Hai Rui had worked steadily at the Ministry of Revenue for three years. He had not earned much silver, but with support from Wang Yan and Wang Yongji, his life was still far better than that of ordinary people. His complexion was no longer as waxen and sallow as it had been back in Chun'an.
In the small courtyard house Hai Rui rented, Wang Yan's men delivered meat, vegetables, and other ingredients and seasonings. Wang Yan personally took up the wok and cooked two tables of dishes. One table was for Hai Rui's family, while the other was naturally for Wang Yan, Hai Rui, and Wang Yongji.
"You really are something. I invited you to my home for drinks, yet you had to buy the groceries and cook the food yourself. Still, I have to say, with skills like yours, you'd never go hungry no matter where you went. I could eat this forever without getting tired of it. It's far better than my wife's cooking."
Hai Rui complained, praised him, and stuffed his mouth with food all at once.
Before Wang Yan could speak, Wang Yongji stepped in to explain. "Ziyan had no choice. If we really let your wife go out to shop, someone might poison the vegetables. There's no harm in being careful. I wholeheartedly support him cooking for himself—it's even better than the chefs at the restaurants outside."
"If you like something, naturally you're willing to study it. I haven't done anything else these past two years except research how to eat well. Haven't you noticed that even my cook has gotten fatter? He was fattened up from testing new dishes and stuffing himself every day."
Wang Yan drank cheerfully. "If it tastes good, then eat more. Another three years are nearly up, so there should