Chapter 79 - 74: Asking Leitel for Help

Chapter 79: Chapter 74: Asking Leitel for Help

"...Merchants whose credit rating is marked as high risk are customarily expelled by the academy. That’s why I came to ask you first, to see if something went wrong. Usually, in the food business, even if there are occasional violations, you’d just get fined or downgraded. It’s very rare to be directly marked as high risk. Think carefully. Have you come into contact with any strange people or things lately?" Old Wood said.

Ning He was still completely bewildered at the moment. "Uncle Wood, you know that besides working in the cafeteria lately, I’ve just been busy preparing for the food festival. I haven’t had the chance to interact with any weirdos. I’m really more—"

Before the four words "wronged than Dou E" could even leave her mouth, an image flashed through Ning He’s mind like lightning.

It was that glance Director Caroline had cast at the camera in the secret room of the trading hall.

Ning He’s hair instantly stood on end.

’It must be her!’

’Ever since coming to this world, I have been strictly law-abiding, an absolute model citizen. Well, except for sneaking into the trading hall and selling that borderline-illegal bone broth at the Second Level stall.’

’The latter hadn’t caused any controversy despite so many people watching at the food festival, which showed it wasn’t a big deal. That left the trading hall as the only possible reason.’

’That’s it. As the director of the Biological Security Bureau, how could she possibly do nothing after catching restless individuals like us participating in gray-market trades to reap huge profits?’

’By slapping a high-risk label on our credit ratings, she effortlessly eliminated our chances of operating in any legitimate market. It avoided a major uproar while effectively restricting opportunists like us. It’s simply brilliant!’

If this brilliant scheme hadn’t been used on her, Ning He would have gladly given the director a round of applause.

Forcibly swallowing her previous words, Ning He squeezed out a bitter smile. "Uncle Wood, I really don’t know what happened. I don’t want to leave the cafeteria, either. Is there really no other way?"

Uncle Wood sighed. "Of course I believe you, but the academy has its rules, and my hands are tied. However, if you can find a suitable person to act as your guarantor, it might just work."

"What kind of person?" Ning He’s eyes instantly lit up.

"Preferably someone with a certain level of prestige in Beiluo City who also has connections to the academy. With a person like that acting as your guarantor, they could buy you a probationary period. You could use that time to investigate the matter thoroughly. Once your credit rating is restored, you’ll be fine."

"I understand," Ning He nodded, her tone serious. "I’ll go look right now."

"Alright, but don’t stress too much. With your culinary skills, you’ll never have to worry about finding business anywhere!" Old Wood consoled her.

Ning He returned to the stall and briefly explained the situation, though she replaced the trading hall in her story with the "mysterious supplier" who had previously provided their vegetables.

Connie simply couldn’t believe it.

"Then... what do we do now?"

"I plan to ask Mr. Leitel first to see if he knows anyone who can help. You guys go back first. Do what you need to do and wait for my news."

Connie didn’t have any better ideas, so she could only head back first with Ah Huai Youzhen.

Ning He, meanwhile, immediately gave Leitel a call.

After the Shadow Beast’s whereabouts were confirmed, Leitel, as the former dean of the Mecha Academy, had also received the internal news. His mood had been rather heavy over the past couple of days.

Today, he had specifically invited a guest over to his home, and the two had been chatting in his study for two straight hours. When he received the call, it took him a moment to process it, but as soon as he realized who was on the other end, a smile blossomed on his face.

"You need my help? Of course, no problem at all! I actually have something I need to discuss with you, too. Just come straight to my house. I’ll send you the address."

Leitel hung up the phone, smiling cheerfully as he typed out a message and sent it over.

The address wasn’t far from the academy. Ning He hailed a car by the roadside, and ten minutes later, she arrived in front of a detached villa. There were even two fully armed privates standing guard at the door.

Ning He froze for a moment, suddenly realizing that this gluttonous old man seemed to have quite a significant background.

Ning He stepped forward and stated her business. The privates had clearly received prior instructions; they scanned her face with a device and, upon confirming her identity, let her inside.

The first person to greet her was the young and beautiful Mrs. Leitel.

"...they’re chatting in the study. Let me take you there."

Mrs. Leitel affectionately took her hand, led her to a room, and knocked on the door.

"Come in!"

Leitel’s voice called out from within.

