Chapter 223 - 219: Treating Bald Qiang and the Animals to Spicy Crayfish

Chapter 223: Chapter 219: Treating Bald Qiang and the Animals to Spicy Crayfish

Just then, with a "WHOOSH," Jiji and Maomao arrived.

"Li You, this king has arrived. Are your spicy crayfish ready? Hurry and serve them up."

Li You smiled. ’Jiji is the same as ever.’ Then he said, "We can eat in a moment."

Upon hearing this, Jiji was so delighted he did two somersaults. "This king has never eaten... no, that’s not right," he added. "This king used to eat spicy crayfish all the time. Today, I’ll just have to see if yours are any good!"

Xiong Er said, "Jiji, stop bragging. When have you ever eaten it? None of us have. But we know it’s spicy crayfish, and that humans love to eat it."

Jiji said, "Just because you’ve never had it doesn’t mean this king hasn’t. Maomao, has this king eaten it before?"

Maomao said, "King Jiji eats it all the time."

Jiji was very satisfied. "Exactly. Only this king is worthy of eating such a high-class ingredient."

Xiong Da and Xiong Er completely ignored him.

"Li You, we’re here too."

Beng Beng, Luobutou, and Tutu had arrived, along with Bald Qiang.

"You’re here too! It’s great to see you all again." Li You exchanged another round of lively greetings with Beng Beng, Luobutou, and Tutu.

Then he turned to Bald Qiang and said, "Thanks for everything, Brother Qiang."

Bald Qiang waved it off, saying it was nothing.

Afterward, everyone walked into the courtyard together.

The spicy crayfish were ready to be served.

When the lid was lifted, Bald Qiang and the animals all crowded around the stove.

Xiong Er said, "It looks so delicious."

Jiji said, "Not bad. This is food fit for a king."

Bald Qiang said, "A bunch of country bumpkins who’ve never seen the world. I eat crayfish all the time. But, Li You, your spicy crayfish look even more delicious than any I’ve ever had."

Jiji added, "They look better than any this king has ever had, too."

Xiong Er said, "Jiji, there you go again."

Jiji: "..."

Amidst Xiong Er and Jiji’s bickering, Li You dished out all the crayfish onto two large platters. "Everyone, dig in," he said. "I’ll make another batch."

’Ten kilograms definitely won’t be enough. Xiong Da and Xiong Er are notoriously big eaters.’

’I’ll prepare at least ten batches, a hundred kilograms. Let’s see if that’s enough.’

’If that’s not enough, I’ll just keep cooking. I told them they could eat their fill, and I have to keep my word.’

"Thanks, Li You. I’m digging in!" Xiong Er said, grabbing a crayfish and tossing it straight into his mouth, shell and all.

After swallowing, he exclaimed excitedly, "This is so delicious! I’ve never eaten anything this good before. I finally get to eat the spicy crayfish humans love so much!"

Not to be outdone, Jiji said, "Xiong Er, you have no manners! Don’t you know you’re supposed to let this king eat first?"

As he spoke, he also grabbed a crayfish and tossed it into his mouth, eating it shell and all.

Xiong Da, Maomao, Beng Beng, Luobutou, and Tutu all started eating as well.

Bald Qiang tut-tutted. "A bunch of country bumpkins, you don’t even know how to eat crayfish. Who eats them with the shell on? Let me show you the right way."

Saying this, Bald Qiang picked up a crayfish and demonstrated the proper way to eat it.

After finishing, he said with delight, "So delicious! It really is way better than any crayfish I’ve ever eaten."

Xiong Er shook his head repeatedly. "Bald Qiang, your way is too slow and wasteful. Who says you can’t eat the shell? If you ask me, it tastes better with the shell on."

With that, he picked up another crayfish, tossed it into his mouth, and ate it shell and all. "Delicious," he said. "This is the most satisfying and best way to eat it."

Xiong Da also chimed in, "That’s right! Bald Qiang, your method doesn’t work for us."

He then picked up another crayfish, ate it shell and all, and added, "Satisfying and delicious."

Bald Qiang said scornfully, "Animals will be animals, so crude even when you’re just eating."

Xiong Da and Xiong Er weren’t offended. Instead, they laughed and said, "It’s you humans who make eating so complicated."

Bald Qiang added, "I don’t want to talk to crude animals anymore."

Just then, Jiji spoke up. "Alright, it is time for this king to pass judgment. Xiong Da, Xiong Er, your eating style is indeed too crude. You should learn from this king—be a little more refined and peel the shells before you eat."

Xiong Er said, "Oh, come on. Didn’t you just eat it shell and all a minute ago? If you guys want to peel shells, go ahead and take your sweet time. We’re not doing it."

With that, he grabbed three crayfish at once and stuffed them into his mouth.

Xiong Da added, "You guys take your time peeling. We’re going to keep eating."

With that, he also grabbed three crayfish and stuffed them into his mouth.

Seeing this, Jiji panicked, also grabbing three crayfish and stuffing them into his mouth without bothering to peel them.

Maomao, Beng Beng, and Luobutou also started grabbing crayfish and stuffing them into their mouths.

Only Tutu ate at a slower pace.

Bald Qiang continued to say scornfully, "Animals will be animals."

Li You laughed. "Everyone, take your time. There’s no need to fight over them. I’ve prepared plenty of crayfish, enough for everyone to eat their fill."

Xiong Er said, "Li You, come eat with us! You can go back to cooking after we finish this batch."

Li You replied, "I’ll join you after I finish this next batch."

Xiong Er said, "Okay!"

The ten kilograms of spicy crayfish were finished in no time.

Then everyone gathered around the stove again, waiting for the second batch.

Soon, the second batch was ready.

The animals all cheered, thrilled that they could finally eat again.

This time, Li You ate with everyone.

’The sensation of eating here is exactly the same as in the real world.’

After downing another crayfish, Xiong Er said, "It’s getting late; it’ll be dark soon. How about we have another bonfire party tonight? Then tomorrow, we can all help Li You catch bighead carp."

"Yeah! We agree, we agree."

"This king also agrees."

The animals all voiced their approval, then looked over at Bald Qiang and Li You.

Bald Qiang said, "As long as Li You’s up for it, then of course I am too."

Li You smiled. "Of course, no problem. I’ve been fondly remembering our last bonfire party."

"That’s great!" all the animals cheered.

Then Xiong Er added, "I’ll go light the bonfire right now."

"We’ll help too," said Xiong Da, Beng Beng, Luobutou, and Tutu.

Jiji nodded with great satisfaction. "Excellent. Now you’re acting like this king’s subjects."

Xiong Da, Xiong Er, and the other animals completely ignored Jiji. They quickly got the bonfire lit.

Afterward, Xiong Er called out again, "Bald Qiang, where are your microphone and sound system? Go get them! I’m going to sing tonight."

Bald Qiang said, "For Li You’s sake, I’ll indulge you all tonight."

After speaking, he went inside and brought out the microphone and sound equipment.

Instantly, the area was filled with music.

With the music, the scene grew even livelier and the atmosphere even better. All the animals began to jump and dance with joy.

Bald Qiang, of course, was also very happy.

As for Li You, he was just as happy. He loved this kind of atmosphere and vibe.

Tonight was destined to be another sleepless night.

...