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

Chapter 605 - 601: Let Me Show You Power (Third Update)

"Cuihua, we’re both honest people! Initially, it was you who said you’d handle the Wang Family’s banquet in the neighboring village, leaving no time to do it for our Zhao family.That’s why I sought out Miss Shuangshuang. Otherwise, our Zhao family wouldn’t have anyone to handle the banquet today. Now you’re causing trouble during my son’s wedding, accusing me of giving the job to outsiders instead of you, claiming I neglected your business.

Search your conscience and tell me, how has our Zhao family wronged you, Cuihua, for you to treat us this way?"

Old Sir Zhao’s expression turned cold, his tone also carried a certain unkindness.

"Old Sir, that’s not how you should put it. I’ve been doing all the banquets around here, Zhang Cuihua. Even if I couldn’t do it, you should have informed me if you invited someone else. Now everyone’s left in an awkward position. So, what are you going to do about it?"

The horse-faced woman put her hands on her waist, speaking with extreme arrogance.

Mu Shuangshuang didn’t know this person’s background, only felt that speaking like this at someone else’s wedding banquet was truly a bit much!

Besides, they didn’t ignore her initially; she was the one who said she was occupied with other work.

It seems like the later job fell through for her or something. They say a good horse doesn’t turn back for grass, yet she’s intent on going back and even blames the grass. It’s truly detestable, and Mu Shuangshuang wasn’t fond of her.

"What else can be done? This matter was originally your fault, Cuihua. You can’t expect an old man like me to apologize and beg you to handle our banquet, right?" Old Sir Zhao said, displeased.

"There’s no need for that. I just want to have a cook-off with this brat. At noon, we’ll each cook a table of dishes to see whose is more delicious. If I win, your Zhao family should pay me double the fee promised to this brat and make this bunch of misfits leave!"

Zhang Cuihua smirked confidently. She had been cooking banquets for almost ten years in the village; she couldn’t believe this little brat with no hair on her lips could be a match for her.

"You..." Old Sir Zhao’s face turned red with anger.

This Zhang Cuihua is clearly here to cause a scene and embarrass the Zhao family.

If they don’t accept the challenge, she’ll continue to cause trouble.

But if they do and lose, the Zhao family would lose six taels of silver.

Six taels is no small sum.

Old Sir Zhao looked at Mu Shuangshuang, hoping she’d come up with a solution.

"What if you lose?" Mu Shuangshuang stood up and asked.

"Hmph, joke, me, Zhang Cuihua, lose? You brat better not act tough, or it’ll be embarrassing when you lose!"

Zhang Cuihua’s every word belittled Mu Shuangshuang. Right now, she felt like she’d already won.

A full vessel makes no sound, a half-full one sloshes around. Mu Shuangshuang knew this well and didn’t argue with Zhang Cuihua.

"You’re only making Zhao family put up a stake but not yourself. How about this: if you lose, you have to stay behind and assist me, wash all the dishes of the Zhao family, and serve the dishes!"

"If I lose, I’ll kneel and kowtow to you three times! I just don’t believe a little girl like you can make anything edible, probably no better than pig feed," Zhang Cuihua responded.

"Don’t speak nonsense. The food our Shuangshuang makes is better than any chef I’ve ever seen in town!" Yu Si Niang retorted.

Zhang Cuihua cast a sidelong glance at Yu Si Niang, laughed, clutching her belly, and said, "Do you think I’m just a bumpkin who’s never seen the world? With her skills, can she even compare to town chefs?"

"You..." Even Yu Si Niang, who usually avoids disputes, was angered by Zhang Cuihua and was about to argue when Mu Shuangshuang stopped her.

"Mother, let’s not stoop to her level. Let’s prove our ability with actions, not words!"

Yu Si Niang nodded at Mu Shuangshuang.

"Then it’s settled. Miss Shuangshuang, for today’s competition, I, this old man, will provide the ingredients, whatever you need. Consider it as adding to my son’s happiness!" Old Sir Zhao spoke up, saving Shuangshuang the cost of ingredients.

Zhang Cuihua gave Old Sir Zhao an angry glare, wanting him to provide her ingredients as well.

Before she could express her intention, Mu Shuangshuang cut in.

"Since Chef Zhang has come with such vigor today, she must have prepared the ingredients herself, right? Surely she wouldn’t want the Zhao family to provide them for free, right?"

The villagers watching chimed in.

"Yeah, Cuihua, you’re not even employed by the Zhao family, you should use your own ingredients."

Zhang Cuihua’s face changed immediately. Being asked to provide all the ingredients for a large table of dishes, this was not going to be easy on her.

"Chef Zhang, don’t tell me you’re stingy about these ingredients. Winning means you earn six taels of silver," Mu Shuangshuang openly mentioned the price Zhao family promised her.

Zhang Cuihua hesitated no more.

Six taels is no small amount; it’s enough to buy an acre of second-grade land.

After some chit-chat, everyone began focusing on their respective banquets again.

Mu Shuangshuang had a heavy task, preparing the noon meal for five tables, which was quite a load. Both her and Zhang Cuihua’s dishes counted among these tables; otherwise, she’d be exhausted.

The villagers gathered around, occasionally pointing or whispering about Mu Shuangshuang.

It seemed like today the main focus wasn’t Zhao family’s Zhao Si but Mu Shuangshuang.

"I bet this girl can’t match up to the Ma Family’s daughter-in-law. Though that woman is not pretty, her cooking skills are good. Last year she cooked at my family’s relative’s banquet, and everyone praised her!"

"It might not be the case. Since this girl came here, she might have some skills!"

The crowd continued debating back and forth.

Eventually, the Zhao family set off fireworks outside their courtyard, which temporarily put the discussions on hold.

Yu Si Niang saw Mu Shuangshuang washing vegetables and wasn’t sure if Shuangshuang was confident, so she asked boldly, "Shuangshuang, what are we cooking for lunch?"

"Mother, don’t worry about it! I’m confident about this. Let me go get the ingredients from the Zhao family first!"

Mu Shuangshuang asked for a chicken, two pounds of pork, plus noodles and some vegetables, and she also requested a fish.

Popular dishes don’t always have to be intricately carved; they just need to be plentiful, tasty, and healthy.

These dishes were ones Mu Shuangshuang had made before: roast fish, fried chicken, braised pork, and head vegetables. The remaining dishes were vegetables that Mu Shuangshuang was good at.

Home-cooked meals have their own style. The specialty dishes in Mu Shuangshuang’s hands were reserved for when she opens a restaurant.

On one side, Mu Shuangshuang prepared the ingredients, stir-frying in the iron skillet with smooth and impressive moves.

On the other side, Zhang Cuihua was using all her skills at home, cooking dishes she had been making for ten years, each dish heavy with oil and salt, fearing others might not enjoy them.

She thought: I must win those six taels of silver today and make that brat who snatched my job leave humiliated.

Both were busy with their preparations, and by noon, the tables of dishes were finally complete!