Pushing the door open, Ning He immediately spotted the smiling, white-bearded old man sitting behind a mahogany desk. Standing behind him, leaning against the window, was a tall, powerfully built young man—Leo.

Their eyes met, and both of them momentarily froze.

They had parted on bad terms at the hospital that day, and she had bitten off more than she could chew by making such bold claims. Running into him so suddenly was rather awkward.

But Ning He’s greatest strength was her ability to quickly adjust her emotions.

She silently repeated a mantra to herself: ’As long as I don’t feel awkward, the one feeling awkward will be him.’

A second later, she walked into the study with complete composure.

Leitel seemed thrilled by her arrival and made a point to introduce Leo to her.

"...You’ve probably heard of him. The hero of our Beiluo City, and also my final disciple. Leo, this young lady is the one who created the Malatang that took the entire city by storm during the food festival. It’s a perfect chance for you young folks to get to know each other."

Ning He glanced up at the composed man and smiled at Leitel. "Actually, Lieutenant Colonel Leo and I already know each other. He even saved my life once. He truly lives up to the title of hero."

A flicker of discomfort crossed Leo’s face, while Ning He felt a surge of secret satisfaction.

’That’s what you get for acting so cool!’

"So that’s how it is! Well, since we’re all acquaintances here, we should sit down and have a nice chat. I just got my hands on some tea leaves. They’re incredibly fragrant; you should give them a try."

Leitel personally poured a cup of tea for Ning He. She accepted it with both hands, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes.

’In this world, tea leaves are even more precious than fruit juice. This old man really thinks highly of me.’

A wave of genuine emotion welled up in Ning He’s heart. But before she could even open her mouth to thank him, the old man’s voice reached her ears.

"Say... seeing as the food festival is over, isn’t it about time we start preparing our roasted pepper sauce?"

’Right, so that’s what this is about!’

But since she was here to ask for a favor today, Ning He naturally had to show a cooperative attitude. ℯℯ𝑙.

"I’m already preparing it. It will be ready in a few days, and I’ll deliver it to you then."

Leitel was overjoyed to hear this. Leo, on the other hand, gave her a surprised glance before falling deep into thought.

"Thanks for your hard work, then! By the way, you mentioned you needed my help with something. What is it?"

Ning He briefly explained the situation. Naturally, she didn’t breathe a single word about the trading hall; she merely stated that she needed some time to investigate the matter and wanted to ask if he could find someone to act as her guarantor.

"High risk? What could possibly be high risk about a chef? There must be some sort of mistake." Leitel stroked his beard, completely unconcerned. "No need to bother anyone else with this. I’ll handle it personally. Don’t worry, I’ll definitely get it sorted out for you."

"I’ll leave it in your hands, then!" Ning He breathed a sigh of relief and quickly thanked him.

"Teacher, leave this to me. Me acting as her guarantor works just as well, and it will save you a trip," Leo, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke up.

"Oh? You’re willing?" Leitel looked intrigued before nodding. "Having you step forward is fine, too. It’ll save me the breath of arguing with that guy David. He’s far too long-winded; just looking at him gives me a headache."

The David Markfield that Leitel referred to was none other than the current dean of the Mecha Academy. Leo could only offer a silent smile in response to such a comment.

Seeing them settle the matter in just a few words, Ning He could only silently curse him for being a busybody in her heart. Outwardly, however, she expressed her profound gratitude to Leo.

"Oh, right, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask of you," Leitel said with a smile. "Next month is my wife’s birthday, which also happens to be our twentieth wedding anniversary. We’ll be hosting a banquet at home. Would you be willing to cater the event?"

Ning He froze for a second, an indescribable feeling welling up in her heart.

"Of course I’m willing. But do you really trust me that much? After all, the First Ring has plenty of experienced chefs with resumes much more impressive and fitting than mine. Furthermore, up until now, very few of the dishes I’ve made are actually suited for a formal banquet. Aren’t you afraid I might mess it up?"

Leitel stroked his beard and burst into laughter. "It’s precisely because you’re young that you should be given the opportunity to hone your skills! Those old fogeys have long been stuck in their ways, coasting into retirement on the back of a few signature dishes. You just go ahead and do your best. If you mess up, it’s on me!"

A wave of warmth surged through Ning He’s heart.

She sat up straight, a confident radiance shining in her dark eyes.

"In that case, I accept. I promise to make this banquet your most delicious memory!"

"Haha, excellent! I’ll be looking forward to it!"