QTIMP -Chapter 26 Character Persona – Greedy (Part 26)

Qin Bei said, “I just happened to make some Youbao Shuangcui and Jiuzhuan Dachang at a senior’s place. I’m not sure whether you avoid these kinds of dishes. If you don’t, we can eat together. There are two dishes after all, and the portions are pretty big. I can’t finish them by myself.”

“No taboos, no taboos.” In this lifetime, although she had certain standards when it came to flavors and ingredients, she didn’t seem to have any real dietary restrictions regarding the ingredients themselves.

But the moment the words left her mouth, she snapped back to her senses. She quickly pressed her lips together and said righteously, “Actually, better not. It’s not easy for you to get these things. If you can’t finish them, you should take them home and share with your family. It’s so hard to get any meat these days.”

Even though her heart was bleeding, Si Qiu restrained herself from looking too eager. Thankfully, she had over a hundred years of self-control from her time in the cultivation world as a foundation.

When it came to this nearly instinctual “persona,” she could still manage it well enough not to let it sway her principles.

Hearing her words, Qin Bei didn’t look disappointed. Instead, he said with a hint of bitterness, “You know my family’s situation. I’m not willing to feed good things to ungrateful wolves.”

Si Qiu quietly inhaled the fragrance, then said solemnly, “That still won’t do. These dishes are worth quite a bit of money and ration coupons. How could I just take your things for nothing?”

Then she changed her tone. “If you really can’t finish them, I can help. But I can’t take your things for free! How about this—I’ll exchange you some money, coupons, or other items. I still have some fabric and yarn and things like that. This way neither of us loses out. What do you think?”

It smelled far too good for her to resist, so she couldn’t let such an opportunity slip by. But she wasn’t someone who took advantage of others. At worst, they could trade. Private buying and selling wasn’t allowed, but exchanging goods was still acceptable.

Qin Bei lowered his head and chuckled. “Sure. I know a couple of fairly reliable cooks. It’s just that the ingredients are a bit hard to come by. Once I get some, we can exchange again.”

The two of them bought some staple food and ate it together with the two lunchboxes of dishes, thoroughly satisfied. Naturally, a second and third exchange followed.

Qin Bei truly had his connections. He could always find food that suited her taste. That required not only ingredients but also skilled chefs. This greatly eased the pressure on Si Qiu’s daily meals.

So even though she knew he had some ulterior motives, their exchanges continued.

Previously, they would always find some place to eat, but given their relationship, they were wary of gossip.

That was why they had come here today.

He hurriedly grabbed the washed bowls and chopsticks, then couldn’t help asking curiously, “Sis, how did you get to know our boss?”

The moment he finished speaking, Qin Bei smacked him lightly. “What are you prying for? And calling her ‘Sis’? She might even be younger than you.”

He had still been rubbing the spot where he’d been hit, but upon hearing the second half of that sentence, his eyes widened. “Ah? No way! Then how old are you?”

“I turned sixteen before the twelfth lunar month.”

“Oh, then you’re still a month older than me?”

Now it was Si Qiu’s turn to be surprised. This kid was only one month younger than her? Why did he seem two or three years younger?

“Then you’re way too skinny. You haven’t grown into your height yet?” Si Qiu took the chopsticks Qin Bei handed her and sat down beside him.

He sighed. “Isn’t that normal? I’ve suffered since I was little. It’s only in the past half year, following Brother Qin, that I’ve shot up a bit. Otherwise, I used to be even shorter.”

When others said he was short, He Kuang didn’t mind at all.

“That’s true. Boys usually grow slower than girls anyway. You’re only sixteen—just make sure you eat your fill. Your growth spurt will come later!”

“Hehe, that’s what I was thinking too. By the way, Brother Qin, school’s starting soon for you, right?”

Qin Bei first used a clean pair of chopsticks to place a portion of each dish into Si Qiu’s bowl. “Yes, school starts the day after tomorrow.”

Hearing that, Si Qiu’s movements seemed to slow. She knew Qin Bei wanted to take the college entrance exam—but she also knew the exams were bound to be suspended soon.

Yet she couldn’t say a word.

Suddenly, she remembered something else. “He Kuang, what are you doing these days? I mean, are you working or still in school?”

Both of them paused mid-motion, then He Kuang grinned sheepishly. “Ah, I stopped going to school a long time ago. Only made it to fourth grade in primary school. As for work… I don’t have any connections, and I haven’t found a proper job yet. For now, I just collect goods and sell them on the black market.”

Si Qiu nodded and brought up something Qin Bei had mentioned earlier. “I’m quite close with Qiao Shengnan from the state-run restaurant on our front street. I heard from her that the head chef there is looking to take on an apprentice. That head chef is her father, so the news should be reliable.”

She stopped there, leaving the rest for them to consider—whether they liked the idea of becoming a cook, whether they wanted to pursue it at all.

He Kuang’s eyes lit up. It wasn’t that he loved the idea of being a chef—he was just thinking about the food. Besides, who in this era didn’t want a respectable job?

Among the so-called “Eight Major Occupations,” a cook held one of the positions.

“Are there any requirements?” Qin Bei asked directly.

Si Qiu shook her head. “It’d be better if you have some basics. If not, then at least some talent. If you’re interested, I can act as the introducer. Uncle Qiao has a good impression of me. But of course, it’ll still require some gifts—pulling strings always costs something.”

Si Qiu was willing to help largely because Qin Bei had gone out of his way to source delicious ingredients for her. She hadn’t let him lose out—he’d only charged her for the ingredients and labor—but even so, it wasn’t easy to find someone these days who would cook like that.

As a foodie herself, she knew how rare it was to find a skilled cook willing to prepare dishes so thoughtfully. And it hadn’t even been just one chef—each time she’d eaten, the cuisine was different, and from the knife skills alone she could tell they were made by different hands.

She knew Qin Bei had his own little calculations, but she had undeniably benefited.

Qin Bei nodded. “Naturally. Then we’ll trouble you with it. Once this kid’s learned enough, we’ll have him cook for you.”

“And what about you? Are you really just counting on getting into university?”

Before Qin Bei could answer, He Kuang cut in eagerly. “Of course! My Brother Qin is amazing at studying. He’s always ranked first. I’m telling you, he’ll definitely get into a top university someday!”

His tone brimmed with pride.

“Alright, let’s eat. Enough about that.” Qin Bei pushed the lunchbox of dishes closer to Si Qiu again.

The chef this time was better than the last. The food was savory and fragrant, so delicious that Si Qiu later found herself resentful of her own stomach.

Why was her mouth still craving when her stomach was already full?

Qin Bei shot He Kuang a look. He Kuang immediately swept through the remaining mixed-grain steamed buns and dishes like a whirlwind. Only then did Si Qiu feel at ease enough to happily enjoy the rest of the meal.