Chapter 149: Tofu

"So that's it!" Ye Tian slapped his forehead.

"Why on earth do you want to grind soybeans? They never grind soybeans here," Konia asked, bewildered.

"To make tofu."

"Make tofu?" Konia was stunned; she had never heard the term before. "What is tofu?"

"Well, that's a bit hard to explain," Ye Tian pondered. "It's white and tender, just like a young girl's skin."

Konia chuckled. "You really are a lecher. If I hadn't been watching the whole time, I would have thought you were planning something unspeakable."

"Hmph." Ye Tian didn't explain.

"What, are you angry?" Konia smiled, walked over to Ye Tian, sat on his lap, and hooked her arms around his neck. "Actually, you don't need to flirt with others. If you want something, just tell me. I’ll satisfy any of your requests."

Ye Tian frowned. "Am I really that annoying?"

Konia leaned in close, smiling. "Tell me, what do you think would happen if I told the Master about what just occurred?"

"What do you mean by that?" Ye Tian asked.

"Nothing in particular, just recalled a few things." Konia glanced at Ye Tian's waist.

"What are you trying to do?" Ye Tian pressed.

"That's hard to say. How about this: start dating me, what do you think?" Konia said with a mischievous grin.

"No," Ye Tian flatly refused.

"Why? Am I not pretty enough?"

"That's not it."

"Do you look down on my status?"

"Not that either."

"Then what is it?"

"I don't like you," Ye Tian said earnestly.

"Why?" Konia didn't let go, her expression serious.

"I hate being threatened," Ye Tian replied.

"I wasn't threatening you," Konia said.

"Is that so? Then what was that just now?" Ye Tian asked.

"It meant nothing. I was just reminding you that if you truly want to keep your identity hidden, you shouldn't meddle in so many things, or you'll be exposed sooner or later," Konia said seriously.

"Thanks for your concern," Ye Tian said indifferently.

"Oh, so cold, you’re breaking my heart." Konia stood up and straightened her clothes. "The coffee is ready. By the way, do you like it with sugar or salt?"

For the first time in his life, Ye Tian tasted this tea—no, this drink—called coffee. It was pitch black and emitted a strange aroma.

"Hmm, my skills haven't faded." Konia sniffed it gently and took a slow sip. "Not bad."

"It's so bitter!" Ye Tian took a cautious sip and immediately choked, coughing as he set the cup down.

"What, you don't like it?" Konia asked, sounding a bit dejected.

"It's my first time; I'm not used to it." Ye Tian picked up the cup and drank again. "The taste isn't bad. It has a strange, unique aroma."

Konia burst out laughing. "Aroma is aroma, calling it 'strange'..."

"It truly is strange. Bitter, yet fragrant, and it leaves a lingering aftertaste." Ye Tian finished the coffee in one gulp. "Thank you for the coffee. May I have this container?"

"Sure." Konia handed the washed container to Ye Tian.

"Say, Grey," Konia stopped Ye Tian as he stood up to leave. "Must it be like this between us?"

"Isn't this fine?" Ye Tian laughed. "Don't forget, I'm a lecher with a bad reputation."

"Pfft, a gutless lecher at that. If you really had the guts, you would have seduced me already." Konia pouted.

"Fair point, I admit it." Ye Tian shrugged. "I have things to do, I'm off." With that, Ye Tian took the container and left.

After tidying up the discarded items, Ye Tian tossed the box he had brought over onto the table and returned to his room with the container meant for grinding coffee beans. *This should work, right?* Ye Tian looked it over and decided to give it a try.

Tofu was a food Ye Tian loved, and in truth, it was a staple everyone loved. It was cheap, convenient, and paired well with everything—truly a food for all ages. However, making it was difficult; as the joke went, if you made it too thin, it just became bean curd pudding.

Making tofu required patience and a little bit of technique. Fortunately, Ye Tian knew how to make it—a skill he’d picked up back when he worked odd jobs. But he had a small problem: he lacked gypsum.

"To set tofu, one must have the right agent." It was a common saying, highlighting the most important ingredient. "Where would I find this stuff?" Ye Tian frowned. "Right, I'll just ask!"

Gypsum was a building material, naturally absorbent and insect-repellent. Ye Tian figured the mansion might not have it, but it had to be sold somewhere in town. He set out to ask, but he underestimated his own reputation. Whether men or women, everyone treated him like a plague, dodging him from a distance.

