Chapter 85

Just when one wave had barely subsided, another arose.

The enthusiasm of the crowd, which had just waned, was once again stirred up by the handsome young man.

Especially Hong Tianjiu, who kept urging Wu Xiaoliu, saying, "Xiao Liuzi, quickly take the dish name to Brother Li. I don’t think this young man is someone who can’t afford the price."

Wu Xiaoliu was still hesitant, glancing at Wu Furong. The latter first looked at the handsome young man, seeing his calm demeanor and graceful manners, and realizing that his presence was far from ordinary. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded at Wu Xiaoliu.

In the kitchen, Li Qi was still meticulously preparing the ingredients needed for the noon meal, seemingly unconcerned about what was happening outside, as if nothing had happened.

Seeing this, Chef Zheng, who was helping, was both surprised and admiring.

Only when Wu Xiaoliu and the others came in did Li Qi stop, and with a smile, he asked, "Is that person gone?"

"Already gone."

Wu Xiaoliu nodded and added, "But a more formidable young man has come."

"A more formidable young man?"

Li Qi was taken aback and asked, "What do you mean?"

Wu Xiaoliu handed the note to Li Qi and said, "The young man said that if you can make this dish, it doesn’t matter if it’s five taels of silver; even fifty taels, he is willing to pay."

Damn! Is this for real?

Li Qi took the note with some doubt, read it, and cursed, "Damn! What a lunatic. I’m not a queer, why should I make this dish for him? Xiao Liuzi, go find a stick and poke his ass a few times to see if he can be crippled."

Wu Xiaoliu broke out in a cold sweat, not knowing what Li Qi was talking about, and asked nervously, "A stick? An ass? Brother Li, what are you planning to do?"

"Right, Brother Li, what does 'crippling the ass' mean? Why are you so angry?" Hong Tianjiu was also puzzled and asked.

Li Qi was slightly stunned and said, "You don’t know what this means?"

Everyone looked at each other and shook their heads simultaneously.

Right! Who knows the hidden meaning behind 'ass' these days? Could it be another穿越者 (time traveler)? It can’t be this coincidental, can it?

Li Qi frowned, his expression suddenly changing, and he asked in fear, "Xiao Liuzi, what does the young man look like?"

Wu Xiaoliu gestured and described, "He is fair-skinned, graceful, and even more beautiful than a woman."

It’s her, it must be her.

Li Qi’s heart sank, and he immediately said, "Xiao Liuzi, go tell the young man that the dish will be served soon, ask him to wait a moment, and try to stall him, don’t let him leave."

Wu Xiaoliu nodded and hurried out.

"I—I’ll go prepare some ingredients."

Saying this, Li Qi rushed out.

"Brother Li, you’re still holding a knife," Chen Dazhu saw that Li Qi was still holding a cleaver and quickly shouted.

"Oh, I almost forgot about this."

Li Qi turned to hand the cleaver to Chen Dazhu, but thinking of the cross-dresser who could crack chestnuts, he felt a lingering fear, took back the knife, and said, "I’ll need this knife later, you guys keep working, I’ll be right back."

Just as Li Qi had walked a short distance, Wu Xiaoliu suddenly rushed in, shouting, "Brother Li, the young man has already left—Hey? Where’s Brother Li?"

"Damn, I didn’t expect that cross-dresser to actually come looking for me. If I had known, I should have hired a bodyguard back then."

Muttering to himself, Li Qi quickly walked to the back courtyard, planning to hide under Wu Furong’s bed for a while.

Just as he entered the back courtyard, he suddenly heard a voice that was extremely terrifying to him.

"Brother Li, walking so fast, where are you rushing to?"

Li Qi’s legs went weak from fright, almost falling to the ground, but he kept walking and said, "To the toilet."

"Isn’t the toilet on the left?"

"Oh, thank you."

Li Qi turned and walked to the left, but after a few steps, he suddenly remembered that the toilet was on the right. Damn, I’ve been tricked.

He heard the person behind him say, "Brother Li is truly a genuine person, even going to the toilet with a cleaver. I wonder if the guests outside would still eat your food if they knew this."

"As a chef, of course, I must always have a knife with me."

Li Qi replied, knowing he couldn’t avoid it, and reluctantly turned around. Standing in front of him was the cross-dresser he had met at the bridge. He cursed inwardly, but his face showed surprise, saying, "Oh? Aren’t you Brother Zhao Jing? Oh my, I thought it was a burglar." He then bowed and said, "Long time no see, how have you been?"

