After the Fairy Maidens Fell to Darkness, They Captured Me to Ruthlessly 'Repay' Their Gratitude-Chapter 30 - I’ll Definitely Speak to Master on Your Behalf!

The Old Nine Gates didn’t always serve hotpot.

The idea of hotpot was something He Ange had suggested after noticing the rich aroma of the base broth the old chef used for stir-frying. He proposed using the broth as a foundation for a new way of dining.

The old chef was stubborn and had initially dismissed the idea, scolding He Ange for his lack of culinary knowledge and accusing him of coming up with “unorthodox nonsense.”

Of course, once the chef tasted the lamb cooked in the hotpot, he couldn’t help but admit it was delicious—though he would never say so out loud.

The old chef was a man of pride. While he secretly acknowledged the brilliance of hotpot, he couldn’t bring himself to apologize to He Ange. Instead, one night, he called the boy into the kitchen and offered to take him on as an apprentice, teaching him the art of cooking so he could make a living for himself.

For the old man, passing down his life’s culinary knowledge was the greatest gesture of sincerity he could offer.

And so, He Ange became the chef’s sole apprentice. During that time, every time he learned a new dish, he would rush home to cook it for An Luo Yi, asking her to taste it and give her feedback.

As for the “tripe,” it was another story from his days as an apprentice.

The old chef used to consider cow and sheep tripe too smelly to bother with, often throwing it away or cooking it to feed beggars.

But one day, He Ange decided to clean the tripe and use it for hotpot.

The suggestion nearly gave the old chef a heart attack. He declared that even beggars would find it disgusting, and now He Ange wanted to put it on the cutting board and use his prized knife to prepare it? It was an insult to his meticulously maintained, expensive kitchen tools.

Before the chef could come around to the idea, He Ange had to leave for the Shengxu Sect to pursue cultivation, handing in his resignation.

So when He Ange saw tripe served at the table today, he couldn’t help but ask the old chef about it.

“Eat it or don’t! You brat, you haven’t changed a bit—still as annoying as ever!” the old man snapped, his face darkening as he set the plate of tripe on the table and turned to leave.

He Ange didn’t stop him. This was a meal for Xu Xin, and he still had some business to discuss with the old chef after eating. There was no rush to catch up.

After the chef left, He Ange placed the tripe into the hotpot and shrugged.

“See? That’s just how he is. He scolds everyone he meets.”

“Junior Brother, your relationship with The Old Nine Gates is really something,” Xu Xin said, a hint of envy in her voice. She had noticed the warmth in the old chef’s eyes when he looked at He Ange—a stark contrast to the stern tone he used with her. It was like watching a grandfather bicker with his grandson.

The scene reminded Xu Xin of her own family.

Since beginning her cultivation journey, she hadn’t spoken to her family in years. Seeing the camaraderie between He Ange and the old chef made her a little envious. Despite his wandering lifestyle, He Ange seemed to have found moments of warmth and connection.

“That’s just how people are,” He Ange said nonchalantly.

He noticed that most of the ingredients in the hotpot were cooked and began eating with gusto.

Even in the company of a girl, He Ange didn’t hold back. He ate as he normally would, without any shyness or hesitation.

His casual demeanor put Xu Xin at ease. She had been holding back earlier, unsure of how to act, but now she felt comfortable enough to dig in.

In no time, the two were fully immersed in their meal.

They started with meat, moved on to vegetables, and finished with noodles—a classic hotpot progression.

Since it was Xu Xin’s first time trying hotpot, He Ange made sure to keep things traditional. If he were eating alone, he would’ve skipped the vegetables and noodles, opting to fill up on meat instead.

“I’m stuffed. That was so satisfying,” Xu Xin said, leaning back with a contented sigh.

When the tripe was first brought out, He Ange had worried she might not want to eat it and had prepared to convince her otherwise.

To his surprise, Xu Xin didn’t need any persuasion. She started eating it on her own, completely unbothered by the fact that it was offal. She even seemed to enjoy it.

This chapt𝒆r is updated by frёewebηovel.cѳm.

Convincing her had been far easier than convincing the old chef back in the day.

