Uncle Shazhu, a simple-minded man in a courtyard house, persuades people with reason.

"He Daqing?"

"Yes, He Daqing!" The deaf old woman answered with utmost seriousness when she met Li Guifen's questioning gaze.

Li Guifen was taken aback at first, then a blush spread across her cheeks, and her voice softened considerably. "Godmother, why are we looking for him? Our two families live so close together, won't this cause trouble?"

The deaf old woman nodded slightly: "Trouble...yes, but not much! This old woman can handle it!" The only family in the entire courtyard that she could respect was the He family, or rather, He Ping'an of the He family!

"Girl, He Daqing has both a son and a daughter, which proves that there's nothing wrong with his health. With his two children holding him back, and given his unreliable nature, he probably won't try to take the children from you."

Moreover, he's a good cook and knows a lot of people from all walks of life. His brother, needless to say, has a bright future. If anyone bullies you after your wife passes away, they can always lend a hand if they want!

Li Guifen thought about it and agreed, blushing, "I'll do whatever you say, Godmother! But what about Yi Zhonghai..."

"Of course we'll get a divorce, but only after you and He Daqing have gotten married, and you're even pregnant!" Seeing Li Guifen's hesitation, the deaf old woman scolded her impatiently.

"Things have come to this point, what's the point of saving face? Do you think you can just do this on your own? Forced relationships won't work. You and your children will be relying on those two brothers in the future! This matter has to be agreed upon by He Daqing!"

A wife is not as good as a concubine, a concubine is not as good as a stolen woman, let alone the wife of an enemy! With the title of Yi Zhonghai's wife, how could He Daqing, with his reckless nature, not be tempted?

The deaf old woman, who came from a mistress family, was well-versed in this...

The next evening, He Daqing, having finished a busy day, packed his things and prepared to go home. However, he was stopped by the manager who rushed in:

"Master He... Master He!"

The manager ran off in such a hurry that even in the dead of winter, large beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

"Master He, I'm so sorry to keep you from getting off work. But I really have no choice this time. A distinguished guest suddenly wanted to eat Tan Family Cuisine and specifically requested your dish. What do you think? Please, come and make the trip!"

His family was waiting for him to cook, but He Daqing frowned and gave them a perfunctory answer.

"Manager Hu, you know our branch's rules: we only cook once a day. And now the stove is off? Besides, you know my family situation!"

"Yes, yes...you're right!" Manager Hu wiped the sweat from his brow, pleading with a pained expression.

"However, this distinguished guest is no ordinary person, and we really can't afford to offend him. Please, just accept this ten silver dollars. As for your dinner, I'll have the waiter prepare it immediately, and I guarantee the food will still be hot when it arrives at your home..."

"Hmm... alright! Since you've gone this far, I can't refuse you, can I?"

He Daqing pondered for a moment, then took the silver dollar handed to him by Manager Hu and accepted the task. On the way, he looked at the address of the employer on the note, and the more he looked at it, the more familiar it seemed. After a while, it dawned on him that it was the alley next to his own house.

"What wealthy family could possibly live in a muddy swamp?" He Daqing shook his head, too lazy to investigate further. Fine, he could just walk home after cooking!

No. 91 Beiluoguxiang and No. 95 Nanluoguxiang are only a hundred meters apart. He Daqing looked at the address on the note, then at the house number on the wall, and gently knocked on the door of No. 91.

"Is anyone home? I'm He Daqing, the chef who came to your residence to cook..."

Within moments, the gate was opened from the inside. It seemed the people in the courtyard had been waiting for He Daqing. The man who opened the gate was a middle-aged man who appeared to be a butler, wearing a silk long gown and a woolen vest. He spoke politely.

"You must be He Daqing, the chef who makes Tan Family Cuisine? My master suddenly wants to eat your dishes, please... please!"

In an hour, a multi-flavored eggplant dish and three to five other Tan family-style stews were ready. As for sea cucumber and abalone, don't even think about it without at least two days' preparation.

According to the rules of Tan Family Cuisine, the host must reserve a seat for the chef as a sign of respect. Of course, the chef wouldn't be foolish enough to actually sit down; he would simply meet the host briefly, ask for a drink, and that would be it!

Courtyard No. 91 is a two-section siheyuan (traditional courtyard house). After seeing He Daqing enter the back hall, the steward left with his men.

"You... uh, the Yi family's daughter-in-law?"

He Daqing was about to greet them when he was surprised to find that the person sitting in the main seat was an old acquaintance, Yi Zhonghai's wife... Li Guifen.

"You... what are you doing here?"

"I'm here because I have something to do!"

Remembering the deaf old woman's teachings from last night, Li Guifen forced herself to remain calm and gestured for He Daqing to sit down and talk.

He Daqing looked around and found that only he and Li Guifen were in the room. Even the butler who had escorted him to the door was nowhere to be seen.

"What's wrong? Just say it!"

"It's just a little thing, let's sit down and talk while we eat! Just consider it... just consider it something I owe you!" Li Guifen stammered nervously as she spoke.

He Daqing thought it was about Yi Zhonghai and didn't pay much attention. Adhering to the principle that it's a fool not to take advantage of a bargain, he gladly took a seat.

When Li Guifen, who was in the main seat, saw He Daqing sit down, she acted as if she had really invited him to dinner, and started picking up food and eating, occasionally chatting about everyday things.

Halfway through the banquet, Li Guifen seemed to suddenly remember to thank the chef. She very naturally picked up the wine glass beside her and was about to clink glasses with He Daqing.

"Daqing, thank you so much for cooking today! Here, let me toast you!"

Seeing the wine glass extended in front of him, He Daqing didn't think much of it and poured himself a glass. "Thank you for your hospitality!"

"Clink!" The wine cups clashed, and He Daqing drank it all in one gulp.

He Daqing, who was drinking with his head tilted back, didn't notice that Li Guifen looked at him, or rather, at the wine glass in his hand, her expression complex and tinged with a hint of shyness. Only after confirming that He Daqing had drunk the wine did she breathe a sigh of relief and then down her own drink in one gulp.

After a glass of wine, the two seemed to open up and talk a lot more. Both Li Guifen and He Daqing talked a lot more, and of course, they drank less wine.

Before anyone knew it, Li Guifen's cheeks were flushed. He Daqing had already put down his chopsticks, his eyes darting back and forth between Li Guifen and his chopsticks.

Slightly permed curls, a tight-fitting cheongsam, and a faint scent of perfume made He Daqing feel dazed. He didn't know if it was because of the alcohol, but he felt his body getting hotter and hotter, and his temper was getting stronger.

Li Guifen got up to pour wine for He Daqing, but she lost her balance in her high heels and fell into He Daqing's arms.

Clang!

The wine glass fell to the ground. Li Guifen wrapped her arms around He Daqing's neck, rested her head on his shoulder, and gently blew the smell of alcohol into his ear.

"Great Qing, your sister-in-law has a favor to ask..."

The softness in his arms, the alluring perfume, and the repeated calls of "sister-in-law"—before Li Guifen could finish speaking, He Daqing scooped her up in his arms and staggered towards the bedroom…