[Red Mansion] A little chef came to the Grand View Garden

Liu Mei followed the woman carrying the lamp into the yard slowly, and went straight to Xue Baochai's room.

Along the way, Liu Mei could smell the strange fragrance from the end of her nose, but once she entered Baochai's house, she felt as if she had entered a snow cave, with whitewashed walls, few furniture and simple decoration.Only a vase with gold hooks and iron wires from Ge Kiln was placed on the table, and a few huge spirea were inserted in the vase-but this extremely expensive antique, placed in such a room, seemed very out of place.

Liu Mei pursed her lips, and she couldn't help complaining in her heart: The crab feast with so much money was set up, but my house was cleaned up like this.It seems that this treasure girl just loves to show off her wealth in front of people.However, she forgot that the big spender at Baochai's crab banquet—the crabs were brought by the Xue family's own property, and in Baochai's eyes, they probably didn't count as much money.

Baochai, the owner of the house, was sitting alone on the couch quietly doing needlework, when she saw Liu Mei coming in, she didn't speak immediately.It wasn't until Liu Mei stood still, said hello to Baochai, and stood still waiting for Baochai to speak, that the girl Baochai spoke slowly.

"Meier—"

When Liu Mei heard her calling her that, she felt a little panicked in her heart.

Sister Bao is definitely the master of "going to the Three Treasures Palace for nothing", but now she is invited to Hengwu Garden after nightfall, so it can be seen that there is something important to discuss.

At this moment, when Liu Mei saw Baochai looking up at her under the lamp, her heart skipped a beat, and she remembered Xiaohong's words earlier: Sister Feng told Xiaohong to take a message, asking her to be calm and not to be wooed by others. Others, could it be the one in front of me, Miss Xue Baochai, right?

"You are fine!"

Baochai praised it when she opened her mouth.She took good care of herself, and the snowy jade-like skin on her face could almost shine through under the lamp.

"Miss Bao is absurd, Liu Mei is really, I dare not take it!" Liu Mei couldn't figure out what Baochai wanted to say, so she simply pretended to be stupid.

"I want you to help me!" Baochai didn't say nonsense, but went straight to the point.

"Miss Bao, please tell me directly, how can Liu Mei help you." Liu Mei's words sounded nice, but she didn't agree to anything.

Si Baochai could hear Liu Mei's carelessness, she raised the corners of her lips slightly, and smiled.

"Actually, I never thought that your culinary skills could be as good as Xie Xiaochuan's." Baochai said with a light smile, "Besides, you can make someone with Xie Xiaochuan's temper speak for you. Your dishes are as good as Xie Xiaochuan's." Cooking skills must be superior."

Liu Mei was slightly taken aback when Baochai called Xie Xiaochuan's name, raised her head, and opened her eyes wide, as if thinking of something.

At first, she just thought that this crab banquet was a temporary idea of ​​Xiangyun, who wanted to open a poetry club as the host, and Baochai volunteered to help.As for Xie Xiaochuan, it was because Aunt Xue wanted to try his craft that he appeared in Jia's mansion and in the small kitchen of the Grand View Garden.

But now, according to Baochai's formulation - this Xie Xiaochuan is completely obeying Baochai's orders?

This point sounds nonsensical, but Liu Mei thinks about it carefully, but thinks it makes sense.

During the whole crab feast, Aunt Xue's attitude towards winning or losing has always been very indifferent, but Mrs. Wang seemed more concerned.This is probably because Mrs. Wang is supporting Baochai, and she hopes that Baochai can become famous through this crab feast.

At the crab banquet that day, because of Liu Mei's deceit, Xie Xiaochuan made so many big dishes that he was squeezed out of the opportunity to show his face-but this must be taken into account. on site.

As for the next day's farm food competition, Liu Mei has been busy in the kitchen and did not witness the whole process, but she can guess from her imagination that Xue's family has been involved in it all the time, presumably Baochai is the driving force behind it.

At this moment, Liu Mei felt that the thunder was rolling again.

In an instant, she had already thought of countless possibilities—is Baochai native to Honglou, reborn, or time-traveled?

And what made her most angry at the moment was that the system that was supposed to be by her side and provide consultation for her to solve problems and answer questions at any time, now didn't know where to go to upgrade and download patches.

