I’m Done with the Elite Marriage

After Christmas, New Year’s Day followed closely.

Food and Color restaurant was bustling with business due to these consecutive holidays, reaching a peak in customer flow.

On New Year’s Day, Zhou Youling received another call from Old Master Fu.

To be honest, Zhou Youling didn’t want to answer this time. Remembering how Old Master Fu had tricked her on Christmas, she felt a bit displeased.

What Old Master did was rather unfair; despite agreeing that she wouldn’t have to see other members of the Fu Family, he had arranged for her to meet Fu Xunzhou, the one person she least wanted to see.

From what Zhou Youling had heard, Fu Xunzhou had been staying in the hospital for the past few days, apparently suffering from pneumonia.

So, Zhou Youling decided not to answer Old Master Fu’s calls.

Old Master Fu, however, was persistent and called ten times in a row. Zhou Youling had no choice but to have Zhou Xiaoming take the call. Zhou Xiaoming followed her instructions, claiming she had forgotten her phone, though Zhou Youling wasn’t sure if Old Master Fu believed the excuse.

But what Zhou Youling didn’t expect was that by not answering the phone, Old Master Fu would come looking for her.

On New Year’s Day evening, around six o’clock, Old Master Fu, accompanied by Fu Ruxuan, was sitting at the entrance of Food and Color restaurant with a queue number in hand.

If it weren’t for Fu Ruxuan secretly tipping off Zhou Youling, she might not have noticed the eighty-year-old man sitting in the corner, waiting patiently.

Fu Ruxuan vividly described in her message: [Grandfather has been waiting for almost an hour…]

[Sister, please don’t be mad…]

[Grandfather said he didn’t do it on purpose last time…]

[Grandfather also said you didn’t answer his calls…]

[Sister, we’re right outside the restaurant…]

[It’s so cold…]

Zhou Youling was startled when she saw the message and immediately ran outside to check. Sure enough, Old Master Fu was sitting in the cold wind.

He was eighty years old, and although he didn’t look as frail as his age might suggest, his body was no longer as strong as a young person’s. In the past, whenever elderly patrons visited the restaurant, Food and Color would offer discounts. This was mainly because of Zhou Youling’s soft heart; she always felt it was a blessing to have an elder still alive in the family. If the younger generation brought them out for a meal, she found it heartwarming.

Zhou Youling approached Old Master Fu, who smiled broadly at her, and she felt a wave of relief.

“Grandfather,” Zhou Youling said with a hint of reproach in her voice, “why didn’t you let me know you were coming?”

Old Master Fu looked innocent, slightly ducking his head as he replied, “I called you, but you didn’t answer.”

Fu Ruxuan, fearing Zhou Youling might blame her, remained silent, shrinking back.

Zhou Youling shot Fu Ruxuan a glare, and Fu Ruxuan quickly tried to appease her by grabbing her arm and whining, “Sister, it was Grandfather who insisted on coming.”

Old Master Fu hadn’t expected to be sold out by his granddaughter and looked at Zhou Youling with a pleading expression.

Zhou Youling could see right through him; the old man was definitely feeling guilty. But she couldn’t scold him, nor could she hold a grudge against him. She could only sigh and help him into the restaurant. “Come on, I’ve prepared a VIP room for you.”

“No need, no need, it’s just the two of us. Sitting in the main hall is fine. I know your restaurant is busy,” Old Master Fu said, unable to hide the slight smile tugging at his lips. He added quietly, “I just want to eat your Coconut Stewed Chicken and Pineapple Sweet and Sour Tofu.”

Hearing this, Zhou Youling glanced at Old Master Fu, who immediately lowered his head.

What could she do? She had no choice but to comply.

Old Master Fu was stubborn; if he said no private room, then no private room it was. He wanted to sit in the main hall and soak in the lively atmosphere.

Food and Color was bustling at this hour, packed with diners. As soon as one table was vacated, another group would quickly occupy it, standing by nervously as the waiter cleared the table, afraid someone else might snag the spot.

Zhou Youling helped Old Master Fu to his seat and asked, “You want to eat my cooking?”

Old Master Fu eagerly nodded.

“Alright then,” Zhou Youling said, sitting across from him. “If you want to eat my cooking, you have to agree to some conditions.”

Old Master Fu’s mind was already filled with memories of the dishes Zhou Youling had made for him before, and he couldn’t help but swallow. “Go ahead.”

“Grandfather, please don’t interfere in matters between Fu Xunzhou and me. I know you want to bring us back together, but when it comes to relationships, you’re too old to meddle. Can you agree to that?” Zhou Youling said seriously.

Old Master Fu rarely saw Zhou Youling’s assertive side and nodded obediently. “I won’t interfere anymore, never again.”

“That’s the right attitude. Otherwise, you won’t get to taste my cooking again,” Zhou Youling raised an eyebrow.

Afraid she wouldn’t believe him, Old Master Fu raised his hand to swear, “I mean it.”

Zhou Youling nodded in satisfaction.

Old Master Fu added quietly, “Then can I come here every day to eat your cooking?”

“Depends on how you behave.”

“Alright!” he replied with vigor.

Zhou Youling knew exactly what Old Master Fu liked to eat. In the three years since marrying into the Fu Family, she often visited the old residence, doing nothing else but cooking a meal for him. Old Master Fu wasn’t picky; he’d eat every dish clean, along with a bowl of white rice. But he felt bad about bothering Zhou Youling for meals every day, so he’d only call when he really craved her cooking, under the guise of inviting her to see the flowers at the house.

