Translator: OnGoingWhy Editor: Vermillion

  "Do you really think a mere reward will be able to persuade me to participate?" Bu Fang stood there with his back straightened as he seriously looked at Ouyang Zongheng.

  Ouyang Zongheng was surprised for a moment. He thought, "As expected of the chef acknowledged by His Majesty, his strength of character is incomparable to ordinary chefs. Looks like the difficulty of inviting Owner Bu is very high."

  "Owner Bu, are you really not going to reconsider? This is an opportunity to let everyone know about your culinary skills!" Ouyang Zongheng asked with reluctance.

  Bu Fang looked at him and blinked for a moment. He let out a deep breath and then asked, "First, tell me what’s the reward for first place?"

  "Hmm? What?" Ouyang Zongheng broke into a grin as he looked at Bu Fang. "You’re already given in? What happened to your steadfastness? What happened to your moral integrity and indifference to materialistic goods?"

  "Cough, cough…… Owner Bu, it’s like this. The reward of the Hundred Family Banquest this time is personally chosen by His Majesty from the imperial palace’s treasury and the reward will only be announced after the first place is selected. Therefore, I don’t know the answer to your question either…… However, I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed by the reward!" Ouyang Zongheng said with confidence while patting his chest.

  Bu Fang lowered his eyes and pretended to think for a moment. Thereafter, he looked up at Ouyang Zongheng and said, "Alright, I agree to participate."

  When Ouyang Zongheng heard that Bu Fang actually agreed to participate in the Hundred Family Banquet, his face immediately brightened up like a blossoming chrysanthemum.

  "Oh my, if Owner Bu is participating, you’ll definitely win first place! Tsk, tsk, tsk. Your dishes are the best I’ve ever tasted, they’re much better than the food cooked by the chefs from the imperial kitchen! Just one word, excellent!" Ouyang Zongheng gave Bu Fang a thumbs up as a string of praises left his lips.

  If someone else saw this scene, they would never think that this salesman-like middle-aged man was actually a well-known general of the empire.

  Ouyang Zongheng let out a deep breath and felt extremely relieved. Since Owner Bu had agreed, the mission given by the emperor was completed.

  Even though the process was so painful that he could not breathe, the end result greatly satisfied him. Even so, the stash money that he had accumulated for the past few months was all used up by his daughter……

  Bu Fang sent the member of the Ouyang family off with his eyes and then went back into the kitchen.

  Bu Fang was someone afraid of trouble but he was a serious person as well. He had always treated culinary with a serious attitude. Since he had chosen to participate, then he would perform his very best.

  Therefore, he would ensure that all preparations were made so that he could obtain first place in the upcoming Hundred Family Banquet……

  As the Spring Festival approached, the streets of the imperial city became very lively and busy. Everyone was spring cleaning, putting up spring couplets, cooking delicious food, and preparing to welcome the coming new year.

  The vendors along Long Street had all packed up their stalls earlier than usual and eagerly headed home with joyous expressions to welcome the coming new year with their families.

  Dense amount of smoke drifted up into sky and was blown away by the wind.

  As the night descended, the two moons hovered high above in the sky like two silver plates. The moonlight, that was usually eerie, seemed to have turned warm as it illuminated the streets.

  On the streets, many children were running about in thickly padded clothings with rosy cheeks and breathing out clouds of white breath while holding lanterns in their hands. As they ran about, their laughter broke the silence of the night and created a festive mood.

  Large red lanterns were hung at the doorways of large households while the housekeepers and maidservants busily prepared the necessities for celebrating the new year.

  Within their kitchens, large fires blazed away as sounds of stir-frying resounded incessantly and the fragrance of dishes swirled about and lingered in the air for a long time.

  Plates after plates of exquisite dishes were cooked and served on their dining tables. The numerous member of large households would gather together for the reunion dinner.

  The mood of the Spring Festival was festive and lively.

  At Fang Fang’s Little Store, Bu Fang removed a doorboard and stepped out of the store. The alleyway was quiet and desolate. Even the moonlight which was warmer than usual could not disperse the hint of emptiness in the alleyway.

  He dragged a chair toward the entrance of the store and sat down upon it. The store was not opened for business but he still sat there as usual. As the winter wind blew into the store and struck his face, he could not help but tuck his head into his shoulders.

  Under the cold moonlight, a person, a chair, and a dog seemed to be out of tune with the festiveness outside of the alleyway.

  Bang!

  A stream of fireworks flew into the air and blossomed in the pitch-black night sky.

  "Oh, how beautiful," Bu Fang thought.

  Suddenly, a series of footsteps came from the alleyway. Bu Fang immediately looked toward the entrance of the alleyway in puzzlement and saw three figures slowly approaching.

  Xiao Yanyu and Xiao Xiaolong were walking hand in hand with the sprightly Ouyang Xiaoyi. That night, Xiao Yanyu was not wearing a veil and her peerless facial features were in full view. Her milky white skin seemed to be faintly shimmering under the illumination of the moonlight.

  "Smelly boss, we’re here to bring food to you!" Ouyang Xiaoyi said with a smile.

  Xiao Yanyu exhibited the graceful bearing of a young lady from a prestigious family as usual. She was wearing a dress made from silk with a faint smile on her lips while holding a lunch box in her hand.

  "Tsk, tsk. Owner Bu, are you admiring the fireworks? What a leisure mood you’re in! However, I have to say, your store is an excellent spot for viewing fireworks!" Xiao Xiaolong said with a smile as he dragged a few chairs out from the store on his own and placed them next to the entrance, while he himself sat down next to Bu Fang.

  Bu Fang was somewhat bewildered as he looked at the three of them. He thought, "What’s going on? They’re here to bring food to me?"

  Xiao Yanyu gently smiled and said, "Tomorrow is the Spring Festival and tonight is the time for a reunion dinner. Since Owner Bu appears to be alone, we thought that you might perhaps be feeling lonely. Therefore, we brought some food here. This pastry was personally made by my mother as appreciation for your favor."

  As Xiao Yanyu spoke, she gracefully sat down on a chair and placed the lunch box in front of Bu Fang.

  As the lid of the lunch box was removed, a faint fragrance immediately wafted out. Even though it was not as strong as Bu Fang’s dishes, the refreshing fragrance was rather pleasant as well.

  Layers after layers of exquisite and aesthetically-pleasing pastries were taken out.

  "Here, give this a try. This was personally made by my mother," Xiao Yanyu said with a smile on her lips as she looked at Bu Fang while holding a plate of pastries in her hands.

  Bu Fang seriously gave the three of them a glance. He suddenly felt a warm feeling in his chest and the corners of his lips curled up.

  As he picked up one of the pastries and gently took a bite, his eyes immediately lit up. The taste of the pastry was extremely delicious. It was sweet, but not sickly sweet. Furthermore, it broke into pieces upon entering his mouth. The texture was extremely good as well. In addition, the filling inside was still emitting a hint of warmth, like the warmth of eating honey.

  "Not bad," Bu Fang praised, even though from his perspective, there was still quite a number of flaws in this pastry.

  Xiao Yanyu’s eyes immediately lit up, thinking it was rare to hear a word of praise from Owner Bu. Both Xiao Xiaolong and Ouyang Xiaoyi eagerly grabbed a piece of pastry as well and stuffed them in their mouths. And so, the four of them sat in a circle and ate delicious food.

  The warm ambience immediately dispersed much of the coldness within the alleyway.

  "Owner Bu, try this plate of Pineapple Jade Heart Cake!" Finally, Xiao Yanyu took out a place of pastries from the lunch box and offered them to Bu Fang with a face filled with expectations.