Although she hadn’t gone in person, she still felt the need to express her gratitude.

At the dining table, after realizing that Rong Zhihe was also someone who didn’t fuss over small matters, the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

As they chatted, they eventually put down their chopsticks.

However, when they looked at the dishes on the table, they couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Fourth sister-in-law, what is this…?”

“These are new dishes! Try them!” Jian Xiu said with a smile.

“The aroma is quite special,” Zhang Zifu was the first to comment.

Jian Ming wasn’t particularly picky, but even he was astonished when he saw the plates of food on the table.

“Jian Xiu, isn’t this a bit too much?”

“Big brother, this isn’t too much at all! I’m actually worried it won’t be enough!”

Hearing this, Rong Zhihe scoffed and looked disdainful.

“You’re good at making pastries, I’ll give you that. But cooking? These dishes may look better than usual, but I doubt they taste any different.”

As he spoke, Rong Zhihe picked up his chopsticks.

He took a small piece and placed it into his mouth…

But after just one bite, he couldn’t stop.

“This… isn’t this fish? This… this…”

He didn’t even have the chance to finish his sentence because he was too eager to take another bite.

“Young master, slow down! Be careful not to choke!” the servant, Rong Yi, couldn’t help but remind him.

Seeing this, Jian Ming and Zhang Zifu hesitantly reached for their chopsticks and carefully picked up a piece of food.

The moment they took a bite, they were completely shocked.

“This… is this really fish? How is it so tender?” Zhang Zifu asked in disbelief.

Jian Ming, on the other hand, was eating the spicy boiled meat slices.

He, too, couldn’t stop eating.

“Zifu, you have to try this meat! It’s so good! Spicy, numbing, and incredibly tender!”

“This fish is better! It’s spicy and sour, super appetizing…” Zhang Zifu spoke between mouthfuls.

As for Rong Zhihe, his mouth was so full that he didn’t even bother speaking.

Seeing this, Jian Xiu felt helpless.

She turned her head to look at Zhang Zixuan, only to find him staring blankly at the others.

“Xiu’er, aren’t they overreacting a little?”

“Fourth brother, just try it, and you’ll see they’re not exaggerating at all!” Zhang Zifu pointed at the pickled fish.

Hearing this, Zhang Zixuan instinctively took a piece and placed it in his mouth.

After just two chews, his eyes widened in shock.

Jian Xiu had already smelled the delicious aroma while cooking.

She knew it would taste good.

But she hadn’t expected it to be this good.

“Well? Isn’t it great?” Jian Xiu asked smugly.

“It’s delicious! Really, really delicious!” Zhang Zixuan quickly replied.

“So… do you all still think two big bowls of food are too much?” Jian Xiu asked again, amused.

“No, not at all! I’m worried it won’t be enough!” Rong Zhihe was the first to respond.

As he spoke, he hurriedly stuffed another piece of meat into his mouth.

“Jian Xiu, with your skills, you shouldn’t let them go to waste. Why don’t we open a restaurant together?” Rong Zhihe suggested with a grin.

“A restaurant? You want to open a restaurant?”

“Well, after tasting your food, I just thought I’d throw the idea out there.”

“I’ve actually thought about it before, but Shopkeeper Wu has been a great benefactor to me. If I open a restaurant, wouldn’t that mean competing against him?”

Truthfully, Jian Xiu had considered it many times.

But whenever she thought of Wu Mingtang, she hesitated.

Without him, she didn’t know how she would have survived.

“Who said you have to compete with that old man? Besides, our restaurant doesn’t have to be in Quanyong County!”

“Oh! Why didn’t I think of that?” Jian Xiu exclaimed.

“You? Think of that? All you ever do is focus on this tiny county.” Rong Zhihe scoffed arrogantly.

Now that money was involved, Jian Xiu didn’t bother arguing with him and quickly asked:

“Tell me, where do you plan to open it? I’m telling you, I know way more recipes than just these two. You won’t regret this.”

“The capital!”

“The capital?”

“Of course! Where else? You think I’d open a restaurant in some small village? That would be a complete waste of money!”

As he spoke, Rong Zhihe even rolled his eyes at Jian Xiu.

If she didn’t know him well, she might have been seriously annoyed.

“Don’t give me that look! Do you even know what the capital is like?”

“Oh? Enlighten me.” Jian Xiu pretended to listen intently.

Truthfully, the moment she heard “the capital,” she already agreed with the idea.

They already had connections and backing.

The only thing missing was her recipes.

“You want me to explain? You really don’t know? The capital is where all the nobles and officials gather! A restaurant there may require a large investment, but it’ll turn a profit quickly.”

“The most important thing in the capital is novelty. As long as you can constantly introduce new dishes, you’ll never lack customers. And besides, your food is just too delicious!”

As he spoke, Rong Zhihe reached out with his chopsticks to grab more fish.

But when he looked, he realized that there was barely any left.

“You guys… you guys ate way too fast!” Rong Zhihe said, speechless.

“Hehe… Young Master Rong, don’t laugh at us. It’s just too good! We couldn’t help ourselves.” Zhang Zifu scratched his head awkwardly.

But despite his words, his hands didn’t stop moving.

He quickly reached for the last pieces of the spicy boiled meat, as if he was afraid he wouldn’t get any.

Seeing this, Rong Zhihe refused to be outdone and hurriedly grabbed a few pieces for himself.

“I’m telling you, Jian Xiu, the real problem is that you didn’t make enough!” Rong Zhihe said as he ate.

Jian Xiu: “…”

Did she offend someone in a past life?

At first, they had said she made too much.

Now that they had eaten, they were complaining there wasn’t enough?

After they finally finished their meal, half an hour had passed.

Looking at their round, stuffed bellies, Jian Xiu worried that they might actually burst.