My Villainess Is Definitely Not a Black Lotus - Chapter 7

The morning mist lingered, but the long river had already awakened.

The dirt path beneath their feet had inexplicably transformed into a flagstone road. As the trio approached the town entrance, the number of pedestrians increased. Fu Zhixiao parted ways with them at the town gate, heading off to find her regular customers to sell the game she had hunted.

After walking for nearly an hour, Fu Jianxu was panting from exhaustion, utterly speechless at the sight before her—

On the gray-blue water, the rhythmic creak of oars echoed. Early-morning cargo ships jostled against the stone-stepped docks. As gangplanks lowered, barefoot porters bent double, hoisting sacks of freshly milled rice and bundles of raw silk ashore. The hawking cries of a pancake vendor mingled with the savory aroma of fried flatbreads, drifting toward Fu Jianxu.

Wait, this is a town? And it’s this prosperous?

Oh, so it’s just the original owner’s family that’s poor, Fu Jianxu thought with a wooden expression.

Sister Jianxu, we’ve reached town. This is the dock where merchants unload their goods, Ji Xiaoyu said, tugging gently at Fu Jianxu’s sleeve. She carefully coaxed the woman, afraid she might suddenly lose her temper and refuse to continue. The restaurant on the main street is just around the corner…

In truth, they still had another fifteen minutes’ walk to reach the main street.

We’re almost there… Fu Jianxu was starting to feel impatient. Mostly because she was both tired and hungry. The unfamiliar surroundings and the young girl sleeping beside her had kept her tossing and turning most of the night.

They had woken before dawn and rushed out, barely managing to gulp down a bowl of noodle soup before leaving. Now, the meager meal was nearly digested.

Her straw-sandaled feet ached terribly. This original body is a true pauper’s fate with a noblewoman’s sensibilities! Just walking makes my feet hurt!

A two-story pavilion with green-tiled roofs and vermilion railings stood prominently in the center of the main street. The words Full Moon Pavilion on the signboard caught Fu Jianxu’s eye, leaving her speechless with awe at the magnificent mortise-and-tenon architecture. Red silk banners adorned the lintel, their ends tangling with the wine flags in the breeze.

They had arrived early several waiters were still arranging tables and chairs.

A wiry waiter spotted the two women standing at the entrance and hurried to greet them. Welcome, ladies! What would you like to order?

Damn, are waiters in ancient restaurants always this enthusiastic?! Fu Jianxu’s social anxiety flared up again, but she knew this was a serious matter and couldn’t afford to falter. Taking a deep breath, she blurted out in one breath, I heard your establishment is hiring a head chef. I’m here to apply.

She’s here to apply as a chef? Ji Xiaoyu was stunned.

Just then, a cold, disdainful female voice echoed from the stairwell Heh, Madam Fu certainly has time on her hands these days, seeking out my newly opened restaurant.

The sound of measured, yet imposing footsteps reverberated on the sandalwood stairs.

Fu Jianxu’s face paled as she instinctively looked up. She saw the hem of a pomegranate-red skirt sweep across the steps. The woman’s radiant beauty was now veiled in frost, her brow furrowed slightly, her gaze fixed on Fu Jianxu with undisguised contempt.

Miss Xie?

She knows the original owner! Fu Jianxu’s heart skipped a beat.

As Xie Yinwan came to a stop, the waiters unconsciously slowed their movements, the atmosphere instantly freezing. She didn’t even glance at Ji Xiaoyu, her gaze remaining fixed on Fu Jianxu.

A’Qing, she said, her voice low yet clear enough for the wiry waiter to hear. Tell Madam Fu that Full Moon Pavilion isn’t hiring. A cold smile curved her lips as her gaze swept over Ji Xiaoyu before lingering meaningfully on Fu Jianxu for a moment. Especially not… certain clingy, tactless individuals.

She paused deliberately, her voice dripping with undisguised contempt and warning. Madam Fu, you should take your wife and go home. Go home and live your life properly. Don’t waste your energy here, disturbing my peace.

She emphasized the last four words heavily.

Without giving Fu Jianxu a chance to explain or react—as if even a glance would taint her eyes—she turned gracefully and glided toward the counter, leaving behind only an icy, haughty silhouette.

Fu Jianxu stood frozen, her face flushing crimson and then paling, so mortified she wanted to crawl into a crack in the floor.

No way, original owner! You had a wife and still harassed other women?! And you harassed Xie Yinwan, the female supporting character! Aaaah, you’re going to get me killed! Now I won’t even get a chance to show off my cooking skills!

Ji Xiaoyu also sensed the disdain in that gaze and the subtle mockery in the word wife. Her face drained of color, and her fingers clenched tightly around the hem of her robe. As someone skilled at reading people’s expressions, how could she fail to understand what had just transpired? Today, she had unwittingly come to a restaurant owned by this wealthy young lady…

She bit her lower lip. Had the woman truly lost her memory? Otherwise, why would she bring Fu Jianxu to Miss Xie’s restaurant, only to humiliate herself?

The waiter, A’Qing, immediately understood. His professional smile faded, and his tone turned stiff and distant. You’ve heard our owner’s instructions, haven’t you? The restaurant isn’t hiring. Please leave. He stepped aside, gesturing toward the door.

