A farmer has a shrewish wife; he's busy making money every day.

The birthday party was held on a bright and sunny day, a rare treat.

Early in the morning, Ye Qingxue followed Aunt Lu and Madam Chen to the noodle stall to start preparing dishes for her birthday banquet.

When they arrived at the noodle stall, Aunt Lu and Madam Chen didn't rush to start cooking. Instead, they looked Ye Qingxue up and down with great interest.

Ye Qingxue felt a chill run down her spine from their stares and asked, "What's wrong?"

Aunt Lu immediately grabbed her shoulders and spun her around twice.

"Is this your new outfit? Dressed up like this, you really do look like a handsome young man!"

Madam Chen was also standing to the side, her face full of surprise. "He was already born beautiful, with delicate skin and exquisite features. Looking at him now, he is even more handsome than a real man."

Seeing their excited eyes, Ye Qingxue looked down at her clothes with embarrassment.

She put on the plain black robe she had bought yesterday, but no matter how you looked at it, it was just an ordinary piece of clothing. They were being too extravagant.

"Stop making fun of me," Ye Qingxue said with a smile.

Aunt Lu clicked her tongue in admiration: "These clothes fit much better than the previous ones; look how well they accentuate the waistline."

Madam Chen joked, "Luckily, our young master Ye is still growing, otherwise he wouldn't be able to wear these fitted clothes."

Ye Qingxue blushed instantly, knowing that this was a reference to her flat chest.

She's still young, she can still grow!

"Alright, alright, stop teasing me, let's get started!"

Ye Qingxue quickly changed the subject.

Aunt Lu and Madam Chen quickly replied with smiles, "Okay."

Standing in front of the stove, the group immediately got into the swing of things.

"Aunt Lu and I are preparing the ingredients. Aunt Chen, thank you for cooking them."

Ms. Chen is very capable; she can learn a recipe after hearing it only once, so she is the perfect person to cook.

The menu they were given was braised beef brisket with tomatoes, stir-fried potato slices with tomatoes, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and tofu with eggs in tomato sauce, twelve servings of each.

This is going to be a huge undertaking.

Some dishes had already been prepared yesterday, and Mrs. Chen immediately started cooking.

Heat oil and add rock sugar to caramelize it. Add the blanched beef brisket and stir-fry until it is coated with the caramelized sugar. Add star anise, cinnamon, bay leaves, and dried chili peppers and continue to stir-fry.

Add diced tomatoes and stir-fry until they release their juices. Finally, add two tablespoons of light soy sauce and one tablespoon of dark soy sauce, pour in hot water, and simmer over low heat.

There were two pots in total. While the beef brisket was simmering in one pot, the other pot was used to stir-fry vegetables.

Amidst the rising smoke, Chen's wooden shovel flew up and down, her cheeks slightly flushed, but her eyes were extremely focused.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead, but her hands moved with practiced ease, occasionally picking up seasonings from the side and pouring them in. Her movements were so skillful that it was impossible to tell that this was her first time making these dishes.

After stir-frying, Ye Qingxue plated the dish and put it into a food box.

For a moment, the entire noodle stall was filled with the sweet and sour aroma of tomatoes, which made one feel hungry just by smelling it.

After loading all the food into the car, the group cooked some noodles and also served a bowl to Zhao Dianshi in the kitchen.

After finishing her noodles, Ye Qingxue loaded the food box into the car and set off for Shidinglou.

Inside the vehicle, besides the food box, sat a burly man with thick eyebrows, wearing a straw hat and a thin linen shirt.

There was also a large mole on the corner of his mouth.

As soon as Ye Qingxue arrived, a waiter led her to the backyard, where Wen Yanyu was helping to load food boxes onto the carriage.

Upon seeing Ye Qingxue arrive, Wen Yanyu instructed his subordinates and then walked towards her.

"Young Master Ye, you..." He paused halfway through the walk, staring blankly at Ye Qingxue.

"What's wrong?" Ye Qingxue asked.

Wen Yanyu then came to his senses and clasped his hands in greeting: "My apologies, Brother Ye, you are wearing new clothes today, they look very nice."

He didn't notice that he had changed how he addressed Ye Qingxue.

Ye Qingxue smiled sheepishly: "If I'm going to enter the Lu residence, I can't keep dressing like before."

Wen Yanyu shook his head and smiled, "Brother Ye's previous attire was also impeccable."

