Transmigration: The Little Chef Calls The Shots-Chapter 1562 - 354, Acting (first update)

On the spectator area opposite several people, Lin Yuan and her companions saw Zhao Hongsheng. Not only him, but he was also followed by Tang Ruyan and Wu Family’s two brothers.

What surprised Lin Yuan the most, however, was the appearance of Yao Hanai, who had not shown herself recently.

Ever since the incident at Yue Lai Tavern involving Yao Hanai, she went from being Capital city’s most praised talented woman to a harlot despised by everyone overnight.

Even though two of Yao Mansion’s Little Concubines stepped forward that day, the young ladies from noble families who witnessed Yao Hanai’s disgrace were not vegetarians, especially with Cheng Yuexiu making matters worse.

Lin Yuan thought Yao Hanai would fade into oblivion from then on, yet unexpectedly, today she appeared alongside Zhao Hongsheng.

Others might not know the relationship between Zhao Hongsheng and Yao Hanai, but Lin Yuan and Xia Zheng were well aware. Seeing them appear together in the spectator area today seemed to signal a desire to make their relationship public.

As Lin Yuan predicted, Yao Hanai’s appearance immediately drew side glances from many.

The spectator area was already quite filled with people, including ordinary citizens and some who had bought viewing vouchers from others. Therefore, these people recognized both Yao Hanai and Zhao Hongsheng.

Out of respect for Zhao Hongsheng’s presence, although many wanted to gossip about Yao Hanai, they dared not speak out loud.

Lin Yuan and Xia Zheng coldly watched their group take their seats in the front row of the right spectator area, with Zhao Hongsheng seated in the center, Yao Hanai and Tang Ruyan to his left, and the Wu Family’s two brothers to his right.

Tang Ruyan always had a light smile on her face. Even though she was sitting beside Yao Hanai and separated from Zhao Hongsheng, she still spoke to him over Yao Hanai after taking her seat.

As for Yao Hanai, she had been cold-faced ever since she appeared in front of everyone, responding indifferently no matter who spoke to her. Only when Zhao Hongsheng spoke to her did she deign to reply with extreme coolness.

Watching their demeanor, Lin Yuan and Xia Zheng exchanged looks, eyes conveying an "as expected" sentiment.

Just as they were about to engage in conversation with Princess Anle and her companions, they saw Zhao Hongsheng nodding towards them, his intense gaze clearly wishing for Xia Zheng to come over for a chat.

"Look! He’s greeting you!"

Lin Yuan chuckled, glancing at Xia Zheng.

"Since he needs us to play along with this act, let’s go over there!" Xia Zheng raised an eyebrow and took Lin Yuan’s hand as they approached.

As expected, before they could get close, Zhao Hongsheng already stood up and smiled at Lin Yuan: "Princess Pingxi looks radiant. It seems you are quite confident about today’s competition!"

Seeing his smiling tiger-like demeanor, Lin Yuan couldn’t be bothered to respond, lightly smiling without saying a word.

Xia Zheng also didn’t bother to engage in idle talk, getting straight to the point.

Looking meaningfully at Yao Hanai sitting beside him, Xia Zheng intentionally raised his voice and said, "Hey, I heard a few days ago that Miss Yao had a sweetheart, and today you two came together. Could it be that this sweetheart is you?"

Zhao Hongsheng’s face showed a moment of embarrassment, but his eyes betrayed a gleam of successful cunning. He feigned a cough and said ambiguously, "Oh, my cousin has heard about it too? Haha, haha."

Lin Yuan curved her lips; those two "hahas" from Zhao Hongsheng were quite meaningful!

Glancing again at Yao Hanai, sure enough, her complexion had turned even paler, her hands tightly clenching her handkerchief, almost piercing it.

All of a sudden, Tang Ruyan stood up, smiling and said, "Second Young Master Xia, Princess Pingxi, His Highness has always admired Miss Yao’s talent. Usually, there is no opportunity to meet, and today he even went to the Mansion of the Grand Scholar especially to invite her to grace this event!"

