Chapter 750 Grotesque and Eerie Tales (Part 3)

However, she noticed that Duan Rong’s hair and clothes were covered with grass clippings, indicating he had been to the wild.

Ruyi carried the food box out of the courtyard and headed towards the main kitchen responsible for dishes within the residence.

In the days Ruyi served Duan Rong, she had to go out daily to fetch meals, and those patrolling guards had already recognized her.

As Ruyi walked past, those guards couldn’t help but glance at her curvy waist. Naturally, Ruyi noticed the guards’ gazes but instead of feeling disgusted, she rather enjoyed the feeling of being watched.

Ruyi arrived at the large kitchen and went straight to the largest room on the east side.

That was the place providing meals for Zhu Zhengfu’s family, and the head chef there was initially from the Songhe Building but was later recruited by Zhu Zhengfu.

Upon Duan Rong’s arrival at the mansion, Zhu Zhengfu treated him like a grandfather. Naturally, his meals were also provided here.

Ruyi brought the food box in and saw a plump middle-aged man tossing a spatula, his enormous and round waist moving as he cooked, while a skinny young man assisted him on the side.

Ruyi coquettishly called out, "Fat Xu...is there anything quick? Make a few dishes first, and heat up two buns."

Ruyi’s sweet and tender voice almost melted Fat Xu’s bones.

Fat Xu shivered, turned to Ruyi, and smiled, "Yes, there’s ready-made steamed pork and stewed meat, and I’ll just heat the buns for you."

While speaking, Fat Xu continued cooking and then instructed the skinny young man, "Little Guo, put two buns in the steamer and add some firewood."

Little Guo put down the vegetables he was chopping on the counter and went towards the steamer. At that moment, Ruyi suddenly gave Fat Xu a meaningful look.

Fat Xu paused for a moment, then understood the signal and once more instructed the skinny young man who was tending the steamer’s stove, "Little Guo, go to Lady Qin and ask her what kind of soup she wanted for tonight."

Little Guo hesitated slightly, "Didn’t she say she wanted snake soup? I’ve already skinned the snake..."

Fat Xu’s face turned dark as he scolded, "I told you to ask again, what are you mumbling about!?"

Seeing Fat Xu’s change in demeanor, Little Guo had no choice but to comply and leave the room.

Once outside the door, he stood there, spat behind him, then grumbled as he headed towards the backyard.

After Little Guo left, Ruyi looked around at the doorway, and at this time, Fat Xu suddenly took out paper and pen, which they used for keeping accounts of vegetables.

Ruyi then walked over without showing any emotion, directly holding the pen to write something on the paper, writing swiftly and skillfully.

Having finished writing, Ruyi immediately tore off the paper, blew gently on it with her mouth to dry the ink a bit, folded it, and tucked it into Fat Xu’s collar.

Meanwhile, Fat Xu had just taken the dish he was cooking out of the pot.

By that time, Little Guo had already returned, standing at the door looking somewhat displeased. He had just been scolded by Lady Qin’s maid and now, with a sour face, said, "I’ve asked, it’s snake soup."

Fat Xu nodded, pointed to the dish that was just taken out of the pot, and said, "Take this dish over."

After Little Guo left, Fat Xu prepared two cold dishes for Duan Rong and packed them, along with the steamed pork and stewed meat, into Ruyi’s food box, after which Ruyi carried the food box and left.

Once Fat Xu had prepared all the dinner for each room, he instructed Little Guo to clean up and wash in the kitchen. Fat Xu then took off his apron and went to his own room to rest.

In his room, Fat Xu took out the piece of paper that Ruyi had folded and tucked into his collar, glanced through it quickly by the light, then sat at the table, laid out fresh paper, and carefully transcribed it in delicate small characters.

He retrieved a slender bamboo tube from the corner, placed the transcribed sheet inside, then shut the door and left the mansion, disappearing into the pitch-dark night.