**Chapter 48: The Renovation Team Invited by Guo Lin** - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

### Chapter 48: The Renovation Team Hired by Guo Lin After several hours of meticulous cleaning, Su Mo had finally managed to roughly tidy up the main hall. Despite his robust physique, the lengthy cleaning session began to wear on him after more than two hours of labor. At this pace, it would take at least three days to thoroughly clean both the interior and exterior. Setting his tools aside, Su Mo decided to tackle the kitchen next. He was famished; he couldn't stomach food prepared by others, so it was up to him to cook his meal. As soon as he entered the kitchen, he was hit by a musty, decaying odor. Ever since acquiring the "God of Cooking" talent, his sense of smell had become particularly acute, and the stench nearly knocked him back. He opened wide the kitchen doors, allowing the smell to dissipate before stepping inside. The sight before him was a disaster zone: countertops caked in dust, pots and pans scattered haphazardly, some rusted, others cracked. He scavenged around and finally found a rag that seemed relatively clean. After fetching a bucket of water from the courtyard well, he began cleaning. Halfway through his task, a sudden clamor erupted from outside the tavern. Setting aside his work, Su Mo moved to the entrance and saw a group of people armed with a variety of tools gathered at his doorstep. They resembled a renovation crew. Curious, Su Mo opened the door. "Who are you people?" An elderly man stepped forward, the obvious leader. Clad in simple linen clothes and wearing cloth shoes with thick soles, he carried a variety of implements on his back and appeared to be around fifty. Seeing Su Mo, the old man smiled. "You must be Boss Su." "My name's Qian Jiushi. We were sent by Miss Guo Er to renovate your place. I'm a carpenter, here to check the beams for any decay or insect damage." "We'll also be checking the roof tiles for any leaks." "We've brought a full team with painters, bricklayers, and decorators, guaranteeing your tavern will be sturdy and beautiful!" Su Mo was taken aback upon hearing they were sent by Guo Lin. Though in the simulation he shared a fleeting romance with her, he knew better than to let that cloud his judgment of her real-life persona—she could be quite the vixen. Just yesterday, she was causing him trouble. Why was she sending a whole team today? Was this some sort of scam to extort him out of his money? Suspicious, Su Mo cautiously inquired. "Miss Guo sent you?" "So, how's the payment being handled?" Qian Jiushi waved dismissively. "No need to worry! It's a total of eighty taels, but you don't have to pay a penny. Miss Guo has already settled the bill." Hearing that Guo Lin had already paid, Su Mo felt even more bewildered. Why would she do this? Qian Jiushi interrupted Su Mo's contemplation. "Boss Su." "If there's nothing else, we'll get started." "Oh, but you need to provide us with lunch." Su Mo instinctively replied. "Of course, that's only fair." With that, he watched the renovation crew move into the tavern, tools in hand, as the sound of hammering and bustling filled the air. Surveying the professional craftsmen, Su Mo felt a sense of relief—he was off the hook for now. Yet he remained bewildered as to why Guo Lin was aiding him. Was she plotting some new scheme against him? After all, she was no easy opponent. Su Mo dismissed the thought, focusing instead on his priorities. If she tried anything, he would confront the challenges head-on. For now, cooking was the task at hand. Returning to the kitchen, Su Mo resumed tidying up. After the cleaning, he purchased some utensils, spices, small fish, coarse flour, and other ingredients. He planned to make miscellaneous fish potstickers—a simple dish requiring no gutting or scaling of the fish. --- By noon, the bustling craftsmen began to catch a heavenly aroma in the air, stirring their already growling stomachs and urging them to fill up on food. "Boss Su, what have you got cooking?" Qian Jiushi entered, eyeing the large pot of fish with a drool-worthy gaze. Smiling with pride, Su Mo replied, "This is my specialty—miscellaneous fish potstickers. Almost ready. Tell everyone to pause work and eat first!" "Understood!" Qian Jiushi exclaimed, rushing to the tavern hall. "Boys, tools down, it's time to eat!" "Got it!" "This smells incredible! I've never encountered such an aroma before." "This is Boss Su's specialty; we're in for a treat." "If he's opening a tavern, it's bound for success." "Exactly, a tavern takes skill to run." "Heh, indeed..." Soon, plates of piping hot, aromatic fish potstickers were placed on the hall's tables. The craftsmen, stomachs rumbling, couldn't resist digging in. The fish was tender and flavorful, the potstickers crisp and golden. As they ate, they chatted about how best to renovate the tavern. Su Mo, meanwhile, returned to the kitchen, where he had saved some fish soup and about twenty potstickers for himself, enough for both lunch and dinner. However, mid-meal, the tavern door swung open with a crash. Guo Lin rushed in, dressed in a silken tunic, so hurried that her handmaid struggled to keep pace. The craftsmen immediately paused, glancing at the eminent second daughter of the general's household. Guo Lin fixated on the plate of fish potstickers, instantly recognizing them. Her almond-shaped eyes scanned the room, but she saw no sign of Su Mo. "Where's Boss Su?" A young craftsman promptly raised his hand. "Miss, Boss Su is in the kitchen." "Good!" With that, Guo Lin strode towards the kitchen, followed by her handmaid. Watching her leave, the craftsmen murmured among themselves. As one of the most powerful figures in the city of Linjiang, the second daughter of the general's house seemed to hold Su Mo in high regard. --- Inside the kitchen, Su Mo was blissfully indulging in his culinary masterpieces, having already devoured six or seven potstickers. Sipping on the rich fish broth, he felt utterly content. With his innate "God of Cooking" talent, his meals were now culinary marvels, akin to enchanted dishes with the "delicious" attribute. Even if **Affectionate Life** never granted him another talent, he could live comfortably in this world. Except, of course, he could never return to Qinglin County. In a few years, everyone tied to that place would perish with the old tree. --- At that moment, the kitchen door swung open, and Guo Lin entered. The sight of Su Mo struck her deeply, as if her heart had been firmly gripped. Her ears went deaf to the world, and time seemed to halt. There was Su Mo, wearing a tattered short jacket, face smeared with oil and grime, holding a chipped bowl, while chewing nonchalantly. Yet through her eyes, he was brimming with charisma, exuding extraordinary vigor. No man was more handsome than Su Mo. Feeling Guo Lin's unwavering gaze, a flush of nervousness washed over Su Mo. "Cough, cough." He swallowed the food in his mouth with effort. "Ms. Guo, is there something you need?" Hearing his formal, distant tone, Guo Lin froze, a wave of inexplicable grievance washing over her. Why did I come back here!