Chapter 101: The Culinary Tycoon

Taming the Husband with Ingenious Plans and Candlelit Dinner

Early the next morning, Madam Luo woke Luo Mingda up from his bed and had a servant attend to his morning grooming.

Madam Luo changed Luo Mingda into the official attire of the county magistrate while tidying up and said, “Today, we’ll be going to the county office in the morning, and from now on, you’ll have to go there every day to handle official duties. The historian and the registrar are also newly appointed. Only the deputy county magistrate is familiar with the situation in Tongshan City. Don’t act like a young master, ask him if you don’t understand anything during this period. Get a grasp of the situation before you can stand firm, understood?”

Luo Mingda showed little interest and lazily replied, “Understood.”

Seeing him still looking half asleep, Madam Luo pursed his lips and continued, “Yesterday afternoon, I sent Yuan Bao to inquire about it. Yu Qingze’s dim sum shop is well-known in Tongshan City, and their dim sum is delicious. If you do well at the county office today, I’ll have Yuan Bao buy some dim sum from Yu Qingze’s shop for lunch.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Mingda’s eyes lit up as he looked at his wife and asked, “Really?”

Madam Luo nodded and said, “The condition is that you must do your work diligently. I’ll have Xiao Lanzi accompany you.”

Upon hearing that someone would accompany him, especially Madam Luo’s personal servant Xiao Lanzi, Luo Mingda suddenly became hesitant. Xiao Lanzi only obeyed his wife’s orders and was not easily fooled.

After having breakfast, before heading out, Luo Mingda asked with little hope, “Wife, won’t you give me some money?”

“What do you need the money for? If there’s something you want to buy, I’ll buy it for you.”

“…When I arrive at the office, what if I need to reward my subordinates with some drinking money?”

“Oh, I’ve already prepared that. It’s with Xiao Lanzi. When you need it, ask him for it.”

“… “ Luo Mingda walked away with a sullen expression.

It’s all because of his old man!

Right before leaving, his old man searched and took away all his money, even the silver notes hidden in his shoes and hairpin. It really infuriated him! Now he is penniless, without a single silver coin! The complete financial power of the household is in the hands of his wife, and if he needs money, he has to ask his wife for it. He can’t even go out and have a drink or enjoy good food without his wife knowing!

What’s even more outrageous is that his old man explicitly warned all his friends not to lend him any money.

It’s too heartless! It’s like a tragedy in life! Is he really his own father!”

This is the most frustrating time for Luo Mingda in the past twenty years. With his status, he could easily go out on the streets and eat wherever he pleased. Many shop owners probably wouldn’t even accept his money. However, the problem is that he doesn’t have the habit of eating for free. He can’t afford to lose face like that!

In order to enjoy some delicious snacks, Luo Mingda had to gather his spirits and sit at the county yamen, listening to the deputy county magistrate’s introduction to the situation in Tongshan City all morning.

Finally, when it was time for the noon break, he returned home and sure enough, he saw some food laid out on the table.

After freshening up, he couldn’t wait and started eating. These sticky rice chicken and pan-fried dumplings, they tasted just like the dishes made by Yu Qingze, really delicious!

Suddenly, Luo Mingda felt that after spending the whole morning listening to the deputy county magistrate’s endless chatter, he didn’t feel as uncomfortable anymore.

Madam Luo saw this and turned away, pursing his lips and smiling softly.

After the lunch break, when Luo Mingda went back to the yamen, Madam Luo said, “I heard that the steamed spare ribs with fermented black bean sauce and the cold tossed wood ear mushrooms from Yu Qingze’s shop are also good.”

Luo Mingda exclaimed with delight, “Really? Then let’s buy them and have them for dinner.”

Madam Luo looked at him and said, “If you work diligently in the afternoon…”

“… “ Luo Mingda glanced at his wife and said in a soft voice, “Wife, do you think I’m the kind of person who would work diligently just for the sake of eating spare ribs?'”

