The aroma of cooking filled the house: I sent my eldest brother to become the Grand Secretary.

The next day at noon, sunlight streamed onto the bustling streets, illuminating the antique buildings and the hurried figures of pedestrians.

Wearing a light green dress and holding an exquisite invitation, Shen Cao walked lightly toward Zuixianlou.

When she arrived at the entrance of Zuixianlou, her gaze inadvertently fell upon the figure standing to the side.

After a slight pause, she asked the figure, "Why are you here?" Before she could finish speaking, Wanyue, with a smile on her face, walked quickly to her like a spring flower in bloom.

Wanyue gently took Shen Cao's hand and said coquettishly, "Sister Cao'er, I'm worried that you'll be bullied by others! Especially that Master Zhou. You can know a person's face but not their heart. Although that Master Zhou has a good reputation, what if he dares to do anything improper to you?"

Hearing Wanyue's words, Shen Cao couldn't help but smile slightly, a warm feeling welling up in her heart.

She turned to look at Wanyue's side and noticed the man standing there quietly. "And what about you?"

Wei Siyu glanced at Wanyue first, but after a while, seeing that Wanyue ignored her, she helplessly withdrew her gaze and slowly said, "You two are both weak women, so naturally I'm worried about you. In case that Master Zhou really tries to bully you, I can come over and support you and give you courage."

Upon hearing Wei Siyu's explanation, Shen Cao nodded slightly, indicating that the reason was acceptable and could be barely accepted.

However, at that moment, she suddenly turned around and stared straight at a man dressed in black standing not far away.

The man was tall and straight, with a cold and stern face, yet he exuded an indescribable air of mystery.

Shen Cao stared at the man, raised an eyebrow, and asked with a half-smile, "And you? Did you also come here specifically to protect me?"

Ji Lingfeng waved his hand lightly and said with a smile, "Master Zhou is a well-known gentleman!" Then, pretending to be nonchalant, he casually said, "Didn't Steward Zhou already say yesterday that you were allowed to bring someone along? I thought to myself, bringing one more person wouldn't be a big deal, so I came along." He was worried about her going alone, after all, the incident at the dock was still fresh in his mind.

Shen Cao gazed quietly at the three people in front of her, knowing full well that their reason for following her was entirely out of concern and worry for her.

Actually, she hadn't planned to make such a big fuss at first, since she didn't even know why Master Zhou had come to see her.

However, now that everyone is already here, she naturally can't just drive them away.

So she led the three of them into the shop and took out the exquisite invitation from her pocket and handed it to the waiter standing to the side.

After receiving the invitation, the waiter quickly glanced at its contents and immediately broke into an incredibly enthusiastic smile.

With a broad smile, he said, "Oh my, so you are the distinguished guests specially invited by Master Zhou! Master Zhou personally instructed us early this morning to make sure you are treated with the utmost hospitality!"

Then, the waiter added, "Master Zhou is waiting for you in the No. 1 VIP room right now. Please follow me this way." After saying that, the waiter bowed slightly, made a gesture of invitation, and then led them towards the No. 1 VIP room.

Upon reaching the door of the private room, the waiter stopped and gently knocked a few times. After two crisp knocks, the waiter raised his voice and announced, "Master Zhou, your distinguished guests have arrived!"

"Please come in!" A loud and powerful middle-aged man's voice came from inside the private room, carrying an undeniable authority and enthusiasm. Gently pushing open the tightly closed door, the scene inside the room instantly came into view.

In the very center is a large round table with a tabletop made of warm-colored rosewood.

On it was a set of white porcelain tableware, the porcelain was delicate and shone with a soft luster in the dim light coming through the window, like solidified cream.

The tableware is decorated with delicate gold powder patterns of intertwined flowers, exuding luxury.

Each chair is made of sandalwood, with lifelike auspicious beasts carved on the back, such as unicorns or pixiu, as if they are about to leap out of the wood at any moment. The seat is covered with a bright red brocade cushion embroidered with gold peonies, which looks extremely comfortable.

Above the dining table is an octagonal palace lantern-style chandelier with a brass frame. Each side is inlaid with thin, translucent glass pieces containing candles.

She could almost picture the scene at night when candles were lit, their flickering flames bathing the entire private room in a warm, bright glow.

Further inside, you can see several beautifully framed calligraphy and paintings hanging on the surrounding walls. The landscape paintings are grand and majestic, and the calligraphy is elegant and refined, exuding the charm of literati.

In the corner, there were also several carefully pruned bonsai trees with unique shapes. Some resembled ancient pines reaching for the clouds, while others looked like old plum trees lying in the snow, adding a touch of elegance to the private room.

Next to the round table is a carved screen that effectively separates the interior of the private room.

Shen Cao nodded. As expected, it was the best restaurant in Xin'an County, and this private room was indeed extraordinary.

However, after her Baicaoyuan opened, it was no longer the best; the private rooms were not as good as those in Baicaoyuan.

After Shen Cao and the others came in, two people walked out from behind the screen, one in front and one behind.

The man walking in front was about fifty years old. He was slightly plump but still upright. Although the years had left some marks on him, they had also given him a unique and dignified demeanor.

His face was round, with a healthy rosy glow, and his skin had a delicate smoothness characteristic of years of pampered living. However, fine wrinkles covered the corners of his eyes and his forehead, like lines etched by time. His eyes still shone with shrewdness and composure, and with a glance, they seemed to see through the ways of the world.

This must be the same Mr. Zhou who invited Shen Cao.

The one walking behind is Butler Zhou, whom we met yesterday.

Upon seeing them, Master Zhou first sized them up before warmly approaching Shen Cao, saying, "This must be Manager Shen of the Shen Family Restaurant!"

Shen Cao smiled and nodded, then gave him a simple bow.

"Hello, Mr. Zhou!"

Master Zhou smiled and nodded, looking at Shen Cao.

That's right, the little girl is neither humble nor arrogant, and remains calm and composed.

He smiled and gestured for Shen Cao and the others to sit around the round table before asking, "Miss Shen, who are these gentlemen?"

Shen Cao introduced them one by one.

It was a bit strange, though, that none of the three people introduced bowed to Master Zhou like Shen Cao did; instead, they simply nodded.

Master Zhou didn't mind and smiled as he told Butler Zhou to arrange for the dishes to be served.

He could tell that the people in front of him were all extraordinary. Although the girl was easygoing, none of the things she wore or carried were ordinary. In particular, the young man in black robes was someone whose background he couldn't discern even after observing countless people.

After Butler Zhou left, Shen Cao asked directly, "Master Zhou, may I ask why you invited me here?"

"Miss Shen is a straightforward person, so I won't beat around the bush."

He hesitated for a moment before speaking, "To be honest, the reason I came to see Miss Shen is to ask her for a favor."

"Help?" Shen Cao was even more puzzled.

"Yes! I heard from Steward Zhou that all the food at the Shen Family Restaurant is made by Miss Shen herself."

"I would like to invite Miss Shen to cook at the Zhou family's house!"

Before Shen Cao could speak after hearing this, Wan Yue interjected, "Sister Cao'er would never work as a cook in your family!"

Upon hearing this, Master Zhou knew they had misunderstood and quickly explained, "Miss, you've misunderstood."

"I'm not asking Miss Shen to be a cook at the Zhou family's house, I just want Miss Shen to cook a meal at my house."

Shen Cao was even more puzzled. "If Master Zhou wants to eat my family's food, he can go to Shen Family Restaurant. If that's not possible, he can take it to go. Why go through all this trouble?"

Master Zhou shook his head, "Actually, I wanted Miss Shen to cook a meal for my mother alone!"

"Grandma Zhou?"