NOVEL WEB Chapter 25
An Extra Helper
Ming nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this. “Oh, right. What’s for dinner tonight? It’s not spicy food again, is it?”
“No. You previously gave special instructions. They have to listen to you,” Xian Fan said.
Ming Liuyi got curious and went to take a look. At just a glance, she immediately felt like scolding someone. The dishes were indeed no longer spicy, but aside from the highly suspicious walnut congee, all the other dishes were not suitable for patients. There was grilled lamb chop, claypot seafood with tofu, and even the vegetable dish was stir-fried red shrimp with Chinese chives…
These dishes were definitely not meant for Yao Zizhou, but even if she were to eat them, there was no way her stomach could digest it properly. Ming Liuyi felt her temper rise. She turned and stormed downstairs.
“Who made the dishes today?”
The chef stepped forward in response.
Ming Liuyi thought that the chef would have been replaced. However, what she knew from Original Ming Liuyi’s memories was that this person was brought over from the main manor.
The chef quickly reported to Ming Liuyi. “Madam, these dishes were arranged by the main manor. I noticed that you’ve eaten something spicy for lunch, and the dishes for dinner are not light either. I was worried that you might have stomach discomfort, so I made a dish of Cantonese lotus root stir-fry, and prepared some vegetable congee. Would you like to have a try?”
Ming Liuyi’s felt touched. She did not think that there were still people concerned for her.
Seeing that Ming Liuyi’s expression was saddened, the chef became startled. “Madam, did I say something wrong?”
“Thank you,” Ming Liuyi said quietly.
The chef replied, “Madam, you have my support. We’re all waiting for the master to wake up. The villa is no longer like before. It feels like a prison now, with people watching our every move all the time. Please hang in there. I will make something else aside from the pre-arranged menu. If you’d like to eat something specific, you can have Xiao Fan pass on the message.”
“What’s your name?” Ming Liuyi asked.
The chef smiled sheepishly. “My name is Zhang Quan.”
Hearing this, Ming Liuyi’s expression changed, because she remembered the name Zhang Quan. In the original novel, he and Xiao Fan always stood firmly by the male protagonist’s side. Later, he was promoted and received a pay raise. And even his son was eventually hired to work in Yao Zizhou’s company.
Ming Liuyi nodded in approval. “When the master wakes, I will tell him of everything you have done, and you will be rewarded.”
Zhang Quan’s heart was filled with emotion, “Madam believes that the master will wake, too?”
Ming Liuyi nodded with certainty. She could not tell others about the ending for the male protagonist, but it did not waver her belief in the male lead.
“Oh, that’s right. Zhang Quan, have you recently noticed anything different about the congee that was served to the master?”
Zhang Quan thought about it for a while. “Xiao Fan used to be the one who brought the food up for you and Master. But now, it’s Xiao Xue who brings it out of the kitchen first before giving it to Xiao Fan. Apart from this, nothing else is different. However… when I prepare meals, I am particular about the presentation of the food. The other day, I saw that the chopped spring onions I had used as garnish were mixed into the food, but I don’t know who did it. So, I still remember that incident.”
Ming Liuyi continued to probe. “Could it be that Xiao Xue had secretly eaten the congee meant for the master?”
Zhang Quan frowned. “I don’t think so. The Yao family does not mistreat their housekeepers. She wouldn’t steal food, because there’s no need for that.” After Zhang Quan finished speaking, he hesitantly added, “After all, most people still feel that it’s a taboo to eat food meant for the sick. They’re paranoid about falling sick from it.”
As he spoke, Ming Liuyi thought that this Zhang Quan was truly different. She was deliberately asking leading questions, but Zhang Quan was insistent on his own beliefs, and he had a clear train of thought.
Ming Liuyi nodded her head and did not say much. After all, they were not able to converse for long in case someone eavesdropped on them. “I’ll go back to the room first. If you notice anything unusual, let me know immediately.” After that, she purposely raised her voice. “You’re a good chef. You even know that I ate spicy food for lunch and made me congee to sooth my stomach.”
“Thank you, Madam,” Zhang Quan said.
After Ming Liuyi was done speaking, she returned to Yao Zizhou’s side with the stir-fry and congee Zhang Quan had prepared. She fed him the vegetable congee and ate a little herself. Then, she went to take a bath. She had just come out of the bathroom when she saw You Lingling’s new message.
You Lingling: [Just checking in. Let me see if you’ve unboxed those purchases. I just applied the new skin care products I bought today for my fiancé. His skin is so good after applying it. I couldn’t resist kissing him a few more times!]
Ming Liuyi: […I’ll apply some right now!]
After sending the message, Ming Liuyi quickly ran to retrieve the skin care products and applied them onto Yao Zizhou’s face. As she was in a hurry, her actions were a little rough.
Yao Zizhou’s face was a little red from her rough handling. Just looking at him, he gave off the impression of being angry.
Ming Liuyi nodded in satisfaction at her own handiwork. She picked up her phone and took a picture of the lower half of Yao Zizhou’s face, then immediately sent it to You Lingling. Right after that, she composed her message…
Ming Liuyi: [I’m done with the application. Look at the picture. His skin really looks good!]
You Lingling: [!!!]