Madam Luo glanced at him and calmly said, “Oh, then let’s have the cook prepare something simple for dinner.”

Luo Mingda glared at him, turned around, and walked away with big strides.

…Hmph!

After the banquet at the Cai residence, Yu Qingze thought that the county magistrate Luo would send someone to confront him. After all, he had refused him at the banquet, and according to the setting of a spoiled young master, it wouldn’t be so easy to let it go. Moreover, if the county magistrate wanted to cause trouble for the Cai residence, starting with his own snack shop, which had close ties to the Cai family, would be the simplest and easiest approach.

He had even mentally prepared himself for that possibility. However, several days passed without any incident. Instead, Madam Luo brought their child and servant to the snack shop once to have some snacks. Before leaving, he specially praised the deliciousness of the snacks at Yu Qingze’s shop and packed a whole box of them to take away.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

Later, according to Brother Chang, he would come to the snack shop twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon, to pack snacks. Each time, he would carry two food boxes, but he would only buy two types of snacks.

Yu Qingze raised an eyebrow. Luo Mingda, the spoiled young master accustomed to indulgence, clearly had high expectations when it came to food. Why would he only buy two types of snacks each time? Although he didn’t know the reason, he found it somewhat intriguing.

Luo Mingda had no troubles on his side, and other people generally wouldn’t come to bother the snack shop. As long as Yu Qingze and the others took care of their business, the snack shop entered a relatively peaceful period.

At Liu’s place, after the snail noodles food stall was set up on the snack cart, they started operating, right across from the spot where Yu Qingze and the others used to set up their snack stall.

At first, the strong aroma spread, permeating the entire street. The smell was unbearable for those who had never tried snail noodles before—it was like torture.

Pedestrians hurriedly covered their noses and ran past, treating it as if it were a ferocious beast they had to avoid. How could they even stop to taste it?

The nearby vendors had to endure the unpleasant smell and the pain of significantly reduced customers. It was truly unbearable. Even the businesses of the two shops behind them were affected.

Two days later, the area around the snack cart was suddenly empty! Other small vendors had all relocated elsewhere, far away from the snail noodles.

Otherwise, if things continued like this, they wouldn’t even earn back the cost of the stall!

The snack cart was managed by Eldest Liu. With that kind of smell, pedestrians didn’t have the courage to stop and eat. For the past few days, not a single customer came to the snack cart. However, Eldest Liu still insisted on going out to operate the cart every day.

The owners of the nearby shops protested to Eldest Liu, asking him to move the cart elsewhere. They questioned why he had to set up right in front of their shops and affect their businesses when he could simply set up in front of his own shop?

Eldest Liu smiled mischievously and handed a bowl of snail noodles to them, saying, “Sorry, sorry. This location has good feng shui. I’ll treat you all to some snail noodles. Here, it’s free, and it’s delicious! And by the way, please help me spread the word!”

The owners: …

This situation couldn’t go on like this, so Yu Qingze started going there every day at noon to eat a bowl of snail noodles. He also instructed Liu’s family and the staff in his own shop to take turns going there to eat, to show everyone how good it was.

When people saw others eating it, some daring and adventurous customers were willing to give it a try. Previously, they had been scared off by the smell and were afraid of potential problems with such a strong odor. However, when they saw Yu Qingze also eating it, they approached and asked. Upon learning that these snail noodles and Guilin rice noodles were taught by Yu Qingze to Liu’s family, they felt relieved. If it was taught by Boss Yu, the taste must be spot on.

As they bravely took their first bite of the noodles, their frowns disappeared, and they no longer covered their noses. This piping hot, sour, and spicy snail noodles turned out to be incredibly satisfying!

Gradually, more and more people started coming to eat, and everyone knew about the snail noodles stall on North Street that smelled bad but tasted great!

After operating the small stall for a month, Boss Liu opened a snail noodles shop on South Street, and Eldest Liu and his wife were put in charge of it.

