Chapter 9
Another satisfying day of running his food stall came to an end.
Jian Yunlan hummed a cheerful tune as he returned to his villa. The butler had thoughtfully prepared aromatherapy and a massage bath, along with some snacks.
Jian Yunlan soaked in the bathtub and tasted the snacks.
Hmm… Not as good as what he made.
The bathwater carried the steamy fragrance of herbs, the warmth wrapping around him, making him relax with half-lidded eyes.
He wondered…
What should he make tomorrow?
The past few days’ menu had been on the lighter side. If he was going to sell street food, he should change things up a bit.
Why not make Red Oil Wontons (Sichuan-style spicy wontons) tomorrow?
Who said Chao Shou didn’t count as wontons?
Though the debate over whether Chao Shou qualified as wontons had raged on for years, the God of Cooking System’s Wonton Recipe Collection had included them.
Aunt Ning’s chili sauce was top-notch, but if he wanted to make proper Red Oil Wontons, he’d need her to prepare a batch of spicy mala seasoning.
With that in mind, Jian Yunlan grabbed his phone and sent a message to the contact labeled “(Premium Chili Sauce) Aunt Ning” on WeChat:
[Aunt Ning, can you make tomorrow’s chili sauce a mala red oil flavor? Also, I’d like to buy some extra chili oil.]
Ning Menglian quickly replied, her face lighting up with joy: [Of course (Smile) I’ll still deliver it at 9 o’clock as usual, is that okay?]
She really enjoyed doing business with this chili sauce buyer. He had a good personality, paid quickly and generously, and bought in large quantities.
Jian Yunlan: [(Thumb-up)]
…Their conversation had a distinct old-school politeness to it.
Ning Menglian paused, then added:
[Boss Jian, they’re demolishing illegal buildings near my home, and the road is uneven. It’s a bit difficult for me to ride my electric scooter, so I might be a little late. Would 9:30 be okay? ]
Ning Menglian came from a poor background. She worked as a domestic helper, had a paralyzed mother to care for, and a son in college. Even though their family was hardworking, they couldn’t afford a new apartment in a high-rise community and could only live in an old neighborhood filled with illegal constructions.
What she didn’t know was that her choice to stay in this old community to save on rent would ultimately cost her life.
In the original novel Paranoid Possession, this was around the time something happened to Ning Menglian. The entire street outside her home was under construction, and one early morning, as she left for work, a falling brick struck her, killing her instantly.
It became Ning Sheng’s lifelong regret.
Later, he struggled his way up, enduring endless ridicule and disdain, transforming from a penniless student into a rising star in the tech industry. He bought a large house and moved his grandmother to a wealthy neighborhood, where they no longer had to navigate the damp alleys and moss-covered doors of their old home.
Ning Sheng became highly sought after, powerful enough to topple those who once oppressed him with ease.
But his mother would never see any of it.
*
“The road is uneven?”
Jian Yunlan frowned.
After calling the butler over and asking a few questions, he sent Ning Menglian a message:
[I have an empty apartment in Haiping Community. It’s fully furnished and ready to move in. You can rent it for 1,000 yuan a month. Move in today—I’ll help you find a moving company.]
Haiping Community was a modern apartment complex. Though not in a prime location, it had a good environment and convenient transportation. Rent there typically started at three to four thousand yuan a month.
Ning Menglian was flattered and a bit overwhelmed:
[Mr. Jian, I appreciate your kindness, but I really can’t accept such a generous offer. ]
She was touched. This Mr. Jian was a bit eccentric, but he was clearly a kind person.
He was genuinely concerned about her safety and even offered her affordable housing.
A moment later, Jian Yunlan sent another message:
[Auntie, the road is uneven. What if the chili sauce gets knocked over and breaks?]
[Please move in, really.]
[If the chili sauce breaks, my snack stall will be ruined, and I won’t want to live anymore. (Smile)(Shock)]
He was being completely sincere.
To Jian Yunlan, Ning Menglian was just a passing acquaintance.
