Playing Chef in a Novel That Abuses Its Female Lead

1. Zhu Ying was once a royal chef. Her lifelong dream was to leave the palace and open a little restaurant where she could spend the rest of her life in peace. But before she could leave the palace, she got caught up in the poisoning of a Noble Consort and lost her life.

When she opened her eyes, she had transmigrated into a storybook. "She" had become the young owner of Dingxianglou, a century-old restaurant. The family business was on the verge of closing for many reasons: it had failed to keep up with the times, one master chef after another had left, and its attempt to reinvent itself had failed. To save it from disaster, she urgently needed to marry into the family of a rising business magnate.

The storybook was about how "she" was repeatedly teased and tormented by the magnate and his friends, swallowed her tears, and eventually ended up with him in a clichéd happily-ever-after.

Zhu Ying: If the restaurant is going under, shouldn't we improve the food? Why get married?

Zhu Ying didn't understand, and couldn't be bothered to. She simply picked up the familiar spatula and ladle and returned to her old trade.

Sunflower pork, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, mirror-box tofu, celery under snow...

One famous dish after another came to life in her hands, each a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate, drawing diners from far and wide. The century-old restaurant, dormant for years, blossomed with new life.

Coming soon: "My Food Can Ward Off Evil"

1. Wen Yuhuai, the foremost master of the mystic arts, was the best in the world at catching ghosts and drawing talismans, and was revered as a national teacher.

No one knew that her lifelong dream was to run an ordinary restaurant and live a peaceful life. Sadly, she never got the chance in that life.

One day, she transmigrated and became the owner of an old-fashioned noodle shop.

Wen Yuhuai's eyes lit up. She grabbed a spatula and got to work.

The heavens had rewarded her for all the good deeds in her previous life. This time, at last, she could make her dream come true!

A small noodle shop appeared by the entrance to Fu'an New Village. In less than half a month, residents had reached a unanimous verdict:

The chow mein at this place is a sticky clump, and the fried rice is hard as firewood. If you're starving, you might as well eat instant noodles.

Then one day, a pale, listless young girl came into the shop with her parents. She picked up a spoonful, and her whole face lit up. She wolfed down an entire bowl.

She looked as though it were the best fried rice she'd ever eaten in her life.

The owner of the hardware store next door was skeptical too, but ordered a serving of fried rice:

Still as awful as ever!

But something strange happened. From then on, more and more unfamiliar faces poured into the shop.

Most of them were ashen-faced and unsteady on their feet, yet they ate as if entranced, like they were enjoying a feast.

The residents of the complex tried another bite, still unconvinced:

Ptooey, it's still as awful as ever!!!

2. The Supernatural Management Bureau heard that a new cultivator had appeared in the west of the city, and that anyone who ate her food could ward off evil.

When they hurried to the restaurant, they found it deserted. Not even a dog would go in!

Still, they asked the owner to cook for a disciple who had been injured by an evil spirit. The moment he finished eating, he was back to full health!

Everyone: Master!!!

The master could ward off evil, subdue monsters, catch ghosts, and exorcise demons. She was a true all-rounder.

The only problem was that even when something could be dealt with directly by hand, she insisted on doing it through the food she made.

Someone tentatively suggested that she simply deal with the problem herself.

Wen Yuhuai shook her head vigorously. "My food is delicious! Everyone feels happy after eating what I make, and that's why they recover!"

Everyone: "..."

But, Master, it really doesn't taste good!

Ward off evil (yes)

Gourmet food (no)

The residents of Fu'an New Village spent their whole lives wondering how many plants the restaurant had hired to praise its food.

Theme: Learn to cherish yourself, and you will find happiness.