Chapter 277 - 262: But This Is the Taste of Home

Chapter 277: Chapter 262: But This Is the Taste of Home

After toasting him, the other customers didn’t linger to disturb Lu Yuan and returned to their own tables.

Lu Yuan, in turn, asked for another bowl of wine. Then, he picked up the bowl and went to toast each of the customers.

Since the customers had come over to toast him, it was only right that he return the gesture to each of them.

The customers were quite delighted to have a celebrity come over and toast them.

Amidst another round of pleasantries, the restaurant became lively once again.

After toasting everyone, Lu Yuan returned to his seat. Feeling extremely pleased, he made another decision.

He would stay here for a couple more days and try every single dish on the menu.

While chatting with the other customers, he had learned that every dish here was indeed incredibly delicious. They could all be described as having the best flavors in the world.

’In that case, I absolutely have to try every dish. Otherwise, this trip would be a waste.’

Besides, he didn’t have any filming obligations for the next two days, so his schedule allowed it.

He continued to eat and drink.

Lu Yuan had originally thought there would be some leftovers to take home for a midnight snack. But in the end, he slowly finished every last dish.

He drank four bowls of wine. Four bowls were eight *liang*, which was close to his limit.

He was completely full and satisfied.

This was the most enjoyable and happiest meal Lu Yuan had ever had in his life.

At this point, Lu Yuan was no longer upset about the fact that the most delicious Chopped Pepper Fish Head wasn’t from his home, Xiang Province.

’If it’s here, then it’s here.’

Just as Liu ZeLin had said before, if you looked at it from a different angle, this could actually be considered a point of pride.

Why?

’Because Chef Li You is definitely one of the world’s top chefs—perhaps even the absolute best. For a chef of his caliber to be willing to study and release a dish like Chopped Pepper Fish Head shows that he holds it in high regard.’

’For Chopped Pepper Fish Head to gain the approval of a top-tier chef, shouldn’t someone from Xiang Province feel proud?’

’You have to realize, of all the dishes Chef Li You has released so far, only one is not a Sichuan dish.’

’And that dish is Chopped Pepper Fish Head.’

’As someone from Xiang Province, isn’t that something to be proud of?’

So, not only had Lu Yuan completely come to terms with it, but he even felt a little proud.

Looking at the same issue from different perspectives could truly lead to completely different views and feelings.

Li You walked out of the kitchen.

When Chen Wen saw him, he quickly called out, "Chef Li You, over here. Could we chat with you for a moment?"

Li You walked over and smiled. "It would be my honor. Mr. Lu Yuan, have you finished your meal?"

Lu Yuan said, "I’ve not only eaten my fill, but I’ve also drunk my fill. I can’t believe that both the food and the wine here are among the best in the world."

Li You replied humbly, "You flatter me, Mr. Lu Yuan. Let’s not even talk about the whole world; our country alone is vast. There are hidden masters everywhere. I really wouldn’t dare claim to have the best-tasting food in the world."

Lu Yuan said, "Theoretically, that’s true. But that’s only in theory. Chef Li You, there’s no need to be so modest."

Li You expressed his modesty once again.

Afterward, Lu Yuan excitedly declared that this place would be a paradise for food lovers. No, not just for food lovers, but a paradise for everyone.

No one dislikes good food.

He also said the restaurant might soon be bustling with customers at all times.

Li You smiled and said he hoped that day would come.

Lu Yuan said, "It’s a certainty. And it won’t be long."

After that, Lu Yuan paid the bill and planned to find a hotel in town to rest.

Li You told Lu Yuan not to drive to town, saying he had the phone number for a motorcycle taxi driver. He could call the driver to come and pick him up.

Lu Yuan said that would be perfect and asked for the driver’s number.

...

At eight in the evening, after the last wave of customers finished eating and left, Li You closed up the shop. He then carried two servings of Chopped Pepper Fish Head and half a braised chicken upstairs.

It was time for him and Ye Shengge to eat and drink.

Ling Xiaoru wasn’t staying over tonight, so it would just be the two of them.

...

「The next day.」

「Morning.」

After breakfast, Li You took out two one-*jin* wine flasks and filled them both with wine.

Then, he got on his motorcycle and set off for Taoshan Village.

He was going to give the 2,000 yuan from selling the wild Reishi mushroom to Zhang Zongfu.

’It’s best not to delay this sort of thing. I should get the money to Zhang Zongfu as soon as possible.’

As for the two one-*jin* flasks of wine, they were gifts for Lin Zhonghai and Lin Guodong.

The two of them had given him so many plums and potatoes yesterday, so it was only right for him to show his appreciation today.

Wine was the most presentable gift he could offer. It was also what the two of them desired most.

’So, wine it is.’

Besides, he had forgotten to ask for Zhang Zongfu’s specific address yesterday, and he hadn’t gotten a phone number either.

Therefore, Li You planned to go to Lin Zhonghai’s house first.

After arriving in Taoshan Village, he used his memory from the previous day to quickly find the courtyard of Lin Zhonghai’s house.

Lin Xiao was sitting on a stone slab outside the courtyard, holding a large basin and eating noodles.

Upon seeing Li You, Lin Xiao was pleasantly surprised and jumped to her feet. "Chef Li You, what are you doing here?"

Li You smiled. "I’ve sold that Reishi mushroom from Uncle Zhang. I’m here to give him the money. I don’t know where he lives, so I came here first, hoping you could show me the way."

Lin Xiao was very surprised. "You sold it that quickly?"

Li You said, "Actually, I bought it myself. I’m taking it back for my parents to steep in water and drink. Drinking water infused with wild Reishi is very good for your health. I only thought of buying it myself after I got back yesterday. Otherwise, I would have given Uncle Zhang the money on the spot."

So that’s what happened.

Lin Xiao nodded, then said excitedly, "Chef Li You, I’ll take you to Uncle Zhang’s house. Should we go now?"

Li You smiled. "No rush. Finish your noodles first. Did your grandma make them?"

Lin Xiao nodded. "Yep! They taste alright, but they can’t compare to the noodles at your restaurant."

Li You said, "But this is the taste of home."

Lin Xiao slowly nodded. "That’s true."

Just then, Lin Zhonghai and Lin Xiao’s grandmother, who were eating noodles inside the house, heard the commotion outside the courtyard.

It sounded like Xiaoyou’s voice.

’Is Xiaoyou here?’ Both of them were quite happy and walked outside, carrying their noodle basins.

They walked out of the courtyard gate and saw that it was indeed Xiaoyou.

The two of them were even more delighted.

Then, Lin Zhonghai said, "Xiaoyou, have you had breakfast? If not, we can cook some noodles for you here."

Li You smiled. "I’ve already eaten. I came after I finished. Please, take your time."

"Grandpa, Chef Li You is here to give Uncle Zhang the money from selling the Reishi," Lin Xiao said.

Lin Zhonghai was also very surprised to hear this. "He sold it that quickly?"

"Chef Li You bought it himself..." Lin Xiao repeated what Li You had said earlier, but in her own words.

After hearing this, Lin Zhonghai and Lin Xiao’s grandmother both praised Li You for being very filial and thoughtful.

Li You repeatedly said it was what anyone should do.

...