Chapter 371 - 337: Can I Set Up a Stall in Front of Your Shop?

Chapter 371: Chapter 337: Can I Set Up a Stall in Front of Your Shop?

Amid the bustling excitement and anticipation, the time slowly crept toward 11:00 AM.

More and more people began arriving at the restaurant.

Liu Xu, Xiao Yue, He Yang, Wei Ping, and the others found a table and sat down, ready to order.

Liu Xu told He Yang to order, saying he shouldn’t be shy and could pick whatever he wanted, as it was their treat.

After thanking them profusely, He Yang ordered three dishes: Mapo Tofu, Twice-Cooked Pork with Garlic Sprouts, and Stir-fried Shredded Potatoes. He then added, "I really love the Mapo Tofu from your region. Of all the ways to prepare tofu, I think Mapo Tofu is the most delicious."

Liu Xu laughed. "Just wait until you try Boss Li You’s Mapo Tofu. Then you’ll know what *real* Mapo Tofu is."

He Yang replied, "The more you say, the more I’m looking forward to it."

"You have every reason to be excited," Liu Xu said. "Let’s order a few more things. Oh, Steamed Mandarin Fish and Steamed Perch are available! This is great. The last time we came, we only heard they were planning to add these two dishes, but they hadn’t officially launched them yet. Now they’re finally on the menu..."

Liu Xu then added the Steamed Mandarin Fish, Steamed Perch, Longjing Shrimp, Chopped Pepper Fish Head, and Spicy Crayfish, along with an order of Braised Chicken.

Before long, the dishes began to arrive at the table one by one.

The Mapo Tofu was served as well.

Liu Xu said to He Yang, "He Yang, come on, try it. See what top-tier Mapo Tofu tastes like."

He Yang could hardly wait. He picked up his spoon, scooped up a spoonful, blew on it lightly to cool it, and put it in his mouth.

The first bite sent a jolt of unprecedented excitement through him. He realized that all the Mapo Tofu he had eaten before was a far cry from what could be considered truly delicious.

So this was it. Mapo Tofu could be so much more delicious than he had ever imagined.

’No wonder it’s one of the most representative dishes of Chuansheng cuisine.’

The flavor was so satisfying, so addictive. After just one bite, he couldn’t stop.

He exclaimed excitedly, "Boss Li You’s cooking is simply divine! I’m so thrilled to be able to eat Mapo Tofu like this!"

Seeing He Yang’s reaction, Liu Xu, Xie Yunfei, Wei Ping, and the others were all delighted. They loved watching the food here blow away one newcomer after another.

Besides the Mapo Tofu, every other dish naturally left He Yang just as excited and amazed.

The flavor of every single dish was nothing short of perfection.

In his excitement, He Yang said, "Liu Xu, you said before that the food here is the best in all of Changxi County. I don’t think that’s right."

"Oh? How so?" Liu Xu asked.

He Yang said, "Why stop at just Changxi County? This food isn’t just the best in Xingshui City, or even all of Chuansheng Province—it might just be the best in the entire country, you know?"

Liu Xu burst out laughing. "You’re right, you’re right. My previous statement was far too conservative."

He Yang added, "With a place like this here, I bet things like anorexia will have to stay far away from the people of Changxi County. Even someone with the most severe eating disorder would probably eat heartily here."

Liu Xu replied, "It’s true. There are quite a few picky kids who come here and eat with gusto. They won’t even touch their favorite snacks afterward."

"I’m sure of it. It’s easy to imagine," He Yang said. "I can’t believe that within Changxi County, in a remote place far from the county town, lies a hidden restaurant with the best food in the entire country."

These words filled Liu Xu, Wei Ping, Xie Yunfei, Xiao Yue, and the others with a sense of pride.

Then, Liu Xu added, "It’s not just the best food in the country. We also have the best alcohol. Want to try some?"

"What kind? Baijiu?" He Yang asked.

Liu Xu nodded. "Baijiu."

He Yang said, "Then I definitely have to try it. Aren’t you guys having any?"

"Of course we are. Anyone who isn’t driving can drink. Let’s each start with one bowl—two liang."

"Great, great."

He Yang was full of anticipation. When the alcohol was brought over and he took a sip, he was once again overcome with excitement. "This really might be the best-tasting alcohol in the whole country," he said. "With food and wine this good, I really wish this restaurant would open a branch in my hometown, Chang’an."

Liu Xu chuckled. "You can forget about that. The boss won’t even move this restaurant to our own Changxi County Town, let alone your Chang’an. We all used to hope he’d move the restaurant to the county town, but we don’t think that way anymore. This place is wonderful. Being right here is what makes it perfect."

He Yang nodded. "This place really is quite nice. It’s beautiful!"

"It’s not just beautiful," Liu Xu added. "Here, the boss can also create all sorts of gardens, which makes coming here for a meal even more interesting. After we finish eating, we’ll go for a proper look around."

"Sounds great!"

He Yang was filled with anticipation!

...

After they finished their leisurely meal, the group took a stroll through all four gardens: the vegetable garden, the Hundred Fruit Garden, the wild fruit grove, and the Tea Garden.

As he walked, He Yang remarked with emotion that this was indeed the perfect place to run a restaurant.

Of course, that was on the condition that the restaurant’s food was exceptionally delicious.

If the food were merely average, or even just ordinarily good, it wouldn’t work at all.

Only by being delicious enough could one turn the disadvantage of being located in the middle of nowhere into an advantage.

Perhaps Boss Li You was the only person who could successfully run a restaurant here.

After they finished touring the gardens, the voices of a few other customers reached the ears of Liu Xu, He Yang, and Wei Ping.

"Come on, let’s go catch some crabs in the gorge to take home. I’ve already asked the boss for tips on how to cook mountain crabs to make them taste good. I’m confident I can cook them well now."

"Haha! Great idea! Let’s go. Watching the boss, Miss Xiaoru, and Miss Chu catch so many yesterday was quite a sight."