Chapter 198

Chapter 198: Is it Tasty?

Yu Zhi Yi did not force Red Luan to move in with her.

Red Luan would not relocate, but she promised to visit often.

Early the next morning, the Young Lord came by.

Today he had shed yesterday’s arrogance and swagger, and he looked much easier on the eyes.

The Young Lord set a property deed on the table and said: “Here, this house is for you.”

Yu Zhi Yi was not surprised he would choose this, but she did not take it at once, saying: “The duke already paid me for last night.”

The Young Lord said: “What my father gave is his. What I give is a thank-you.”

Yu Zhi Yi smiled a little and said: “Are you sure it is thanks, and not your way to dump a troublesome place on me while paying your debt in a proper way?”

The Young Lord’s plan was exposed, and he grew a bit ashamed and angry, saying: “Just say it, do you want it or not!”

[Do this woman’s eyes have superpowers or what?] She had seen through him in one glance. Yes, he felt the house was unlucky and wanted to give it away. In all of Capital City, probably only this weirdo would not hate that haunted place and might even try to buy it.

Most of all, the duke had spent over ten thousand taels of silver to pull him and his lackeys out of trouble. As a duke, he could not take money from those families, since they got in trouble by following his son’s foolishness. The loss would come out of the Young Lord. His monthly allowance had been cut for a whole year.

He planned to work through Yu Zhi Yi, to have her put in a good word for him with his father. Right now, his father would only listen to a few words from this woman.

Yu Zhi Yi was about to speak when Red Luan walked in carrying a food box and asked, frowning at the Young Lord: “Hey, what are you doing here?”

She had no good face for him. People flock like their kind; with Miss Su being what she was, this Young Lord could not be great either. Also, what decent person thinks up forcing someone to sleep in a haunted house just to help him sell it?

She set the box on the table and smiled at Yu Zhi Yi, saying: “Here, try these. I just made this snack.”

When she lifted the lid, something bright red was revealed inside.

It was a small roll shaped like a long strip, the outside coated with red chili oil and white sesame seeds. The color alone made one’s mouth water.

Up close, a soft fragrance rose.

The smell was unusual. Yu Zhi Yi had eaten many fine foods, yet she had never smelled this before, so she asked with curiosity: “What is it?”

Red Luan grinned and said: “Spicy strips.”

“Don’t be fooled by the red color. The heat is mild. I used a chili oil made from gentle peppers. It carries the smell, not the burn. But if you like and can handle heat, next time I can use other peppers. I promise it will be numbing and spicy, very satisfying.”

Yu Zhi Yi had never seen a snack like this, so she was very curious.

She turned to the Young Lord and said: “Please head back. I cannot help you.”

The Young Lord was not willing, saying: “Why? Is it because I was rude to you? I admit I did not act my best, but I wasn’t that bad, right?”

“And with this house as thanks, isn’t that enough?”

Yu Zhi Yi said calmly: “Wasn’t the house meant as thanks for me saving you?”

Red Luan snorted and said: “A grand Young Lord, yet one gift is supposed to do two jobs?”

“…”

Ignoring his ugly expression, Red Luan picked up chopsticks and lifted a piece of spicy strip to Yu Zhi Yi’s lips, saying: “Try it.”

Yu Zhi Yi could handle spice, so she did not hesitate.

The two of them acted like the Young Lord did not exist.

Yu Zhi Yi took a bite, and her eyes lit up, saying: “It’s delicious. The taste is very special.”

“It seems to have the fragrance of bean curd skin. It is sweet and spicy. It looks oily, but it feels light when you eat it. And the oil itself smells great.”

Red Luan gave a thumbs-up and said: “As expected of you. This isn’t ordinary oil. I fried more than a dozen spices to make a seasoned oil. All the scents melted into it. Add a little salt and soy sauce and you can mix it with rice.”

Yu Zhi Yi did not quite understand the process, but it sounded impressive.

Just then, a loud gulp sounded to the side.

Both women paused and looked over. The Young Lord was staring at the spicy strips.

Seeing them look at him, he turned away fast to hide his embarrassment. But the picture of that bright red snack stayed in his head, and saliva gathered in his mouth, making him feel even more awkward. He wanted to spit, but he could not do that in front of two Misses. He thought about swallowing, then winced. He, a grand Young Lord, drooling over a snack he had never tasted?

[I can’t embarrass myself like that!]

Sadly, real life did not care. He suddenly choked. Between spitting and swallowing, he chose to swallow. He could not be rude in public. [Though… swallowing is just as embarrassing.]

“Cough, cough, cough…” His harsh cough filled the room.

Red Luan twitched her lips and said: “Did he get scared sick?”

Yu Zhi Yi withdrew her gaze, knowing the truth, and said: “No. He is just hungry.”

She handed him a cup of tea.

The Young Lord took it without thinking and drank it dry, finally pressing down the cough. Red Luan looked at him with doubt and said: “A grand Young Lord can go hungry?”

“…”

[No, I wasn’t. Stop talking nonsense.]

He definitely could not admit he was craving. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the bright red snack again. The two girls were eating with such joy. His face changed.

[Fine, I can be shameless, so what! This world has one thing you must not betray: good food!]

He switched his tone at once and said: “Yes, I am hungry. Ladies, may I have the honor of staying for a meal?”

Yu Zhi Yi saw through him but did not call it out. Red Luan also caught on. She looked the Young Lord up and down, then leaned close and whispered to Yu Zhi Yi for a moment. When Yu Zhi Yi nodded, Red Luan said: “Since you have not eaten, join us.”

She asked Steward Wu to bring in bowls and chopsticks.

The kitchen had just finished making breakfast. They had not expected a guest, but to make sure no one went hungry, the kitchen always cooked a bit extra. There happened to be enough for the Young Lord.

Red Luan handed the chopsticks to him herself and said: “Eat.”

The breakfast at Yiluan Charity was simple food. The Young Lord, used to rare delicacies, looked down on it and reached straight for a piece of spicy strip.

Yes, a piece. Although Red Luan called them “strips,” they were actually thin sheets.

He tore off a sheet, chewed lightly, and his eyes brightened as he said: “It really is delicious.”

He had never eaten something with such a strange and wonderful taste. It was sweet, spicy, and fragrant, making you want a second bite. After one piece, he wanted another.

Seeing him eat with oil shining at the corners of his mouth, Red Luan raised a brow, smiling as she asked: “Is it good?”