## Chapter 34: Beginning with One's Own Identity, Talent of the Food God - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

## Chapter 34: Beginning with One's Own Identity, Talent of the Food God When Su Mo arrived at Steward Guo's place, he found Steward Guo in the middle of a meal, with Xiao Wang beside him shoveling mouthfuls of millet grains from his bowl. On the table, the main course consisted of just a plate of pickled vegetables and two bowls of salty soup. Upon seeing Su Mo approach, Steward Guo hurriedly waved him over. "Ah, Little Su, you've come! Have you eaten yet?" Su Mo chuckled and took a seat next to Steward Guo. "Steward Guo, I'm here to discuss something with you," he said. "What is it?" "The Madam has taken a liking to my cooking skills and plans to invest in opening an inn for me here in Linjiang City." Hearing this, Steward Guo seemed somewhat incredulous. "Is there really such a thing? How much is she planning to give you?" "She didn't specify an amount, but I imagine it would be a few hundred taels." Su Mo wasn't entirely truthful, suspecting the thousand taels he had in his pocket were actually Madam Huang's private savings. Nodding, Steward Guo finished his millet and gulped down the salty soup with a deep breath of satisfaction. "Since the Madam approves of you, there's little more to say. However, the position of provision manager will remain vacant for a while longer." "Haha, well, then, Steward Guo, you'll just have to find someone else for the role," Su Mo remarked with a polite chuckle before taking his leave from Steward Guo's quarters. It wasn't that Su Mo hadn't contemplated why Steward Guo had inexplicably appointed him to be the provision manager. Upon seeing Steward Guo's nephew arriving at the general's residence, it all became clear. Steward Guo's nephew had just joined the general's house. To avoid gossip, he had to start as a servant. There was no way Steward Guo would hand the provision manager's position to an elder in the house; once they were in, reclaiming it would be challenging. Yet, the position couldn't remain empty. Hence, it was given to Su Mo. With no background and no relatives, and as the keys to the purchasing rights, cellar, and ice cellar remained with Steward Guo, managing operations would be straightforward. Of course, he understood that discretion was critical. Previously, Su Mo had been contemplating ways to change his circumstances. But now that Madam Huang favored him, he could step away from the general's estate and open his own inn — an incredible stroke of luck he didn't need to scrutinize further by fighting for the petty provision manager role. --- Whether prompted by Madam Huang or just due to the efficient operations at the general’s estate, Su Mo received word from Steward Guo by the afternoon. He would spend one more night in the general's residence, and early the next morning, he could take his belongings to a two-story building near the east gate of Linjiang City. Once a teahouse, this place had gone bankrupt due to poor management by its previous owner but was nevertheless in a prime location — facing the street with a large open courtyard in the back, and not far from the river. The general's estate had purchased this teahouse for 240 taels, leaving a sum for Su Mo to begin the business. However, when Steward Guo handed over the deed and a 200 tael banknote, Su Mo found himself momentarily stunned. Clearly, the general’s estate had publicly spent 240 taels on the building, while Madam Huang had given 200 taels to help him start the tavern. Meaning, the thousand taels Madam Huang had discreetly provided were not part of this sum. Now, he had a startup capital of 1,200 taels. Su Mo couldn't quite grasp Madam Huang's intentions — whether she genuinely appreciated his culinary skills or had other motives. All he could do was focus on running the tavern well. --- After completing the handover of duties, Su Mo returned to his room. He didn’t possess many personal items — just a bedding set, which was a perk from his role as provision manager. Come tomorrow, he could roll up his bedding and leave, his move requiring no help. Lying in bed, he summoned his Fate Simulations. Su Mo was curious. He wondered what the beginning would be like after selecting a real-life affinity character. --- Meanwhile, in the room of Second Miss Guo Lin, she had already undressed and slipped into her covers. However, unlike earlier that day, her eyes were slightly swollen with traces of tears. Thinking of how her mother had scolded her during the day filled Guo Lin with indignant grievance. All for a servant? To think her mother would become so infuriated over a servant. It was rumored her mother planned to fund Su Mo in opening an inn outside, which only added to Guo Lin’s discomfort. The next day, she decided she’d have to take a look at where Su Mo was opening this inn. If it came to it, she’d have a few constables from the county office ruin it completely! She had to let this unspoken injustice loose! Who told you to bully me! With deep resentment towards Su Mo, Guo Lin drifted into sleep. --- **[Would you like to begin the simulation?]** "Begin!" **[The chosen affinity character for this simulation is the Second Miss of Zhenyuan General's Mansion, Guo Lin.]** **[The birth location is fixed.]** **[The simulation starts in Lin'an City.]** **[Affinity character confirmed.]** **[The bound affinity character is "Guo Lin."]** **[Confirming identity.]** **[You are the provision manager of Zhenyuan General's Mansion.]** Everything set, Su Mo couldn't help but recall the time he simulated with Madam Huang, also beginning with his real-world identity. Could it be that when proximity is close for relationship characters, they all begin by mirroring reality? If that’s the case, wouldn’t the sense of immersion be all the more intense? Su Mo hoped for a few more designated opportunities. --- **[Randomized talent selection in progress.]** A blue light flickered. Before him appeared the talent selection for this simulation. **[The randomized talent chosen for you is "Gourmet God."]** **[Gourmet God: You possess extraordinarily strong culinary talents, able to discern the origin and optimal eating phase of any ingredient. Regardless of how advanced the cooking technique, heat control, or knife skills required, you can instantly master them.]** **[The dishes and desserts you prepare are imbued with a magical quality, bringing diners their fondest memories and a sense of blissful happiness from the food.]** **[Food and drink are inseparable, enabling you to craft unprecedented wines through unique combinations of various ingredients.]** --- Seeing "Gourmet God" as his talent again left Su Mo both shocked and thrilled. The shock was that the last time he simulated with Madam Huang, he also had this "Gourmet God" talent. The thrill came from the potential: a high rating could allow him to acquire this "Gourmet God" talent! With the Gourmet God talent at his disposal, he had no fear that the tavern wouldn't prosper! Thinking back on the simulation process in the Great Shang, Su Mo realized achieving a high rating required defying fate, accomplishing what seemed impossible. But it depended significantly on luck. Last time, in the simulation, he had no choice but to progress, transformed from a slave to a merchant king, defying fate gloriously. If this simulation doesn't favor him, such luck might elude him, and the "Gourmet God" talent would slip through his fingers. Hopeful, Su Mo inwardly wished for fortune's favor once again. With anticipation, Su Mo directed his gaze at the screen before him, ready for the simulation to commence. --- **[In the Song Dynasty, you are a servant at the Zhenyuan General's Mansion, becoming the provision manager due to your Gourmet God talent.** **[Holding a secret fondness for Second Miss Guo Lin, you longingly dream of her nightly.** **[Aware of the vast divide between your statuses, you harbor your affection silently.]** Watching the simulation's portrayal of himself, Su Mo immediately recognized the change in character due to the Gourmet God talent, similar to his previous experience with Madam Huang — self-assured, arrogant, but inwardly insecure due to low status. It seemed this simulation promised to be quite engaging. --- *Note: The author has been working on revisions necessary after a content block, planning to release two more chapters tonight. Thanks for the support!*