Chapter 79: Medicinal Cuisine, Beauty Addicted

Zhou Shaofeng’s gaze lingered on his father’s stern, solemn face, and his heart stirred slightly. He had not anticipated that his father, who always set his sights higher than most, would speak with such sincere admiration for a humble farmer.

“Yes, I understand,” Zhou Shaofeng replied with a nod, inwardly reflecting. Though rumors outside painted him as unruly and wild, deep within, he possessed judgment and reason. At this moment, he realized clearly that with someone like Li Chao, only by forging a good relationship could he avoid unnecessary trouble.

…

On the top floor of Jiangnan Spring Restaurant, Liu Lele’s private office radiated spacious elegance and an air of distinction. The three settled onto the plush sofa, as a maid quietly brewed premium tea for them, its fragrance curling through the room, adding warmth to the atmosphere.

Liu Lele adjusted her posture, her voice gentle yet resolute. “Both Elder Ye and my father have mentioned this matter to me. Without Mr. Li’s help, I might not have escaped calamity. I had planned to thank you personally afterward, but fortunately today’s happenstance gives me the opportunity to express my gratitude face to face.”

She smiled slightly, sincerity shining in her eyes. “I’ve always despised false pretenses—Mr. Li, your kindness will remain etched in my heart.”

Her words conveyed deep gratitude toward Li Chao and revealed her candid, genuine nature, enveloping everyone present in her warmth and sincerity.

“Mr. Li, if you ever have any need, speak freely. I will spare no effort and never refuse!”

Liu Lele’s words carried undeniable determination, her strength and courage reminiscent of a heroine, drawing admiration from all.

Li Chao smiled and waved a hand. “Ms. Liu, you’re far too generous. I’m doing well and have no requests for the time being.”

Liu Lele let out a gentle laugh, her tone tinged with familiarity. “What Ms. Liu? That sounds so distant. If Mr. Li doesn’t mind, why don’t we address each other as siblings? Wouldn’t that feel closer?”

Just as Li Chao was about to respond, Ye Wuji interjected playfully, “Hey, Li, we’re brothers forged in iron—if you call her ‘sister,’ won’t that muddle my seniority?”

His words sparked laughter, especially since Liu Lele’s father, Liu Zhenhua, always addressed Ye Wuji as “Elder Ye.”

Liu Lele was unfazed, laughing heartily. “It doesn’t matter. Everyone can stick to their own titles—no need to fuss over such trivialities.”

Ye Wuji could only shake his head helplessly, thinking to himself, “Fine, as long as you’re happy.”

Liu Lele then shifted the topic. “Since Mr. Li doesn’t have any requests, I’ll take the liberty of presenting a token of my appreciation.”

She drew a gleaming gold card from her exquisite leather bag, placing it gently in Li Chao’s hands. “This is a limited edition gold card issued by Liu Group—there are only five worldwide, extremely rare. The holder enjoys complimentary privileges across all Liu family businesses and the highest level of service and hospitality. Here in Huaxi City, it opens doors to every convenience, ensuring a carefree life.”

This gift transcended monetary value; the respect and recognition it embodied were worth far more.

Li Chao gazed at the gold card, his feelings mixed, hesitating for a moment over accepting such generosity.

Ye Wuji laughed from the side. “Don’t be modest, old friend! This gold card isn’t just a way to pay—it’s a symbol of status. In Huaxi, it marks your standing. I once shamelessly begged Liu Zhenhua for one, but he wouldn’t part with it so easily!”

Li Chao chuckled, teasing, “If it’s so precious, perhaps I should give it to you, Elder Ye. It’d be wasted in my hands.”

Ye Wuji quickly waved off the suggestion, replying with gravity, “True friendship is like plain water—I won’t take what’s meant for you. Keep it; it will be useful one day.”

Seeing Ye Wuji’s insistence, Li Chao no longer refused, gratefully pocketing the gold card, resolving inwardly not to let this gift go unappreciated.

He placed the card, a symbol of honor and friendship, carefully in his pocket, silently vowing to cherish this rare bond.

During the conversation, he noticed a hint of fatigue in Liu Lele’s expression and asked with concern, “Sister Liu, you don’t look well. Are you still recovering?”

