Qingmen Chef

Hai City in August was the hottest time of the year. The scorching sun baked the ground, making pedestrians feel as if they were being roasted in an oven. Only when dusk fell did the temperature gradually drop, bringing a little breathable air.

Hai City No. 2 High School was a key school. Whenever classes ended, before evening self-study, students would often flock to the food street next to the school to find something to eat. This street was called "Black Market" by the students, a name that had been passed down through generations without a clear origin, perhaps because of its bustling atmosphere at night.

Located in the center of the Black Market was a small shop with no signboard. In contrast to the crowded surroundings, this place was quiet, without a single customer. Inside, Bai Yi Nuo was meticulously wiping every corner of the wall with bleach.

She was originally a Third-Rank Female Official of the Imperial Kitchen Bureau of the Great Wei imperial court, specializing in managing cuisine within the imperial harem. During an experiment with a new dish, she suddenly transmigrated to the twenty-first century. After a month of exploration, she had gradually adapted to this world.

The original owner of this body was also named Bai Yi Nuo. She had just graduated from university when her parents died in a traffic accident. Overwhelmed with grief, the girl committed suicide with sleeping pills, creating an opportunity for Bai Yi Nuo's ancient soul to enter. Bai Yi Nuo used her meager savings to arrange a proper funeral for the original owner's parents. According to Great Wei customs, she personally burned many paper ingots to pray for their blessings in the underworld.

The original owner's family was not well-off; her parents only ran a small shop, with income just enough to make ends meet. Fortunately, this small shop remained, preventing her from having to wander the streets.

After cleaning up, Bai Yi Nuo felt her arms aching. She sighed, telling herself that if her old friends saw this, they would surely be astonished. A once high-ranking and influential Lord Bai, respected by both the emperor and imperial consorts, now had to do these trivial chores herself. In the past, she only needed to focus on culinary research, her masterful skills so talented that even imperial chefs and masters had to bow in admiration.

However, Bai Yi Nuo was an optimist; having arrived here, she had to adapt to circumstances. While lost in thought, footsteps sounded, and a tall, slender male student entered. Recognizing an acquaintance, she put down her cloth and smiled. "Lin Yu, why are you here? Have a seat."

Lin Yu was the son of a neighbor, standing tall in his No. 2 High School uniform, with a handsome, fair face. He often came by to help her.