From Folly to Fortune：I Rewrite My Life After Rebirth!

”Mother, it’s been so many years since those things happened. Since you accepted Ruan Xiao Jiao back then, why bother with those matters now? Rather than worrying about it, why not just let it go!”

Zheng Zhi knew what kind of person his mother was.

She would never truly deal with Ruan Xiao Jiao, otherwise, she wouldn’t have stopped him when he was about to take action back then.

Since Zheng Zhi hadn’t acted against Ruan Xiao Jiao before, he naturally wouldn’t do so now.

Mrs. Zheng sighed softly, then said, ”I understand! Alright, let’s not mention her anymore. Let’s talk about you instead; even if it’s not Miss Shuangshuang, it can be someone else. Hurry up and find a good girl, get married early, and have children soon, so your mother can take care of grandchildren and enjoy her later years!”

”Mother, there’s no rush in getting married! But as for Zheng Xiu, I heard from Auntie that she has already found a suitable match, and barring any unexpected events, she’ll get married by the end of the year?”

Zheng Xiu and Mu Shuang had conflicts before, and she was not lightly reprimanded by Mu Shuangshuang.

Since then, Zheng Xiu hadn’t gone to Qingshan Town, and even with her big brother Zheng Zhi, she hadn’t been close for a long time.

”Yes, that’s why I’m urging you to get married! Other people’s mothers, at your age, have already become grandmothers, but you, of all people, are not in a hurry at all!”

Mrs. Zheng shook her head.

Zheng Zhi feared she would keep talking more and perhaps get carried away.

He stood up and said, ”I’ll go to the kitchen to see how Shuangshuang’s preparations are going! If I can help, I’ll lend a hand!”

Mrs. Zheng waved her hand, indicating Zheng Zhi should go quickly.

As soon as Zheng Zhi left, Mrs. Zheng saw Ruan Xiao Jiao walking towards her.

Ruan Xiao Jiao was accompanied by a newly arrived maid who looked no more than eleven or twelve years old and seemed timid in whatever she did.

Logically, Ruan Xiao Jiao shouldn’t have been able to manage, yet she wore a constant smile on her face every day.

Ruan Xiao Jiao walked up to Mrs. Zheng and greeted her respectfully.

”Greetings to the lady!”

”Rise, I called you here today because I’m concerned about your pregnancy. I thought you might like to taste Miss Shuangshuang’s cooking as well! If you don’t like it, you don’t have to go.”

”Miss Shuangshuang? From Er Gui Village?”

Ruan Xiao Jiao had learned a lot about Mu Shuangshuang from Mu Dade’s words.

And last time, Mu Dade told her to seize the opportunity to properly reprimand Mu Shuangshuang.

It would be best to let her lose face, making the women in the County Magistrate’s house all dislike her.

”Yes, speaking of it, she’s actually from your hometown!”

It wasn’t the first time Mrs. Zheng had mentioned this, but this time felt completely different from the last.

This time, she suddenly felt she could ask Shuangshuang what kind of person Ruan Xiao Jiao was before marrying into the County Magistrate Mansion.

”Indeed, later on, I really have to meet her!” Ruan Xiao Jiao smiled slightly, already planning in her mind how to deal with Mu Shuangshuang later.

...

In the back kitchen, Mu Shuangshuang was preparing a large table of dishes by herself. Aside from a maid responsible for tending the fire, she hadn’t let anyone else into the kitchen.

When Zheng Zhi entered, the aroma of the dishes in the entire kitchen almost entranced people.

”No wonder you surpass the chefs at Chengfeng Restaurant, Shuangshuang, your culinary skills are truly wasted if you don’t become a head chef!”

Zheng Zhi said half-jokingly.

”Yes, I think so too. I’ve been considering whether I should open a school for cooks, where I can be the teacher and charge a stack of bills for each dish taught!” Mu Shuangshuang said while stir-frying, replying to Zheng Zhi’s words.

The modern term ”bills” slipped out without her noticing, and she only realized the peculiarity when Zheng Zhi hadn’t spoken for a long time.

He looked at Mu Shuangshuang, full of shock in his eyes.

”Why are you looking at me like that?” Mu Shuangshuang asked with a puzzled expression.

”Shuangshuang, did you just say something about opening what? A school? You mean, opening a school that doesn’t teach literature?” Zheng Zhi’s face was full of excitement.

He had never felt so impressed by someone before.

The young girl in front of him, with just a casual remark, hinted at a business opportunity.

If he were to apply the concept of a culinary school to another area...

For example, recruiting some embroidery women and finding a few skilled female workers to instruct, wouldn’t there be a profit in that too?

”Is there a problem? A school means a place for learning!” Mu Shuangshuang hadn’t realized how impactful her words had been to Zheng Zhi.

”Nothing’s wrong, I just think your perspective is different from many others!” Zheng Zhi said.

”If it weren’t for time constraints, I would certainly take you to my father’s study and have a chat with him. I always feel that some of your views would even humble my father!”

Mu Shuangshuang shook her head helplessly, ”You do think highly of me!”

”It’s not that I think highly; it’s that you have the capability. Now I understand why what others have failed at, only you have succeeded!”

Mu Shuangshuang and Lu Yuanfeng had opened the restaurant to such an extent that not just Zheng Zhi but all the merchants in Qingshan Town were curious about them.

Especially Mu Shuangshuang, a woman; she spoke stories well and managed the business excellently.

However, some believed Mu Shuangshuang had someone wise advising her behind the scenes.

Zheng Zhi initially thought so too, but after interacting with Mu Shuangshuang more, he came to believe she was genuinely impressive.

”Alright, alright! It’s almost time to eat, hurry up and call the others, or I’ll get nothing done with you here today!”

Mu Shuangshuang ushered Zheng Zhi out of the kitchen and even latched the door afterward to prevent him from coming back.

The little maid tending the fire looked puzzled.

”Miss, why don’t you let the young master come in and talk to you? The young master is really nice!”

Mu Shuangshuang: ”...”

She found the maid’s words awkward.

What did she mean by saying Zheng Zhi was nice, so she should talk to him?

Not sharing the same views as the maid, Mu Shuangshuang didn’t say a word to her.

After finally finishing the dinner, the County Magistrate also returned from the county government.

The entire Zheng family waited for Mu Shuangshuang’s meal, and the servants helped set the table. The County Magistrate and Mrs. Zheng were immediately delighted.

”Miss Shuangshuang indeed has great skills. Just looking at it makes my mouth water!” The County Magistrate complimented Mu Shuangshuang without any hesitation.

Mu Shuangshuang was somewhat flustered by the praise, yet she modestly replied, ”Thank you, County Magistrate, for the compliment. It’s Shuangshuang’s fortune to cook for the County Magistrate. I wish for nothing else, just that the County Magistrate and Madam enjoy the meal happily!”

The County Magistrate laughed heartily upon hearing Mu Shuangshuang’s words.

Ruan Xiao Jiao’s gaze was fixed on Mu Shuangshuang.

She thought about what Mu Dade had told her: the woman in front of her was not an ordinary character, and to deal with her, it would take some effort.

Either do nothing at all!

”Aunt Jiaojiao, why aren’t you eating? Is the food not to your liking?” Mu Shuangshuang raised her voice and asked Ruan Xiao Jiao.