Why am I, a cook, always involved in cases?

Lin Zhiruo handed the barbecue skewers in her hand to Quan Wushuang. Quan Wushuang slowly stretched out his hands and carefully took it as if he had seen a miracle.

"Eat it while it's hot."

After Lin Zhiruo finished speaking, she turned and walked into a narrow alley. She patted the piles of wooden boxes, brushed off the dust, and then sat on them gracefully.

The golden and crispy roasted chicken, when you take a bite, the gravy and fat flow freely in your mouth, and the crispy chicken skin makes a pleasant sound.

(It’s truly delicious.)

Lin Zhiruo leaned forward slightly, enjoying the delicious food to her heart's content, fearing that the grease would drip and stain her clothes.

And Quan Wushuang just stared quietly.

"Don't you want to try it? As you can see, there's nothing wrong with it."

Lin Zhiruo asked with a smile.

Quan Wushuang pressed his cheek lightly, as if he had just realized his own loss of composure.

"Oh, I forgot."

Lin Zhiruo suddenly realized that Quan Wushuang had stuffed cotton in his mouth to conceal his facial features.

She quickly took out a piece of delicate toilet paper from her bosom and handed it to Quan Wushuang.

Quan Wushuang took it, spit out the cotton lightly, and threw it into a nearby trash can.

This piece of toilet paper was a precious item, which Henghua carefully prepared for Lin Zhiruo when he was changing her clothes.

(I actually forgot to prepare replacement cotton.)

A hint of dissatisfaction flashed through Lin Zhiruo's heart, but she believed that no one would notice such a subtle detail, so she could only accept the reality helplessly.

Quan Wushuang took a bite of the kebab carefully, as if he was looking at a rare treasure.

As if it was too hot, he exhaled while chewing, and finally swallowed it slowly.

"how is the taste?"

Lin Zhiruo asked curiously.

Quan Wushuang gently wiped the oil stains from the corners of his mouth with his fingers and said with a smile:

“It’s much more delicious than grilled food when camping, and the salt content is just right.”

Hearing this, Lin Zhiruo took out a white handkerchief from her bosom and gently wiped the corners of her mouth.

(camping?)

Lin Zhiruo was secretly puzzled. Eunuchs usually did not engage in military duties, let alone camping in the wild.

Could it be that this opportunity only exists during wartime?

As she thought about it, she looked at Quan Wushuang.

Although her makeup had come off slightly, it wasn't a big deal, so she looked away.

(It’s better to finish the business as soon as possible.)

Lin Zhiruo finished eating the barbecue skewers and stood up from the wooden box.

She decided to return to the market after saying goodbye to Quan Wushuang and buy radishes and chickens from Nanzi's stall.

However, Quan Wushuang walked slowly with his elegant and leisurely pace, which made Lin Zhiruo feel a little unhappy.

"Brother Quan Hua, aren't you afraid of being late?"

Lin Zhiruo asked tentatively using a pseudonym.

"There's still room to spare."

Quan Wushuang responded calmly.

"It's better to arrive early so as not to keep the other party waiting for a long time."

Lin Zhiruo reminded again.

When Quan Wushuang heard this, an unhappy look appeared on his face.

"From your tone, it seems you are anxious to part with me?"

Quan Wushuang questioned.

"……Have it?"

Lin Zhiruo pretended to respond innocently, but in fact, Quan Wushuang had already hit the nail on the head.

Quan Wushuang's face darkened, but he did not continue to dwell on the matter.

He then started chatting with Lin Zhiruo about other topics.

"Life in the palace is actually quite good. At least it's much better than those brothels."

Quan Wushuang sighed.

That was indeed the case. At least Lin Zhiruo was volunteering to be an official now. Although the room she was assigned was small, it was clean and tidy. Quan Wushuang had also asked her if she needed to change rooms.

Lin Zhiruo felt that she was already quite lucky.

However, putting all this aside, Lin Zhiruo also has reasons for wanting to return to the red light district.

"I'm worried about my adoptive father's living conditions."

Lin Zhiruo said frankly.

When Quan Wushuang heard this, a look of surprise appeared on his face.

"what happened?"

Lin Zhiruo asked curiously.

"I didn't expect you to care about anything other than ingredients."

Quan Wushuang teased.

"..."

This person is so rude!

Lin Zhiruo glared at Quan Wushuang, her eyes full of anger.

