Zhang Quanquan, facing the grim reality of his actions, was arrested for intentional wounding, subsequently sentenced, and locked away. Liu Guohua, on his very first day of work, was sent home to recuperate.
The kitchen, now short-staffed, felt the strain. With no one to handle the washing and chopping, cooking times were delayed. Seeing the struggle, Chen Chunfeng immediately offered to help out in the kitchen.
Director Hong, upon hearing about the day’s dramatic events, rushed to the restaurant that afternoon, relieved to find Xu Ying unharmed. Had she been disfigured, he, as director, would have been held responsible. He regretted allowing Zhang Quanquan to stay even a day longer, but it was too late for regrets.
Back in the kitchen, Xu Ying continued to fry meatballs, her gaze drifting to the man sitting in the corner outside the window. Huo Chen. His eyes were slightly downcast, his nose a perfect line, and his Adam’s apple bobbed as he drank water, a sight that held her captive. A blush crept onto Xu Ying’s cheeks. His good looks were truly distracting. Why had she never noticed how handsome Huo Chen was in her previous life? Unbeknownst to her, a tiny crack had appeared in the wall she’d built around her heart, a wall meant to keep love out.
Huo Chen, sensing Xu Ying’s gaze, nervously curled his fingers, not daring to lift his head. If Wu Qingsong were there, he’d surely mock him, the normally cold and aloof Huo Chen acting like a shy girl.
“Yingying, are you okay?” Xu Qiuye, enjoying her day off, had rushed to the restaurant upon hearing the news. Seeing Xu Ying calmly cooking, she felt a wave of relief. Xu Qiuye had grown fond of Xu Ying, treating her like a younger sister.
Xu Ying looked up, a wide smile lighting her face. “Sister Qiuye, I’m fine! What could possibly happen to someone as smart as me?”
Xu Qiuye playfully glared at her. “You and your cheeky mouth! Tell me if anything happens in the future. Your brother tells me to keep an eye on you every day; I can’t let anything happen to you.”
Xu Ying chuckled, “Okay, future second sister-in-law.” The title brought a deep blush to Xu Qiuye’s cheeks.
“Sister Qiuye, we have crispy meatball soup today. Have a bowl!” Xu Ying offered with a grin. The aroma wafting from the kitchen was irresistible, and Xu Qiuye’s stomach grumbled. “Then help me a serving of crispy meatball soup,” she agreed, thinking she could take some home for her father, who was also off today.
“Okay!” Xu Ying, far from stingy, generously ladled large meatballs into the bowl. “You can add more soup when you go back, and some salt and vinegar. It’ll be enough for a few people.”
Xu Qiuye, delighted, thanked Xu Ying and went to pay. Sun Lifang took the money and gave Xu Qiuye a box of pickles.
Xu Qiuye hurried home, meatball soup in hand. As she reached her door, Accountant Xu’s nose, like a dog’s, twitched at the delicious scent. Seeing it came from his daughter, he smiled broadly. “What is this? Why does it smell so good?”
“Meatball soup! I just went to the restaurant. Yingying gave me a lot of meat. We can add some salt and vinegar, and it’ll be enough for our family.”
Accountant Xu knew Xu Ying worked at a state-owned restaurant but was unsure of her position. He was surprised she’d already formed such a good relationship there. Xu Qiuye followed Xu Ying’s instructions, adding salt, vinegar, and water, transforming one portion of meatballs into more than two. She set a large bowl aside for her mother to eat that evening, then gave a generous bowl to Accountant Xu and a smaller one for herself. The fragrant steam filled the yard.
Accountant Xu, drooling, quickly swallowed. The chubby, glistening crispy meatballs looked incredibly appetizing. Taking a bite, the rich aroma of meat exploded in his mouth, leaving a lingering deliciousness. A sip of the soup, oily but not greasy, salty yet sweet with a hint of vinegar, was simply divine.
Xu Qiuye’s face glowed with happiness. “Yingying’s cooking skills are so good!”
Accountant Xu paused, “Who did this, Xu Ying?”
Xu Qiuye nodded. “Yes! Yingying is a chef at the state-owned restaurant now. That’s why she could give me so much meat!”
Accountant Xu finally understood. No wonder. He hadn’t realized Xu family’s daughter was so capable, working as a chef in a state-owned restaurant. How old was she? If she worked a few more years, her monthly salary would surpass his. A touch of unhappiness crept in as he considered how capable Xu Jianguo’s children were becoming. Would Xu Jianguo soon be more successful than him?
As Xu Qiuye savored her delicious meatballs, a knock sounded at the door. Accountant Xu, confused, called out, “Come in!”
Gao Mu entered, her son in tow, carrying gifts. Accountant Xu stared, bewildered, until Gao Mu spoke. “I am from the Gao family, and this is my son, Gao Yang. My son has always admired your daughter, so I’ve come to ask for her hand in marriage.”
Xu Qiuye’s face fell, her expression turning ugly. She glared at Accountant Xu. “Dad, didn’t you promise me you wouldn’t force me into a blind date?”
Accountant Xu looked just as aggrieved. When had he ever forced his daughter into a blind date? And the Gao family! They’d mentioned wanting to meet before but never set a date. He thought the matter was forgotten, but he hadn’t expected them to be so shameless as to arrive uninvited.
Gao Mu, seeing Xu Qiuye’s resistance, felt a prick of discomfort. In her eyes, her son was a prize. She wouldn’t have bothered coming if her son hadn’t insisted on such a captivating girl.
“Qiuye, you might not remember me, but we were classmates, in the same class,” Gao Yang said, seeing Xu Qiuye up close for the first time, a tremor of excitement in his voice. Xu Qiuye had no memory of him; her eyes were red with grievance.
Accountant Xu, comparing Gao Yang to Xu Shengcai, found Gao Yang wanting. Even if Xu Shengcai wasn’t great at work, he was at least good-looking and tall. This kid was a thousand times worse. Perhaps the delicious meatball soup had emboldened him, for Accountant Xu turned to Gao Mu, his tone curt. “How can you just come directly to the door? Even if they were to go on a blind date, the children need to see eye-to-eye. There’s been no contact or anything. How can you directly ask for marriage? You clearly don’t understand any rules. Hurry up and leave!”
Xu Qiuye looked at her father in surprise.
Accountant Xu snorted. “I don’t know what’s going on.” He then addressed Gao Mu directly. “Why are you still here? Get out. This isn’t the old days. We can’t just arrange marriages. This marriage requires two people to be in love. I don’t see that my daughter is happy. You should hurry up and take your son away, and take this thing too!” Gao Mu’s face darkened, clearly not a woman to be trifled with.