Jiang Nuan took a sudden step back before she could see the person in front of her clearly.
Xiao Ruiming smiled at Jiang Nuan, dressed in black casual clothes paired with white casual shoes. He was tall, handsome, sunny, and dashing.
"Master, I've arrived."
Jiang Nuan: "..."
When had she acquired such a disciple?
Seeing her expression, Xiao Ruiming grew anxious, "What, have you forgotten? I told you, if I lost, I would become your disciple."
Jiang Nuan thought about it but couldn't recall this agreement.
She walked inside with a cold demeanor, "I don't take disciples, you can leave."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ruiming not only didn't leave but followed her expectantly.
"Jiang Nuan, Master, you can't treat me like this. I've been waiting for you here for two days. Where have you been these past two days?" Xiao Ruiming noticed her slow pace and instinctively slowed his own.
Jiang Nuan glanced at him, "I had things to do, but you really don't need to honor the agreement. I have no intention of taking on any disciples."
"How can that be? Don't you want to pass down your skills and be remembered for eternity?" Xiao Ruiming was persistent. He wanted to know where he had lost to be truly convinced to leave.
Jiang Nuan suddenly stopped and looked at him, smiling. Her eyes sparkled, stunning Xiao Ruiming.
Damn it!
She's so beautiful!
He felt as if his soul had almost departed!
Jiang Nuan saw his dazed expression and smiled, "Xiao Ruiming, your culinary skills are excellent. There's no need for you to stay here. My establishment is too small. You should go somewhere with more opportunities."
With his culinary talent, any five-star hotel would offer him an annual salary of millions.
Xiao Ruiming smiled, looking at her with a wronged expression, "I'm not short of money. I just want to break through in the realm of food. Master, please let me stay. I want to learn to make nourishing soups from you. Once I learn, I promise not to pass it on."
Jiang Nuan wasn't worried about him spreading the secret. Everyone's techniques were different, and the taste would inevitably vary slightly.
"But I really don't need you here." Jiang Nuan saw Le Cheng coming out, "Chengzi, have all today's orders been canceled?"
Le Cheng said, "Sister, all orders are canceled, and the pastries are all sold out. I was just about to pack up and go back."
Jiang Nuan said, "We'll be open as usual tomorrow."
"Okay, sister. Are you feeling better?" Le Cheng knew Jiang Nuan had been injured.
"Much better, which is why we can open as usual tomorrow."
"Sister, I understand. I'll head back then. I have another task this afternoon. You can just lock up the door when you're done."
Le Cheng nimbly untied her apron and ran out the door.
Jiang Nuan: "..." She still had things to do!
"Nuannuan." Yu Han also came out from the back kitchen.
"Hanhan." Jiang Nuan greeted her with a smile.
Yu Han looked at her with concern, "Nuannuan, I heard from Chengzi that you were injured. Are you feeling better?"
"I'm much better now, no need to worry. I can come in as usual tomorrow. You can go home for today."
"Alright, I'll be leaving then. See you tomorrow!" Yu Han waved with a smile.
After a few steps, she suddenly remembered something.
"Nuannuan, Miss Lu came looking for you during the day. I told her to come back tomorrow."
"Miss Lu?" Jiang Nuan furrowed her brows slightly, her beautiful eyes turning a little cold. Lu Qiaoyi?
She always felt that woman had ill intentions, but she had no proof.
"Okay, I understand." Jiang Nuan nodded.
Only then did Yu Han leave.
Jiang Nuan looked at Xiao Ruiming, who was still unwilling to leave, and asked, "Are you not leaving yet? I just came to pick up a few things and will be leaving soon." Her voice was cool and distant, exuding an aura of unattainability, yet it wasn't unpleasant.
Xiao Ruiming immediately declared his resolve, "Nuannuan, if you don't want to take me as a disciple, then let me stay here as a friend. Making nourishing soups is quite monotonous. I can stir-fry dishes and make many pastries. If you have things to do, you can go ahead and attend to them. I can handle things here."
Jiang Nuan found this suggestion rather good.
She was, after all, working to earn money to support her family. Moreover, she might need to leave for a while later, and the nourishing soup shop couldn't remain closed indefinitely.
Jiang Nuan suddenly smiled, "This idea of yours is quite good. I genuinely don't want to take a disciple, but as a friend, you are welcome to stay. I will absolutely welcome you."
"Tomorrow, prepare a menu of your signature dishes, and we'll put it up. We'll also post it online. Starting tomorrow, you can officially start working."
"I can't confirm your salary yet, as you are on par with a five-star chef. If business is good after a month, I won't treat you unfairly."
Seeing his proposal accepted, Xiao Ruiming instantly grinned like a monkey, scratching his head and cheeks, looking a little shy.
"Okay, okay, Nuannuan. I'll come tomorrow. I'll go back and prepare today." Xiao Ruiming was so happy he wanted to jump.
Working with such a beautiful woman would bring a good mood every day.
After Xiao Ruiming left, Jiang Nuan went to the back kitchen to make some preparations, ordering chicken and meat over the phone.
After about an hour of preparation, she packed up her belongings and left.
Upon reaching the lobby, the first thing that caught her eye was a bouquet of delicate, dew-kissed roses.
They seemed to merge with the person holding them.
Rong Yin stood in the lobby holding a bouquet of roses, wearing a vibrant red shirt that accentuated his extremely captivating face.
Jiang Nuan blinked, feeling as though she hadn't seen Rong Yin in a long time.
Rong Yin greeted her with a smiling face, "Nuannuan, long time no see. I went back to Modu a few days ago and missed your competition. I only returned this morning. I came to congratulate you on winning first place!"
Jiang Nuan looked at his sincere smile and said, "Thank you!"
Rong Yin handed her the flowers, "Beautiful flowers suit talented women, and our Nuannuan is truly too beautiful."
Jiang Nuan took the roses and sniffed them gently. A faint rose fragrance wafted into her nose.
There was also a subtle other scent, blended with the rose fragrance, which would ensure the roses wouldn't wither for a month.
"It's peng hua."
Rong Yin smiled and nodded, "As expected of Vicky, you recognized it just by smelling it. These roses were flown in this morning. Of course, we can't let them wither in a few days."
"Thank you!" Jiang Nuan held the roses and genuinely liked them. Each bloom was incredibly beautiful.
"Let's go." Jiang Nuan prepared to lock up and go home.
Rong Yin: "..." That's it? Shouldn't she invite him to dinner?
As they exited the door, Rong Yin watched Jiang Nuan lock up and asked, "Nuannuan, where are we going?"
Jiang Nuan turned to look at him, slightly puzzled but didn't voice her question. She pointed towards the main road and said, "Everyone goes their own way, to their own homes!"
Rong Yin: "..." His dream of dinner had vanished.
"Nuannuan, let me treat you to dinner." He still wanted to discuss cooperation with her.
Jiang Nuan gently shook her head, "Thank you! I have plans tonight. Goodbye!"
Then, she left without looking back.
Rong Yin: "..." Damn, that's it?
"Rong Yin, so she's the girl you're trying to pursue." A cold, mocking voice came from behind.