Chapter 319: Chapter 318: The Things About Grandpa
Listening to Bi Xia’s words, Xia Shi hung her head low. At this moment, she felt that as a mother, she didn’t even dare to look up at her daughter. She was indeed afraid to see those star-filled eyes, as if just one glance would reveal all the secrets hidden in her heart to the world.
No, actually, it’s not really a secret. It’s just something forgotten...
Xia Shi smiled bitterly, finally raising her head to look at Bi Xia. Tears suddenly streamed down as she opened her mouth, then abruptly hugged Bi Xia, crying out, "Xiaxia, I miss your grandfather so much. It’s my fault, it’s my fault!"
At that moment, Bi Xia knew that Xia Shi was finally going to say what she’d been holding inside her, and she too was finally going to learn who her grandfather really was...
The renowned chef.
Bi Xia never expected that her grandfather was the long-disappeared famous chef, Xia Jingshen.
Back when Xia Jingshen earned the title of renowned chef, any restaurant he opened in Beijing was undoubtedly one of the top places. Countless prominent families and wealthy individuals fought to get a reservation there just to have a meal.
Of course, some people also came to the restaurant with jealousy, causing trouble, but they were all handled smoothly due to Xia Jingshen’s reputation and the friends he had made.
But who would have known that just when Xia Jingshen was thriving, Xia Shi’s mother suddenly fell seriously ill. She had already had health issues since giving birth to Xia Shi, and after the severe illness, her body grew increasingly weak. Within a year, she passed away.
Xia Jingshen, heartbroken over his wife’s death, smashed all his restaurants, leaving only one—the one he and his wife had opened together. He locked it up and then disappeared.
No one would have thought that the renowned chef would end up in Qing City, living anonymously with his daughter. Xia Jingshen had a close friend in Qing City who helped him settle there, but he refused to open another restaurant.
Despite this, as Xia Shi grew up, Xia Jingshen started teaching her culinary skills. Initially, it was basic knowledge, then gradually deepened, until Xia Shi mastered it. However, Xia Jingshen made Xia Shi swear that unless absolutely necessary, she must not reveal her identity as the renowned chef’s daughter and should only display at most twenty percent of her culinary skills.
Xia Shi grew up beautiful and graceful. Many pursued her in her youth, but she never agreed, until later when Bi Qingyun met her and pursued her.
One had to admit that Bi Qingyun was handsome when he was young. As Xia Shi would say, she didn’t know how she was so blinded by him, and liked him with a passion that seemed life or death.
And then...
Xia Shi coldly laughed, "We went on a date, I got drunk, and then..."
"Then you had me?" Bi Xia smiled, looking at Xia Shi with gentle starry eyes, "You two were pretty fast."
Hearing Bi Xia’s words, Xia Shi couldn’t help but laugh, the anger and frustration she had just felt dissipating, "You little brat, I’m talking about serious matters."
"Alright, I know, it’s just the mood is so heavy." And also... digging into your scars...
Xia Shi smiled, understanding the intention behind Bi Xia’s words, gently caressing her daughter’s face, "It’s okay."
"Your grandfather opposed me being with Bi Qingyun, so I ran away from home. But when I returned, your grandfather was gone, leaving only some money and a cookbook."
"A cookbook?" Bi Xia frowned.
"Yes, that cookbook contained all the dishes your grandfather had made. It is said that if you can learn even a tenth of it, you can ensure your family’s wellbeing for half a lifetime."
"Wow," Bi Xia clapped, "Grandpa sounds amazing. And then? Let me guess..."
"Did you give the cookbook to the Bi family?" Bi Xia looked at Xia Shi.
Xia Shi smiled bitterly, "Yes, I gave it to the Bi family. Later, when Bi Qingyun left, he took the cookbook with him. He told me that he had pursued me initially because he had heard I was the renowned chef’s daughter, all for that cookbook..."
"I couldn’t find him, so I stayed with the Bi family, waiting for his return. I’m already very regretful. No matter what, I must get your grandfather’s cookbook back."
Bi Xia remained silent for a long time, then slowly got up to embrace Xia Shi, "Don’t worry, we will get it back. How could I not want to see my amazing grandfather’s cookbook, right?"
"Besides..."
"Besides?"
Bi Xia pouted, looking upset, "So the food you cooked for me all this time doesn’t even reach your full skill? When will you cook with all your ability for me?"
Xia Shi: ...
Helplessly smiled. This brat really knows how to ruin the mood!