Xu Zixi had no idea what Xie Shi was up to. She got up and walked up to Xie Shi.
Xie Shi looked at her with a loving gaze. She reached out and tucked a lock of hair behind Xu Zixi's ear. Then, in a tone of unprecedented gentleness, she said,
"Zixi, you're a good kid. You have an upright and sunny heart, and you have your own principles. If a kid like you were by Auntie Shi's side, you'd surely be the one to be key - cultivated. But your cooking skills are already superb, and you have a strong personal style. Even someone as picky as A Cheng can't stop singing your praises. So it seems that Auntie Shi has nothing much to teach you."
"But Auntie Shi really likes you. What should I do?" Xie Shi said with a smile.
"Do you know, Auntie Shi has been devoted to researching cuisine all her life and never had much interest in starting a family. Before I knew it, I've been single until now. Auntie Shi is already 63 years old. At this age, I have money, status, and a great many disciples. I should have no regrets. I'd have no complaints even if I were to die the next moment.
"But ever since I saw you, A Cheng, and the two kids in Haicheng, Auntie Shi suddenly realized that I actually have many regrets. The biggest one is that I didn't have my own child and never heard anyone call me 'Mom'. Zixi, since neither the Yuan family nor the Xu family wants you, Auntie Shi does.
"Auntie Shi wants to recognize you as my god - daughter. I want to be like all the mothers and daughters in this world, walking hand in hand while shopping, chatting about our thoughts, and traveling together. I wonder if you're willing?"
Xu Zixi had already had a faint premonition when Xie Shi mentioned her single life.
Her heart had softened gradually under Xie Shi's gentle words and loving gaze.
Although Xie Shi had no blood relation with her or Yuan Xi, those loving eyes gradually overlapped with the image of her mother in her previous life.
Maybe all mothers in this world who truly love their children have such eyes?
Actually, no matter how old a person is, they always hope that the person they call "Mom" is still healthy and alive in this world. Whenever they feel tired or weary, they can go back to her side, lean on her, pour out their troubles, and listen to her nagging.
And no matter how old a person is, in their mother's eyes, they're still the kids who need education and worry.
Her mother stayed in her previous life and she could never see her again.
In this life, did she not want the right to call someone "Mom"? No. It was just that Yuan Xi's two mothers had made better choices for themselves.
But now, someone said to her, "I want to be like all the mothers and daughters in this world with you." She simply couldn't refuse.
Throwing herself into Xie Shi's arms and hugging her tightly, Xu Zixi called out sincerely, "Mom!"
She called her "Mom" for real, not "God - Mom". Xie Shi was stunned for a full ten seconds before she hugged Xu Zixi back tightly and replied in a trembling voice, "Yes! Good kid!"
Zhong Guobiao, seeing this scene, was also a bit teary - eyed.
He understood why Xie Shi had left him there. She wanted to use his mouth to announce their relationship. She wanted everyone outside to know that Xie Shi's god - daughter was Xu Zixi, who used to be called Yuan Xi.
Although they had no blood relation, they might be closer than mothers and daughters with blood ties.
And Xu Zixi would get the protection of Xie Shi and everyone behind her.
Zhong Guobiao already had a good impression of Xu Zixi because of the free dinner. Now he was truly happy for the two of them.
He clapped his hands and said, "Congratulations, Master Xie, on getting such a beloved daughter. 'Poetic Flavor' finally has a worthy successor. Don't worry, I'll spread this news for you. Let everyone know that Miss Xu has your support. The Huading Chamber of Commerce will always support Miss Xu as her backup."
Xie Shi and Xu Zixi separated after only a moment of hugging. Xie Shi choked up as she said to Zhong Guobiao, "Thank you, Mr. Zhong, for thinking so much about us. I'm very sorry that we had some unpleasantness before because of the cancellation of the reservation. To thank you, in the future, when I see your reservation message, I'll consider arranging for you first and give you a 30% discount."
Maybe it was because she was getting old. Thinking that she would have a "child" to care about from now on, Xie Shi just couldn't stop her tears.
"Sorry. These tears... I'm making you laugh."
Xu Zixi took out a tissue to wipe the tears on her face, but unexpectedly, Xie Shi cried even harder.
Zhong Guobiao knew that they needed time to digest this sudden relationship. He smiled and said,
"It's okay, Master Xie. I know every great chef has their own rules. I've met chefs even more difficult than you, and I never took it to heart. But you know, seeing you two like this, I kind of miss my daughter. I have to hurry up and get on with my business. I'll try to get home and reunite with my family tomorrow. Goodbye!"
After a while, Xie Shi finally calmed down completely. Holding Xu Zixi's hand, Xie Shi looked at her lovingly and said,
"Actually, what Mr. Zhong said just now is right. Zixi, you're my god - daughter now. After I'm gone, 'Poetic Flavor'..."
Xu Zixi recognized her as a god - mother not for her property. She quickly wrapped her arm around Xie Shi's and said with a smile, "Mom, don't be in such a hurry to talk about these things. We still have so many things to do."
Xie Shi immediately shifted her attention and said, "That's right. Although I've never been a mother, I see that mothers and daughters with a good relationship can talk about anything. I still have a lot to learn about you. How about you stay here with me tonight? We can take this opportunity to get closer."
Xu Zixi also thought this proposal was feasible. They had hit it off when chatting on the plane. They had planned to talk more before the wedding, but an accident had disrupted their plan.
But thinking of Yan Yincheng, she was a bit reluctant to part with him. They had just confirmed their feelings for each other and were at the most clingy stage, so she hesitated.
She subconsciously wanted to ask Yan Yincheng's opinion. But when she turned around to look for him, he was nowhere to be seen in the hall.
Where was he? Where had he gone? Such an important event as her recognizing Xie Shi as a god - mother, and he wasn't even there!
Xu Zixi and Xie Shi looked at each other in confusion and started looking for Yan Yincheng in the restaurant.
When they reached the kitchen, they saw the missing figure struggling to hold chopsticks with his left hand and putting some of the dishes Xu Zixi had cooked for Zhong Guobiao into his mouth.
On the plate in front of him, the braised pork ribs had been eaten up, and only the squid with green peppers and scrambled eggs with tomatoes hadn't been touched much. It wasn't that he didn't want to eat them, but he could only use his left hand, which was a bit inconvenient.
Seeing this scene, both Xu Zixi and Xie Shi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. No wonder they couldn't find him anywhere. It turned out he was hiding here and sneaking food!