The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure
Chapter 776 - 775: Divine Pairing

Chapter 776: Chapter 775: Divine Pairing

But now, with tea leaves and the engagement of the Lee Family, Yellow Pine Mushrooms were merely considered more regular mushrooms.

He immediately made his stance clear, declaring the agreement concerning Yellow Pine Mushrooms null and void!

To express his sincerity, he even wrote an agreement in duplicate, making everything crystal clear.

Wang Yongzhu felt satisfied with Zhang Yinbao’s compliance.

Seeing that it was about time, she decided not to delay any further, "Looking at the time, it should be about right to meet Ninth Master Lee now."

With that said, she stood up, ready to take Zhang Yinbao to meet Ninth Young Master Lee.

Zhang Yinbao was thrilled inside, barely suppressing his excitement. He instructed his shop assistants to tidy up the aftermath in the courtyard and lock the gate before the group headed to Shopkeeper Wu’s restaurant.

In truth, with Ninth Young Master Lee’s disposition, how could Shopkeeper Wu’s restaurant’s backyard be suitable for anyone to stay in?

But in this town, what other choices did he have? After looking around, he figured that the restaurant’s backyard was still the best option.

Moreover, dining there would be convenient, so he just gritted his teeth and bore it.

Early in the morning, Shopkeeper Wu had already sent someone to purchase Tang Family buns and paired them with some famous local snacks of the town. He presented more than a dozen varieties, fearing he wouldn’t serve Ninth Master Lee well enough.

Ninth Young Master Lee, born into wealth and luxury, what delicacies had he not seen or tasted? Even with a tableful, he showed no interest in picking up his chopsticks.

Shopkeeper Wu was inwardly distressed but still forced a smile on his face, emphasizing Tang Family buns to Ninth Young Master Lee, claiming they were made by descendants of Imperial cooks, available only in limited quantities, and once sold out for the day, there would be no more, and so on.

Fortunately, Ninth Young Master Lee grudgingly picked up his chopsticks and ate a bun, giving a nod of reluctant approval, indicating the food was palatable.

Shopkeeper Wu was anxious inside. If this young ancestor had come to their remote town and wasn’t accustomed to the food and lodging, and if he were to fall ill because of hunger, how would he explain it to the home owner?

Worried, he heard that Wang Yongzhu was bringing Boss Zhang over, and before Shopkeeper Wu could regain his composure, he saw Ninth Young Master Lee put down his chopsticks and order, "Let them in!"

It wasn’t long before Wang Yongzhu and Zhang Yinbao walked in, one after the other.

Seeing Ninth Young Master Lee, Wang Yongzhu greeted him and, noticing the tableful of breakfast, evoking more abundant than her own morning meal, she couldn’t help but remark, "All these delicacies?"

Ninth Young Master Lee’s mouth twitched in disdain; unworldly and impressed by mere rustic food, could it really be considered delicious? The truly delectable food lies in the Capital City!

Displeased with Wang Yongzhu’s lack of sophistication, Ninth Young Master Lee snorted, "They are nothing but crude rustic produce. When you go to the Capital City in the future, I’ll show you the capital’s delicacies. I guarantee you won’t repeat a single dish for a month!"

Wang Yongzhu had long since grown accustomed to Ninth Young Master Lee’s demeanor and didn’t take it to heart.

As for Zhang Yinbao, it was the first time he laid eyes on Ninth Young Master Lee, and he couldn’t help being utterly awestruck; he had never expected Ninth Young Master Lee to be such an extraordinarily attractive individual.

Hearing the conversation between Wang Yongzhu and Ninth Young Master Lee, their casual manner suggested a deep relationship.

Though Ninth Young Master Lee spoke disdainfully, the implication was clear; he didn’t consider Wang Yongzhu an outsider.

Suddenly feeling a flutter in his chest, Zhang Yinbao quickly lowered his head.

Ninth Young Master Lee was particularly contrary; people like Wang Yongzhu, who overlooked his extraordinary beauty, irked him internally.

Yet, he loathed even more those outsiders who, upon seeing his appearance, would fixate on him with greedy, lecherous, and disgusting gazes.

