Soon, the rice bowls were filled and placed before the two. Qin Yue, caught off guard, took a mouthful of food and her expression immediately turned unpleasant.
Just as she was about to spit it out, Zhang Wan'er shot her a glare. Qin Yue didn't understand Zhang Wan'er's intentions and wondered if Zhang Wan'er was toying with her. After all, she had just spoken up for Zhang Wan'er.
As she was about to slam the table and ask Zhang Wan'er what she wanted, Chen Lishu calmly put down her bowl. Zhang Wan'er's attention was instantly drawn to her, and she raised an eyebrow, a look of provocation on her face.
"What's wrong? Not tasty?" Zhang Wan'er asked knowingly.
Chen Lishu picked up a tissue from the table, spat out the contents of her mouth, and said unhurriedly, "It's too salty. It seems Ms. Zhang is indeed not suited for this. Don't come to our house to cook anymore. Who knows what you're plotting in your heart? What if you put something in the food? We wouldn't even know!"
"Salty?" Zhang Wan'er feigned an innocent look, picked up a large piece of pork rib, stuffed it into her mouth, and began to eat expressionlessly.
After swallowing the rib, she tilted her head and looked at Chen Lishu aggrievedly, saying, "I don't think there's anything wrong with this rib. Could it be that your taste buds are the problem, or perhaps..."
Zhang Wan'er paused here, then looked at Qin Yue and said, "Why don't you try it too? Is my cooking really that bad?"
Qin Yue felt a chill run down her spine. Salty or not, didn't Zhang Wan'er have any idea? She actually wanted her to try it. She seriously suspected Zhang Wan'er was tormenting her indirectly.
Her hand paused as she reached for food. Qin Yue slowly raised her head and asked Zhang Wan'er with her eyes what she meant. Zhang Wan'er's lips moved as if she wanted to convey some important news. Qin Yue stared for a while, then suddenly understood. With a determined heart, she picked up the dishes on the table and ate them one after another.
"I think the food today is much tastier than what I usually make. Miss Chen, aren't you perhaps trying to find an excuse to prevent Miss Zhang from coming to our house? Other people cooking for us is an act of kindness, how can you falsely accuse them?
Miss Chen has always had a good reputation outside. If this incident gets out, everyone will know that Miss Chen is petty and narrow-minded. Most importantly, Miss Zhang's purpose in coming here is not to cook for us, but to better take care of Madam He!
You are busy with work every day and don't have extra time to care for Madam He. Miss Zhang's kindness is to help you complete this task, yet you slander her and put such a heavy accusation on her. Your behavior is truly disgraceful."
Qin Yue said a lot, all of it accusing Chen Lishu of being ungrateful. Madam He listened, her brows furrowed tightly, then she picked up a piece of food from the table and put it into her mouth.
Seeing her action, Qin Yue's heart clenched. If Madam He tasted any problem with the food, and Madam He already disliked her, would she use this as an excuse to kick her out? Wouldn't she be forced to wander the streets? Thinking of this possibility, Qin Yue cast a resentful glance at Zhang Wan'er.
Compared to Qin Yue's worry, Zhang Wan'er appeared much calmer. "Aunt He, these dishes are not suitable for you. You should drink the porridge. Since Miss Chen says my cooking is not good, I will improve it later. It's not a big deal.
After all, everyone has their own tastes. Some people like salty, some like bland. I understand very well. It's my fault for not understanding Miss Chen's preferences beforehand, which made her unhappy this morning!"
Mother He carefully tasted the food in her bowl. There was no problem at all. Could it be that Lishu wanted to use this excuse to drive Zhang Wan'er away?
Thinking this was a strong possibility, she put down her chopsticks and said, "If you don't like these dishes, then don't eat them. I'll have Xiao Liu send something else to your room. Hurry up and finish your work.
After saying this to Chen Lishu, Mother He looked at Zhang Wan'er again, a guilty smile on her face. For the first time, she spoke to her kindly, "You are not our family's servant, so you don't need to indulge us so much. To be honest, we are quite picky about our taste. We are used to the food from our home nanny, and we can't get used to these.
Don't do it anymore in the future. After all, Lishu can only work well after she has eaten. I don't want these minor issues to affect her mood for the competition. I heard that Miss Zhang also has to protect the designers from Country M. It's getting late, so we won't keep you. After eating, you can go about your own business!
Hearing Mother He's dismissal, Zhang Wan'er felt no sadness. Instead, she nodded politely, "I understand. Then you eat slowly. As for Lishu...
I'm sorry, I didn't consider it thoroughly enough, and you might have to go hungry this morning. Why don't you send me your taste preferences later, and I'll let you try my cooking again as an apology."
After speaking, Zhang Wan'er lowered her head again and silently ate the food in her bowl.
Seeing this, Qin Yue couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. She hadn't expected Zhang Wan'er to have such good tolerance. If this happened to her, it was questionable whether she could endure it!
The atmosphere at breakfast was very strange. Half an hour later, everyone finally finished their food and returned to their rooms. Zhang Wan'er also left the siheyuan.
As soon as Chen Lishu closed the door, there was a hurried knock. When she opened the door, she saw Mother He standing there.
Chen Lishu asked with a confused expression, "Did you need something, Godmother?"
"Lishu, I know you have an opinion of Zhang Wan'er, but your behavior today was too abrupt. Zhang Wan'er is not a good person. If she catches any handle, she is very likely to publicize it online!
My good daughter, if you have any issues with her, just tell me. I'm an old woman, what face do I need? If I say all the nice words, and Zhang Wan'er still doesn't leave, then I don't mind using some means! Don't worry, I will never let you suffer any grievances!"