Chapter 576 - 16: The Cannon Fodder Daughter and Her Cannon Fodder Dad (Part 16)

No matter what, it’s always right to keep yourself neat and clean.

Shen Yaoyao thought, she didn’t expect to meet the factory director’s son and become friends, at the very least, her culinary skills are so good that she can show off in front of the director and maybe secure a future for herself.

In the early morning, the sound of a rooster crowing came from the yard.

Jiang Hai was already packed up and ready to set off.

The factory director’s house wasn’t far away, walking there was easy, besides Shen Yaoyao and Jiang Lai, Jiang Hai also brought two assistant chefs.

Along the way, both people praised Jiang Hai for his good luck in having such a beautiful daughter and an equally beautiful niece.

All along, Shen Yaoyao’s gaze lingered on the bag carried by Jiang Lai.

It appeared heavy, like it was filled with bricks.

Jiang Lai definitely wouldn’t carry bricks around for no reason, so what could she be carrying?

Going to the factory director’s house with such a large bag, what exactly was her plan?

Arriving at the factory director’s house, the director’s wife stood outside to greet the guests, and seeing Jiang Hai, she politely stepped forward to exchange greetings.

"Is it Master Jiang? The ingredients in the kitchen have already been prepared, the rest will be up to you."

Jiang Hai shook his head repeatedly.

"Not a problem at all, please continue with your tasks, I’ll go prepare now."

Along the way, Shen Yaoyao couldn’t resist looking around, her heart had long been overwhelmed by the luxurious and grand building.

She had previously seen it from a distance, under the shade of evergreen trees stood a white building, just its exterior was enough to make her yearn for it. Stepping inside felt like entering another world, everything was so bright and spacious, all high-end furniture that she had never seen before.

Spacious leather sofas, on the redwood tea table placed flowers in a ceramic vase, underfoot was not dusty stone slabs but clean and bright polished wood that almost reflected her image.

In the middle of the living room was a large photograph, showing a family of three.

The young man standing next to the factory director, fair and handsome, wearing gentle glasses, with a subtle smile at the corner of his mouth, appeared very gentle and approachable.

"Yao Yao, keep up."

Jiang Hai urged, Shen Yaoyao snapped back to reality, quickly shifting her gaze away, pretending she hadn’t looked at the family photo just now.

Jiang Lai kept her head down as she walked, and when she noticed Shen Yaoyao catching up, she asked quietly.

"What were you looking at just now that made you so absorbed?"

A glimpse flashed in Shen Yaoyao’s mind, restraining a strong inner pang, she casually replied.

"Nothing, just saw a pretty bouquet."

Jiang Lai didn’t ask further, just slightly curled her lips.

The plot certainly didn’t mention anything about the female lead seeing the male lead’s photo before meeting him.

However, saying so would reduce the sense of destiny in the meeting between the male and female leads.

It makes it seem like the female lead deliberately approached the male lead.

Shen Yaoyao continued with the plot, Jiang Lai also pretended not to understand anything, arriving at the kitchen and feigned amazement before starting to help Jiang Hai process the ingredients.

Jiang Hai originally planned to teach, but unexpectedly, Jiang Lai directly started preparing the side dishes, her movements so skilled she didn’t seem like a novice at all.

"You know how?"

"Hmm, I followed an old chef for a while when I was outside."

"What old chef? How come I never heard you mention them?"

Shen Yaoyao couldn’t help but ask curiously.

Jiang Lai sighed.

"He said he used to be an Imperial Chef, later he fell on hard times, he took me to beg for a while, then took me to a restaurant for odd jobs, taught me a bit."

Jiang Lai spoke boastfully just to lay the groundwork for her culinary skills later and avoid suspicion.

Shen Yaoyao chuckled upon hearing this.

"You can’t always believe what outsiders say, how many Imperial Chefs could possibly appear when you beg?"

"Maybe I’m just lucky, otherwise I wouldn’t have survived outside for so long."

Listening to this, Jiang Hai’s heart was filled with sorrow.

Shen Yaoyao looked helpless.

Again playing the sympathy card, saying daily how bad things were outside to ensure everyone’s attention focused on her.

Shen Yaoyao somewhat despised these people.

Who doesn’t have a painful past, but who talks about it to everyone they meet?

Eventually, it will become annoying.

Before preparing vegetables, Jiang Hai needed to finalize the menu with the factory director’s wife.

The banquet was at noon, with plenty of time, so Jiang Hai instructed Jiang Lai and Shen Yaoyao to stay in the kitchen and prepare vegetables, not allowed to go anywhere, and took the two assist chefs to the front.

The plot progressed as originally planned up to this point.

Like in the original plot, Shen Yaoyao peeled onions while distractedly gazing outside, occasionally revealing a meaningful smile.

Finally, she stood up, feeling excited and adventurous.

"I need to go to the bathroom."

Jiang Lai pointed to the side.

"Dad said the toilet is over there, you’re walking the wrong way."

Shen Yaoyao paused, glanced at Jiang Lai, hesitated for two seconds and calmly said.

"I know, I accidentally dropped something when I came here, I’m going back to find it, you carry on washing vegetables, I’ll be right back."

Things diverged from the original plot here.

Shen Yaoyao didn’t invite Jiang Lai, she intended to go alone.

As for why, Jiang Lai knew well.

In the original plot, Jiang Lai was sloppy and unkempt, always bending her head and hunched over, so the two assist chefs complimented Shen Yaoyao all along the way and said nothing about Jiang Lai.

Therefore, bringing Jiang Lai along was the best contrast for Shen Yaoyao.

Moreover, if discovered, Jiang Lai could share the blame.

But it was different now.

Jiang Lai changed.

She became confident and lively, cleaned herself up, showing her fair skin and beautiful long black hair, she seemed transformed, becoming beautiful.

Because of this, the affection originally only for Shen Yaoyao was divided with Jiang Lai.

Learning from past experience, this time Shen Yaoyao surely wouldn’t invite Jiang Lai to come along.

Jiang Lai watched her leave, smiling, then shouted from behind.

"You went the wrong way again, that’s the back yard, we came from the front hall, turn back quickly before my dad sees and scolds you."

Jiang Hai’s temper during work wasn’t good.

Shen Yaoyao’s steps halted, she clenched her teeth, turned, and walked towards the front hall.

Then, when confirming Jiang Lai couldn’t see anymore, she looked around, bypassed the kitchen from the corridor towards the side, and walked to the back garden.

The structure of the western-style building was complex, Shen Yaoyao held onto a hopeful and excited heart, curiously looking around.

The backyard was full of flowers in various colors, making the garden as beautiful as a dream.

On the other side, immediately after Shen Yaoyao left, Jiang Lai ran to the front hall to wait.