But her chili sauce—certified excellent by the God of Cooking System—was irreplaceable!
If it broke, where would he find a replacement? He might not even be able to set up his stall that day!
Just imagining his precious chili sauce being carelessly tossed around in an electric scooter’s trunk, bouncing over potholes and cracks in the road… Jian Yunlan felt like he wouldn’t be able to sleep at night. His heart ached at the thought.
He wished he could rush over right now and move her himself.
*
Ning Menglian: “…”
Wait.
This Boss Jian… was kind of insane.
Who in their right mind would say “I won’t want to live anymore” over chili sauce?! And then use a (Smile)(Shock) emoji right after?!
It was creepy!
But after interacting with him these past few days, she had to admit—Jian Yunlan genuinely cared about her chili sauce’s safety.
Which… somehow made him seem even crazier.
*
Now, it was time for the most enjoyable part of the day—cooking!
Today’s dish: Red Oil Wontons (Sichuan Spicy Dumplings).
Since he didn’t need to make broth for this, the key to success lay in the sauce. A great sauce could make even boiled shoe leather taste good.
Of course, as a self-proclaimed God-Tier Chef, Jian Yunlan would never cut corners.
He handpicked the highest quality minced pork at the market, specifically choosing a 30% fat, 70% lean ratio. The extra fat made Red Oil Wontons incredibly juicy and flavorful. He seasoned the meat with sesame oil, minced ginger, Sichuan pepper, and a few farm-fresh eggs, making the filling unbelievably tender.
As for the sauce, the star ingredient was none other than the spicy chili sauce and chili oil that Ning Menglian had delivered that morning.
When it came to making chili sauce, she had a special talent. No matter what kind of chili paste she made, it always had a faint purple shimmer—a mark of excellent quality.
Jian Yunlan himself loved red oil wontons, especially when the fragrant, spicy oil mixed with crispy golden-fried garlic—an absolute flavor explosion!
So, he prepared a massive amount of garlic and poured sizzling oil over the seasonings. Instantly, the rich, pungent aroma filled the kitchen.
Even the sesame oil was homemade—store-bought just wasn’t good enough.
*
Regarding the age-old debate: Are Sichuan-style wontons (Chao Shou) considered real wontons?
Jian Yunlan checked the God of Cooking System.
According to the system’s official classification, both Chao Shou and regular wontons fell under the broad category of “dumplings.” In fact, even traditional dumplings originated from wontons!
So technically, they were all the same thing.
Still, Sichuan wontons had a distinct shape. With a deft twist of his fingers, Jian Yunlan folded one into a perfect little gold ingot.
Everything was ready.
After a short break, it would be time for another delicious day at the food stall.
*
6:30 AM.
The competition for wontons had become increasingly fierce. Though there was still half an hour before the stall opened, around thirty to forty people had already started lining up at the south gate.
Having failed to get their wontons yesterday—and even putting on an impromptu comedy skit in front of everyone—Li Yun and Tan Tingting arrived early today, determined to reclaim their dignity.
Li Yun’s older brother, Li Mingxi, was also there. After a fallout between the siblings, things had been awkward between them lately. But today, Li Mingxi voluntarily gave up his front-row spot in line for his sister, finally mending their relationship.
The bracelet vendor had also been neglecting his own business these past few days, focusing entirely on lining up for wontons. The security guard even went so far as to request a transfer from the north gate to the south gate just to be closer to the stall.
Aside from them, there was a whole group of computer science students, all wearing plaid shirts and glasses. They lined up with impressive synchronization—some even had their laptops out, typing away on their code.
“GPA and wontons—we want them both!”
Among the sea of students, one man stood out—an elderly professor in a sharp suit and overcoat, with a determined look in his eyes.
Professor Wang clutched a notebook filled with hand-drawn route diagrams and multiple strategy drafts. Surrounding him were several of his top graduate students, all huddled together, discussing something in hushed voices.
“I made a PowerPoint presentation for this strategy,” Han Lin said, holding up his tablet. “I referenced three review papers and one journal article. The conclusion is…”
The other students nodded frequently, occasionally raising their hands to ask questions.