"That's right!" Baochai seemed to have guessed some of Liu Mei's thoughts, and nodded seriously.

"The Xue family's imperial business industry has only looked bright in recent years. It has become more and more empty, and it is difficult to maintain. If this goes on like this, in the end, it will only be able to eat without money. Once there is any change, it will be a big loss. A losing situation."

When Liu Mei heard Baochai's words, she was inevitably depressed: the four major families, so many men, why are the women in front of her always the ones who see the essence of the problem?

However, Liu Mei turned around and thought again, Mr. Cao's wonderful book was originally written for these skirt hairpins.As a little maid, she has been walking around in the Grand View Garden where the majority of women are. It is not surprising that all she sees and hears are these women talking and acting.

"In order to support the Xue family's business, I can only think of some ways, find another way, and start some businesses that don't require too much capital, but are relatively stable." Baochai listened to Liu Mei's attentive listening, and couldn't help feeling that Ruzi could be taught, Then he continued: "On this point, Lian's second sister-in-law really gave me a lot of ideas."

Liu Mei thought to herself, this means that Baochai was inspired by Sister Feng, so she decided to start a restaurant business, and she also followed Sister Feng's Hongshunlou, taking the high-quality line, so she hired Xiaochuan as a cook.

"What Miss Bao said, I don't understand business matters." Liu Mei tugged at the corners of her mouth, and pushed back Baochai's words first, "Forgive me for being so dull as a little maid, but how can I understand Miss Bao's business?" help what?"

Hearing what she said, Baochai immediately lowered her head, pinned the needle in her hand to the bandage, and put it aside, then raised her head, looked into Liu Mei's eyes, and said slowly: "Your talent is not inferior to Xie Xiaochuan's." .You will, but he may not. And if he will, you may not be able to. So, I want you, come and help me, together, to support the Xue family. "

Liu Mei listened to Baochai's words, and the more she listened, the more she felt surprised, and the more she felt that Baochai's thinking was... unrestrained.

It turned out that Baochai wanted Liu Mei to check the dishes for Xie Xiaochuan - this sister Bao didn't just like the luxurious and exquisite banquets like Hongshunlou; The most unusual materials make the most moving dishes.

"You guys are in the business of catering, so you should know that it's good to open a restaurant like Hongshunlou; however, if you only focus on the business of wealthy and distinguished customers, it may not be without risk. The small people in the market are always in need. For dinner."

What Baochai means is that she not only knows how to open high-end restaurants like Hongshunlou, but also opens many small restaurants for ordinary people, relying on low cost and good taste to attract diners, and slowly make it a sign , as long as the scale becomes larger in the future, it is not afraid that it will make a lot of money every day.

"When I was in Lixiangyuan in the early years, I felt that you were different from others, but I missed you at that time." Baochai mentioned the past, feeling a little sad.

"And now, if you agree to me, I will naturally give you benefits that no one else can imagine."

"What's the benefit?" Liu Mei felt itchy when she heard the word "benefit".

Baochai replied solemnly: "If you nod your head, I will ask my mother to ask someone from the Jia family. You will enter my Xue family even with your body and deed. I promise you now: after two years, I will definitely let you go." You are exempted from your citizenship and become a good citizen, and in the future, even your children and grandchildren will no longer have to be bound by the identity of being a son of the Rong family."

Baochai's words are quite a temptation to Liu Mei.

She had just discussed with Mother Liu the possibility and difficulty of leaving the nationality, and she knew that the future was uncertain and there were many difficulties.So Baochai threw out such a big gift package suddenly, Liu Mei seemed to be hit by happiness, and she was dizzy.

"And what I can give, Lian's second sister-in-law will never give it." Baochai said this with determination and confidence.

Liu Mei was opposite her. Seeing Baochai's expression, she couldn't help but trust Baochai in her heart—after all, this Miss Xue can be the master at home; Although talking in the mansion is useful, she still has the three mountains of Jia Mu, Mrs. Xing, and Mrs. Wang on top of her. Even if Baoyu is reluctant to let her go and cry in front of Sister Feng, Sister Feng will not be able to let her go. membership.

As for the words that Sister Feng asked Xiaohong to pass to her earlier, I am afraid that Baochai would have such a persuasion.

