Chapter Twenty-Eight: Trading a Favor

Steward Yang followed Liang Yunqing like a sycophant. He twitched his nose, catching a whiff of a sweet, fragrant scent.

"Steward Yang, your nose is truly sharp."

"You flatter me, you flatter me."

"I was being sarcastic."

"I could tell."

The two shared a laugh. Liang Yunqing took a small portion of pudding from her food box and handed it to Steward Yang. It was a mini version she had made using leftover scraps.

"This... how could I possibly accept this?"

Steward Yang was genuinely surprised that Liang Yunqing had prepared a separate portion just for him. After a brief show of hesitation, he accepted it. The pudding had a texture as tender as tofu, topped with a caramelized layer, and it smelled incredibly sweet with a hint of milk.

"You try this first; I’m going to take this portion to Proprietor Xia."

"Yes, yes, of course. She is in her room, go right ahead."

Steward Yang stood at the door holding the small plate. He fetched a small spoon from a servant and took a delicate bite. The next moment, his eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Liang Yunqing’s retreating back. Soon, he smiled with genuine appreciation and devoured the rest of the treat.

Inside the room, the air was scented with something unusual—a light, citrusy fragrance. Liang Yunqing knocked and entered. The sound of an abacus clicking echoed in the room; Xia Shi'an was hunched over a thick ledger. She was so busy she didn't even look up, merely saying, "Sit."

Liang Yunqing didn't disturb her; everyone knew better than to bother an accountant while they were balancing the books. A full quarter of an hour passed before Proprietor Xia finally finished a section and stopped. She looked at Liang Yunqing, appearing somewhat weary.

"Did you bring the items?"

"Yes."

"Just collect the payment from Steward Yang."

"Well... but I also have something for you."

Liang Yunqing finally had the chance to open the box and present a simple, plain plate. It was a saucer she had bought for a single copper coin, and the wooden box holding the pudding was one that Steward Yang had previously used for pastries.

"Try this." Liang Yunqing placed it on the desk.

Proprietor Xia had never seen anything shaped like this. It looked like tofu, yet not quite, and it emitted a sweet, tempting aroma. "What is this?"

At her question, Liang Yunqing answered with the same professional tone she used for work reports: "This is a pudding. It is my new dish, made from eggs, milk, and sugar."

Proprietor Xia continued to examine the contents of the plate. Liang Yunqing realized she hadn't brought a spoon, slapped her forehead, and turned to the door. "Could you please bring me a spoon?"

A maid at the door entered, handed over a silver spoon wrapped in silk, and inserted a silver needle into the pudding. Only after confirming it was safe did she close the door and leave.

"No poison. Poison is too expensive; I can't afford it," Liang Yunqing explained dryly. Proprietor Xia was amused by her sincere tone. She took the spoon and tasted the pudding. Though she was not typically fond of sweets, she ended up eating the entire portion bit by bit.

"How is it?" Liang Yunqing asked, leaning forward.

Proprietor Xia elegantly wiped her mouth with a handkerchief before replying, "Not bad. Sweet but not cloying, and the texture is quite unique."

"Then, Proprietor Xia, do you think this dessert will sell well?"

Proprietor Xia nodded. This dessert would certainly be a hit, especially among the noble ladies in the capital who were fond of sweets; they would surely fall in love with this flavor. Liang Yunqing smiled as she took back the plate, feeling more confident. It seemed her culinary creations had a path forward here, which would make future endeavors much easier.

"Thank you for your approval, Proprietor. I shall take my leave now."

Xia Shi'an’s long eyelashes fluttered. She stood up and called her back. "Miss Liang, are you not selling the recipe for this dish?"

The recipe? Liang Yunqing paused, her hand gripping the box. "I already told you the recipe—eggs, sugar, and milk."

Proprietor Xia pushed aside her abacus. "What about the method? Miss Liang, you may name your price."

Liang Yunqing felt a pang of guilt at the thought of the electric shock punishment she had received before. She asked the system in her mind, *007, surely I can trade the method for this pudding for money?*

[Yes, you can. The system only forbids the host from trading things she has never made herself for money.]

*Does that mean as long as I have made it, I can exchange it for money?*

[That is correct. This system does not allow for reaping without sowing. Every copper coin the host earns must be obtained through effort.]

*Fine.*

Only after receiving confirmation did Liang Yunqing dare to answer. "I can teach you the method, Proprietor Xia, but I don't want money."

Proprietor Xia’s expression stiffened. In this world, the things that don't cost money are often the most expensive. After a moment of contemplation, she asked, "Miss Liang, tell me first—if not money, what do you want?"

"I want a favor. In the future, all my new dishes will be offered to Xike Restaurant first. After all, Proprietor Xia knows well that dishes are bound to be copied; only by constantly innovating can one retain patrons."

"Innovating? I like that term. As long as Miss Liang guarantees that future dishes will be provided exclusively to our Xike Restaurant, I agree to this favor."

Proprietor Xia pondered. This was a deal that could not possibly result in a loss; it fulfilled both her needs and Liang Yunqing's.

"No problem." Liang Yunqing answered decisively. Without wasting another moment, she picked up her wooden box and walked out to find Steward Yang.

Steward Yang was licking the plate with no regard for his dignity. Seeing her emerge, he immediately hid the plate behind his back. "Miss Liang, you’re out."

"Yes, I’ll have to trouble Steward Yang to take me to the kitchen."

"No trouble, no trouble at all."

Hearing that she was heading to the kitchen, Steward Yang knew there were new dishes to be launched. The previous "Boiled Beef" hadn't been perfectly replicated yet, and this time, he would make sure the chefs learned properly.

"By the way, where are my parents?" Liang Yunqing asked while descending the stairs. Steward Yang pointed toward a private booth downstairs.

Liang Mingxue and Madame Chu were sitting there stiffly. There was tea and pastries on the table, but it appeared they hadn't touched them. Liang Yunqing walked over to the first floor and patted her mother’s shoulder to comfort her. "Mother, Father, I still have some work to do. Please, enjoy the snacks and don't be so formal."

Steward Yang added from the side, "Please, make yourselves at home. If you need anything, just call for me."

"Thank you. Please keep an eye on my daughter, I am much obliged," Liang Mingxue said, bowing his hands nervously. Madame Chu also looked at her daughter with concern.

"Father, Mother, don't worry. I'll be back shortly."

"Alright." Madame Chu released her hand and sat up straight. She and Liang Mingxue exchanged a glance before both finally picked up their tea for a sip.

In the kitchen, Liang Yunqing taught the staff how to grind Sichuan peppercorns into powder and how to distinguish which dishes required whole peppercorns. In front of everyone, she recreated both the Boiled Beef and the pudding. The chefs, who had been quite arrogant before, were now diligently taking notes and observing her every move. Once the two dishes were served, they couldn't help but marvel.

"The technique is exquisite; I've never seen anything like it."

"Who would have thought sugar could be used this way?"

Liang Yunqing accepted their compliments with a smile; they were well-deserved. Returning to the main hall, she stretched her limbs to work out the tension. Steward Yang mimicked her, rubbing his own sore shoulders. They had intended to share a celebratory meal, as this was their first successful business venture with Xike Restaurant, but as they entered the hall, they heard a commotion.

They couldn't quite make out what was being said, but it was coming from the area where her parents were seated. Frowning, Liang Yunqing walked toward them. Pushing through the crowd of onlookers, she finally saw what was happening.