CHAPTER 171: CHAPTER 166: THE SUPPORTING FEMALE CHARACTER OF THE SPIRITUAL SPRING SPACE

"Long time no see." The day Ye Qiu’s restaurant just opened, a handsome man with gold-rimmed glasses walked in, standing casually against the light, making his tall stature and long legs, and exceptional demeanor even more prominent, causing the young waitress wiping the tables to stare in awe.

"Senior Lin." Ye Qiu invited him in and poured a cup of tea.

Lin Jiayan held the tea and gave a bitter smile, "You are still so polite."

As he looked at the cool and elegant Ye Qiu, he let out a sigh of relief. From the day they met, her attitude towards him had never changed. He had diligently pursued her for two years, but he was rejected every time. Ever since she graduated and returned to this small town, their meetings had become even rarer. Next month he was due to go to Qitiao Country to expand his family business, and it was quite possible that he wouldn’t return for several years. Following his inner yearning, he still decided to see her one last time.

"Anything you’d like to eat? The guests with reservations will be here after twelve, and I have some time now." Ye Qiu looked at him, lowering her gaze and changing the subject.

"Is fried rice with eggs okay?"

"Sure, have a seat for a bit."

Watching Ye Qiu’s retreating figure, Lin Jiayan gently closed his eyes. He felt like he was finally losing something very important, a feeling he had for the past two years, just not as intense as now.

Well, perhaps it’s just that they were destined to meet, but not destined to be together!

By the time Ye Qiu came out with a bowl of fried rice with eggs, Lin Jiayan had already left, leaving only a cup of steaming tea on the seat.

"Boss, this is from that gentleman for you." The waitress handed Ye Qiu an envelope.

Ye Qiu unfolded the envelope, and there were a few simple lines written on the paper: Ye Qiu, I’m going to Qitiao Country, and might not come back for a long time. I don’t know if my behavior these past two years has caused you any trouble, but anyway, I wish you happiness! Goodbye!

Goodbye!

Ye Qiu closed the letter and softly said in her heart.

The waitress looked at her boss with envy. It wasn’t the first time; the boss had so many admirers! The one who came the day before yesterday was a sharp, tall, and heroic military man. She wondered what kind of man her boss would finally choose. However, looking at the boss’s otherworldly appearance, she felt that no man in this world was worthy of her.

"Really not getting married?" Madam Shen came by from next door, looking at her obedient daughter from a young age, and sighed. Her daughter was perfect in every way, just a bit stubborn. There had been plenty of men pursuing her, and both her and her father had tried persuading her, to no avail. It seemed like she just wanted to live her life alone.

"Mom." Ye Qiu gave a helpless smile, "Being alone is quite nice, and besides, with you, Dad, and my brother around, I’m not solitary at all. Whether or not I get married really isn’t a big deal."

After trying to convince her many times, Madam Shen was disheartened, but her daughter was only twenty-three years old; who knew, she might change her mind someday!

But Madam Shen was destined to be disappointed. Even after Ye Zhou got married and had children, Ye Qiu was still alone, guarding her little restaurant. Every year she would take a six-month break to travel around the world, searching for the freshest ingredients, honing her unparalleled culinary skills, her footsteps never ceasing.

Ye Qiu left this world only after Ye Zhou had passed away. By then, her Light of the God of Cooking had reached Level 6 and she had become one of the world’s top-tier chefs. On the day she died, disciples and patrons from all over the world came to bid her farewell.

Name: Ye Qiu

Merit Points: 17000

Exchanged Skills: Hacker God

Light of the God of Cooking Level 6

Seventh-level Body Forging Technique

Ten Times of Luck Bonus (7 remaining)

Conquer Emperor System (Achievements unlocked: Skin like Jello, Charming Eyes, Aroma Assault, Voice Like a Pearl)

Task completed, proceed to the next world?

"Yes."

"Mom, what’s wrong with you? Wake up!" Ye Qiu murmured as she opened her eyes, a little girl’s voice rang by her ear, her young hands touching Ye Qiu’s forehead, gently resting against the pillow.

"Yinyin." Fighting the headache, Ye Qiu embraced the little girl in her arms.

"Mom, you’ve been asleep for so long. Granny said you would never wake up." The girl clutched Ye Qiu’s collar tightly, burying herself in her arms and sobbing quietly.

"It’s alright, Mom’s fine now." Ye Qiu caressed her daughter’s head with tenderness, "Go to sleep, Yinyin. Mom will stay with you."

"Mhm, Mom, never leave Yinyin behind again."

"I won’t. From now on, Mom will take you wherever she goes."

Humming a lullaby softly until her daughter fell asleep in her arms, Ye Qiu then recalled the whole matter.

In this world, Ye Qiu married a poor guy named Kong Lizhi after college. In the beginning, their relationship was good, until Ye Qiu got pregnant and brought Granny Kong home. After that, their relationship deteriorated day by day, often arguing over trivial matters. Later, when Ye Qiu gave birth to her daughter Wenyin, she faced constant cold words and scorn in this household.

It never crossed her mind that Kong Lizhi, a man who graduated from a prestigious university, would value sons over daughters, and as his business became more successful, he secretly kept a mistress and even had an illegitimate son.

Sensing the existence of her biological grandson, Granny Kong thought about bringing him to her side. But the mistress wouldn’t agree unless she was made the legitimate wife, otherwise, all negotiations were off the table. Then Granny Kong started pressuring her son to divorce Ye Qiu.

But Kong Lizhi wouldn’t agree either. Ye Qiu had married him when he was most impoverished, and now if they divorced, he would have to give up at least half of his wealth. Having finally found success, how could he willingly accept that?

Then, at that time, Granny Kong started contemplating torturing Ye Qiu. This useless woman couldn’t bear a son, and now she wanted to take her son’s money? There was no way something that easy would happen!

Granny Kong first secretly took Wenyin back to her hometown. When Ye Qiu followed them there, she was forced to do all kinds of hard labor. If Ye Qiu refused, Granny would publicly cry and make a scene, claiming that her city-bred daughter-in-law was tormenting this old woman, not feeding her. If Ye Qiu wanted to leave, Granny Kong would clutch on to Wenyin and not let go. Desperate and without options, Ye Qiu thought to find a way to leave after a couple of days.

But she never anticipated that in those two days, because of poor eating and sleeping conditions, plus all the hard labor, she fell ill with a high fever. Today, she really couldn’t get out of bed, but Granny Kong still forced her to sweep the floor. Otherwise, Granny would take Wenyin away. Having no choice, Ye Qiu had to get up to work.

However, while sweeping, Granny Kong complained that she was too slow and pushed her. With a high fever, Ye Qiu lost her balance and hit her head on the corner of a table, fainting immediately.

At that moment, Granny Kong herself was startled by the sight of the blood. While dragging Ye Qiu onto the bed, she thought about calling an ambulance. But instantly, a terrible thought crossed her mind.

If Ye Qiu died like this, wouldn’t she be unable to take any of her son’s wealth? Moreover, her dear grandson could rightfully enter into the family.

Her eyes lit up with the idea, Granny Kong decided to let Ye Qiu fend for herself, secretly hoping she would just die. Then, without considering the safety of Wenyin, a five-year-old girl, Granny Kong went out to play cards by herself.