Chapter 114: The Culinary Tycoon

Dr. Ye

Yu Qingze took a shortcut and returned to the snack shop ahead of time.

When Chang Le and Brother Chang returned, they had smiles on their faces that they were desperately trying to hide. Seeing this, Yu Qingze’s lips curved slightly, but he quickly composed himself and asked, “How did it go? What did the doctor say?”

Chang Le and Brother Chang exchanged a glance and then gestured that everything was fine.

Brother Chang added, “Dr. Li said there’s nothing to worry about. Just be careful not to catch a cold in the future, especially in cold weather. This time it was just vomiting, but if it develops into a fever due to wind-cold infection, it would be troublesome.”

Yu Qingze raised an eyebrow. He thought Chang Le would come up with an excuse to say that he wasn’t well, so they could conveniently avoid going out these days. But instead, Chang Le claimed there was nothing wrong? Could it be that they hadn’t planned to go out during this time?

“That’s good to hear. After drinking medicine for a few days, your complexion turned pale. You don’t need to take medicine today. Have a good meal for lunch. I bought a mother hen. Drink plenty of soup.” Yu Qingze gently touched Chang Le’s chin, feeling sorry for him. He had been drinking herbal medicine for days, eating light food, and still had to work. He seemed to have lost weight.

Chang Le pulled his hand away and gave him a stern look. After all, Brother Chang was still there beside them.

Translated on ho lo lo novels dot com.

Brother Chang chuckled and said, “Brother Le is fine, Boss Yu, don’t worry. I’ll go and attend to other matters.”

“Okay, thank you, Brother Chang,” Yu Qingze expressed his gratitude.

The two returned to House of Prosperity. Chang Le remained silent throughout the journey, but there was a constant smile playing at the corners of his mouth, clearly indicating that he was in a good mood.

Yu Qingze pursed his lips, waiting to see what excuse Chang Le would come up with to ask him to go out.

Originally, he had planned to wait for Chang Le to return from Dr. Li’s place so that he could have a good talk with him about the issue, reassure him, and advise him to take care of his health and not exert himself. But now, seeing the smile on Chang Le’s face and his hopeful expression, Yu Qingze couldn’t bring himself to dismiss that thought.

He didn’t know if the doctor who returned from the capital could cure Chang Le’s condition of coldness in the uterus, a troublesome illness related to infertility that he had encountered in his past life as well. He was actually not very optimistic about it, but this issue was not his primary concern. His focus had always been Chang Le, the brother who would accompany him for a lifetime.

Since Chang Le didn’t want him to know, he would pretend not to know for now. He had to let Chang Le give it a try, or else he wouldn’t be content. After Chang Le visited that doctor with the surname Ye, they could have a conversation.

Upon returning to the restaurant, Yu Qingze first prepared the old hen and put it in the stew. He added some medicinal herbs that could nourish qi and blood, intending to give Chang Le a good nourishment.

In his past life, his master, who was getting older and paying more attention to self-care, often took him to attend various health-oriented tea gatherings, where they would exchange knowledge on health maintenance. There was a female traditional Chinese medicine practitioner among them who had once educated a few female tea friends on how to take care of their bodies. During that time, someone asked about the issue of coldness in the uterus, and he couldn’t avoid hearing a bit about it.

He remembered that this issue required gradual adjustments. It involved keeping warm, exercising, avoiding cold food, consuming appropriate Chinese herbal medicines to nourish qi and blood, and soaking the feet in hot water every night.

Although the individuals in this world, including Chang Le, were different from the females in his past life, since Dr. Li mentioned the term “uterus,” it should be similar to the female uterus, right?

Moreover, those methods of health maintenance were applicable not only to women but also to ordinary people. They weren’t exclusively for females; anyone with a cold constitution could benefit from them. So it should be fine to provide some nourishment for Chang Le as well.

By taking care of their bodies, they could spend more time together.

In the evening, when Chang Le finished bathing and was about to sleep, Yu Qingze brought him to the hall, placed a large foot basin there, poured in half a bucket of hot water, and intended to soak Chang Le’s feet. “Soak your feet before sleeping.”

Chang Le gestured, “Didn’t I just take a bath?”

“I want to soak my feet to warm them up, relieve fatigue, and have a good sleep,” Yu Qingze poured two scoops of water into the basin and brought a chair over for himself. He took off his shoes and placed his feet in the basin.

Chang Le looked at Yu Qingze, not knowing what was going on with him today.