Liu Lele shook her head gently, a bittersweet smile on her lips. “Indeed, after that incident, my life was spared, but my injuries still need time to heal. Sometimes I still get headaches. Could Mr. Li examine me once more?”

Li Chao stepped forward at once, warmly grasping her wrist and attentively taking her pulse.

After a moment, he smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Sister Liu. Your injuries pose no great threat—just careful nourishment is needed.”

Liu Lele felt relieved, but persisted, “Should I take any medicine to aid recovery?”

Li Chao shook his head gently, his tone warm and firm. “Every medicine has side effects. Unless necessary, I don’t recommend taking drugs lightly. For your current condition, weakness is most prominent; you can fully recuperate through dietary therapy.”

“Dietary therapy?”

Ye Wuji listened with keen interest, his eyes lighting up as if discovering something novel. “You’re truly extraordinary, old friend!”

Li Chao’s smile brightened as he explained, “Our country has a long tradition of health preservation through diet. Carefully combined medicinal herbs and ingredients not only nourish the body, but also prevent illness—this is what’s called ‘medicinal cuisine.’ Once your vital energy is restored, health will naturally follow and illness will be kept at bay.”

He glanced around, noting the elegant environment and the presence of ample ingredients and cooking tools, then laughed, “It seems today we can prepare a medicinal feast for Sister Liu right here at Jiangnan Spring Restaurant.”

Sunlight filtered through half-drawn bamboo blinds, dappling the antique medical hall. The air was rich with the scent of herbs and soon-to-be-cooked ingredients, weaving a unique warmth and anticipation.

Li Chao sat at a carved wooden table, brush in hand, writing effortlessly on rice paper, each stroke bold and vigorous, as if filled with the mysteries of life.

“All done, Sister Liu. Here’s Lele’s recipe for medicinal cuisine. Make sure the kitchen simmers it gently to preserve the effects.”

He gently blew the prescription dry and handed it to Liu Lele, who stood nearby in a simple long dress, her gentle face reflecting gratitude as she accepted it and turned to instruct the kitchen.

At that moment, Ye Wuji’s slightly portly figure ambled over, grinning obsequiously, as if afraid to miss any good fortune.

“Heh, Li, you see my body—years of braving the elements have left me with plenty of ailments. Say, could I have a share of that medicinal meal too?”

He feigned a cough, trying to strengthen his case.

Li Chao couldn’t help but laugh, shaking his head before answering seriously, “Elder Ye, medicinal cuisine is tailored for an individual’s constitution and illness. Lele’s recipe is customized for her; you mustn’t eat it indiscriminately. But since you’ve asked, I won’t stand by. Come, let me examine you.”

He motioned for Ye Wuji to sit, placed three fingers gently on his wrist, closed his eyes in concentration, and after a moment, frowned slightly before relaxing—he had made his assessment.

“Elder Ye, your pulse is sluggish but stable. It’s mainly due to chronic fatigue and irregular eating. I’ll write you a gentle medicinal recipe, one that will nourish without overwhelming your system.”

As he spoke, Li Chao swiftly penned another prescription, his handwriting revealing profound understanding of herb combinations.

Ye Wuji beamed, quickly withdrawing his hand and lightly patting Li Chao’s shoulder. “You’re my lucky star, old friend! From now on, I’ll rely on you for my health!”

Liu Lele watched this scene, a gentle smile curling her lips. She knew well that though Ye Wuji liked small benefits, he treated friends with genuine sincerity—especially when it came to Li Chao’s medical skills, which he admired wholeheartedly.

Li Chao moved to the desk, took a deep breath, and carefully wrote two prescriptions—one tailored for Liu Lele’s medicinal meal, the other for Ye Wuji’s condition. He folded them neatly and handed them to Liu Lele, who promptly instructed her staff to deliver them to the kitchen for careful preparation.

While waiting for the medicinal meal, the atmosphere in the medical hall grew tense.

Li Chao broke the silence, recounting the previous night’s encounter with assassins, his gaze reflecting a subtle worry. He looked to Ye Wuji, hoping his well-connected friend in Kaiyuan County might help uncover the mystery.

