Chapter 523: Bai Lu Instantly Becomes a Foodie

Chapter 523: Chapter 523: Bai Lu Instantly Becomes a Foodie

"Okay!" The agent hurried forward, lifted the white porcelain plate, and inhaled the savory steam from the beef. An expression of pure bliss involuntarily spread across her face.

"Delicious! Absolutely delicious! Hahaha, this food is truly worthy of being chased after by all the upper circles of Jing City!"

Her country-bumpkin-like behavior, as if she’d never seen anything like it, made the other regular customers shake their heads.

"Sister Liu~" Bai Lu drew out the name, shooting her agent a look.

Her agent, Sister Liu, ignored her. With eyes practically glowing, she quickly arranged the beef buns, and as she sat down, she casually picked up a tender slice of fish and popped it into her mouth.

"Yes, yes, this tastes amazing! The fish is so tender and smooth. It’s better than all the boiled fish in chili oil I’ve ever had in Jing City combined!"

After speaking, Sister Liu slurped the red chili oil from her chopsticks.

"Tch!" Bai Lu pouted, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Sister Liu~ I’m starting to suspect you’re a mole sent by Boss Jiang."

Sister Liu ignored her. Holding her bowl of rice in one hand, she used her chopsticks to place a tender, savory piece of slow-cooked beef on top. Paired with the plump, springy grains of rice, that one bite brought infinite satisfaction to her taste buds.

"Even this rice is incredible. Totally worth the money... Hmm, aren’t you going to try some?"

"I guess I’ll try it."

Bai Lu listlessly tore her watery eyes away from Jiang Liu’s face and elegantly picked up a piece of tender potato. A drop of the slightly thick, pale-yellow beef marrow broth dripped onto her rice. Bai Lu ate a mouthful of rice with the potato.

The potato was soft, waxy, and delicate, and the broth was unbelievably savory! The distinct, plump grains of Yueguang Rice seemed to dance in her mouth.

"Mmph!!"

Bai Lu’s eyes shot wide open as she stared at her chopsticks in disbelief.

"I... This... Heavens! Why does it taste so good?"

She picked up another piece of the spicy, numbing, and tender fish.

The fish was rich and smooth. Amidst the numbing spice was a complex fragrance—not artificial at all, just pure, natural aroma!

"Oh my god, how can this restaurant’s boiled fish in chili oil be so delicious?!"

Bai Lu’s small mouth was slightly agape in astonishment.

"Mhm, yeah, it’s alright," Sister Liu said, looking up from her rice bowl and licking a grain of rice from the corner of her mouth.

She quickly reminded her, "Xiao Bai, remember you’re on a diet. Eat a little less. I can finish the rest."

"A diet? What diet! To hell with it!"

"Hey, hey, hey, slow down, Xiao Bai."

"No!"

Their chopsticks clashed as the plate of boiled fish in chili oil and the plate of yak beef with potatoes were quickly emptied.

"Hic~" Bai Lu put down her chopsticks, rubbed her stomach, and let out a full burp. Her cute, pretty face immediately flushed red.

"This boss’s cooking is really, really good."

"Right? All sorts of powerful people from Jing City love coming here, what did you expect?" Sister Liu wiped her mouth, still wanting more. "Don’t let the broth go to waste. You can use it to make noodles when you get back."

"Huh? Can we do that?" Bai Lu blinked.

Used to a life of luxury, she had completely forgotten that "doggy bag" was even a concept.

"Why not? Look over there," Sister Liu said, pointing with her chin.

Bai Lu looked over, her mouth falling open in disbelief.

Isn’t that old Mr. Zhu Getting? She hadn’t even noticed him when she came in.

He was currently instructing his caretaker to pack up the broth from the boiled fish in chili oil.

That stuff is made with all sorts of precious, rare, natural spices and a unique recipe. It’s so good you could just dip bread in it!

"This Boss Jiang... he’s just too amazing. His food is so, so delicious~"

Bai Lu bit her lip, secretly stealing glances at Jiang Liu.

’He’s handsome, his skills are incredible, and his character seems good too. He’s practically the perfect candidate for a husband.’

After they packed up their leftovers, they paid the bill.

"Jiang... Brother Jiang?" Bai Lu called out, a little shyly.

"What is it?"

Bai Lu held up her phone and shook it, blinking her eyes. "Can I add you on WeChat?"

