The return of the granddaughter of the Namgoong family

After arriving in Hefei, the two headed straight to an inn.

The inn was located near the Namgung family estate.

The first thing Ilhwa did was take a warm bath. It took a couple of thorough scrubbings for the stench and sticky feeling to completely disappear.

When she changed into the clothes Seom Mu-gwang had prepared and came down to the first floor, she found him sitting at a table with food laid out before him. Arms crossed, he waited patiently.

Hearing her footsteps as she descended the stairs, his lips curled into a wide grin.

“Welcome back, little one! I’ve ordered extra portions, so eat to your heart’s content!”

The table was laden with noodles and dumplings.

So much for something special.

Just dumplings and noodles?

“….”

Ilhwa stood silently, staring at the spread of dumplings and noodles without sitting down.

Seom Mu-gwang, who had pulled out a chair for her, tilted his head in confusion.

“Why aren’t you sitting?”

“I ate tanghulu earlier, so I’m not hungry.”

She said this, but her face betrayed her disappointment.

Seom Mu-gwang blinked a few times before finally catching on. Then, he burst into laughter.

“Sit down already! Just sit! Come on!”

When Ilhwa reluctantly took a seat, Seom Mu-gwang placed a dumpling on her plate.

“What do you think is the most basic food served at an inn?”

“Dumplings and noodles.”

No matter the region, it’s hard to find an inn that doesn’t serve dumplings or noodles.

They’re as basic as it gets, but they’re also far from special.

“Exactly. Do you know how hard it is for something as basic as dumplings and noodles to become famous for their taste?”

When he tore open the dumpling skin, rich broth pooled into the dish.

Seom Mu-gwang expertly ladled some light soy sauce into the opened dumpling, letting it soak into the filling.

“Anyone can make them, so you’d think the taste would be the same everywhere. But it’s not. This place, for instance, will blow your mind when you least expect it. People say it’s like catching a glimpse of the afterlife.”

I already glimpsed the afterlife, thanks to the Great Restoration Pill.

Comparing dumplings to the Great Restoration Pill? Ridiculous.

Then again, Seom Mu-gwang had never experienced the Great Restoration Pill, so it wasn’t surprising he’d say such things.

Placing his chopsticks down, he dusted off his hands and gave her a confident smile.

“Alright, give it a try. You’ll be crying for more in no time!”

Reluctantly, Ilhwa picked up her spoon. She carefully cut off a small piece of the dumpling, ensuring she got some of the skin, filling, broth, and soy sauce all at once. Then, she brought it to her mouth.

The moment it entered, her eyes sparkled.

“…!”

“How is it? Delicious, right? Isn’t it absolutely incredible? Huh?”

“…!”

Ilhwa instinctively covered her mouth with her hand, chewing while staring at the dumpling in awe.

Surprisingly, the dumplings were truly delicious.

In fact, they were the best dumplings she had ever tasted, even compared to those from her past life.

The flavor was crafted from ingredients she couldn’t quite identify, staying true to the fundamentals of dumplings while carrying a hint of seafood that filled her mouth with rich savoriness.

It looked ordinary, but the taste was extraordinary.

While she was still savoring the dumplings, Seom Mu-gwang placed a bowl of noodles in front of her.

After swallowing the dumpling, Ilhwa tried the noodles, only to be surprised again by their unexpected depth of flavor.

As she devoured the food eagerly, Seom Mu-gwang burst into laughter and playfully ruffled her hair.

“Take your time. I’ll order as much as you want until you’re stuffed.”

True to his word, Ilhwa ate dumplings and noodles until she felt like her stomach would burst.

It was her first time experiencing food that remained delicious even after she was full.

The next day, when she woke up, Seom Mu-gwang was gone. The inn bill had already been settled.

Though he had disappeared, someone else was tailing her. Judging by the familiar presence, it seemed to be one of Seom Mu-gwang’s subordinates who had followed them to Hefei.

It was likely for surveillance or protection.

Perhaps even to track her movements in case she decided to take a different path.

It doesn’t matter either way.

Leaving the inn, Ilhwa began heading toward the Namgung family estate.