The Gluttonous Shopkeeper and the Lovely Chef

[Food + Sweet Romance + Delightful Daily Life]

At some point, an out-of-towner arrived in Bianliang and opened a fine-dining restaurant in a misty, rainy alley.

There was always a long line outside, with commoners from the streets as well as high-ranking officials from the imperial court.

A certain official hurried home from court, shouting, “Are there any soup dumplings left?!”

A noble young lady from a prestigious family got up early to queue: “Save those cherry pastries for me!”

People came and went, jostling to get in. One day, a man who called himself a great hero of the martial world happened to pass by.

“I’ve heard so much about Lady Cheng Shi. I’ve come to see for myself.”

He was clearly a hired goon from the restaurant across the street, sent over to cause trouble. They served him a pot of nine-compartment hotpot. The fiery sensation left such a lasting impression that he defected on the spot and became a waiter.

The rival shopkeeper refused to give up. One day he came dressed as a noble young gentleman, the next as a beggar.

Cold yuanzi, hibiscus cakes, and rose-fermented rice wine: every bite left him speechless.

The shopkeeper rubbed his hands together, beaming like a flower: “Looks to me like Lady Cheng Shi could use a shopkeeper!”