Chapter 148: Here Comes a Freeloader

In the county yamen.

Lu Lin counted the silver in his hand and said excitedly, "The Roast Whole Lamb is sold for 80 tales! Fancy!"

"I thought we would have to ask our friends to act like they are customers and bid for it," Chen Xiao Mi muttered.

Chen Xiao Mi had long planned that if there were no offers over 20 taels of silver, they would buy it themselves. The purpose of this auction was not to make money, but to make a name for Roast Whole Lamb.

The auction went better than they could possibly thought.

A young master bought the lamb for 80 tales of silver would cause an uproar in the county for sure.

Chen Xiao Cai looked at Lu Lin and asked curiously, "Lin Ge, what has inspired you to cook Roast Whole Lamb?"

'Because it's a famous dish in modern times, so I took the liberty to try it myself.' Thought Lu Lin.

"I thought about it on a whim, I'm tired of all the old dishes, so I was feeling inventive."

In Lu Lin's previous life, he had tried Roast Whole Lamb twice when he when went out for dinner. It was a luxury for him and his friends as well, an authentic Roast Whole Lamb was usually 800 Yuan, they couldn't afford to have it all the time.

It was said that the Roast Whole Lamb was invented accidentally, a shepherd had accidently burned down his house and all the sheep had died in the fire. However, the aroma of the dead sheep wafted across the whole village, the shepherd was overjoyed and made a fortune since that accident.

Chen Xiao Cai looked at Lu Lin and said, "Lin Ge, that was some bold invention, to roast a whole lamb?"

Lu Lin glared at Chen Xiao Cai and thought to himself, 'Chen Xiao Cai, you're a little brat, you should be thanking me instead of judging me.'

"If I'm not bold, how can you make this 80 taels?"

Chen Xiao Cai scratched his head and said, "Lin Ge, you're right."

"I think the villagers will start to raise sheep now. The cost of raising sheep will probably go up too."

Chen Xiao Cai nodded, "Big Brother, you are right. I heard that just after the auction, the villagers have swarmed to the market to buy sheep."

Lu Lin wasn't that surprised, this wasn't the first time that he had set a trend.

Chen Xiao Cai didn't stay for too long, he was here to give Lu Lin his cut of the Roast Whole Lamb.

Chen Xiao Mi cupped his face in hands and asked Lu Lin, "Do you often eat Roast Whole Lamb in your hometown?"

Lu Lin looked at Chen Xiao Cai and said, "I wish that were the case! You need to have a proper occasion for this kind of dish."

"Because it requires the right atmosphere?" Chen Xiao Cai asked.

Lu Lin nodded, "But most importantly, I didn't have much money. I could order the whole lamb and share it with strangers, but I didn't have that kind of money."

Chen Xiao Mi patted Lu Lin's shoulder and said, "You can eat as much as you want now, Lin."

Lu Lin smiled, 'Yeah, to some agree, there's significant improvement in my living standards now.'

......

In the yard.

Yuan Bao who was gulping down a pancake waved at Lu Lin and said expectantly, "Father, they all said that Roast Whole Lamb is delicious."

Roast Whole Lamb had already become talk of the town. Yuan Bao had heard of it as well.

Lu Lin smiled. There should be just a small group of people who had tried Roast Whole Lamb, but they had been talking about it because of the price.

Lu Lin touched his chin and said, "It's quite delicious indeed."

Yuan Bao togged at Lu Lin's robe with some anticipation and said, "Father, when will we cook one at home?"

Lu Lin looked at the Yuan Bao and said teasingly, "Let's talk about it later."

Lu Lin actually felt hesitant about this, they had just branded the Roast Whole Lamb as a rarity, all the customers needed to wait for a month for another auction, he felt he shouldn't cook one at home right after the auction.

A thing is most valued if it is rare. To put it bluntly, Roast Whole Lamb was nothing but some dish, Lu Lin wanted to maintain the hype for as long as possible.

Yuan Bao said in a disappointed tone, "Okay."

Lu Lin felt so sorry, but he felt like this was the right thing to do to run a successful business.

"In a few days, the Hot Springs Resort will have a grand opening, we can cook a Roast Whole Lamb for the opening" Chen Xiao Mi said.

Lu Lin nodded and said, "That's a great idea."

At the auction, they did say they would only hold the second auction in a month, but that was just in the restaurant, they could cook a Roast Whole Lamb for other occasions.

......

A few days later.

Ji Yun An walked on the street in a good mood, then he turned around and looked at Wei Qiyu, who was following closely behind him, "Why do you keep following me?"

Wei Qiyu said with some grievance in his tone, "You grew up in Sha County and now I'm your guest who has come from afar. Shouldn't you do your hospitality of a host? Like showing me around and keeping me entertained?"

"Didn't I treat you to a meal two days ago?"

