Director Chen’s face was filled with joy. He sniffed the fragrant aroma lingering in the air and swallowed hard. If it weren’t for his subordinates standing nearby, he might have rushed forward and grabbed a few bites himself.
Xu Ying quickly plated the first dish, a vinegared cabbage, and trotted over to Director Chen with a playful wink. She didn’t forget to boast a little:
“Director Chen, come try what I’ve made! Honestly, there aren’t that many ingredients this time, so I could only whip up a few simple ones I’m not great at. If there were more ingredients, I’d have shown you some of my real specialties. You wouldn’t forget them after just one bite.”
Hearing this, Director Chen’s admiration for Xu Ying deepened. And then, he tasted the vinegared cabbage.
It was astonishingly delicious.
The moment he took a bite, the refreshing sourness burst across his taste buds. Tangy yet lightly sweet, fragrant with a hint of spice—it was simple yet addictive.
Who would have thought such a humble dish could taste this heavenly?
“The vinegared cabbage made by little Xu is truly amazing!” Director Chen couldn’t help exclaiming. He eagerly picked up another large mouthful, devouring it with delight. The enticing aroma had already made everyone around him hungry.
The others watched him with longing eyes, swallowing hard but too intimidated to reach for food before the director. They could only stand by and silently endure.
【Congratulations, host: Favorability +1】
As soon as Xu Ying heard the system notification in her mind, her eyes lit up. How could she have forgotten this perk?
“Big brothers, you should try some too!” Xu Ying immediately grabbed more chopsticks, distributing a pair to each of the people in the room—including the women washing dishes in the kitchen.
Luckily, she had cooked plenty, enough to share.
【Congratulations, host: Favorability +1. +1. +1…】
Hearing the system’s cheerful voice repeatedly announcing increases in favorability, Xu Ying’s smile blossomed like a flower. Especially when the system announced:
【Congratulations, host! Favorability has surpassed 50. Unlocked new recipe: Spicy Beer Duck. Received: Five feet of plaid cloth. Next unlock requires favorability of 100.】
Xu Ying couldn’t stop smiling. Director Chen glanced at her, thinking she was simply happy from everyone’s compliments. “What a sweet girl. She really loves cooking.”
In truth, Xu Ying didn’t even need to cook another dish to win Director Chen over. He’d already decided—she would be the one to cook for their important guests. But… he was greedy for more flavors.
So, he watched as Xu Ying prepared the next dish. After eating to his heart’s content, he finally spoke:
“Comrade Xu, your cooking skills are truly excellent. For this upcoming event, I’ll have you cook for our guests. If you do well, I’ll give you ten yuan. But if it doesn’t go well, there won’t be any pay.” Director Chen’s tone was stern.
Xu Ying cursed him quietly in her heart but smiled brightly on the surface. “No problem, Director Chen. I guarantee I’ll complete the task!”
The cafeteria chef standing nearby turned pale. They hadn’t even discussed this privately—Director Chen was openly appointing someone else in front of him. How much must he dislike him?
“Director, did I do something wrong?” the chef asked anxiously.
Director Chen looked puzzled. “No!”
“Then… why are you having Xu cook instead of me?”
Only then did Director Chen realize the misunderstanding. “Ah, I’m only having Xu cook for this one event, just for the visiting guests. You’ll still be in charge of the regular cafeteria meals.”
The chef finally breathed a sigh of relief. So he wasn’t being replaced entirely.
Meanwhile, Xu Ying’s smile grew even brighter—things were falling perfectly into place.
“Director Chen, have some more! Everyone, please, eat!” Xu Ying cheerfully shared the food, basking in the system’s repeated congratulatory messages. She was only ten points away from unlocking another recipe.
At this rate, her cooking skills would recover in no time.
Director Chen was so full he could barely move, but even then, he kept eyeing the dishes wistfully. Xu Ying’s cooking was just too good.
After finishing up, Xu Ying bid Director Chen farewell and happily pedaled away on her bicycle. A thermos bottle hung from her handlebars as she rode back to the village with a light heart.
“Mom! I’m home!” Her voice rang out even before she reached the yard.
Hearing her daughter’s voice, Mother Xu rushed out like the wind. “Oh, my good girl! You’ve only been gone a day, and I’ve missed you so much. Eh? What’s this? A thermos? Where’d you get something like this?” Mother Xu was shocked. Such an item wasn’t just expensive—it required an industrial voucher to buy. For a rural family like theirs, it was nearly impossible to get.
Xu Ying grinned. “A friend at the supply and marketing cooperative sold it to me cheap. Said it was defective, but it looks fine to me—just a little faded at the bottom.”
Mother Xu examined the thermos carefully, then beamed. “What a treasure!”
“Mom, let’s fry some pork tonight to celebrate! I found a job—I’ll start the day after tomorrow, cooking for important leaders. If I do well, I’ll earn ten yuan!”
“Ten yuan?” Mother Xu gasped. Her third son only made fifty-eight yuan a month after becoming a full-time worker. Her daughter earning ten yuan in a single meal? She felt a little dizzy from the excitement, but never doubted her daughter’s words.
She quickly handed the pork to her eldest daughter-in-law. “Don’t cook it all—save half for tomorrow!”
If only the meat could be stored longer, she would have kept it for months without eating.
Inside the house, Xu’s second brother was diligently studying. Not for himself, but for Qiuye’s sake.
“Aunty , you’re back!” Shitou and Huzi, seeing the bicycle at the door, immediately guessed Xu Ying had returned. Even before stepping into the yard, they were already calling out.
The two boys weren’t shy children. Though they’d once been a bit afraid of Xu Ying, in recent days they’d grown close and bold.
“Aunty! Aunty!”
“Auntie!” Huzi ran toward her, watching enviously as his brother threw himself into her arms. His mouth trembled, ready to cry.
“Huzi, come here! Auntie will carry you too!” Xu Ying called out just in time. She didn’t want her nephew to become a child who cried for attention.
Huzi stopped his tears immediately and ran over happily.
The two boys pulled up stools beside Xu Ying, listening intently as she told them about her adventures that day—of course, adding a little flair and heroism.
Huzi and Shitou were wide-eyed with admiration, practically worshiping her as their hero.
Xu Ying sat contentedly at the table, sipping her sugar water, enjoying every moment.
Outside the Xu family home, Chen Yanran and her friend Sun Yunjuan stood hesitantly by the gate.
“Yanran, we’re just borrowing some books—it’s not like we’re committing a crime. Why not go in?” Sun Yunjuan urged.
“I just… feel awkward facing Xu Ying after what happened before,” Chen Yanran murmured, looking conflicted.
“It’s not your fault! It’s her family insisting you’re her savior. Besides, you didn’t ask for credit. And you’re aiming to become a teacher—don’t let this stop you.” Sun Yunjuan spoke earnestly, then tugged Chen Yanran into the yard.
Seeing Xu Ying reclining in a chair, Sun Yunjuan politely approached. “Xu Ying, Yanran and I were wondering if we could borrow some elementary and middle school textbooks from you. We’re hoping to take the recruitment exam for teachers at Yushan Commune, but the educated youth office doesn’t have the materials.”