Chapter 35: Don’t Miss the Good Opportunity

Han Dongsheng was taken aback. “What? A mere village head dares to harm you? Sister, tell me how he plans to do it!”

Hu Zhaodi replied, “I’ve been sending meat and digging up medicinal herbs to exchange for silver, hoping to buy some land and build a house. The village head got jealous. I overheard him last night; he plans to drug me when I go to sign the papers and receive the silver, so his disabled son can take advantage of me. That way, not only can he pocket my silver, but he also intends for me to serve his entire family once I’m married in.”

Han Dongsheng’s anger flared. “That scoundrel! A small village head thinks he can scheme against my sister? He must be tired of living!”

“Don’t worry, brother. I just need you to help me deal with him. I can handle the rest,” Hu Zhaodi urged.

“Such a small matter is no problem. Sister, which village do you come from?”

“Dawai Village.”

“Who do you think among the villagers would be better suited to be the village head?”

Hu Zhaodi smiled. “My uncle would be perfect! He’s honest and kind-hearted. If he becomes the village head, he’ll ensure the villagers live well.”

“What’s your uncle’s full name?”

“Ji Kaiyang.”

“Alright, since you’re my sister and have finally asked me for help, I’ll take care of this. You go have dinner with your uncle; I’ll find my aunt’s husband right now.”

“Thank you, Brother Han! I’ll surprise you later,” Hu Zhaodi promised.

Han Dongsheng’s grin stretched from ear to ear. “A surprise? Haha, you’re worth your weight in gold!”

“Of course! If you help me, I’ll definitely show my gratitude!”

“Great, I’m off now. You go enjoy your meal,” he said, heading out.

Hu Zhaodi nodded and made her way to the private room where Old Man Ji was waiting.

After finishing her meal, Han Dongsheng still hadn’t returned.

Hu Zhaodi decided to head to the kitchen and asked the chef at Fumanlou to prepare a processed wild rabbit. She took it upon herself to make a spicy rabbit dish.

As she cooked, she explained the process to the chef. By the time she finished, he had learned how to make the dish as well.

Once the rabbit meat was plated, Hu Zhaodi turned to the chef. “Give it a taste.”

“Stop!” Han Dongsheng strode into the kitchen. “I haven’t tried the dish my sister made yet; what are you tasting for?”

Saying this, he rushed over, snatched the chopsticks from the chef’s hand, and popped a piece of rabbit into his mouth.

“Mmm! Delicious! Sister, how did you make this? You should consider becoming the chef here at Fumanlou!” he exclaimed.

Hu Zhaodi shrugged, joking, “That might be possible, but I wonder how much you’d pay me, Brother Han?”

Han Dongsheng chuckled, pointing at the chef. “He gets paid three taels a month; since you’re my sister, I’ll pay you ten taels. How does that sound?”

Hu Zhaodi laughed and shook her head. “No way! Even if you offered a hundred taels, I wouldn’t do it. I’m a girl, and you don’t know how harmful the kitchen smoke is to a girl’s skin. You want me to work hard for just ten taels? Dream on!”

“Ha ha ha…” Han Dongsheng laughed heartily. “I was just joking! I know you’re not an ordinary girl; you wouldn’t settle for just ten taels. But my dear sister, could you teach the chef here a few new recipes? Don’t worry; I’ll make sure you’re well compensated.”

“By the way, I’ve already taken care of that matter. You all head back now; don’t miss the good opportunity,” Han Dongsheng said, winking at Hu Zhaodi with a grin that only grew wider.

Seeing his expression, Hu Zhaodi knew everything was set.

“Thank you, Brother Han! We’ll head back now. Next time I come, I’ll teach your chef a couple of new dishes,” she replied.

“Alright, it’s a deal. Hurry back!”

Hu Zhaodi grabbed Uncle Ji and started to leave, while Uncle Ji wore a confused expression.

Just as they were about to hop onto the ox cart, a waiter rushed out, carrying two food boxes. “Miss Hu, wait! These are some signature dishes that my boss had packed for you.”

Hu Zhaodi took the food boxes and looked back at Han Dongsheng, who was leaning against the back door. “Brother Han, please don’t pack them next time. I’d feel bad if you keep giving me food.”

Han Dongsheng waved his hand, smiling without saying a word.

Once Hu Zhaodi’s figure was out of sight, he suddenly remembered the spicy rabbit dish she had made and quickly turned to head back into the kitchen.

The chef was still tasting the rabbit meat. “Delicious! I’ve never had rabbit meat that tastes this unique. I’ll try making it later; I should be able to add this new dish to the menu tomorrow.”

“Stop right there!” Han Dongsheng shouted. “You’ve had your taste; do you plan to eat all the rabbit my sister made?”

The chef chuckled awkwardly. “Boss, I just wanted to try a piece, but Miss Hu’s rabbit meat is so delicious that I couldn’t help myself.”

Han Dongsheng stepped forward and took the plate directly. “You need to try making it right now. If you can replicate it, we’ll feature this dish tonight.”

“Yes, sir!”

Han Dongsheng carefully carried the plate of spicy rabbit meat upstairs as if it were a priceless treasure. He couldn’t bear to share such a delicious dish with anyone else.

Meanwhile, as Hu Zhaodi and Uncle Ji reached the city gate, the village head had been waiting for them for a while.

“Why did you take so long? The time is getting late; let’s hurry back!”

Uncle Ji nodded. “Get in quickly!”

Along the way, Hu Zhaodi kept urging softly, “Uncle, hurry up! We still need to get back to make the vegetable cakes!”

Under her urging, Uncle Ji urged the ox to run, causing the cart to bounce so much that the village head was jolted around, shouting in discomfort.

Hu Zhaodi felt uncomfortable sitting directly on the wooden boards of the cart, but she was calculating in her mind that once Uncle Ji became the village head, she would buy a carriage.

The ox cart was not only bumpy but also slow.

At that moment, although the village head was being jostled around, he was scheming about how to drug Hu Zhaodi once they got back.

Hearing Hu Zhaodi mention making egetable cakes, the village head hypocritically smiled and said, “Zhaodi, you go ahead and make your pancakes first. Once I finish the paperwork, you can come over. Once you sign the papers and hand over the silver note, that plot of land in Xiaosonglin will belong to you.”

Hu Zhaodi was more than happy to let him delay the process; the longer it took, the better for her.

When the county magistrate arrived, she could hand over the silver note to him directly. Securing the land through him was definitely more reliable than through this village head.

“Uncle Village Head, I was just thinking of that! My aunt is waiting for me to make vegetable cakes. I need to have dinner before I can sign the papers,” she said.

“Alright, alright, no rush. After dinner, you can come over.”