Chapter 25: Awakened
Quan Qian stared at Ye Ning, his joyful expression instantly replaced with deep disappointment. “I also love cooking and preparing meals. My family owns a restaurant in the provincial city. I thought my father and mother would approve of me learning this skill. But… I didn’t expect…”
“They think I’m neglecting my proper duties, only messing around with these useless things. A Ger should stay at home, learn how to manage a household and raise children, and eventually find a good family to marry into. I shouldn’t be busy with this or that.”
As Quan Qian spoke, he let out a heavy sigh. It was clear he was an extremely delicate person. He had been pampered all his life, born into a wealthy family with nothing to worry about regarding food or clothing, but the household rules were extremely strict. His parents’ word was law, and Quan Qian had no courage to resist.
Quan Qian continued, “My family runs a restaurant—how can that be considered a useless thing? Why can other men cook, but I cannot? If I cook, my skills might even surpass theirs…”
As he spoke, he suddenly realized he was being overly forward and quickly lowered his head. “I’m sorry, I said too much.”
Finally, Ye Ning spoke. “Everyone has the right to earn their own living.”
Quan Qian’s eyes lit up. At first, he didn’t understand a word, but after thinking about it, Ye Ning’s simple words seemed to surge through his mind like a raging tide. Ye Ning had voiced what he had never dared to say—or even think—over all these years.
He hesitated. “Really? Ning Ger, you truly believe that?”
Ye Ning nodded. “Of course. No matter who it is—whether a young man or a Ger, a man or a woman—they all have the ability to support themselves. Why must anyone depend on others?”
Even the Jiang household servants and attendants, who had seen the world and dealt with various personalities, were surprised. On the surface, they didn’t dare show it, but inwardly, they were taken aback.
This Ning Ger… what bold words! A Ger or a young woman not depending on a man—what else could they possibly do? Since ancient times, they were expected to stay at home, manage the household, and raise children. Who had ever seen them running around outside? Isn’t that just neglecting proper duties?
The matriarch of the Jiang family was an open-minded woman, born into a scholarly household. She had grown up reading and studying with her father and brothers. Hearing Ye Ning, she widened her eyes and looked at him several times. When she was young, she had also harbored ambitions, but ultimately, she had been constrained by the world and married, taking charge of domestic affairs. Fortunately, her husband treated her well, and the old master was also a progressive scholar—a rare blessing indeed.
The matriarch smiled warmly, not stopping him at all, and instead listened with evident enjoyment.
Quan Qian looked at Ye Ning with renewed admiration. Excitedly, he said, “Ye Ning, you’re incredible! Yesterday, thanks to you, you saved me. Not to mention, you were a Ger at the time, even passing by men wouldn’t have helped me. And today, you even have this perspective—it’s something I never dared to imagine!”
For a moment, Quan Qian was so moved that he completely ignored Jiang Changxin, almost forgetting that he had come to meet the Jiang family’s young master.
Ye Ning stood beside Jiang Changxin, with the matriarch on his other side. Quan Qian, speaking from the middle, seemed exhausted, and looked up. “I wonder… could we add a chair here? I have so much more I want to discuss with Ye Ning.”
Jiang Changxin: “…”
During the meal, Jiang Changxin, for the first time ever, had eaten an entire steamed bun with bean curd. The matriarch was overjoyed to see her son finally eating, and seeing Ye Ning and Quan Qian chatting happily made her even happier.
After the meal, the servants cleared all the remaining dishes from the table, and everyone moved to the adjacent tea room. Several young maids carried in a tea table together. On the table were delicately arranged seasonal fruits, topped with ice shavings that Qingtian Village normally never saw. The fruit exhaled faint cold steam, which looked refreshing even at first glance.
The maids served fragrant tea, stepping back politely while fanning themselves.
The matriarch raised her hand, and a maid approached to place two wooden boxes in front of Ye Ning. She opened the first one, revealing some coins.
“This is a token of thanks for rescuing my nephew.”
Ye Ning frowned slightly. Yesterday, he had saved Quan Qian not because he knew who he was, but because he couldn’t tolerate Zhou Dalang bullying someone weaker. He simply wanted to teach Zhou Dahu a lesson.