Seeing Chang Le hesitating, Yu Qingze held his hand and said, “Come on, you’ve been standing all day. Soaking your feet will be very comfortable.”

Chang Le sighed and reluctantly took off his shoes, placing his feet in the water.

As soon as his feet were in the basin, Yu Qingze immediately reached over and covered Chang Le’s feet with his own, using his soles and heels to massage him.

Chang Le grinned and also extended his feet to massage Yu Qingze. The two of them happily played and soaked their feet for a while. After soaking, their feet turned red, and a thin layer of sweat appeared on their foreheads. Their bodies felt warm.

When they lay down, Yu Qingze was about to reach out to blow out the oil lamp on the bedside table when Chang Le grabbed his hand.

“What’s wrong?” Yu Qingze asked.

Chang Le pulled him down and then wrapped his body around him with exceptional enthusiasm.

Yu Qingze felt delighted. In the past few days, he hadn’t wanted to bother Chang Le while he was feeling unwell. But now, seeing that Chang Le was giving him signals, he tightly embraced his waist and kissed him.

The two of them kissed passionately for a while, their breaths growing heavy. With emotions stirring, Yu Qingze whispered, “Is it alright? Shouldn’t we rest for another day?”

Chang Le nodded and shook his head, reaching out to hold Yu Qingze’s neck. His legs wrapped around his husband’s waist, clearly inviting him.

Given Chang Le’s agreement, Yu Qingze immediately took action. However, this time they dared not engage in any fancy maneuvers. They covered themselves with the blanket and engaged in intimate activities in a straightforward manner, so as not to accidentally catch a chill again.

The next morning during breakfast, Yu Qingze saw Chang Le’s eyes darting around, glancing at him and taking a bite, then looking again and taking another bite… Breakfast was almost finished, and he still couldn’t say it.

Yu Qingze stifled a laugh, knowing that Chang Le was definitely thinking about how to tell him about wanting to go out. He touched his face and said, “Darling, is your husband exceptionally handsome today?”

Chang Le blinked and nodded slightly.

Yu Qingze smiled as he looked at him.

Chang Le swallowed the meat porridge in his mouth, put down the spoon, and gestured, “I want to go out with Brother Chang this morning… to stroll around and buy some fabric for winter clothes. I should be back before noon.”

Yu Qingze nodded and said, “Sure, no need to rush. Since we have Xiaoma to take care of the billing now, me and Jiabao can handle the cooking. It’s fine for you to spend more time with Brother Chang.”

A few days ago, Yu Qingze had asked Xiaoma, who worked as an accountant in the Cai Family, to help them out for a few days. After seeing his capable work, Yu Qingze inquired with the head of the Cai Family if there were any other arrangements for Xiaoma in the future.

The head of the Cai Family knew that they were short-staffed and had no trustworthy person other than themselves to handle the accounting. So he brought up the idea of having Xiaoma work at House of Prosperity.

Xiaoma immediately agreed.

There were a total of three apprentices under his master, and he was the youngest. With his two senior brothers and his master, they were already managing the accounts of the Cai Family in Tongshan quite well. He was actually worried about not having a place to showcase his abilities in the future.

Yu Qingze had a close relationship with the Cai Family, and he had even opened two shops. It was possible that there would be more in the future, so going to work for him was considered a good opportunity. Moreover, based on his observations over the past few days, Yu Qingze treated his subordinates well, and the food in the restaurant was delicious. How could he refuse?

Thus, Yu Qingze gained Xiaoma as the new accountant. Of course, initially, he would only be responsible for handling the billing at the counter. Once they confirmed that he was a trustworthy associate, they would let him manage the accounts.

Upon hearing Yu Qingze’s agreement, Chang Le immediately smiled and nodded, gesturing that they would come back early.

After breakfast, Chang Le and Brother Chang set off, carrying two gift boxes of pastries that Brother Chang had specially made in the morning.

The doctor recommended by Dr. Li was named Ye Man. He lived at No. 16 Changning Road in the southern part of the city, right next to the Cai Family.

They found No. 16 and saw that the outer walls of the courtyard had just been renovated.

They approached and knocked on the door, and after a while, a man in his fifties came to open the door.

“Who are you looking for?” the old man asked.

Brother Chang replied, “Sir, may I ask if Ye Man, Dr. Ye, lives here?”

The old man nodded and said, “Yes, he lives here. What’s the matter?”

“Well, sir, we heard that Dr. Ye has returned to Tongshan and we would like to seek his medical advice,” Brother Chang explained.