Ye Wuji’s expression grew serious, his brows knitting tightly. “You were attacked too?” He sounded shocked and puzzled; the word “too” was like a stone cast into a calm lake, causing ripples.

Li Chao’s heart jolted, sensing the importance of this clue. Was it possible that others in Kaiyuan County had also been targeted?

He glanced between Ye Wuji and Liu Lele, searching their faces for answers.

Liu Lele sighed softly, her eyes revealing complex emotions. She spoke slowly, her voice gentle yet resolute. “The car accident I suffered wasn’t accidental; someone did it deliberately. I’ve been investigating in secret, but so far, there are no leads.”

Her words seemed to freeze the air in the medical hall. Li Chao and Ye Wuji exchanged glances, both seeing the same shock and anger reflected in each other’s eyes.

Beneath the calm surface of the small town, hidden currents and lurking danger were everywhere.

“What…what’s really going on?” Li Chao’s voice trembled. He hadn’t expected his ordeal to be anything but isolated, nor realized Liu Lele had quietly endured similar threats.

Ye Wuji pondered, then rose, his expression firm.

“Li, Lele—this is no trivial matter. We must join forces, get to the truth, and not let those rats in the shadows escape justice!”

His words were powerful, as if forging a pact among the three.

Liu Lele nodded, her eyes burning with resolve. “Yes. No matter who they are, we won’t back down. I’ll mobilize my resources to support your investigation.”

Her voice was low and strong, calmly recounting the sequence of events. Her gaze revealed unwavering determination, assuring herself and everyone present that no matter how difficult the path ahead, she would not give up the pursuit of truth.

The Liu family’s prominence in Wannan City was widely known, and as the cherished daughter, Liu Lele’s safety was paramount. The sudden accident left her physically wounded and the family burning with anger and frustration. They used every means at their disposal, vowing to find the culprit and restore justice.

But official investigations revealed chilling conclusions—the perpetrator’s actions were not a simple hit-and-run, but showed clear intent to kill. Even more shocking, the escape was executed with professional skill, leaving almost no trace.

All signs pointed to a vast conspiracy lurking behind the scenes.

Upon hearing this, Liu Lele and Ye Wuji felt unprecedented pressure. They had believed it was an unfortunate accident, never imagining it might be deliberate.

More unsettling still was that Li Chao had suffered a similar attack. These events seemed to forebode sinister developments.

Ye Wuji looked at Li Chao, his eyes full of concern and confusion. He knew Li Chao’s character and that he would never offend powerful figures lightly. Yet the facts compelled him to ask, “Have you ever crossed any important people?”

Li Chao shook his head, his face marked by helplessness and confusion. After eliminating Jiang Shireng as a suspect, he had tried to recall whether he’d made any other enemies—but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t explain the sudden assassination attempt.

“I really don’t know,” Li Chao sighed. “Since the Jiang Shireng incident, I’ve been cautious and avoided conflict with anyone. But I never expected…to be attacked.”

Liu Lele and Ye Wuji remained silent, understanding the complexity and heaviness of Li Chao’s feelings.

Ye Wuji’s eyes grew deep, his tightly furrowed brow revealing doubt and uncertainty. Why would Li Chao, an obscure village doctor, become a target for killers? What secrets and plots lay hidden behind all this? Though he had his suspicions, the matter was grave—he dared not act rashly and risk alarming their enemy.

At that moment, a knock from the kitchen broke the silence.

Two staff members entered carrying steaming clay pots, the rich aroma instantly filling the room and whetting everyone’s appetite.

As a scion of a family of restaurateurs, Liu Lele possessed exquisite taste. Yet when she sampled the medicinal meal, she was astonished to find it was not just delicious, but seemed to contain a magical essence—one bite and she was hooked.

Her eyes sparkled with delight as she immersed herself in the marvelous experience the meal provided.

Ye Wuji, unable to resist his curiosity and anticipation, eagerly lifted his own bowl. With the first taste, he too was conquered by its exquisite flavor and unique charm.

Both set aside all worries and doubts, wholeheartedly enjoying this feast for the senses.

After ten or so minutes, the clay pots were empty, and their faces were radiant with satisfaction and happiness.

This medicinal meal not only satisfied their hunger, but brought an unprecedented sense of physical and mental joy and relaxation.