In the Kitchen, Zhou Youling checked the available ingredients while putting on her chef hat and uniform.

Old Master Fu had mentioned Pineapple Sweet and Sour Tofu, a simple dish she could whip up easily. But Coconut Stewed Chicken was more complicated, requiring a long cooking time, not suitable for now. Zhou Youling decided to make him a dish of Mushroom Cod and another of Baby Cabbage in Supreme Broth.

As for Fu Ruxuan’s taste, Zhou Youling planned to serve her Spicy Diced Chicken and Stone Pot Spicy Pork Intestines.

Zhou Youling prepared five dishes using two pots and a clay pot. The chefs rarely saw her cook personally, but whenever she did, they wouldn’t miss it for the world. Watching a beautiful woman cook, especially when she’s the boss, was always a sight to behold. Whether she was washing, chopping, or cooking, Zhou Youling moved with grace and precision.

In just twenty minutes, she had the five dishes ready. She asked a waiter to help serve them to the table, while she washed her hands and tidied up the counter.

As soon as the dishes were served, Old Master Fu couldn’t resist picking up his chopsticks. The aroma wafted over to the neighboring table, and the diners there looked over, pointing at the dishes, “Let’s order those, they look delicious.”

The waiter, a bit embarrassed, explained, “I’m sorry, these are our boss’s special dishes. They’re not on the menu.”

The guests glanced at the elderly man at the table, a bit disappointed, “Oh… could the boss make a special order for us? We’re willing to pay extra.”

“It’s not about the money,” the waiter replied, feeling even more awkward, as everyone knew the boss wasn’t in it for the money.

Old Master Fu, not one to be selfish, took a clean pair of chopsticks and had five clean plates brought over, sharing a bit of each dish with the neighboring table.

“This is my granddaughter’s cooking,” Old Master Fu boasted. “You’re lucky to taste it. She doesn’t cook often, only when I’m here do I get this privilege!”

His praise only piqued the neighboring diners’ curiosity further, and they eagerly picked up their chopsticks to taste.

Though there were no dramatic effects like in TV shows, the diners were immediately impressed by Zhou Youling’s culinary skills, insisting even more on trying her cooking.

Nearby tables overheard Old Master Fu’s words, and those who loved a bit of excitement also grabbed their chopsticks to sample the dishes, all singing praises.

“No wonder the restaurant is so successful with the boss’s amazing skills!”

“Could the boss cook a dish for us to try?”

“Yes, yes, we’re willing to pay extra!”

“Please, boss, cook for us.”

Zhou Youling, having finished washing her hands and about to remove her chef hat, was approached by a waiter who informed her of the situation in the front hall. She was momentarily taken aback but followed the waiter out. As soon as she stepped into the front hall, she heard the chorus of customers chanting, “Boss, cook for us! Boss, cook for us!”

Though it was cold outside, the restaurant was warm. Zhou Youling wore a fitted short-sleeved knit sweater, her long legs clad in wide-leg pants. As soon as she entered the hall, all eyes were on her.

No one had expected the restaurant owner to be such a stunning young woman. Her beauty was captivating, and her allure was impossible to ignore.

Having tied her hair back for cooking, Zhou Youling now let it down, her hair swaying with elegance.

“What’s going on?” Zhou Youling asked.

Strangely, the customers who had been leading the chant suddenly found themselves at a loss for words upon seeing her.

It was hard to tell whether it was Zhou Youling’s commanding presence or the fact that she seemed so mismatched with the image of a skilled chef.

Old Master Fu stood up with a grin and introduced her to everyone, “This is my granddaughter!”

The neighboring guest gathered the courage to ask Zhou Youling, “Boss, could you cook a dish for us? I came all the way from X City just to see what all the buzz is about.”

Another chimed in, “I waited in line for four hours! It’s been tough!”

“Me too, me too!”

Zhou Youling had no choice but to reluctantly agree, though she would only make one dish-Spicy Diced Chicken.

Consider it a complimentary tasting.

Coincidentally, a food blogger was dining at the restaurant that day.

This blogger, known as “Gourmet Chronicles” on Weibo, had ten million followers. Despite the impressive number, his reposts and views had dwindled over the years as more food bloggers emerged. He was contemplating a shift in focus, moving from cooking to tasting dishes outside.

The blogger had the fortune to taste Zhou Youling’s Spicy Diced Chicken and captured the moment with photos and vivid praise.

Even more striking was that he secretly snapped a photo of Zhou Youling and posted it on Weibo.

Little did he know that one day, people would flock to his Weibo not for the food, but to see the fairy-like beauty.

The photo featured Zhou Youling’s full face, her looks rivaling those of contemporary actresses, and it even landed her on Weibo’s trending list.

…

In the hospital room, Fu Xunzhou was among the first to see Zhou Youling’s trending news.

He clicked on the Weibo post, her picture clearly visible.

The comments below were filled with admiration:

“What a beautiful boss!!”

“Is she the famous Food and Color?? How come I never saw this Boss Lady!!”

“Oh my, I just went there for lunch today! I waited in line until I was exhausted! But the food was truly delicious!”

“I want to taste the fairy Boss Lady’s cooking…”