Chapter 85: Datou Will Become an Official in the Future
If that old woman had simply said Wen Yao’s injury might bring bad luck to the wedding, she would have been willing to work for free. But instead, the woman beat around the bush—what was this? Did she think Wen Yao was a ten-year-old child easy to bully?
They were working in the kitchen area, at least not in front of the guests, though one of the kitchen helpers still went to inform the groom.
Soon, the groom hurried over. Seeing the old woman, he frowned. “Mother, what are you doing now?”
Then he looked at Wen Yao and nodded politely. “Miss Wen, thank you for your help today.”
Wen Yao returned the nod with a distant expression.
The old woman was clearly unhappy that her son had undermined her and scolded him quietly. “What do you know? Saving money where we can is only right. Besides, it’s not my fault. She came here injured—if she can’t do as much work, she shouldn’t take the same pay. What did I say wrong?”
Wen Yao thought silently: Even when I’m not injured, I don’t do miscellaneous chores—I only cook. She just stands there giving orders.
The groom was mortified and pleaded helplessly. “Mother, it’s my wedding day. Please stop making trouble. Miss Wen came despite her injury to manage the banquet. If it were someone else, they might’ve simply said they couldn’t come, and we wouldn’t have been able to find a replacement in time.”
Wen Yao glanced at the groom—a dark-skinned, typical country man, sweating anxiously.
“Fine. One hundred fifty it is. Second Aunt, take the money. Let’s work.” After speaking, Wen Yao turned and hobbled into the kitchen on her crutch, which Old Wen had made overnight. Luo Shi had sewn thick padding under the armrest, so it didn’t hurt at all.
Li Shi was furious and wanted to leave immediately, but seeing Wen Yao already inside, she snorted heavily and held out her hand to the old woman. “Pay up.”
The old woman didn’t care about her attitude. Saving fifty coins made her happiest of all. She counted out the reduced amount and handed it over.
Li Shi followed into the kitchen, fuming. Meanwhile, someone whispered to the old woman, “Aren’t you afraid she’ll mess things up and ruin the wedding feast?”
The old woman happily tucked away the saved money. “She wouldn’t dare. A girl like her cares about her reputation. If she dares cause trouble, I’ll spread the word tomorrow and see who hires her again.”
Though meant as a whisper, her voice carried clearly into the kitchen.
Li Shi stormed toward the door, ready to argue, but Wen Yao pulled her back.
“Yao Yao, forget this—we’re leaving. We don’t need this money. We’ll return the deposit, double it if needed. We don’t need this humiliation!” Li Shi shouted loudly so those outside could hear.
Wen Yao glanced outside. The old woman’s face stiffened, but Wen Yao gently said, “Second Aunt, it’s true that my injury came first. If I were fine, they wouldn’t have any reason to complain. Besides, it’s said better to demolish a temple than ruin a marriage. If we leave today, we’d ruin that man’s wedding.”
Li Shi knew she was right, but her anger still simmered. With no choice, she stayed.
In the kitchen, Wen Yao moved slowly with her crutch while Li Shi and Cai Shi stood by the stoves, aprons tied, spatulas flying as dish after dish was prepared.
Several people tried to come in to help, but Li Shi drove them out—she knew they only wanted to steal the recipes. Wen Yao’s cooking skills weren’t something anyone could casually learn.
At noon, the banquet began, flawless and beyond reproach. Guests praised the food endlessly, delighting the old woman.
After the banquet, Wen Yao, Li Shi, and Cai Shi took nothing—not even a meal—and left immediately. Li Shi carried Wen Yao on her back while Cai Shi held the crutch.
All the way home, Li Shi kept grumbling. “What kind of family was that? So infuriating! And you—usually you’re so tough at home. Why were you so soft today?”
Li Shi was tall and strong from farm work; carrying Wen Yao felt like carrying a chick. Wen Yao laughed softly. “Don’t be angry. That family was harsh, but my injury did affect my ability to work. Giving orders and doing it myself aren’t the same. Earning less is fine. The groom seemed reasonable. Think of it as helping him—if we’d left, he’d be mocked forever. Oh, remind Grandma to tell Great-Aunt not to accept future jobs from their relatives.”
She wasn’t without temper—she simply believed that since she accepted the job, she should finish it. If her injury slowed things down, she should take responsibility herself. Professor Wen had always taught them to take responsibility for their own actions.
When they returned home, before Wen Yao could speak, Li Shi had already recounted everything in detail.
“Mother, isn’t it infuriating? They clearly bullied our Yao Yao!”
Luo Shi listened quietly, brows furrowed. After a moment she said, “Yao Yao did the right thing. Leaving would’ve ruined their wedding and her reputation.”
Wen Yao hugged the old lady and acted spoiled. “Grandma understands me best.”
Luo Shi poked her forehead. “Silly girl. When people bargain, you just accept? Chefs usually have terrible tempers. They bullied you because you’re young. If this continues, people will think you’re easy to push around.”
Wen Yao shook her head. “It won’t happen again. This time I was injured. Next time, I won’t be so easygoing.”
Luo Shi sighed deeply. She had always thought this path was difficult and the money hard to earn.
Datou, wrapped in blankets beside them, had listened quietly the whole time. When everyone finished speaking, he gently tugged Wen Yao’s finger and asked softly, “Sister, does your foot still hurt?”
His soft, sweet voice and chubby round face were irresistibly cute. Wen Yao couldn’t help pinching his cheek.
“It doesn’t hurt. As long as our Datou is fine, Sister won’t feel pain.”
Datou held her finger, bit his lip, then nodded firmly. “Sister, I’ll study hard. When I become an official, I won’t let you cook for others anymore.”