On June 2nd, it was Grandpa Chang’s 63rd birthday, and coincidentally, Chang Le’s birthday was on June 6th. Usually, they celebrated together on June 2nd.

Initially, Yu Qingze wanted to organize a big birthday banquet for Grandpa Chang, but he was declined. Grandpa Chang said that it was enough for the family to celebrate together, and they could have a bigger celebration for a significant birthday or milestone in the future.

On the second day, Yu Qingze entrusted the snack shop to Brother Chang and prepared to celebrate Grandpa Chang and Chang Le’s birthdays in a special way.

Old Master Cai and Old Madam Cai heard about it and came over with Cai Yunwei.

At noon, Yu Qingze personally went into the kitchen and prepared a table full of birthday feast. He also made a large cake, bringing smiles and laughter to everyone’s faces.

On the sixth day, in the snack shop, Yu Qingze celebrated Chang Le’s birthday separately.

As night fell, Yu Qingze closed the doors and windows, leaving only two gentle candle lights flickering.

On the small round table in the shop, a plain tablecloth was spread, and on one side of the table, there was a small vase with nine roses carefully picked by Yu Qingze from the Cai residence. The fiery red petals were vibrant and eye-catching, with “dewdrops” sprayed on them by Yu Qingze.

On the opposite ends of the table, there were two plates of pork chops, and two sets of knives and forks were placed on the table. For this birthday celebration, Yu Qingze specially had two sets of knives and forks made at the blacksmith’s shop.

Worried that pork chops alone would not be filling enough, Yu Qingze also prepared two plates of stir-fried noodles. There was also a small bottle of osmanthus wine.

Chang Le looked curiously at the table, eagerly awaiting Yu Qingze’s appearance.

Yu Qingze changed into clean clothes and sat down. He poured two glasses of wine, smiled at Le, and said, “My dear, happy birthday! I wish you joy and prosperity every year. From now on, I will celebrate your birthday with you every year!”

Upon hearing this, a rosy blush appeared on Le’s cheeks. He picked up his glass and clinked it with Yu Qingze’s. They both drank it all in one go.

“This is called pork chop, specially made for you to taste,” Yu Qingze cut his own pork chop into small pieces and exchanged them with the one in front of Chang Le. He said, “You can just eat it with the fork.”

Chang Le watched as Yu Qingze skillfully cut the pork chop on the plate and then ate it with the fork. He also picked up his fork and started eating. In the process, he tried to imitate Yu Qingze’s cutting technique but found himself clumsy, so he gave up.

Let’s not spoil this lovely atmosphere with clattering sounds.

After finishing the candlelit dinner, the two of them spent some time in the backyard under the osmanthus tree to cool down. When they felt it was about time, Yu Qingze went to the kitchen to bring out the fruit cake.

Chang Le followed closely, embracing Yu Qingze’s waist from behind and pressing his face against his back.

Yu Qingze’s heart swayed, allowing Chang Le to hold him for a while before turning around and pulling Chang Le into his embrace, lowering his head for a deep kiss.

Both of them had a bit to drink, and the atmosphere tonight was enchanting and beautiful. They quickly got into the mood and had a passionate encounter in the kitchen.

Chang Le supported himself on the stove, gritting his teeth as he endured the pleasure given by Yu Qingze. When Yu Qingze reached climax, he became a bit too excited and applied a bit too much force, causing the protruding part of the stove edge to crack and break!

Snap—Thud—

A brick at the corner of the stove fell apart.

As his body lost balance, Chang Le also reached his peak. Yu Qingze quickly reacted, pulling Chang Le back and also going over the edge when Chang Le was startled and his body tightened.

…

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Thandar: HUH! I thought this Luo Mingda would be a small villain, but turned out he was nothing but a foolish young master. Good, no one who goes against the protagonists ends up well. You dodged a bullet, Minga eh.