Ye Qingxue took it as mere politeness. "Young Master Wen, the vegetables are all on my donkey cart at the door. How shall we get to the Lu residence?"

Wen Yanyu turned to look at his own carriage. "I'll just have someone deliver the food box. There's no need to trouble Brother Ye to take care of it."

Ye Qingxue was startled. "Young Master Wen, please don't trouble yourself. I'll help you deliver it..."

"Brother Ye, come with me in the carriage to the Lu residence," Wen Yanyu said before Ye Qingxue could finish speaking.

"Huh?" Ye Qingxue was stunned.

Wen Yanyu couldn't help but chuckle as he looked at her with a smile, "Knowing you want to visit the Lu residence, I happen to have an invitation here. You can come with me."

“…Oh, thank you.” Ye Qingxue paused for a moment, then responded softly.

After leaving the house, Ye Qingxue went to the donkey cart first, saying she wanted to check the food box again to prevent any mistakes.

Where Wen Yanyu couldn't see, Ye Qingxue quietly approached the burly man in the car, saying, "You'll be following this car into the Lu residence in a little while. Don't move if you can, and wait for me to come find you."

"Don't worry," the man said in a low voice.

"Brother Ye, let's go." Wen Yanyu called out to her from ahead.

"Okay," Ye Qingxue replied, then turned and left.

The two got into the same carriage.

This was Ye Qingxue's first time riding in a carriage, and she couldn't help but observe it.

The carriage walls appeared to be carved from sandalwood, with delicate textures and a faint fragrance.

The seats were wrapped in brocade, stuffed with cotton, and covered with thick plush blankets, making them warm and comfortable to sit on.

In the center, there is a small sandalwood table with tea sets and pastries on top and a brazier below, emitting a faint warmth.

Ye Qingxue immediately felt warm all over her body.

Just by looking at the interior of this carriage, you can tell that this is not something an ordinary person can afford.

No wonder he's the young master of Shidinglou Restaurant; his family must be quite well-off.

Before I knew it, we arrived at the Lu residence.

Ye Qingxue slightly lifted the carriage curtain and looked outside.

She had actually visited the Lu residence before, but there were few people there at the time, and the gate was undecorated, so it seemed rather cold and impersonal.

Now, the Zhu family mansion is brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers in broad daylight. Outside the mansion gate, there is a constant flow of carriages and horses. One after another, magnificent carriages arrive, and servants with smiles on their faces are busy welcoming distinguished guests.

Even from outside the mansion gates, one could hear the melodious sounds of string and wind instruments emanating from inside.

"Brother Ye, please." Wen Yanyu got off the carriage and stood below, extending a hand to her.

Ye Qingxue jumped down, holding onto his arm, but for a moment she forgot that she was wearing a long robe.

She tripped and almost fell into Wen Yanyu's arms.

Suddenly, a hand reached out from the other side, put its arm around her shoulder from behind, and helped her up.

Ye Qingxue turned her head and met a pair of smiling eyes.

"Be careful."

Ye Qingxue had a strange feeling that she had seen these eyes somewhere before.

But the man before her had a fair complexion, delicate features with a touch of cynicism, and slightly upturned peach blossom eyes. His black hair was casually tied up with a white jade hairpin, with a few strands falling in front of his forehead. Ye Qingxue knew for certain that she had never seen him before.

If she'd ever seen a guy this handsome, she'd never forget him!

"Thank you, sir." Seeing that she didn't move, Wen Yanyu clasped his hands in thanks to the man first.

An emotion welled up in the man's eyes.

"Brother Zhao! Wait for me!" Before the man could speak, a pretty girl caught up with him.

She ran to the man's side, frowned, and scolded, "Cousin Zhao, why are you running so fast?"

The man subtly took a few steps back, glanced at Wen Yanyu, and then smiled, "Of course I can't wait to attend the birthday banquet."

Then he turned and walked into the mansion.

The woman lifted her long skirt and hurriedly caught up with him, saying, "Cousin Zhao, slow down! Mother and the others are still behind us!"

Wen Yanyu scratched his head, looking at the man's back with a puzzled expression.

He had a feeling that the man was somewhat hostile towards him.

"Young Master Wen, let's go in too," Ye Qingxue said.

Wen Yanyu came back to his senses and said, "Okay."

He stopped thinking about that inexplicable feeling and assumed it was just an illusion.

After all, who would be hostile to someone they've only met once?