Just as he was about to refuse, the matriarch spoke first with a smile. “Don’t rush to refuse. Yesterday, I told your parents I wanted to thank you before taking you away. If you leave empty-handed today, how would that be? Besides, this is rightly yours. If you hadn’t intervened, Zhou Dahu wouldn’t have been brought to the authorities. You’ve done a good deed for Qingtian Village.”
Ye Ning thought for a moment, then nodded. “Thank you, Madam Jiang. I will accept it.”
The matriarch laughed and said, “Don’t be in a hurry to thank me—there’s still another gift. I specially went to find it for you.”
The maid opened the second wooden box, and a subtle, fragrant aroma drifted out. It wasn’t exactly the smell of food, yet it reminded one of food. Ye Ning looked even more surprised than when he had seen the money. His eyes, usually unreadable and calm, widened slightly, a few sparks of delight appearing in their depths.
“Is it spices?” Ye Ning asked, astonished.
Indeed, the second box contained all sorts of spices and seasonings that the matriarch had specially sought out for Ye Ning—all meant for cooking.
The matriarch asked, “Well? Do you like them?”
Ye Ning did not hesitate this time and nodded.
She continued, “I know you’ve opened a noodle stall, but many of the cooking spices you need aren’t available at Qingtian Village’s market. You have to go into the city to get them. By chance, there were still some left in our household storage… You know, normally, I don’t use these spices myself. Whatever I did have, they would be a waste. So these leftovers at home were of no use and just went to waste. I had the maid take the list and fetch some for you.”
“If you use them well, don’t hesitate to ask me for more.”
This time, Ye Ning did not refuse at all. It was clear he was genuinely delighted. He said cheerfully, “Thank you, Madam Jiang. Once I cook something with these spices, I’ll be the first to bring it to you for a taste.”
The matriarch lightly clapped her hands. “That’s wonderful! I think I’ll have a treat.”
Jiang Changxin watched them laughing together, their voices full of warmth. No matter their status—low or high—they could strike up a conversation with Ye Ning, but as for himself…
Jiang Changxin just sat there, quietly, unmoving.
After talking with the matriarch for a while, Ye Ning prepared to take his leave. “I’m sorry for any trouble yesterday. Ye Ning will take his leave now.”
The matriarch said, “What trouble? You coming here is a delight to me—hardly a bother at all.”
As she spoke, she glanced at Jiang Changxin, giving him a look, hoping he would accompany Ye Ning, which would allow them to spend more time together. But then she thought, her son’s mind wasn’t fully mature yet—giving him such a look was like speaking to a wall.
She sighed just as Jiang Changxin spoke: “I’ll take Ye Ning home!”
The matriarch’s eyes widened in shock. My son… he really has woken up? He’s… he’s become sensible?
Little did she know, Jiang Changxin hadn’t just woken up—he had been reborn. He was no longer the foolish boy who only knew how to grin stupidly.
Jiang Changxin thought the same. Taking Ye Ning home would be a good chance to cultivate some feelings along the way. But before he could start, Zhang Zhiyuan stood up and said, “There’s no need to trouble the young master. I’ll take Ye Ning back instead.”
Jiang Changxin immediately knew that Zhang Zhiyuan, that scatterbrain, would cause trouble again, and waved his hand: “Go to work, go to work.”
Today was the day Zhang Zhiyuan worked at the Jiang household. By rules, he couldn’t leave casually. Realizing this, Zhang Zhiyuan slapped his head and said, “Ah, I can’t take Ye Ning home then.”
Jiang Changxin exhaled slightly in relief—yet the unexpected trouble wasn’t just one person; there was a second.
Quan Qian stood up warmly. “Aunt, I’ll take Ye Ning home! I’ve just arrived at Qingtian Village and haven’t seen the scenery yet. This will be a chance to tour, and Ye Ning can serve as a guide.”
Ye Ning glanced at Zhang Zhiyuan on the left, and then at Quan Qian on the right. Both were overly enthusiastic, and besides, he knew the way back perfectly well. So he said, “It’s no trouble. I’ll go back by myself. There’s no need to send me.”
Jiang Changxin: “……”
If you’re loving the late-night food fantasies, help Ciacia keep the menu added by buying her a Kofi.
Can’t bear the suspense? Join the Ning Ning, Xin’er Favorite in Kofi to unlock up to 5 chapters early—and get ahead of the drama before the next menu drops.
