A New Money-Making Idea

Lily Evans chuckled to herself, her mind busy with delightful little schemes.

Beside her, Mrs. Charlotte Evans noticed Lily's mischievous grin and poked her playfully. "Lily, what's got you so happy? What new product were you talking about just now?"

Lily snapped back to reality and laughed, "Oh, I just came up with a new recipe that could make us a fortune!"

"Really? You came up with another money-making idea in just a few minutes?" Mrs. Evans covered her mouth in surprise, giggling. "No one can out-earn our Lily!"

"Hehe, let me show you my new idea today!" Lily was always one for action. When it came to her hotpot, she believed everyone needed to taste it themselves.

With that, Lily was about to take Bella Bell to the kitchen, but Alexander Hayes stopped her.

Alexander Hayes frowned, "The kitchen's full of smoke and fire. Do you really think that's a place for you?"

Lily immediately put on a cute act. "I won't cook anything smoky or greasy, I promise!"

"Really?" Alexander looked skeptical. He'd seen Lily cook before—her stir-frying with high flames and flipping heavy pots was enough to make anyone nervous.

"I promise!" Lily said, nudging Bella Bell. "With my apprentice here, I'll just supervise and give pointers. I won't do it myself."

Bella Bell nodded eagerly. "Rest assured, Your Highness! My cooking skills have improved a lot—Master Lily just needs to give instructions and I’ll handle all the work. I wouldn’t dream of troubling you!"

With both of them insisting, Alexander Hayes finally agreed, but he insisted on tagging along to the kitchen, just to be sure.

The relatives and friends watched Alexander Hayes stick to Lily Evans so closely, and couldn’t help but cover their mouths and laugh with good-natured amusement.

Lily Evans stuck out her tongue at everyone and said, "Just wait—something delicious is coming up soon!"

With that, Lily Evans led Bella Bell toward the kitchen, with Alexander Hayes following every step of the way.

The Prince of Qin's Manor kitchen was stocked with every imaginable ingredient and spice. Lily Evans took charge, instructing Bella Bell on how to prepare the hot pot base.

Two pots simmered on the stove—one bubbling with spicy, numbing broth, the other with a fresh, savory three-delicacies base.

Next, Lily Evans directed Bella Bell to wash the ingredients and slice everything for the hot pot.

"For the beef and lamb, slice them as thin as possible—the thinner, the better," Lily Evans instructed.

Bella Bell grinned, waving her cleaver. "No problem, Master! Leave it to me!"

As she spoke, Bella Bell wielded the kitchen knife with impressive skill, slicing the meat as thin as paper—much to Lily Evans's satisfaction.

Watching Bella Bell slice the meat, Alexander Hayes couldn't help but laugh, "Bella, the knife skills you learned as a Hayes Family Shadow Guard are perfect for cutting meat!"

Bella Bell grinned and quickly finished slicing the meat, then prepared all the vegetables for the hot pot.

Finally, it was time to mix the dipping sauces. Lily Evans took charge—since it was everyone’s first time eating hot pot, nobody knew how to do it, so Lily personally tailored each sauce to suit her friends’ individual tastes.

Once everything was ready, two stoves were brought indoors, each holding a pot—one bubbling with spicy red oil, the aroma so tempting it made everyone’s mouth water.

The other pot held a three delicacies broth, milky white and equally appetizing.

Plates of colorful vegetables and meats were arranged on the table, each person given a bowl of dipping sauce. Lily Evans took a deep breath, smiling as she explained, "This is called hot pot—everyone, give it a try!"

Alexander Hayes was the first to pick up a slice of meat and swish it through the spicy broth.

Lily Evans looked worried. "That pot is really spicy. If you can’t handle the heat, try the three delicacies broth instead."

Alexander Hayes scoffed, feeling slightly underestimated. "A real man eats spicy food."

He dipped the meat into the sauce and popped it into his mouth, his expression instantly becoming... complicated.