with unspoken gossip.
Xu Ying nodded slightly. “Yes. Today’s only my second day.”
“Are you settling in alright?” Huo Chen asked, voice gentle.
But the moment the words left his lips, Chef Ge rolled his eyes so hard they nearly stuck to the ceiling.
“What kind of question is that?” he scoffed. “Of course she’s used to it! You make it sound like we’ve been bullying the girl. Do we look like that kind of people?”
The kitchen staff immediately rose to defend their honor, visibly indignant.
“That’s right!” Gao Guihua chimed in proudly. “Our state-owned restaurant is a family. Xu Ying’s already settled in just fine. There’s nothing to adapt to—she was cooking from the very first day. Her dishes were a hit with everyone.”
Huo Chen had meant it as a casual question, but the collective fervor caught him off guard. He could only offer a sheepish smile.
“Alright, alright,” he murmured under his breath. “She’s adapted.”
Xu Ying chuckled and said, “Huo Chen, wait a moment. I’ll get you some pickles.”
Normally, pickles weren’t free—one penny bought a plate. But as a staff member, Xu Ying had a few small perks.
No one objected. It was common practice for employees to offer a little extra when friends or family came around.
Wu Qingsong bit into his steamed bun, eyes darting around. He was still reeling from the earlier scene—Brother Chen was actually talking to a girl.
That girl looked oddly familiar to him, but for the life of him, he couldn’t place her.
Once Huo Chen returned, Wu Qingsong leaned in. “Brother Chen, was that your date just now?”
Huo Chen shot him a warning glare that could kill. “Shut it. Stop spouting nonsense. That’s the village chief’s daughter.”
He paused before continuing, voice lower, more serious. “She saved my life… and Lao Hui’s too, when we were in the mountains. That’s how we started talking.”
“Ohh…” Wu Qingsong dragged the sound out, his tone teasing. “A lifesaver, huh? You know what they say—‘You save a life, you owe a lifetime.’ You might as well marry her.”
Huo Chen’s ears turned red instantly. His handsome side profile flushed as he reached for his chopsticks and gave Wu Qingsong a solid knock on the head.
“Eat and shut up.”
Wu Qingsong laughed, clearly unfazed. His grin stretched ear to ear. He’d hit the mark—Brother Chen was interested in this girl. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have reacted like that.
Changing the subject, he reached for his third bun and took a bite. His eyes widened with surprise.
“This one’s got fish and meat! Why haven’t I had this before? It’s delicious! Since when did Chef Ge make these?”
Huo Chen lifted his eyes calmly. “Xu Ying made them.”
Wu Qingsong’s curiosity was piqued. “And you knew just by eating it?”
Huo Chen nodded. “I’ve had her cooking before. I can tell.”
Wu Qingsong looked down at the bun and smiled. “Looks like something good really is coming your way.”
Huo Chen said nothing, but the corners of his lips curled slightly as he chewed. The teasing, the awkwardness—it all melted away, replaced by a quiet satisfaction he hadn’t felt in a long time.
—
In the kitchen, Xu Ying was busy chopping vegetables when someone suddenly rushed to the service window.
“Does Xu Ying work here?” a breathless voice asked.
It was Gu Fuying.
She’d only learned recently that Xu Ying had been sent to work at a restaurant, but no one had specified which one. She had already checked three places yesterday, and after work today, she had scoured two more. This was her last hope for the day.
At the sound of her name, Xu Ying’s hands froze. She looked up in surprise and dashed to the window.
“Fuying?”
“Xu Ying! You’re really here. I’ve been looking everywhere for two days!” Gu Fuying nearly cried with relief.
Xu Ying’s heart twisted seeing her friend this exhausted. “Did you eat yet? Today we have buns with fish and meat. They’re really good. I’ll give you two!”
Gu Fuying nodded eagerly. If Xu Ying made it, she’d eat it no matter what was inside.
Watching from the sidelines, Sun Lifang grew alert. This must be another person who came to snatch Xu Ying away.
Seeing Xu Ying serve her friend buns with her own hands made Sun Lifang burn with jealousy. Clearly, the two had a close relationship. It was nothing like her one-sided efforts to get Xu Ying’s attention.
She didn’t even bother ordering now. Instead, she silently followed them, watching closely.
The dining room was packed, and empty tables were scarce. Xu Ying’s eyes landed on Huo Chen and Wu Qingsong’s table—seating for four, with only two in use.
“Fuying,” she whispered, “let’s share a table. There’s room.”
Gu Fuying nodded.
Walking over, Xu Ying asked politely, “Can my friend sit with you?”
Wu Qingsong glanced at Huo Chen, who nodded once. “Of course.”
Gu Fuying finally found a seat and plopped down.
As she settled, Xu Ying leaned in. “Are you in a hurry? When do you go back to work? We’ll be making stir-fried dishes for lunch later.”
The restaurant didn’t cook stir-fries to order. They were prepared in large batches for everyone. Quick, simple, and hot.
Gu Fuying’s eyes lit up. “I’m not in a hurry. I don’t go in until two.”
“I’ll have stir-fried vegetables too,” Huo Chen added calmly from the side.
Xu Ying turned to him, eyes bright, and teased like a mother coaxing a child, “Alright, alright. I’ll go make it right away.”
Fifteen points of favorability increase in one go—this was better than she’d hoped for.
Gu Fuying munched on her bun, watching the two of them. Somehow, Xu Ying looked too pleased that this man would eat her cooking. Suspicion bloomed in her heart, and her expression grew sour.
She squinted at Huo Chen and gave him a not-so-gentle nudge under the table.
Back in the kitchen, Xu Ying bounced over to Chef Ge. “Master Ge, can we start cooking? I’ll handle the vegetarian dishes, and you take care of the meat?”
Chef Ge raised his brows, indignant. Was this little girl bossing him around?
He sniffed and declared, “You fry the meat. I’ll do the vegetables.”
He wanted to see what she was made of. If she failed at cooking meat, he’d have an excuse to take her as an apprentice.
Xu Ying agreed easily. “Sure! You’re the chef. Whatever you say.”
Her easy compliance pleased him greatly.
Nearby, Zhang Quanquan, who had overheard the exchange, gawked in disbelief.
She’s cooking meat? Could she really?
As if reading his mind, Xu Ying turned to him sweetly. “Brother Zhang, you don’t seem busy right now. Why not help me with the fish?”
Zhang Quanquan’s expression froze.
She wanted him to prep fish? He’d trained here for years and now this little upstart was giving him orders?
He wasn’t here to be some lackey—he was supposed to become a chef.
Chef Ge gave him a side-eye and muttered, “You heard her. Go help.”
Left with no choice, Zhang Quanquan stomped off in sullen silence.
Xu Ying turned away, a sly smile tugging at her lips.
Enemies don’t deserve mercy.