“So, how would you rate the meal?” He Ange asked.

“It was amazing! I’ve never had anything so delicious in my life!” Xu Xin replied, her eyes sparkling with delight.

She wasn’t used to dining out, let alone at a place like The Old Nine Gates. Most of her meals were simple fare from the Shengxu Sect’s cafeteria, and her focus was always on cultivation.

A meal like this was a rare luxury.

“The only downside is that it was a bit too spicy for me... but it’s fine. I’ll just drink more water,” she added, shaking her head to show it wasn’t a big deal.

“I’ll ask the old chef to adjust the recipe next time. It won’t be as spicy,” He Ange said.

“But without the spice, it might lose its charm...”

“I’ll have him add a divider to the pot. One side can be spicy, and the other can be mild.”

“That’s possible?”

“Of course. Food is meant to be enjoyed however you like.”

He Ange stood up and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

With their meal finished, it was time to return to the Shengxu Sect for meditation and cultivation, as per the inner disciples’ schedule.

Of course, He Ange only escorted Xu Xin out of The Old Nine Gates. He had no intention of going back himself.

Meditation?

That was a luxury for those with intact spiritual veins.

As someone with a crippled spiritual vein, He Ange had no need for meditation. Besides, he still had unfinished business at The Old Nine Gates.

“Junior Brother, I’ll head back on my own, then?”

“Take care, Senior Sister.”

Waving her off, He Ange watched as Xu Xin left.

But just as she reached the intersection, she stopped and turned back, her expression serious.

“I’ll definitely speak to Master on your behalf!”

…

Xu Xin left.

If He Ange’s guess was correct, she would head straight to Qin Shiyan’s residence at the Shengxu Sect and recount everything that had happened during the swordsmanship class.

Xu Xin was a straightforward person. If she had the courage to stand up to Wang Yuan during the class, she would certainly have the courage to confront Qin Shiyan and ask why she hadn’t helped her junior brother.

She might even argue with Qin Shiyan.

Of course, that was just a possibility.

Either way, He Ange was secretly rooting for her. If he was going to stay under Qin Shiyan’s tutelage long-term, he needed her trust. If she continued to doubt him and conspire with others to test him, being her disciple would become unbearable.

In that case, it might be better to cut his losses and leave.

As He Ange pondered, Yan Lei approached and patted him on the shoulder.

“Shengge, the old chef wants to see you.”

“I know. I’m on my way.”

“By the way, you’re not going to walk that girl home? You treated her to a meal, so don’t let it go to waste. Shengge, you’re still too clueless about these things,” Yan Lei teased as they walked to the back courtyard.

He Ange simply smiled, not bothering to explain.

Xu Xin was a good senior sister, but she wasn’t part of He Ange’s “targets.” No matter how much he craved spiritual energy as a demonic cultivator, he wasn’t desperate enough to exploit her. He wasn’t the type to pursue every woman he met.

For all his flaws, He Ange had his principles.

In the kitchen, the old chef was busy cleaning up. Seeing this, He Ange stepped in to help without being asked.

Once they were done, he fetched a chair for the old man to sit and rest.

After a moment of silence, the old chef spoke.

“The fish you asked for—I got it.”

“Was it expensive? I’ll pay for it along with the meal.”

“Not expensive. Consider it a gift.”

“Really? Since when are you so generous...”

“Shut up if you don’t know how to talk!” the old man snapped.

He Ange chuckled, following the chef to the back courtyard. The old man pointed to a pond where a shimmering, blue-tinged snowfish swam gracefully.

Seeing the fish, He Ange knew his plans for the evening were set.

“I looked into it. This winter snowfish is a rare delicacy from a cultivation secret realm. You must’ve gone through a lot of trouble to get one. Let me guess—you’re trying to impress some girl from your sect again?”

The old chef rapped He Ange on the head, his tone gruff but teasing.

Scratching his head sheepishly, He Ange grinned. “You’re overthinking it. It’s for the same person as always.”

“The one from the An family? She’s a good one. If you’ve got a chance with her, don’t waste it.”

“She’s a good person, but whether she sees me as more than a little brother is another story.”

“Hah! Who else could charm women better than you?”