Chapter 70: Could He Be the Future Son-in-Law?

This man... he seemed quite extraordinary. He must be skilled. Yu Jingxiao followed Guan Yanqing’s gaze and saw that he was looking at Lin Hongda, so he introduced him, saying, “This is Mr. Lin, my newly hired personal bodyguard. He’s remarkable in his abilities. Perhaps you two might spar someday. Oh, and one more thing!”

The thought struck him and his eyes lit up, “Zicheng, his daughter, Miss Lin, is quite the cook. If she prepares the dishes, you might actually enjoy them.”

Guan Yanqing merely smiled lightly, saying nothing. Food held no interest for him—an indifference he was born with. Every meal was a chore, each bite tasteless as wax. Over the years, many had recommended renowned chefs, but none could cure his peculiar aversion. He had long ceased to hold out hope.

Knowing Guan Yanqing’s temperament, Yu Jingxiao said no more and led him inside.

Lin Hongda hadn’t gone home yet. After all, he was earning fifteen taels of silver a month; he couldn’t rest easy without lending a hand. So he sought out Guo Er and the others, helped keep watch, and took the opportunity to chat and learn more about the town.

As dusk settled, he headed home, stopping along the way to buy some meat, vegetables, and pastries that could be kept for a while. With more mouths to feed now, he needed to stock up.

When he returned, they were just about to eat. Along the edge of the courtyard, ten jars were neatly lined up.

“Husband, you’re back!” Liao Shuxia greeted him with a big embrace.

The others in the courtyard tactfully turned their gazes away.

The meal began amidst lively chatter; the family sat at one table, the workers at another. Zhao Lan’er insisted on sitting with the workers, and Lin Sangqian did not object.

The dishes were simple, everyday fare, yet everyone ate ravenously, repeatedly remarking that they had never tasted such delicious food.

Unable to resist, Lin Hongda told them about meeting Guan Yanqing at the Yu residence.

“Father, you were in the wrong,” Lin Sangqian laughed. “He did nothing to offend you, so why do you dislike him?”

“I’m not sure myself,” Lin Hongda replied, troubled. “But don’t worry, I didn’t let it show.”

Liao Shuxia, after a bowl of soup, suddenly remarked, “Could he be your future son-in-law?”

Lin Sangqian nearly choked on her food.

Her words made even Lin Wenyen serious, “What does he look like? Is he reliable?”

“Brother!” Lin Sangqian said, half laughing, half exasperated. “Don’t listen to Mother’s nonsense. I’ve never even met that gentleman; what could he possibly have to do with me?”

She shot Liao Shuxia a look, who merely shrugged innocently, “Just joking.”

After dinner, Aunt Niu and the others didn’t hurry off but helped wash the pots and bowls before leaving.

Lin Sangqian tallied the chicken feet they’d prepared today.

About twenty-five pounds, ready to send to Fulfillment Tavern in two days. It was their first day making them, so they were still getting the hang of it. In another couple of days, fifty pounds a day would be no problem.

Most importantly, she’d be free to focus on other things.

Lin Hongda and Lin Wenyen practiced martial arts in the courtyard. At that moment, Lin Sangqian appeared, carrying a bowl of dark medicine.

“Father, drink this.”

“What’s this?” Lin Hongda took it, sniffed, and nearly fainted.

“What on earth smells so awful?”

“It’s medicine to restore your health,” Lin Sangqian said. “Blame yourself—or rather, blame your old self. All that drinking ruined your body. Now only medicine can truly set it right.”

She had specially gone to the pharmacy to prepare it.

Lin Hongda felt aggrieved—this was all the original owner’s doing! The former self had neglected his health, drinking himself into ruin, and now he had to bear the consequences...

Still, if he didn’t fix his health now, he’d suffer later.

Pinching his nose, Lin Hongda downed the medicine. Lin Sangqian promptly handed him a piece of candied fruit.

With that, he felt much better.

“You’ll need to drink a bowl every evening for at least a month,” Lin Sangqian said with a deadpan expression, taking the empty bowl back to the kitchen.

Lin Hongda was speechless.

Death might be easier.

“Father, when did little sister learn all this?” Lin Wenyen asked curiously.

Lin Hongda paused for a moment. Since crossing over, he had nearly forgotten that his daughter in the modern world was a top medical student.

Thinking of it, his daughter was truly outstanding!

But such things, he couldn’t tell Lin Wenyen.

“She doesn’t know,” Lin Hongda laughed it off. “She asked the doctor and got the medicine.”

“I see.” Lin Wenyen believed him and continued practicing the moves Lin Hongda had just taught.

Lin Hongda watched with admiration.

He was almost certain that, given time, Lin Wenyen would become a true master.

He wondered how his other two sons were faring at the academy.

...

The next morning, Aunt Niu and the others arrived early. Lin Sangqian noticed Aunt Niu’s somber expression and a faint mark, like a slap, on her right cheek.

It had mostly faded, but Lin Sangqian’s sharp eyes caught it.

She frowned and asked, “Aunt Niu, is something wrong at home?”

“Hm? No, nothing’s wrong,” Aunt Niu managed a smile. “Nothing to worry about, miss.”

With that, she went to help move the jars.

Hearing this, Lin Sangqian didn’t press further.

She had many matters to attend to. If Aunt Niu asked for help, she would do what she could, but since Aunt Niu kept silent, she had no time to pursue it.

From her system space, she used one point to exchange for plenty of breadcrumbs, then sent Lin Wenyen to buy fresh chicken legs and wings.

Soon, he returned with them.

Near noon, Lin Sangqian started preparing fried chicken in the kitchen.

This was her next plan—she intended to open a fried chicken shop.

She first washed the wings and legs, then marinated them in scallions, ginger, black pepper, five-spice powder, and salt for about half an hour.

Next, she dipped them in beaten egg, coated them in breadcrumbs, and heated oil in the pan. When the oil reached seventy percent heat, she dropped in the wings and legs, frying them for about fifteen minutes.

The aroma of fried chicken wafted from the kitchen, and though everyone in the courtyard was busy, their eyes kept drifting toward the source.

They already knew from yesterday how delicious Lin Sangqian’s cooking was.

Several of them had gone to bed last night wondering what delicacies awaited them at lunch today.

Now, the smell was utterly tantalizing, and it seemed unlike anything they had ever tasted before.