Wei Qiyu sullenly said, "You have the nerve to mention that, how long have I been here, and you have just treated me one meal!"

Ji Yun An teased Wei Qiyu, "But you eat so much, how can I afford to treat you more meals?"

Wei Qiyu glared at Ji Yun An with his cheeks all puffed up.

Ji Yun An shrugged, "Young Master Wei, give me a break, your family is one of the most wealthiest families in the capital city, do you really count on me to buy you food?"

Wei Qiyu suppressed his anger, "Of course I can buy my own food, but there are certain things that cannot be bought with money, you know what I mean?"

Ji Yun An rubbed his forehead and played dumb, "I'm afraid I can't help you here, I don't know what you are talking about."

Wei Qiyu looked at Ji Yun An and blinked. "I heard your fiancée is a great chef, and I know you are going to the county yamen right now, of course he is going to cook for you, I've also heard that Magistrate Lu is cooking Roast Whole Lamb today." Wei Qiyu smacked his lips, recollect the pleasant flavor of the Roast Whole Lamb Gao Jun had auctioned.

In the past few days, Wei Qiyu had been tossing and turning at night, wishing to have another taste of Roast Whole Lamb.

Ji Yun An looked at Wei Qiyu and shook his head. "You are acting like a three-year-old now, are you going to throw a tantrum if I don't take you to the county yamen?"

Ji Yun An felt he was in an awkward position now, on one hand hedidn't want to upset his friend, but on the other hand he felt a bit rude bringing an invited guest to his fiancee's house.

Wei Qiyu looked at Ji Yun An with his puppy dog eyes and said, "Have mercy! I'll never have the chance to taste the Roast Whole Lamb after I go back to the capital city."

Ji Yun An sighed, he now didn't have the heart to say no to this friend of his.

"I can bring you there, but you have to promise me you will behave yourself!" Ji Yun An thought to himself, 'I will have to give you a good beating if you do anything embarrassing.'

Wei Qiyu nodded and said, "Don't worry, I will behave myself."

Ji Yun An walked to Lu Lin's residence. The servants in Lu family knew who Ji Yun An was, they greeted him warmly and opened the gate for him.

Ji Yun An walked into the county yamen with Wei Qiju. Wei Qiyu smelled the aroma in the air and said, "Smells so great! Perfect timing!"

......

In the yard, Yuan Bao was playing swing while Dash was playing the sand with a mini shovel in hand.

Seeing Ji Yun An coming over, Yuan Bao came down from the swing and walked towards him. Dash, on the other hand, was not interested, he gave them a faint head nod and went back to playing sand.

"Wall-climbing-Brother, you're here! And you've brought a guest! Hi, I'm Yuan Bao".

"Hi, Yuan Bao, I'm Wei Qiyu."

Wei Qiyu glanced at Ji Yun An and asked curiously, "Yun An, why did he call you wall-climbing-brother?"

Ji Yun An ignored Wei Qiyu and asked Yuan Bao, "Where's your Little Uncle?"

Yuan Bao replied without thinking, "Uncle is cooking Roast Whole Lamb!"

Wei Qiyu was thrilled on hearing that, 'My sources didn't lie to me! They are making Roast Whole Lamb today!'

Yuan Bao looked at Wei Qiyu and asked curiously, "Brother Yun An, are you guys friends?"

Wei Qiyu smiled and said, "I am your brother Yun An's classmate, we are close friends."

Wei Qiyu took out a rattle from his sleeve and handed it to Yuan Bao, "This is for you, Yuan Bao."

Ji Yun An glanced at Wei Qiyu and exclaimed in his hear, 'You! You are stealing my thunder for a bite of food!'

Yuan Bao shook the rattle and found it very interesting.

Ji Yun An looked at Wei Qiyu and said, "You are really generous!" The rattle that Wei Qiyu took out was made of silver and jade, it must be very expensive.

Wei Qiyu waved his hand and said, "As long Yuan Bao likes it."

Ji Yun An took Wei Qiyu to the kitchen at Wei Qiyu's request.

There was a grill in front of Chen Xiao Mai and a lamb was placed on the grill.

" Roast Whole Lamb"

Ji Yun An glanced at Wei Qiyu and said, "Haven't you seen it before? Why are you still so excited?"

Wei Qiyu stammered, "It's... it's different! I didn't get to see how it was made from scratch last... last time!"

Yuan Bao and Dash rushed over to Chen Xiao Mai and said sweetly, "Little Uncle, when will the lamb be ready?"

Chen Xiao Mai smiled and said, "Soon, Yuan Bao, soon."

Chen Xiao Mai glanced at Wei Qiyu and asked, "Who is this?"

"This is my classmate, Wei Qiyu, we are close friends," said Ji Yun An.

"Did he go to the exam with you?" asked Chen Xiao Mai.

Ji Yun An nodded and said: "Yeah!"

