Is the beginning of a catastrophe? The little farm cook is raising a family with a full warehouse.

The north wind carried tiny ice crystals, polishing the bluestone pavement of Junhua City into a cold mirror.

When Ji Yanchuan was riding in a carriage past the tavern in the west of the city, the copper bells on the eaves were vibrating mournfully, interweaving with the sound of broken ice falling to the ground, forming a prelude to parting.

The carriage stopped in front of a house deep in Taohua Lane. Ji Yanchuan got off the carriage and took two steps forward. With the door half-open, Cheng Yuntao was bending over to pour freshly cooked glutinous rice into the stone mortar. The steaming hot air condensed into fine water droplets on her temples. It seemed that she was preparing to pound rice cakes.

Perhaps the wooden basin filled with glutinous rice was too heavy, Cheng Yuntao didn't hold it firmly and it swayed slightly twice. Ji Yanchuan's heart tightened, and when he was about to go forward to help, Jiang Yu walked over from the side.

He placed his left hand under Cheng Yuntao's elbow, and supported the bottom of the basin with his right hand. The two of them overlapped and were very close to each other.

"Be careful." Jiang Yu reminded in a low voice, his breath ruffling the hair beside her ear.

Cheng Yuntao's eyes curved slightly as she poured all the steaming glutinous rice into the stone mortar. As white mist rose, Jiang Yu's thumb rubbed the reddened area of ​​her knuckles imperceptibly, and the bamboo-patterned cuffs were stained dark green by the steam.

Ji Yanchuan froze in the shadow of the threshold, silent for a while, and finally chose to raise his hand and knock on the door.

"Miss Yuntao."

Cheng Yuntao, who was bending over and busy, heard the voice and looked back in surprise. At the same time, Jiang Yu also looked over subconsciously, and their eyes met Ji Yanchuan's in the air.

There were undercurrents in the eyes of both men. Jiang Yu's eyes were filled with a bit of vigilance and scrutiny, while Ji Yanchuan's calm gaze revealed a subtle hint of complex emotions.

It seems like he is examining me, but it also seems like he has some other meaning.

Seeing Ji Yanchuan standing outside the house, Cheng Yuntao patted the sticky glutinous rice on her hands and walked out quickly with confusion.

"Boss Ji, why are you here?"

Ji Yanchuan calmly withdrew his gaze from Jiang Yu and turned to look at Cheng Yuntao.

The cold wind whistled past, ruffling his sleeves. He looked solemn and spoke in a low voice, "Now that the cold wave is raging, Junhua City is in dire straits. It's really not suitable for us to stay any longer. I plan to leave."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Yuntao assumed he was coming to say goodbye. A subtle hint of melancholy flashed across her eyes, but a gentle smile still lingered on her lips. She said softly, "I see. In this world, gatherings and separations are impermanent, and the journey is endless. I wish Boss Ji all the best. If we are destined to meet again in the future, I'm sure we'll meet again."

"The flowers in Nanzhao are already blooming. Come with me, Yuntao."

As soon as Ji Yanchuan finished speaking, Mu Qingfeng presented a gilded wooden box from the side. On the unfolded drawing was a winding route marked with pen and ink, with post stations and supply points dotted along the way.

Ji Yanchuan ran his finger over the map and said seriously, "From Junhua City to Nanzhao, the mountains and rivers are treacherous and difficult to pass through. One needs to cross surging rivers and climb over towering mountains. Not to mention the unpredictable weather along the way. Torrential rain and snowstorms are common, blocking the roads. Roads are washed away and buried by snow, greatly slowing down the progress. Supplies along the way are also extremely difficult. In this desolate place, there is no clean water or sufficient food, so one can only rely on pre-stocked supplies."

"If your family isn't wealthy enough to hire strong porters to carry supplies, rent sturdy carriages, and prepare sufficient medicinal herbs, dry food, and warm clothing, you'll probably be stranded before you've even made half the journey, with no village or shop to be found, and you'll be in dire straits."