"Not well," Zhao Jing shook his head and smiled.

Li Qi was surprised and asked, "Why is that?"

Zhao Jing smiled and said, "Because these days, I have been desperately searching for someone."

"Searching for someone? Who?"

A flash of anger crossed Zhao Jing’s eyes, and he said slowly, "Xin Chunge."

"Uh...!"

Li Qi was inwardly distressed, forcing a dry laugh, and said, "Brother Zhao, are you just teasing me? My Chunge has already entered the palace as a concubine, how could you find her? But I still appreciate your intentions."

Zhao Jing sneered, "Brother Li, you’re too polite. I wouldn’t dare to go to the palace, but I happen to have a brother who works there, so I asked him to find out for me."

It can’t be this coincidental.

Li Qi was sweating, but he tried to remain calm and said in surprise, "Oh, is that true?"

"Of course it’s true."

"Did you find my Chunge? Is she well?"

This person really doesn’t give up until he sees the coffin.

Zhao Jing sighed and said, "Unfortunately, when my brother found her, she had already—"

Is there really such a person?

Li Qi was skeptical in his heart but asked anxiously, "Had already what?"

Zhao Jing sighed again and said, "She had already died of illness."

Li Qi knew he was being toyed with but still shook his head vigorously, saying, "Impossible, impossible, you’re lying, I don’t believe it, I don’t believe it." As he spoke, he backed towards the door, ready to run at any moment.

Unfortunately, his little trick was already seen through by Zhao Jing. Zhao Jing was already standing at the door, arms crossed, and continued, "Later, my brother learned from her maid that before she died, she was still thinking of you."

Damn! Are you just toying with me?

Li Qi’s face darkened, and he said coolly, "Oh? I wonder if it was her thinking of me or someone else." He then glanced meaningfully at Zhao Jing.

Zhao Jing naturally understood his meaning and smiled faintly, "She said she couldn’t be with you in life, but hoped to be with you in death. I think Brother Li must feel the same way, so I came today to send you on your last journey."

As he spoke, there was a swish, and a short sword was drawn, the silver light flashing, aiming straight at Li Qi.

Li Qi looked at the sharp sword and chuckled, "So all this talk was just an excuse for you to kill me."

Zhao Jing said coldly, "I said before that if what you said that day was not true, I would come to take your life."

Li Qi laughed loudly, "You’re neither an official nor the emperor. Even if I committed a crime, it’s not your place to take action. You’re just meddling in other people’s affairs."

"If I sent you to the authorities, you would suffer even more. I’m doing this for your own good. Prepare to die."

"Wait."

Li Qi suddenly raised the cleaver and shouted, "As a chef, I must die by the cleaver."

Zhao Jing was taken aback, chuckled, and sheathed his sword, saying, "Alright, go ahead."

Li Qi took two deep breaths, glanced around, and saw no one. He was extremely frustrated.

It was the peak dining time, and all the aunts and uncles were helping at Zui Xianju. And he had set these rules himself, truly tying his own hands.

"Don’t look, no one will come to help you," Zhao Jing smiled.

Damn! If I had known this girl was so smart, I shouldn’t have come here.

Li Qi slowly put down the cleaver, placing it on his neck, and made a gesture as if he was about to commit suicide, hoping for a last chance, and asked, "Do you really have to kill me today?"

Zhao Jing countered, "Do you think I came here to support you?"

"You’re ruthless."

Before he finished speaking, Li Qi suddenly picked up the cleaver and swung it at Zhao Jing’s legs. He had never killed anyone before and didn’t have the courage, but he just wanted to injure Zhao Jing to create an opportunity to escape.

This sudden move caught Zhao Jing off guard, and she jumped to the side, stumbling and almost falling, looking extremely embarrassed, with fire in her eyes.

Damn! So close, yet I missed this damn cross-dresser.

Seeing his desperate attempt fail, Li Qi ran.

"Trying to escape?"

Zhao Jing shot the scabbard at Li Qi’s feet.

Thud.

Li Qi’s knees ached, and he fell to the ground.

Zhao Jing slowly approached, her eyes filled with anger, raised the short sword, and thrust it at Li Qi’s chest.

Li Qi closed his eyes tightly.

I’m done for.

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As a chef, a knife should never leave your side. As a reader, don’t forget to vote for the story.

{Piaotian Literature}