"Did he pass the exam?"

Ji Yun An shook his head.

Chen Xiao Mai and Wei Qiyu greeted each other.

Wei Qiyu then lowered his head in embarrassment.

Chen Xiao Mai looked at Ji Yun An and the kids with a smile, "Go take a seat, the lamb will be ready soon."

Ji Yun An looked a little worried, "Are you sure? Don't we need to wait for Magistrate Lu?"

Chen Xiao Mai tilted his head and said, "Lin Ge and Big Brother have gone out for a business meeting. Besides, he said that he wants to have a light diet recently, I will leave half for them."

Ji Yun An nodded, and he let out a sigh of relief. Ji Yun An felt that Lu Lin and Chen Xiao Mi seemed to have less smiles towards him since he and Mai got engaged, so he was a bit nervous on having dinner together with them.

......

Chen Xiao Mai cut half of the Roast Whole Lamb and asked everyone to be seated.

Wei Qiyu tore off a large piece of gigot with excitement. He didn't get to enjoy any gigot meat at Gao Jun's gathering, so he almost danced for joy.

Wei Qiyu gulped down the gigot while humming, then he felt Yuan Bao's gaze, he turned around slightly, pretending he didn't notice that.

Xiao Mai then served Wei Qiyu some lamb soup after he was done with the gigot in hand, Wei Qiyu took the soup without ceremony.

Wei Qiyu was actually pretty full already, but he still savored every mouthful of the soup.

Wei Qiyu thought to himself, 'The food of this county yamen is really original and unique, no wonder Highness Cheng stayed in this place for so long. There is hearsay that Highness Cheng is just here to avoid his new wife and concubine, I say that's rumor! Of course His Highness stayed here for the food!'

After the feast, Wei Qiyu took a stroll in the yard, then he was fascinated with the rocking chair in the county yamen. Wei Qiyu felt full and drank, lying on the rocking chair. He sat on the rocking chair and took a nap.

......

An hour later, Ji Yun An woke Wei Qiyu up and together they left the county yamen.

Wei Qyui slowly followed behind Ji Yun An, "Ah Yun An! Now I know why you insist on betrothing this Bio boy, he and his family are so inventive! I wish I could find a girl like that, so different and so capable!"

Ji Yun An rolled his eyes and said, "Dream on."

Wei Qiyu pouted, "You are a happy man now, you should send me your wishes, not these sarcastic comments."

Ji Yun An made a face.

Wei Qiyu sighed, "It's a pity that Chen Xiao Mai doesn't have a sister. I wish I could have the luck to chase after his sister if he had one."

"Qiyu, don't get your hopes high, the Chens have high standards!"

Wei Qiyu retorted, "Why can't you just have some faith in me! I'm very popular. Just yesterday when I walked on the street, two girls were talking about me, they said I looked so handsome."

"All right, I'm sorry, Qiyu, I'm sure you will find the perfect girl."

"But in all seriousness, you love food, why don't you just ask your father to find a good cook for you."

Wei Qiyu sighed, " don't like none of the famous chefs in the capital city now thanks to this trip."

Ji Yun An nodded, he knew what Wei Qiyu meant.

Wei Qiyu suddenly thought of something and asked, "When will the hot spring resort open?"

"In a few more days, why?"

Wei Qiyu was a little anxious, "It' s just my father urges me to go back home."

Ji Yun An smiled helplessly and said, "There are still some rooms unfinished, but if you really want to go, I can take you there to experience it and raise some suggestions."

Wei Qiyu beamed with smiles, "There is such good thing? Really?"

Ji Yun An smiled and said, "Yes, my friend, we all appreciate your suggestions, Young Master Wei."

Wei Qiyu finally felt better.

......

Liu Yun saw Ji Cheng Kang and said happily, "General Ji, the young master is back."

Ji Cheng Kang was a little surprised. "He actually came back."

Ji Cheng Kang thought to himself, 'Hmm, what's going on this time? Why isn't he in the county yamen?'

Ji Cheng Kang walked into Ji Yun An's tent only to see him drawing attentively.

Ji Cheng Kang glanced at Ji Yun An and said, "When did you like to draw?"

Ji Yun An helplessly said, "It's not that I like drawing, it's Chen Xiao Cai who needs some art to decorate the resort. There is no art gallery in Sha County. So he asked me the other day whether I'm willing to give it a try."

Ji Yun An had been a freeloader in the county yamen for so long and this day he had even brought another freeloader, so he felt like he should try his best to not let Chen Xiao Cai down.

It was rare for Chen Xiao Cai to ask him for help, Ji Yun An was very happy. It meant Chen Xiao Cai had accepted him as a family member.

Ji Cheng Kang nodded and said, "Since Chen Xiao Cai asked you, just do your best, he and his family are great people, they have helped us a lot in the past few years."