"WeChat?" Jiang Liu raised an eyebrow. ’Why do women always want to add my WeChat?’

He refused, "Maybe next time. After we get to know each other better."

"Fine~"

Bai Lu shot Jiang Liu a glare and left, unhappy.

The clouds parted and the sun rose. A little after eight in the morning, Jiang Liu closed up shop.

After seeing off all the customers, he went next door to check on the construction progress.

They hadn’t knocked a hole in the wall yet.

Returning to his shop, Jiang Liu spent some time looking at Sichuan cuisine recipes.

As the saying goes, a little last-minute prep is better than none. He wanted to be ready to avoid tripping up over something simple.

The lunch service went smoothly as usual, with numerous big shots who had heard of his reputation, or their errand runners, lining up at the door early.

At 5:40 PM.

Jun Qingmeng returned to the shop, her stunningly beautiful face wreathed in a smile as she held Tongtong’s hand.

"Honey, I’m home."

"Daddy, Daddy!"

Jiang Liu came out with a smile and looked at their rosy cheeks. "Are you hungry? Tell me what you want, and I’ll make it for you two."

’A man has to treasure his wife and child.’

"Honey, you’re the best! I’m a little hungry. I’d like a bowl of steamed egg custard," Jun Qingmeng said, holding up a slender, jade-like finger.

She pressed her rosy lips together, the corners of her mouth turned up, giving her the look of someone who wanted to act cute but was too shy.

"Yay, I agree!" Tongtong quickly raised her hand. "Daddy, your little treasure wants steamed egg custard too, just like Mommy."

"Alright, you two wait here. Steamed egg custard is simple to make; it’ll be ready in a jiffy."

"Need any help, my big treasure?" Jun Qingmeng followed him into the kitchen.

She didn’t want Jiang Liu to work too hard and really wanted to share some of his burden.

At the same time, she was a little hypocritical, also wanting Jiang Liu to spoil her more. She loved the feeling of being pampered by him.

"No need. Oh, right, can you wash the rice and get it steaming?"

"Okay!"

"Hm?" Jiang Liu looked at Jun Qingmeng leaning in close, paused for a second, then chuckled exasperatedly. "You want one as soon as you get back, huh?"

"Are you giving me one or not?"

"Mwah. There, happy? Now get to work."

SMACK.

"What was that for!"

Jiang Liu had casually slapped Jun Qingmeng’s perky butt, making her feign anger.

Jiang Tongtong’s eyes lit up. She stuck out her little bottom and said, "Daddy, you can pat Tongtong’s butt! You can pat it as many times as you want."

"Go on, go on, get out of here."

"Wuwu, does Daddy not love his little cutie anymore?"

Jiang Liu rolled his eyes at her. ’Figure it out yourself.’

Time flew by, and the evening service ended amidst the lively chatter of the customers.

Looking at the daily income of nearly a million, Jiang Liu’s heart pounded with excitement.

He was earning what an ordinary person makes in half a lifetime in a single day.

After finishing dinner, they politely declined gifts from out-of-town customers and the three of them returned home, washed up, and went to bed.

They didn’t watch any TV today; Jun Qingmeng was a little tired.

Lying in bed, Jiang Liu cuddled his soft, fragrant wife and daughter while he opened his phone to discuss the renovations for the small villa and the plans for the new shop with Jun Xinghe and his dad.

「Two days passed in a flash.」

Not much of note happened during those two days.

Yang Yixue’s fifteen shops all went out of business.

However, the news about the Sichuan cuisine competition between Jiang Liu and Fu Yuan was causing quite a stir.

On Friday evening, Yangzhai Street was packed, the entire road resembling a pipe clogged with sludge.

"The competition starts today?"

"That’s right! I’m betting on Boss Jiang. With his skills, he could crush that guy with one finger!"

"I don’t know what the guy who challenged him was thinking. He must be sick in the head. Competing with Brother Jiang is just asking for a death wish."

The local neighbors gathered to discuss the matter, their expressions relaxed as they joked and laughed.

Jiang Liu was the local pride of their South City. How could someone who made so much incredible food possibly lose to a no-name opponent?

Thousands of prominent figures from Jing City, including Yang Zhenwu, Yu Guohua, Du Qin, Zeng Shaofan, and Hou Canjun, had come to watch the spectacle.