"I've played this too hard," Ye Tian scratched his cheek. Just then, the icy-faced head maid wearing glasses appeared before him. "Mr. Grey, what do you think you're doing?"

As Ye Tian turned to leave, Bella grabbed him. "I warned you: no more harassing the maids."

"I'm really not trying to harass them; I just wanted to ask where to buy gypsum," Ye Tian said with a wry smile.

"Gypsum? What do you need that for?" Bella frowned.

"To make tofu," Ye Tian replied.

"Tofu? What's that?" Bella furrowed her brows.

"It's food. It's delicious," Ye Tian said. "Could you let go of me now?"

"So you can go back to harassing the maids?" Bella scoffed. "Follow me. I know where there's gypsum!"

Bella dragged Ye Tian to a warehouse. "That sack over there is full of it," she said, pointing to a corner.

"It’s actually here!" Ye Tian ran over joyfully and opened a sack, revealing snow-white gypsum powder. "This is it."

"Thanks, Bella," Ye Tian said, hoisting the sack onto his shoulder and sprinting off.

"Call me Miss Bella! Don't be so familiar!" Bella shouted angrily, but Ye Tian was already out of earshot.

***

"Ugh, ugh, ugh!" Today, Lady Liefier was incredibly annoyed! For several days now, she had been followed by a maid who stuck to her like glue, never giving her a moment of peace.

"I can't take it anymore!" Liefier roared, storming out of her room. The maid followed closely, making no attempt to stop her.

"Grey, what are you doing!" Liefier rushed to Ye Tian's door and kicked it open.

"Oh, Miss Liefier, just a moment. I'll have something delicious ready for you soon." Ye Tian smiled as he lifted the cloth covering the box to peek inside, then quickly covered it again. "And who is this?" he asked, looking at the maid who had been monitoring Liefier to the point of insanity.

"Mr. Grey, I am the maid Rita. Pleased to meet you," Rita said flatly.

"You're not afraid of me?" Ye Tian asked curiously.

"Why should I be?"

"I'm a lecher, you know!" Ye Tian said with a grin.

"I don't know about that, but in front of the young lady, I doubt you'd be able to act on it," Rita said, casting a cold glance at Ye Tian.

"That's not necessarily true. What if she's not looking? And look, she doesn't seem to mind at all right now."

"Be that as it may, as long as I can stay by the young lady's side, do as you please," Rita said indifferently.

"Good grief, is it really necessary?" Ye Tian sighed.

"It is, because these are the Master's orders!" Rita said sternly.

"Fine, do as you please. You're lucky, actually. If we were back at the academy, the young lady would have frozen anyone pestering her for a week with an ice spell," Ye Tian laughed.

"Mr. Grey, please do not disparage the young lady!" Rita said angrily.

"Yes, yes!" Ye Tian rubbed his face, feeling dejected. Stubborn women were the most troublesome. Liefier was truly unlucky to have such a maid. "My dear young lady, don't be angry. I'll treat you to something delicious later, I promise."

"What is this?" Liefier pouted.

"Tofu!" Ye Tian said.

"Tofu?" Liefier stared at the box.

"Actually, it's ready. Do you want to take a look?" Ye Tian lifted the cloth, and Liefier gasped in surprise.

"What is this?" Liefier gently poked it with her finger.

"Careful, it'll break," Ye Tian cautioned.

"It's truly magical. It's like pudding, but not quite," Liefier said, prodding the tofu.

"So tender, even better than my own skin. Grey, how did you make this?" Liefier asked in wonder.

"A secret. By the way, there's some soy milk. Want some?" Ye Tian pointed to a container nearby. Liefier leaned in to look. "Isn't this milk?"

"No, smell it." Ye Tian said. Liefier took a whiff, and the fresh, clean scent of beans filled her nostrils.

"It seems to be made of beans."

"Exactly," Ye Tian laughed. "There's a small pot over there; just pour some in and boil it."

"Isn't this a coffee pot?" Liefier reached for it.

"Young lady, let me," Rita said, gently taking the container from Liefier. She poured some into the coffee pot, lit the small stove, and set it to boil.

"Is this delicious?" Liefier asked, looking at the white, tender tofu.

"It is, but it's hard to make. Tofu is difficult to infuse with flavor, but don't worry—with me as the chef, it's no problem at all," Ye Tian boasted.

"Really? I want to eat it now," Liefier said.

"Now?" Ye Tian pondered. "Alright, I'll go prepare it. Tonight, I'll serve you a 'Silver Snow Spring Banquet'."