At this moment, Liu Mei seems to be standing at a crossroads. On the one hand, she is the huge temptation brought by the "freedom" promised by others;

Liu Mei thought for a while, Baochai got up immediately, and said, "Actually, you don't have to answer me so quickly, you can go home and discuss with your family. After all, if my mother asks for someone, the family will also ask your family... ..."

Unexpectedly, Liu Mei suddenly asked at this time, "Miss Bao, have you heard of Osmanthus Xia's family?"

Baochai was taken aback, "Osmanthus Xia's family? Why do you ask this?"

Liu Mei stared at Baochai steadfastly, seeing every detail of her expression in her eyes.

"It's nothing, Miss Bao, it's just that when I was making the lotus root powder and cinnamon sugar cake today, I was troubled because the dried osmanthus was not good enough. When I heard people gossip, I mentioned that there was a royal merchant named Xia who specialized in osmanthus business. The government is also an imperial merchant, so by the way, I would like to ask if there is any friendship."

Baochai thought for a while, then shook her head affirmatively.

So far, Liu Mei decided that Baochai should really not know about Osmanthus Xia's family.

And she also roughly knows how to judge Baochai.

"Miss Bao, I really should thank you for looking up to me so highly," Liu Mei said politely, "Actually, I'm not as capable as you think."

Baochai didn't expect Liu Mei to reply like this, so she couldn't help frowning.

"I just want to ask you a question, the Xue family is like this... relying on you to find a way out, do business, find another way, make money, make a lot of money... can it really get better?"

Baochai knew very well what she meant by asking this question, but her self-esteem prevented her from answering.

The crux of the Xue family is the people of the Xue family.Baochai is an unmarried girl, but now she thinks of doing this, she has no other choice.But Baochai still had a glimmer of hope.

"It's human effort, there is always a way to get better." Baochai's tone was still calm.

So, Liu Mei opened her mouth, and then asked: "Then, Miss Bao, you just wanted to agree with me for a period of two years. If after two years, the Xue family still hasn't improved, or your business still needs people like me to support you Now, will you abide by the agreement, release me from citizenship on time, and let me live by myself?"

This sentence stopped Baochai.

Promising for two years was originally an expedient measure.Baochai himself knew that if he really wanted to make a name for himself, two years would not be enough.But she also thought that within two years, it would not be difficult to win over Liu Mei with her own means - money, scenery, decency, and even a perfect marriage... There are ways to keep this girl in the Xue family's property superior.

However, at this moment, Liu Mei asked so bluntly, but Baochai's self-esteem and conscience did not allow her to easily make such a false promise to the little maid in front of her.

"Miss Bao," Liu Mei smiled when she saw Baochai in a daze, "You should understand it yourself!"

"My mother is alone, and it's very hard to run the small kitchen in the Grand View Garden. I don't want to leave her and go somewhere else within the past two years." Liu Mei gave Baochai her own answer.

She knows that Baochai is a pragmatic person, if she nods to Baochai at this moment, she will definitely be used by Baochai, earn a lot of money for her, and be driven by her to save the Xue family from the turmoil.

Liu Mei asked herself: How could this be the choice she wanted?

"In any case, thank you Miss Bao, it's getting late, please settle down sooner, Miss Bao! The days are still long, and there is always a way to think of it." Liu Mei comforted Baochai, bowed her knees slightly, and then left.

Baochai was behind her, but still in a state of shock, alone, staring at the Ge Kiln porcelain vase on the case table in a daze, the reason is no wonder what Liu Mei asked her earlier, "The Xue family is like this... Will it get better?"

Liu Mei stepped briskly and left Hengwu Garden.

She looked back, only to see that the courtyard behind her was dark and gloomy in the thick night.

The woman who was holding the lantern in front of her heard the movement, turned around and asked, "Miss Liu, what's wrong?"

Liu Mei shook her head and said, "It's nothing. I'm sorry for your trouble. It's so late and you still send me back."

She tried Baochai earlier, and saw that the other party really didn't know about Osmanthus Xia's family.

In this world now, she is an outsider who traveled through time. Judging from the situation on the other side of Sister Feng, Sister Feng is very familiar with the old events contained in the original book, and the timing is extremely precise. Rather than saying that she is an outsider, it is more like rebirth. , trying to turn things around; as for Baochai——

Now this Baochai looks like two butterflies, she and Sister Feng, flapping their wings.

The author has something to say: there is another chapter tonight, about food.