Chapter 272: You Are An Insult to Cultivator
Everyone's eating habits are different, and when two people's eating preferences differ significantly, you can even distinguish between them based on this alone.
For example, just listening to the two orders being placed now made it easy to tell Tai Lei and Zhao Yunsheng apart.
After noting down their choices, Fu Ya nodded to indicate she had received the order, then turned and headed back to the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Tai Lei and Zhao Yunsheng sat together, gazing expectantly in the direction of the kitchen, their eyes filled with anticipation.
It had been over a month since they last tasted the chef's dishes!
Hotpot doesn't count.
The 3 Star dishes would take some time to prepare, but the rest of the food they ordered was soon brought out by Fu Ya.
"Senior Tai, here's your Dongpo Pork Knuckle, and this is Senior Zhao's Crab Stuffed with Orange." Fu Ya served the two dishes first, then turned to leave.
Tai Lei greedily took a deep breath, savoring the rich and pure aroma of the Dongpo Pork Knuckle, relishing it as a way to soothe his longing for Qi Small Shop over the past month. He then glanced at the Crab Stuffed with Orange in front of Zhao Yunsheng.
"What are you planning, old monkey?" Zhao Yunsheng glared at Tai Lei, warily pulling the dish of Crab Stuffed with Orange closer to him.
"Meh, just a tiny portion. Two bites and it's gone!" Seeing Zhao Yunsheng's vigilance and realizing he wouldn't get a chance to sneak a taste, Tai Lei slouched and muttered softly to himself.
That small amount of food wasn't even enough to satisfy his appetite—who would even want it?
"Look at the way you eat, you are an insult to us cultivator!" Zhao Yunsheng snorted disdainfully, rolling his eyes. He first admired the carved mountain-and-river motif on the orange peel, a trace of amazement flashing in his gaze.
"This landscape carving seems almost alive. Truly exquisite!"
After praising the artistry, Zhao Yunsheng picked up a small spoon and gently scooped out a portion of the Crab Stuffed with Orange.
The citrus aroma wafted out, mingled with the rich fragrance of crab and a faint trace of wine, subtle yet captivating.
Before the dish even entered his mouth, its unique and fresh aroma had already captivated his senses, making Zhao Yunsheng's expression all the more satisfied.
"What a dish! This Crab Stuffed with Orange suits me perfectly—wonderful!"
Unable to resist, he carefully examined the dish itself, having previously focused only on the intricate carving.
The delicate red crab meat had been shredded into fine threads. During cooking, it had mingled with the orange's acidity, taking on a slightly translucent quality. The strands blended seamlessly with the orange's flesh, interspersed with deep-orange crab roe and a slightly thickened broth.
The vibrant and fresh appearance was utterly mouthwatering.
Zhao Yunsheng could no longer hold back and brought the spoonful of Crab Stuffed with Orange to his lips.
The tender crab meat melted instantly in his mouth, and the savory broth, rich with crab roe, spread rapidly through his senses.
As Zhao Yunsheng gently pressed the orange flesh against his palate, its juices slowly oozed out, releasing a sweet citrus aroma that rivaled the crab's umami flavor.
When he savored it further, the flavor seemed to evolve—delicate hints of wine emerged from the Crab Stuffed with Orange. The opposing aromas of orange and crab found a harmonious balance, like a glue binding them together. The unprecedented fusion of fresh, savory, and sweet flavors exploded in his mouth, leaving him no choice but to close his eyes in pure enjoyment.
The lingering aftertaste left his palate fragrant and satisfied.
"What an incredible dish—this Crab Stuffed with Orange!"
Compared to Zhao Yunsheng's refined appreciation, Tai Lei's approach was much more straightforward.
In the past, he might have been more polite, at least using chopsticks to eat the Dongpo Pork Knuckle.
But after going over a month without tasting his favorite dish, Tai Lei felt like the primal force within him could no longer be contained.
Grabbing the protruding bone of the Dongpo Pork Knuckle with one large hand, Tai Lei let out a hearty chuckle. He lifted the knuckle, inspecting it briefly before sinking his teeth into the juiciest, fattiest part.
"Nom!"
The fatty but not greasy skin, the soft gelatinous texture of the tendons, and the tender, juicy lean meat—Tai Lei chomped down, his cheeks bulging as his lips glistened with oil.
Chomp, chomp
As he chewed, the pure, rich aroma of the pork filled his mouth. Each part of the knuckle offered a distinct texture, and through his unrefined, hearty chewing, these textures melded together, creating an entirely new experience.
Closing his eyes, Tai Lei wore a look of utter bliss and satisfaction on his slightly bruised and asymmetrical face.
Just one bite, and he felt that the beating from the sect master was totally worth it!
...
"Mo Qi, why did you bring me here?"
Among the line in front of Small Shop, Yan Xi glanced at the restaurant's signboard, her expression tinged with curiosity.
"Uh... uh..." Mo Qi's face turned slightly red. Although the two had officially held hands during the Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival last night, holding the soft, delicate hand of the girl he adored still left him flustered. "Xixi, since we officially got together last night, I wanted to take you to Small Shop for a celebratory feast."
This way of celebrating... Yan Xi's expression turned a little strange.
How should she put it?
This was so Mo Qi.
"But I heard you promised Qin Yuezhu three Purple Card Dishes. That would cost over three thousand gold coins. Do you even have enough money left?"
After hesitating for a moment, Yan Xi sent this question directly to Mo Qi's ear via Sound Transmission, throwing him an annoyed glance in the process.
This big dummy! To catch up to her during the Sea God Fated Blind Date Festival, he actually owed Qin Yuezhu three Purple Card Dishes.
The key point was that although Qin Yuezhu had helped, Mo Qi still had to struggle to reach the final lotus leaf.
If it weren't for the fact that she already had feelings for him and deliberately cooperated during the event, this big dummy wouldn't even have made it past the final stage before being eliminated.
Mo Qi froze, his face quickly turning red as he patted his chest resolutely. "Don't worry. I've got it covered!"
Yan Xi gave him a quiet look. After knowing him for so long, she could easily tell he was bluffing.
"Let me treat you this time."
Mo Qi shook his head vigorously. "No way! How could a guy let a girl pay for him? Absolutely not!"
Yan Xi's face grew even stranger. "Then... how about we split the cost of Qin Yuezhu's meal? After all, he did help us get together."
Though he didn't really help at all.
Yan Xi added that silently in her mind.
Mo Qi shook his head again, his attitude firm. "No, I was the one who asked him for help. How could I let you pay? I'll take care of it. Xixi, Y–you— what are you doing?!"
Mo Qi's voice trembled as he watched Yan Xi silently pull out a three-meter-long war hammer from behind her.
"This time I'm paying. Next time it's your turn. Deal or not?"
"... Deal."
"As for paying Qin Yuezhu back, we'll split the cost equally. Deal or not?"
"Xixi, this is—" Mo Qi's voice turned sharp as he saw Yan Xi raising her war hammer. "Deal! Absolutely deal!"
"Now that's better."
Yan Xi's playful smile reappeared, and the hammer in her hand vanished in an instant.
She leaned against Mo Qi's arm and nuzzled it affectionately. "You're the best!"
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