The moment Zhang Yinbao entered and his eyes went straight, according to his usual temperament, Ninth Young Master would have already ordered someone to kick him out.

But Wang Yongzhu, who lacked experience, not only failed to appreciate the exquisite beauty of Ninth Master Lee but also had never had anything decent to eat, couldn’t help but keep talking to Wang Yongzhu.

After he finished speaking, he noticed that Zhang Yinbao had prudently lowered his head, showing he still had some tact.

Ninth Master Lee reluctantly agreed.

After determining their respective seats, Shopkeeper Wu cautiously asked, "Has Lady Wang had breakfast? Would you like something to eat?"

Wang Yongzhu had only eaten a half-breakfast earlier because it hadn’t suited her taste.

She looked at the table and saw several items she had never seen before, and couldn’t help but feel tempted; hesitation showed on her face.

Ninth Master Lee had already ordered someone, "Why are you standing there looking lost? Don’t you have the sense to bring bowl and chopsticks?"

As they were in his own restaurant, bowls and chopsticks were the least of the concerns, and a clean set was quickly placed in front of them.

Wang Yongzhu took a seat without being polite, first helped herself to a bowl of tenderly stewed snow fungus sweetened with snowflake plum sugar—sweet but not cloying, most suitable for a girl.

Seeing several types of dumplings, she inquired about the fillings and chose two with vegetarian stuffing, eating to her satisfaction.

Watching her eat with such relish, Ninth Master Lee, who originally thought he wouldn’t care for any of it, couldn’t resist and also had a bowl of the snow fungus soup and two dumplings.

Shopkeeper Wu and Wang Cai, who was present at the time, couldn’t help but silently give thanks; their boss had actually eaten something that day, and their grateful glances were all directed at Wang Yongzhu.

With Zhang Yinbao in attendance, naturally, he had no place to speak. He sat obediently on the edge of his seat, smiling agreeably without a trace of relaxation.

After finishing the meal, the table was cleared, and they were served tea to rinse their mouths and wash their hands.

Then Ninth Master Lee took the seat of honor, casually using the tea lid to skim the foam off his tea, "So, you are the owner of Hengchang?"

"Indeed, I am! I am Zhang Yinbao, and I have had the honor of meeting Ninth Master Lee!" Zhang Yinbao got up respectfully from his chair and performed a deep bow.

He then took a box made of purple sandalwood out of his bosom, "It is my first time meeting Ninth Master Lee. Here is a modest token of my regard. I hope Ninth Master Lee won’t disdain its meagerness!"

With those words, he lifted the box above his head.

At a single look from Ninth Master Lee, Wang Cai stepped forward, received the box and placed it beside Ninth Master Lee.

Ninth Master Lee glanced at it, carelessly tossed aside his tea cup, picked up the box, and opened it to find a piece of creamy mutton fat white jade lying quietly inside; set against the red silk, it appeared even more lustrous and soft as butter.

Ninth Master Lee let out a snort of laughter, took the jade out, and weighed it in his hand for a moment, then glanced at Wang Yongzhu and shoved the jade back into the box, pushing it toward her, "Here, it’s yours."

Wang Yongzhu...

Zhang Yinbao...

Shopkeeper Wu...

It took a moment but Wang Yongzhu tilted her head and scrutinized the jade for a while before saying, "I really don’t understand what you people see in these jades? They’re not edible or useful! To me, gold and silver are far more substantial! I’m telling you, Boss Zhang, you really lacked sincerity in your gift—just a piece of jade? You should at least have added a heavy gold chain to hang this jade on..."

Ninth Master Lee’s face, which still held a trace of apprehension, instantly darkened.

Looking at the jade again and imagining it strung up with a heavy gold chain, Ninth Master Lee immediately felt defeated.

Irritated, he snatched the box back, "If you don’t understand, don’t make suggestions and ruin good things! Do you know what this is? Top-grade mutton fat white jade, a piece this large is worth several chests of gold and silver! As a young lady, shouldn’t you stop fixating on gold and silver, isn’t that vulgar?"