The undergraduates standing nearby were in awe.
—As expected of Professor Wang’s PhD students. Even when lining up for street food, they never stopped doing research. Such dedication was truly admirable!
If only they could hear what these researchers were actually discussing… their worldview might shatter completely.
Topics included: A strategic evaluation of different wonton flavors, optimized queuing methods for rainy or extreme weather conditions, and conceptual evolution and overcoming cognitive dissonance in interdisciplinary research on efficient wonton purchasing.
Standing at the front of the line, Li Yun and Tan Tingting overheard bits and pieces of the conversation. A chill ran down their spines.
So it was true—what the seniors had warned them about.
Academia really could drive people insane.
“We must never become like that.” Li Yun grabbed Tan Tingting’s hand, eyes filled with tears.
Tan Tingting nodded, teary-eyed as well.
*
Just then, the clock struck 7:00 AM, and right on time, Jian Yunlan arrived, pedaling his tricycle.
“The boss is here!”
Someone shouted, and immediately, the crowd came to life. Excitement buzzed in the air as they rushed toward Jian Yunlan’s tricycle.
“Boss, you’re finally here!”
“Can you sell a little more today?”
“What flavors are available? It smells amazing!”
With so many eager customers, hands reached out, tugging at his tricycle. Jian Yunlan almost couldn’t find a spot to park.
“Everyone, step back and let the boss park first.”
Professor Wang cleared his throat. With thirty years of teaching experience, his voice carried an undeniable authority.
The crowd reluctantly parted, allowing Jian Yunlan to park.
“Professor! You’re here!”
Jian Yunlan hadn’t forgotten how Professor Wang had helped him yesterday. He smiled genuinely and greeted him warmly.
“Young man, your wontons are excellent,” Professor Wang said kindly, then coughed lightly. “Would you like to add me on WeChat? If you ever need help, feel free to ask.”
… Of course, the real reason was that Professor Wang wanted an inside connection for special orders.
“Sure!” Jian Yunlan readily agreed.
He pulled out his phone, and the two exchanged WeChat contacts.
The crowd looked on with intense envy.
So lucky! The professor actually got the boss’s WeChat!
Did this mean he’d get special treatment in the future?
So this was the reward of reaching the top of the academic food chain—the privilege of adding the wonton master on WeChat before anyone else!
“We have to study hard and strive to become professors one day!” Li Yun held Tan Tingting’s hand, eyes filled with tears.
Tan Tingting nodded, tears welling up once again.
*
Just then, an unusual spicy scent filled the air.
Huh? What’s that smell?
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on Jian Yunlan as he lifted the lid—revealing a large vat of glistening, steaming-hot chili oil.
On the wooden counter, rows of plump, golden ingot-shaped dumplings were neatly arranged. Their thin, delicate skins barely concealed the generous filling inside, making them look irresistibly cute and appetizing.
Today’s special: Sichuan-style Red Oil Dumplings!
The crowd erupted in excitement.
For the past few days, they had been enjoying light, fresh, and savory wontons, assuming that was Jian Yunlan’s specialty. But today, he had completely switched things up, bringing out a dish drenched in fiery red chili oil.
There was no way they were missing out on this.
After all, on a crisp autumn day like this, who could resist a steaming bowl of spicy, numbing, and silky-smooth red oil dumplings?
“Boss! One order for me!”
“We’ll take two! No cilantro, please. Thanks, boss!”
“Oh my god, I’m so excited!”
Tan Tingting was just as thrilled.
She was near the front of the line, yet it still took five to six minutes before her turn. By then, the people ahead of her were already eating, letting out satisfied slurps and sighs of happiness.
Even Professor Wang, drenched in sweat from the heat and spice, looked utterly content—so much so that he had to constantly remove his glasses to wipe off the fog.
Her anticipation grew.
What would today’s red oil dumplings taste like?
Finally, her turn arrived.