"As long as you agree to go with me to Nanzhao, you won't have to worry about the difficulties and dangers along the way. I have carefully planned and arranged everything. When you arrive in Nanzhao, I will also take care of everything for you, including food, clothing, housing, and transportation, to ensure that you live a stable and worry-free life in the future."

Ji Yanchuan spoke sincerely, his eyes full of expectation.

Cheng Yuntao subconsciously widened her almond-shaped eyes, her moisture-soaked eyelashes trembling slightly like a startled bird. A half-voiced question escaped from her slightly parted lips: "Me?"

She couldn't help but feel puzzled, and raised her eyes to ask, "Why are you taking me away? Is it just because the food I cook is the most to your liking?"

Ji Yanchuan stared at the tips of Cheng Yuntao's ears, which were red from the heat, and whispered, "I never wanted a cook."

Jiang Yu, who was standing not far away, was immediately alarmed when he heard this. He took a few steps forward and blocked Cheng Yuntao with his arms. "Ji! What do you mean by this?!"

Cheng Yuntao was even more surprised and subconsciously took half a step back.

Ji Yanchuan saw this scene and felt a little pain in his heart.

"Boss Ji, I appreciate your kindness, but I can't abandon my family and go to Nanzhao with you."

Ji Yanchuan raised his head slightly, his tone relaxed: "These are just trivial matters. As long as you nod your head in agreement, I will definitely make sure your family is properly settled." Having said this, he paused, his eyes shot towards Jiang Yu like a knife, and said coldly, "Except him."

When Jiang Yu heard this, anger instantly surged across his face, veins popped in his neck, and he shouted, "Stop dreaming! Yun Tao will never go with you!"

"I won't abandon Jiang Yu. He is as important to me as my family." Cheng Yuntao spoke without hesitation, her tone firm and her eyes full of unquestionable determination.

When Jiang Yu heard this, a hint of pride flashed across his face. He raised his chin slightly, a provocative arc appeared at the corner of his mouth, and he glanced at Ji Yanchuan with a demonstrative look in his eyes.

Ji Yanchuan's expression froze, his eyes fixed on Cheng Yuntao. He took a step forward and spoke in a low voice, "Yuntao, you and I have known each other for a long time. I own shops all over the place, and I have made friends with prominent figures. In this world, I have no shortage of power and wealth."

"On the other hand, Jiang Yu, what he can give you, I can give you, and what he can't give you, I can also give you. Come with me to Nanzhao, and I will definitely promise you a stable life, protect you well, and let you have enough food and clothing and enjoy the glory."

Cheng Yuntao shook her head, her eyes revealing a stubbornness: "I don't need other people's care. I can live well with my own abilities."

Seeing her resolute attitude, Ji Yanchuan gave in a step: "I will set off at dawn tomorrow. Think about it carefully. If you regret it, you can come to me anytime."

Cheng Yuntao lowered her eyes, avoiding Ji Yanchuan's gaze, and deliberately did not continue the conversation: "Boss Ji, no matter what, I wish you a safe journey and all the best in the future."

Her tone was polite yet distant, as if she was deliberately drawing a line between the two of them.

……

At dawn, the corner flags on the city walls fluttered under the iron-gray sky, and the biting cold wind was like a sharp blade, cutting people's faces painfully.

Ji Yanchuan sat in the carriage, lifted the curtain, and glanced at the refugees leaving the city one after another: a peddler carrying his paralyzed mother on his back, a beggar with a tattered quilt tied with straw ropes, a woman holding a crying baby...

At this time, Mu Qingfeng approached the carriage, bowed slightly, and with a look of anxiety on his face, he reminded in a low voice: "Master, we have been waiting for a long time. It is almost past noon. If we don't set off now, I am afraid we won't be able to reach the next stop before dark. The road ahead is difficult and dangerous. If we are late, something unexpected may happen."

Ji Yanchuan withdrew his gaze and looked in the direction of Cheng Yuntao, with a hint of loss in his eyes.

After a moment, he sighed deeply, his voice filled with helplessness: "Forget it, this matter cannot be forced, let's go."

With his order, the convoy moved forward slowly, the wheels rolling on the frosty road, making a dull sound, and gradually moving away from Junhua City.