The air seemed to freeze. Fu Jianxu could feel the gazes from all directions—curious, probing, gloating… Her toes were practically digging a villa into the ground. The overwhelming embarrassment nearly suffocated her.

S-sorry for the intrusion… Fu Jianxu’s voice was barely a whisper, her cheeks burning hot enough to fry an egg. She didn’t dare lift her head, grabbing Ji Xiaoyu, who was still dazed, and fled through the doors of the Full Moon Pavilion.

The harsh sunlight hit her face, and Fu Jianxu finally felt she could breathe again. But the pent-up frustration and despair made her eyes water uncontrollably.

It’s over. The job’s gone. Damn you, original owner! Why do I have to pay for your sins?!

Shopkeeper… may I ask, does your establishment purchase wild game? These are fresh mountain chickens and wild rabbits, trapped just yesterday… A voice, hoarse but not rough, called out.

Xie Yinwan’s gaze followed the sound to the doorway. A lean, agile-looking youth stood outside, carrying wild game.

A young hunter from the mountains has come. Please, come in. Xie Yinwan’s mood was already sour, as the clingy, infatuated woman who had been pestering her earlier had returned to cause trouble. Yet when she turned toward the entrance, a perfectly measured smile curved her lips. She called out to the woman in charge of purchasing supplies in the kitchen, Madam Wang, come take a look.

The newcomer was none other than Fu Zhixiao. Having failed to sell all her wild game at her usual spot, she had come to this newly opened restaurant to try her luck.

She hesitated to look inside from the doorway, only getting a clear view of the brightly smiling woman when she stepped over the threshold. The tassels dangling from the golden hairpin in the woman’s hair swayed gently as she tilted her head, making Fu Zhixiao’s vision swim and her heart tremble. Even her fingertips tingled faintly.

This hairpin is truly beautiful, Fu Zhixiao thought.

Oh, they’re all alive! Madam Wang exclaimed, taking the cage from her hand, startling Fu Zhixiao back to her senses.

Boy, this is good stuff! Full Moon Pavilion will take them all!

O-oh! Okay… Fu Zhixiao replied.

Xie Yinwan, ever perceptive, immediately noticed the young hunter’s dazed state. She studied the slightly dark-skinned, lean figure with amusement. At first glance, he seemed like a brash, unapproachable youth, but upon closer inspection, an incongruous refinement shone through. His clearly defined knuckles, prominent wrist bones, and the hint of collarbones visible beneath his faded indigo tunic all spoke of a hidden elegance.

Clumsy and a bit endearing. What a pity—such a person is a man.

She turned her gaze away, no longer looking at him.

Fu Jianxu hung her head, her cheeks burning even hotter, barely daring to look at Ji Xiaoyu beside her. Being publicly kicked out of Full Moon Pavilion had already been humiliating enough.

Worse still, they had subsequently tried several of the town’s larger restaurants and inns. The result was always the same the moment the manager or supervisor saw she was a woman, they either waved her away like shooing flies, not even giving her a chance to demonstrate her skills, or dismissed her with perfunctory excuses like We’re fully staffed.

As noon approached, the tavern was at its busiest. One of the managers even snapped at them impatiently, You’re just getting in the way! His harsh tone made Fu Jianxu want to dig a hole and bury herself on the spot.

What am I going to do? Fu Jianxu’s heart sank. She rubbed the six copper coins in her pocket—their family’s last remaining savings.

Are we really going to starve?

Sister Jianxu… Ji Xiaoyu’s voice was soft and tentative. Seeing Fu Jianxu’s dejected posture and flushed face, she worried that her already fragile ambition might be completely crushed.

Though she didn’t understand why Fu Jianxu was so determined to work at the tavern, witnessing her repeated rejections temporarily pushed aside the lingering doubts about Miss Xie and her amnesia.

She gently tugged at Fu Jianxu’s sleeve. Maybe… we should go back? The sun is getting too strong.

Exhausted and hungry, the two trudged back home, their steps dragging.

The dock at the town’s entrance remained bustling. Bare-chested porters chanted work songs, their backs bowed under heavy cargo bundles. The air hung thick with the stench of sweat, the fishy tang of the river, and the aroma of food.

Some workers were squatting on the stone steps by the pier, eating coarse flatbread they had brought from home with a steaming, milky-white soup made from fresh fish unloaded from newly docked fishing boats.

Fu Jianxu’s gaze unconsciously swept over the figures before suddenly freezing. She noticed several sturdy women among them, dressed in short work clothes, their faces glistening with sweat as they heartily ate from their bowls.

Fu Jianxu’s eyes lit up! A desperate impulse surged through her.

Forget about dignity! Earning money to feed and clothe Ji Xiaoyu properly is what truly matters! She clenched her fist, her nails digging into her palm, steeling herself. Grabbing Ji Xiaoyu’s hand, she strode toward a man who looked like a foreman.

B-Brother, Fu Jianxu’s voice trembled slightly with nervousness and urgency, the heat that had just receded from her cheeks flaring up again. But she forced her words to sound clear and strong. Excuse me… are you still hiring people to unload cargo? I… I’m strong! I can start work tomorrow!