Everyone at the Guo Mansion knows Guo Feng, so when this unfamiliar face appeared at the mansion, Guo Feng easily guessed the man’s identity as Li Fugui.
He stood up with gentlemanly grace and asked, "Are you Master Chef Jiang?"
Seeing that he was recognized, Li Fugui imdiately restrained the heavy expression on his face, stepped forward, clasped his hands, and bowed, "Greetings to Young Master Guo and Young Mistress Guo."
Guo Feng was surprised to see Li Fugui; he didn’t expect soone so young to have such exquisite culinary skills. He looked about the sa age as Guo Feng.
Li Fugui’s greeting obliged Xiaotian to stand up as well. Seeing her rise, Guo Feng thoughtfully supported her with his hand.
In Li Fugui’s eyes, this scene was like a stab to his heart.
Xiaotian never imagined they would et under such circumstances.
Her heart was pounding, and her expression was sowhat unnatural. She greeted him in a clear voice, "Master Chef Jiang."
Seeing Xiaotian’s reaction, Guo Feng couldn’t help but ask, "Do you know each other?"
"A few days ago, when I ca to the Guo Mansion, I t Young Mistress Guo during one of Madam Guo’s rewards." Li Fugui quickly picked up the conversation, not wanting to make Xiaotian uncomfortable.
Sure enough, hearing Li Fugui’s response, Xiaotian breathed a sigh of relief, and a bit of ease returned to her expression.
Seeing Xiaotian like this, Li Fugui’s heart bled with pain. To et but not be able to recognize each other, and to have to pretend to be strangers, caused him deep, deep sorrow.
"I see, Master Chef Jiang, thank you for coming especially to cook for us. To be honest, my wife is pregnant and her appetite hasn’t been good, but your dishes suit her taste perfectly. We might need to trouble you more in the future."
Li Fugui forced a bitter smile in his heart, "It’s no trouble, not a bother at all. It is my honor to cook for you, especially since you have fairly compensated with silver."
At this point, Xiaotian, standing there, couldn’t hold on any longer. She was very afraid that Guo Feng would discover sothing. She tugged at Guo Feng’s sleeve, "Shall we go back inside? Let’s not keep Master Chef Jiang, he probably needs to be on his way."
Hearing that Xiaotian wanted to go back inside, Guo Feng nodded and signaled her to wait a mont, then said, "Master Chef Jiang, are you delayed because your carriage had an issue on the way ho?"
"No, I was just preparing so evening pastries for Young Mistress Guo, so I am a bit late, but I’ll be finishing up shortly and will leave then."
"I see, pardon the trouble, Master Chef Jiang."
"No trouble." Li Fugui replied, with a glance towards Xiaotian, and continued, "The other day I happened upon Doctor Luo by chance, who was treating Young Mistress; we chatted about her diet, so today I specially made these pastries that would be beneficial to her. Young Mistress can try eating so tonight."
"Thank you, Master Chef Jiang." Xiaotian thanked him naturally, though her heart felt heavy with sadness.
"You’ve been very considerate, Master Chef Jiang." Guo Feng also expressed his gratitude.
"It’s what I should do," replied Li Fugui, as the atmosphere beca unbearably awkward. Realizing Xiaotian might not hold on much longer, he then said, "Young Master Guo, Young Mistress Guo, I’ll take my leave now and continue with the preparations."
"Alright," Guo Feng nodded and turned to Xiaotian, saying, "Let’s head back as well."
With that, the three of them parted ways.
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