Chapter Seventy-Eight: Only He Feels Different

It was the man who delivered the crayfish, once again carrying two large baskets. Yet this time, his face was streaked with tears. When Lin Sangqian opened the door, he hurriedly wiped his face and forced a slight smile. "Miss, I've brought you the crayfish. I just weighed them myself—five pounds in total. You can check if you like."

"There's no need," Lin Sangqian replied, glancing at the baskets and judging at a glance that it was indeed about five pounds. "Let me pay you." She took out the money and handed it to the man.

Taking it, he finally managed a hint of genuine happiness. Lin Sangqian asked, "Is there something troubling you? You can tell me if you wish." For a grown man to weep like that, it must be no ordinary matter.

"It's nothing," he said, wiping his face again. "Thank you, miss. I should go." With that, he hurried away. He didn't want to burden others, and as for his son's illness—what could a young girl possibly do?

Lin Sangqian sighed and instructed her second and third brothers to carry the crayfish into the kitchen.

As noon approached, guests began arriving one after another. The first to come were Lu Chengren and Yang Shi, both carrying gifts. As soon as Yang Shi stepped inside, he was nearly overwhelmed by the delicious aroma wafting through the air. Swallowing hard, he exclaimed, "At last I get to taste Sangqian's cooking! I've been looking forward to this day for so long!"

"You still have a chance to order a dish," Lin Sangqian said with a smile.

"Really? Then I want that scallion lamb you made before!"

"It's already on the menu."

Soon after, Qin Zhengde arrived, bringing plenty of jewelry. Lin Sangqian had easily found out where his shop was and personally invited him, and Qin Zhengde had agreed at once. To him, being able to eat at Lin Sangqian’s home was pure happiness.

Next came Di Qing, who after tasting Lin Sangqian's cooking at the Lin family last time, had been yearning for it ever since and had been looking forward to today.

“Big Brother, we’re here!” Guo Er’s booming voice announced his arrival as he led several brothers in, all carrying loads of things.

"Welcome," Lin Hongda greeted them with a smile, and Liao Shuxia came out from the kitchen to meet everyone.

"Is this sister-in-law?" Guo Er and his companions lined up and shouted in unison, "Hello, sister-in-law!"

“Hello, hello,” Liao Shuxia responded, feeling for a moment as though she had become the wife of the eldest brother.

"Where is the young master?" Lin Hongda asked.

"He's just getting down from the carriage—he'll be in any moment."

No sooner had he spoken than Yu Jingxiao entered with Guan Yanqing. Behind them followed several attendants, their arms laden with gifts.

Lin Hongda was surprised and asked Guo Er, "Those things you brought—didn't the young master buy them?"

"No, we all chipped in to buy these," Guo Er replied.

Lin Hongda, moved, patted him on the shoulder. "Next time, you don’t have to bring anything. Among brothers, there’s no need for such formality."

"Hehe, I know. But today is a special day—the housewarming."

Yu Jingxiao was amiable, and although Guan Yanqing was reserved, neither put on airs, so everyone soon felt at ease and invited them inside to sit. Qin Zhengde and the others followed, chatting away, and those who could cook went off to help in the kitchen.

"How does it smell? Fragrant, isn’t it?" Yu Jingxiao whispered to Guan Yanqing. "Let me tell you, you won’t be disappointed by Miss Lin’s cooking."

Guan Yanqing said nothing. At that moment, Lin Hongda brought out several glasses of a chilled drink.

"Gentlemen, this is a cold beverage my daughter made herself. Please try it."

Yu Jingxiao took a glass and, noticing the floating chunks inside, asked, "What are these?"

"Peaches," Lin Hongda replied with a smile. "It's made with white peaches and oolong tea."

It was a simple peach oolong tea that Lin Sangqian had prepared. Although there was no ice, it had been cooled in the well water for a while and was refreshingly cool—a delight to drink.

Everyone praised it, even the reserved Guan Yanqing finished an entire glass.

"Zicheng, are you thirsty or…?" Yu Jingxiao looked at him in surprise.

"It tastes good," Guan Yanqing replied.

Yu Jingxiao was stunned. In all the years he had known Guan Yanqing, he had never once heard him say, "It tastes good." Even with the potato chips from Fortune Inn, which Guan Yanqing had at first enjoyed, he eventually lost interest.

"And these are homemade potato chips and fries," Lin Hongda added. "You can try some before lunch, but don’t eat too much."

It was a gentle reminder: if they filled up on snacks, they wouldn’t have room for Lin Sangqian’s dishes—a true loss.

"Zicheng, try some more?" Yu Jingxiao offered.

Guan Yanqing nodded and took a chip. After tasting it, his expression shifted slightly.

"It's different from the ones at Fortune Inn."

"Oh? Really?" Yu Jingxiao tried one too. After tasting it, he was puzzled. "They taste the same to me—no difference at all."

"They're not the same. These are better."

The others tried them as well, but all agreed there was no difference from the chef’s version at the inn. Only Guan Yanqing could tell the distinction.

No one dwelled on it, simply chalking it up to the young master’s unique palate.

"See? Didn’t I tell you Miss Lin is amazing? You’ll definitely love her cooking," Yu Jingxiao whispered in his ear. "Your savior has arrived."

Guan Yanqing ignored him, but the faint curve of his lips revealed his good mood.

Lunch was nearly ready. Two large tables were set up in the courtyard, and dish after dish was brought out: spicy chicken, shredded pork in garlic sauce, braised pork with chestnuts, salt and pepper lamb chops, scrambled eggs with shrimp, twice-cooked pork, scallion lamb, sweet and sour ribs, sautéed three vegetables, dry-fried green beans…

Someone like Qin Zhengde, a notorious foodie, was already drooling with anticipation. Lu Chengren, as the owner of a restaurant, might not have tasted all the world’s delicacies, but at least prided himself on his resistance to temptation. Yet now, faced with this array of beautifully presented dishes, he found himself wavering.

"Don’t just stand there—come, sit down," Liao Shuxia called warmly. "There’s rice, mantou, and flower rolls; eat whatever you like. Oh, and the spicy chicken is a bit hot, so be careful if you can’t handle spice."

"Alright!" Yu Jingxiao replied with enthusiasm.

Beside him, for the first time in his life, Guan Yanqing genuinely wanted to eat. In the past, meals had always been a chore, a kind of suffering.

At that moment, Lin Sangqian washed her hands and stepped out of the kitchen. The courtyard was filled with laughter and chatter, and a gentle smile appeared on her face. As if sensing something, she lifted her head, and across the crowd, her gaze met Guan Yanqing’s.