"Really?" Liefier was very satisfied with Ye Tian's culinary skills. Even if she didn't understand what he was talking about, the way he spoke with such confidence suggested it would be extraordinary.

"I'm going to prepare now, don't disturb me!" Ye Tian hoisted the large box and left.

"By the way, you can add sugar or salt to the soy milk!" Ye Tian called out from a distance. "Make sure to boil it!"

"Young lady," Rita suddenly said. "Why isn't Grey more respectful toward you?"

"What do you mean?" Liefier frowned.

"He doesn't act like a butler," Rita noted, brow furrowed. "He acts more like a friend."

"Does that have anything to do with you?" Liefier felt a jolt in her heart and replied coldly.

"No, it's just that such a butler is not suitable for you."

"And what kind of butler would be suitable for me?" Liefier retorted.

"A professional one. As far as I know, aside from his unknown culinary skills, Mr. Grey has no other talents."

"Having that one talent is enough," Liefier said coldly. "Don't ever talk nonsense like that in front of me again. Just because I'm not angry now doesn't mean I won't be. Remember that." With that, Liefier turned and left. Rita sighed, turned off the stove, and followed her out.

At dinner, Ye Tian truly did not disappoint Liefier. To everyone's surprise, he presented a "Silver Snow Spring Banquet." It was essentially a tofu feast, but presented with such elegance that it was truly remarkable.

Ye Tian adhered to the traditional principles of color, aroma, and taste. Color was the first hurdle; if it didn't look appetizing, even the best-tasting food was in vain. He had put a great deal of effort into this banquet.

"Silver Snow Spring": the tofu represented the snow. Ye Tian had carved the tofu into intricate shapes, and combined with twenty-eight different cooking methods—frying, stir-frying, boiling, and stewing—he had created a unique display that left everyone in awe.

"Young lady, please dine!" Ye Tian gracefully pulled out the chair for Liefier.

"It looks so appetizing!" Liefier smiled, all her earlier frustrations melting away.

"Try it, it won't disappoint you," Ye Tian said, serving a small bowl of soup first.

"What is this?"

"A secret." Liefier lifted the bowl; it was filled with tiny, green, vegetable-like flecks paired with the tofu, looking vibrant and fresh. "Mmm, delicious!" Liefier quickly finished the soup.

"What is this?"

"Mapo Tofu, it's quite spicy!"

"And this?"

"Four Joy Meatballs. Inside, I’ve used a mixture of tofu, fish balls, meat balls, and seafood balls. I made a few adjustments." Ye Tian explained each dish with a smile.

"So spicy, so spicy!" Liefier had taken a full spoonful of the Mapo Tofu, and her throat felt like it was on fire.

"Have some soup." Ye Tian handed her a bowl of creamy, milky-white fish soup.

"Mmm, it's fish soup, but it has this... what was it, tofu? It's delicious too." Liefier beamed. "Grey, you are truly talented!"

"Master, please dine!" Garnier handed a bowl of the milky-white fish soup to Prince Field.

"What is this?" The Prince asked, scooping up the white, tender tofu.

"This is Fish Head Tofu Soup, made by Grey for the young lady."

"A strange dish. I wonder how it tastes." The Prince took a sip, his eyes lighting up, and he began to drink it heartily. "Another bowl." The Prince held his bowl out to Garnier.

"Certainly, Master." Garnier carefully served another bowl. "Your Highness, there are other dishes as well. Would you like to try them?"

Prince Field asked curiously, "Where are they?"

***

"Satisfying!" Liefier gracefully set down her knife and fork and wiped her lips with a napkin.

"Young lady, was it to your liking?" Ye Tian asked with a smile.

"Hmm, I am quite satisfied. Continue this next time," Liefier said calmly.

"Certainly, I will do my best," Ye Tian said. "May I be excused? As you know, making this tofu is quite troublesome."

"Fine, fine, go ahead. Just remember to make more next time," Liefier instructed.

"I will." Ye Tian bowed and left. As he exited, he encountered the old butler, Garnier.

"Father Garnier, is something the matter?" Ye Tian asked.

"Grey, the Master enjoyed the meal you prepared. He’s quite pleased and asked me to grant you a bonus," Garnier smiled.

"Thank you, then." Ye Tian didn't reach for the tray Garnier was holding. "Preparing delicious food for the young lady and the Master is my duty. I appreciate the Master's kindness, but the money is unnecessary."