So that’s how it is!

Lin Yuan exaggeratedly "Oh"ed with great emphasis, feeling an increased sense of fondness for Tang Ruyan, this woman who was so adept at belittling others to elevate herself!

"In that case, I won’t disturb cousin and his lover anymore. I’ll be taking my leave."

Now that his purpose was fulfilled, Xia Zheng was even less inclined to exchange another word with Zhao Hongsheng, taking Lin Yuan’s hand and swiftly departing.

Zhao Hongsheng’s face was the picture of embarrassment; he hadn’t even gotten to say goodbye, and there Xia Zheng was, already hurrying off—deliberate provocation, no doubt!

As Xia Zheng pulled her away, Lin Yuan couldn’t help but cast a glance back at Yao Hanai, who was glaring furiously at Tang Ruyan with eyes so intense one could even see her tensely clenched gums.

Xia Zheng’s conversation with Zhao Hongsheng wasn’t quiet, so the ever-watchful onlookers naturally heard everything clearly.

Coupled with Zhao Hongsheng’s aggrieved expression and Tang Ruyan’s words, people were even more convinced that Zhao Hongsheng was with Yao Hanai out of admiration for her.

In fact, it didn’t take much to figure out these statements; didn’t Tang Ruyan say it herself? She never had the chance to meet him before, meaning the man who secretly courted Yao Hanai wasn’t Zhao Hongsheng. Instead, Zhao Hongsheng, the lovelorn man, took her under his wing regardless of her tarnished reputation, just to be with his beloved.

Where could one find such a lovestruck man? They are incredibly rare indeed!

While many felt pity and sighed for Zhao Hongsheng, their disdain for Yao Hanai grew; such a licentious woman undeserving of self-respect managed to find a good man like Zhao Hongsheng—she’s far too lucky!

Feeling the shift in everyone’s gaze, Zhao Hongsheng’s lips slightly curled up, his heart feeling immensely content.

As for Yao Hanai, it was a bitter pill to swallow. Could she tell them that the man who ruined her reputation was none other than Zhao Hongsheng? With her reputation already in tatters, who would believe her words?

And then there’s that damn woman, Tang Ruyan.

Yao Hanai cast a fierce, sideways glance at Tang Ruyan, fuming with rage.

Upon returning to Princess Anle’s side, both Third Prince Zhao Hongde and Sixth Prince Zhao Hongyan had also arrived, and everyone gathered to cheer Lin Yuan on.

Seeing everyone’s excitement, Lin Yuan happily nodded, then went to the kitchen to prepare the ingredients needed for later.

The staff from Drunken Immortal Tower had also arrived, but as the competition had not yet started, their invited judges had not shown themselves.

With Drunken Immortal Tower’s people not making an appearance, Lao Fan and Jin Can naturally lounged in the spectator area, idly looking around without purpose.

Xiao Linshuang was chatting with Zhao Hongyan, while everyone else sat quietly, with only Xia Hen occasionally standing up from his seat, looking around as though searching for someone.

While speaking to Zhao Hongde, Xia Zheng’s peripheral vision caught sight of his second uncle acting lovestruck, making him instantly on guard—it appeared Xia Hen’s sweetheart was also going to be here today.

However, before he could identify which family’s daughter it was, Xia Hen suddenly sprung up like a mouse spotting a cat, and then disappeared in a flash.

"Hey! Uncle Er!"

Xia Zheng, being less skilled in qinggong than Xia Hen, didn’t stand a chance of catching up to him, let alone with so many matters demanding his attention here, so he let the man slip away.

As Xia Zheng talked with Zhao Hongde, the Liu family led by Liu Huaiqing and Lady Fan arrived.

Liu Limin brought Lin Yuan the various wines she needed, while Liu Siliang brought a large chest for Lin Yuan. The moment that large chest appeared on the high platform, it attracted the attention of everyone present.

However, before anyone could figure out what treasure it contained, a commotion distracted them all.

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