"My adoptive father is my cooking master. I hope he can live longer, otherwise I will be very troubled."

After Lin Zhiruo finished speaking, she turned her back to Quan Wushuang and continued walking.

It’s better to finish the business as soon as possible - she thought to herself.

Quan Wushuang seemed a little flustered as he followed Lin Zhiruo.

"It seems your adoptive father is indeed an amazing chef."

Quan Wushuang said tentatively.

"……Yes."

Lin Zhiruo responded hesitantly. She felt that Quan Wushuang was a little cunning in suddenly bringing up the topic of his adoptive father.

"I heard that he studied abroad in the West when he was young?"

Lin Zhiruo added.

My adoptive father is not only proficient in Chinese cuisine, but also well versed in Western cooking.

He would occasionally use foreign languages ​​to record things, or inadvertently say words that Lin Zhiruo had never heard before, which shows that he must have spent quite a while studying abroad.

"Study abroad? Then he must be very outstanding. After all, only talents selected by the country can have this honor."

Quan Wushuang exclaimed in surprise.

Judging from Quan Wushuang’s reaction, Lin Zhiruo became even more convinced that her adoptive father was an extraordinary person.

"Yes, my adoptive father is indeed an amazing man. Although no one is perfect, he possesses many talents."

Lin Zhiruo excitedly talked about her adoptive father's deeds and was more talkative than usual.

“…He is truly an extraordinary person.”

Quan Wushuang sighed, but there was a hint of loneliness in his tone.

Did I say too much?

Perhaps there were some words in it that Quan Wushuang didn't like to hear.

(You were the one who asked me to speak.)

What a willful man!

Quan Wushuang seemed to be in a bad mood. He looked away and began to look at the shops on the street.

The types of shops gradually changed from various food stores to shops selling colorful fabrics and accessories.

In order to please their sweethearts, men went into the store to buy gifts.

"How could such a distinguished figure open a restaurant in Redemption Lane?"

There was a hint of sarcasm in Quan Wushuang's words.

"Perhaps it's because the only thing he lacks is luck. Even though he's incredibly talented, he's still played by fate."

Lin Zhiruo sighed.

If I were to talk about my adoptive father's shortcomings, this would be it.

In short, it's bad luck.

It seems that because of his experience studying in the West, he was ordered by the mother of the previous emperor, the empress dowager, to become a eunuch.

"..."

Quan Wushuang looked at Lin Zhiruo in silence.

Just when Lin Zhiruo thought her fireworks alley joke had failed again...

"So you're saying your adopted father was a eunuch?"

Quan Wushuang asked.

"Yes."

Lin Zhiruo scratched the back of her neck hard, secretly regretting that she had not mentioned this matter.

Quan Wushuang muttered to himself:

"Eunuch, chef, imperial steward..."

As they were talking, they seemed to have arrived at their destination.

Lin Zhiruo took out the note Gao Zhongcheng gave her.

"Is this right here?"

Lin Zhiruo asked, pointing to a restaurant at the entrance of Yanhua Alley not far away.

The upstairs is an inn, and the downstairs is a restaurant. This business model is not uncommon...but...

"This should be it, but there's still plenty of time."

Quan Wushuang said after looking around.

(Oh, I see.)

Lin Zhiruo's eyes were cold, and she suddenly realized.

She finally understood why Quan Wushuang went to such great lengths to disguise himself and go shopping in the market.

That’s it, everything is clear.

Lin Zhiruo let out a long breath.

"Wandering around the streets can easily ruin your makeup. The person waiting for you might be inside, so you'd better go in early."

Lin Zhiruo urged.

After hearing this, Quan Wushuang finally nodded.

"Then I'll take my leave."

Lin Zhiruo said.

"Now?"

Quan Wushuang asked in surprise.

"Yes, now that I'm in disguise, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to go in."

After Lin Zhiruo bowed respectfully, she turned and walked towards the market.

Looking back, I saw Quan Wushuang striding into the hotel.

(Even though he's a eunuch, perhaps he also needs this kind of leisure time.)

Lin Zhiruo crossed her arms and nodded.

Then, an idea came to her mind: since she was already here, why not take a stroll in Red Light Alley?

Lin Zhiruo knew the details of the hotel very well and knew that she could find prostitutes there.

(I wish the manager a sweet dream tonight.)

Lin Zhiruo watched Quan Wushuang leave coldly, praying secretly in her heart.