Upon hearing their request, the old man frowned and looked at the two of them, saying, “Oh, I’m sorry. The master has instructed that Dr. Ye is resting due to his poor health and is not seeing any patients. It would be better for you to find a doctor in the city.”

Brother Chang added, “We have already visited a doctor in the city. It was Dr. Li from Jiren Hall who recommended us to come here. He said he didn’t have a good solution for this illness and suggested we visit Dr. Ye. Sir, please help us deliver a message. Perhaps Dr. Ye would be willing to see us? Here, these are some pastries made in our shop. Please take them with you when you pass on the message.”

Saying this, Brother Chang tried to hand over the pastries to the old man.

The old man felt embarrassed and quickly declined, saying, “Oh, young man, it’s not that I don’t want to help you. It’s just that the master has specifically instructed due to the poor health of the old master. He cannot handle prolonged exertion. That’s why he gave such instructions.”

“Sir, please help us. We have no other options, that’s why we came here…”

“Just what is all this commotion, Lao Bo?” As they were speaking, a young man in his twenties emerged from the courtyard gate. He had a refined appearance.

(T/N: Lao Bo = Old Uncle).

“Third Young Master,” the old man addressed him and then explained, “Two young gentlemen have come to see the old master for medical treatment, causing some disturbance. I was just about to send them away.”

As soon as Brother Chang saw that he was the young master of the household, he quickly approached him and said, “Are you Young Master Ye? Could you please help us? We have no other choice but to seek treatment from Dr. Ye. Can you please ask him to see us and examine our condition?”

The young man was taken aback for a moment, and the old man beside him was about to step forward to stop Brother Chang, but the young man waved his hand to stop him.

Seeing the earnest expressions on the faces of the two young men and noticing the red birthmark on the silent one’s forehead, he could probably guess what was going on.

He said to Brother Chang, “Young man, I am not Young Master Ye.”

“Oh? You’re not Young Master Ye?” Brother Chang was taken aback, looking at Lao Bo and then at the young man. He said, “Didn’t Lao Bo just call you Third Young Master? Isn’t this Dr. Ye’s house?” If he’s not Young Master Ye, then who is he?

The young man nodded with a smile and said, “This is indeed Dr. Ye’s house, and I am the Third Young Master of this household. However, Dr. Ye is my mother. My surname is Xue, Xue Baizhu.”

“Ah?” Both Brother Chang and Chang Le were surprised. “Dr. Ye is your mother?”

Third Young Master Xue, nodded and said, “Yes.”

So, Dr. Ye is his mother. They had misunderstood! They both thought that Dr. Ye was a man since most doctors in the city are men.

Chang Le and Brother Chang felt a bit embarrassed.

However, Brother Chang quickly regained his composure and said, “I’m sorry, Young Master Xue. We didn’t know. Could you please help us ask Dr. Ye if he is willing to see us? We won’t take up much of his time, truly.”

Third Young Master Xue, shook his head and said, “My mother’s health is not good, and he should avoid exertion. I apologize, but you should go back.”

Brother Chang and Chang Le exchanged a disappointed glance. But since the young man himself said so, they knew they wouldn’t be able to meet him today.

However, Doctor Li had mentioned before that it might not be possible to see him, so they were prepared for rejection. If one attempt didn’t work, they would come again every day to plead. Who knows, maybe if Dr. Ye saw their sincerity, he would soften his heart and agree?

“I see. Thank you, Young Master Xue. We apologize for the disturbance. We’ll come back tomorrow,” Brother Chang said.

“There’s no need to come back tomorrow or any other day. It’s pointless,” Third Young Master Xue, advised.

“Thank you, Young Master Xue.” Brother Chang turned around and saw the box of pastries in his hand. He turned back and swiftly stuffed the pastries into the young man’s arms, saying, “These are pastries made at our shop. Please give them to Dr. Ye to taste.”

After saying that, he turned around and pulled Chang Le away, running off.

“Hey, you…” Third Young Master Xue, held the box of pastries in his arms, looking bewildered. These two brothers were too fast, he couldn’t even refuse in time.

Looking at the box of pastries in his arms, Third Young Master Xue, shook his head and went back into the house.

Coincidentally, he quite enjoyed eating pastries, so he might as well give them a try.

🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸

Author’s Note: Bai Zhu, a type of Chinese medicinal herb.

As for this Third Young Master Xue, hehehe…

Thandar: Is he gonna be a match for Brother Chang?