Jian Yunlan’s movements were swift and precise—scooping out the dumplings, draining the water, and placing them neatly into a bowl. Then, he generously topped them with a heap of freshly minced garlic.
With a quick flick of his ladle, piping hot chili oil cascaded over the dumplings, making a sizzling sound as it hit. A final sprinkle of white sesame seeds, cilantro, and chopped scallions completed the dish.
A bowl of red oil dumplings was handed to Tan Tingting.
From the moment Jian Yunlan started scooping, she had been swallowing uncontrollably.
Now, under the glow of the streetlights, the dumplings glistened in their fiery red sauce, steam curling into the air—
She couldn’t wait to dig in.
But just as she was about to take her first bite—
Her phone rang.
Her boyfriend was calling.
“What now?” Tan Tingting’s excitement instantly soured.
She and Zheng Xiang, her boyfriend, had been having problems lately.
Tan Tingting was a top provincial scholar and a student at Beijing University, while Zheng Xiang was only attending a local vocational college. With graduate school applications approaching, Zheng Xiang had been pressuring her to give up on further education and return to their small hometown to get married.
Her friends all thought she was crazy for not dumping him sooner. But Tan Tingting, a hopeless romantic, had hesitated.
Now, background noise from a bar echoed through the phone.
“Piggy, what are you doing?” Zheng Xiang slurred.
“Eating wontons,” she replied coolly.
“Oh!” His interest piqued. “Is it that amazing wonton place you kept talking about?”
“Yep.”
Zheng Xiang chuckled. “Leave your portion for me, babe. I wanna try it too.”
Tan Tingting’s expression turned to pure disbelief. “Are you serious?”
“Come on, it’s just a bowl of wontons. Do you have to eat it? Are wontons more important than me?”
Silence.
Tan Tingting looked down at the steaming, fragrant dumplings in her hands.
The fiery red chili oil shimmered under the light, clinging to the delicate, translucent skins of the dumplings. The spicy, mouthwatering aroma—a perfect blend of garlic, Sichuan peppercorn, and hot oil—filled the air, making her salivate just from the scent.
Each dumpling was plump and juicy, stuffed with fresh, pink minced pork. With one pour of the sizzling hot oil, they now glistened enticingly, topped with scallions and garlic—utterly irresistible.
And this fool Zheng Xiang had the audacity to think he could just take them from her?
Zheng Xiang’s tone turned manipulative. “If you won’t even share a bowl of wontons with me, how can you say you love me? Look at yourself—who else would even want you besides me?”
“Oh. Then let’s break up.”
“By the way, all your disgusting manipulative tactics? I’ll be posting them on your school’s confession page. Enjoy your public humiliation.”
Zheng Xiang: “???”
“Wait, hold on—”
Too late.
Tan Tingting had already hung up and blocked him.
With the trash taken out, she could finally enjoy her meal in peace.
She picked up her chopsticks and grasped a dumpling—its tight, plump skin trembling slightly, dripping with chili oil.
She popped it into her mouth.
The delicate wrapper burst instantly, releasing the juicy, tender filling—a perfect balance of lean and fatty pork, soaked in the numbing heat of Sichuan peppercorn oil. The spicy, garlicky broth spilled over her tongue, sending waves of heat and flavor through her mouth.
The finishing touch was the bold, pungent garlic, intensified by the heat of the oil, bringing out the savory, bouncy texture of the meat.
As the dumpling slid down her throat, the tingling spice made her nose sweat, her tongue slightly numb—but she couldn’t stop.
Each bite sent a rush of adrenaline, every capillary in her body awakened in delight.
Even as beads of sweat formed on her forehead, she refused to stop eating, her breath coming in sharp, happy gasps. The exhilarating spice made her pant and fan her mouth, yet she kept going—because it was just too damn delicious.
Any thoughts of her garbage ex?
Long gone.
This was pure happiness.
Honestly, if she could eat red oil dumplings this good every day, she wouldn’t care if she had to drive a sports car and live in a mansion—
She’d do it in a heartbeat.
Boohoo why can’t I be his customer too orz