Chapter 148: Being a Foodie is No Crime

Chapter 148: Chapter 148: Being a Foodie is No Crime

The video of Xie Hua’s on-site interview at Nan Family’s Small Restaurant was edited and posted that very afternoon to the official accounts of the Yanjing Daily on all major platforms—

The video began with Xie Hua holding a small camera, pointed at himself, as he was jostled about by the surrounding crowd.

He even had to raise his voice so he wouldn’t be drowned out by the noise:

"As you can see, viewers, this is the line at Nan Family’s Small Restaurant. The foodies who’ve come from all over are very passionate. For example, these people next to me are members of a local Food group..."

"Mom, I’m on TV! Can you see me? HAHAHA!"

"Quiet down! Let’s show Xiao Xie some respect!"

"Regulars? Of course we’re regulars! We’ve been showing up every day for the past few days! If it weren’t so far away, I’d want to eat all three meals a day at Nan Family’s Small Restaurant... Of course I know they’re not open in the morning. I mean I’d eat at the breakfast place next door while staring at their sign. I bet the food would taste even better than usual!"

"I heard this restaurant is closing in less than a week. Boss Nan, you’re usually in the back kitchen so we don’t get to talk to you much, but I want to make a heartfelt confession—stop acting! Be a chef! If you don’t stay a chef, it’ll be a huge loss for the culinary world! Waaah, really, please keep the restaurant open! I can’t live without you, Boss Nan! AWOOOO! No matter where you go, we’ll follow you! *sob sob sob*!"

"Hey, man, don’t actually cry! There are so many people watching, have you no shame?"

"I’m about to lose my favorite food! Who cares about shame!"

"..."

Xie Hua struggled to retrieve the camera from the wailing man’s hands:

"Alright, folks, it’s almost our turn. We’re about to go in and experience what the famous Nan Family’s Small Restaurant really tastes like! Oh, right, since I came alone and have a limited appetite, I’m going to join this group of eating buddies to avoid wasting food!"

The young woman next to him gave him a thumbs-up:

"You’ve made a wise choice. I came alone twice before and could barely eat a few dishes. I was so jealous of everyone else’s full tables, I just wished I had four stomachs like a cow!"

"Miss, what we’re filming might be posted online, and your image..."

"So what? Being a foodie is no crime!"

Soon, their number was called.

The group of eating buddies, including Xie Hua, numbered around ten people, so the restaurant immediately seated them at the largest round table.

The waiter seemed to be a new face. Even the eating buddies who had been here many times were seeing him for the first time. They curiously asked if he was a new part-timer hired by Boss Nan.

The man replied, "You probably won’t believe this, but I’m actually a director. I’m just moonlighting as a waiter for today."

"Hahaha, you’re a real kidder, man!"

The man had an ’I knew you’d say that’ expression and didn’t explain further.

As he led Xie Hua’s party to their seats, he said:

"This is our biggest table. It might be a little crowded since there are so many of you. Otherwise, you could wait a bit, and if another table frees up..."

"It’s fine, it’s fine! We’ll just squeeze in!"

"If we have to, we’ll eat standing up!"

The waiter: "...That won’t be necessary."

Once everyone had laughingly found a seat, they started rattling off dish names one by one.

They were clearly regulars, ordering their favorite dishes from memory without even a glance at the menu.

"Yan Du Xian, Texas Roasted Chicken, Four-Joy Meatballs..."

They easily listed over a dozen dishes.

Xie Hua, still holding the camera, seemed to have forgotten his assignment. He quietly suggested:

"Isn’t that a bit too much?"

"Not at all, don’t you worry! By the way, Xiao Xie, what do you want?"

Seeing that they had already ordered almost everything on the menu, Xie Hua said:

"I’ll have the Fish Balls in Clear Broth."

The unfamiliar dish name immediately caught everyone’s attention.

"What? How did I not notice a new dish!"

"Fish balls! I love fish!"

"Heavens, when will we get some spicy Sichuan dishes!"

"Isn’t Kung Pao Chicken one?"

"It’s not enough! I want more!"

"You greedy fiend!"

"..."

Xie Hua sat amidst the crowd of eating buddies, looking every bit the awkward newcomer.

He asked, "Does this restaurant add new dishes often?"

The man who had been wailing earlier had already composed himself and answered with a cheerful grin, as if nothing had happened:

"Basically every day or every other day. Boss Nan says it keeps things fresh!"

Xie Hua nodded thoughtfully.

He turned back to the camera:

"As you can see, a lot of the dishes have arrived. Let’s give them a try."

With that, he picked up his chopsticks.

Evidently, Xie Hua had underestimated the power of the food.

At first, he was still able to offer a few comments to the camera or film the dishes on the table.

But soon enough, he completely forgot about the camera’s existence, becoming a total captive to the delicious flavors!

The camera, still recording, was left on the table. The clatter of bowls and chopsticks, the slurping of soup, the crunch of crispy food... all these intricate, subtle sounds were captured without reserve, weaving together a delightful symphony—an unparalleled auditory feast for the audience.

Yes, a real feast—the kind that makes your mouth water just by listening!

Eventually, Xie Hua completely forgot his duties as a reporter, only managing to shout—

"So good, so good!"

"Another billion bowls!"

"..."

...

Full and satisfied, Xie Hua returned to his company, only then belatedly remembering the footage he’d shot.

When he looked at the content, he thought he was done for.

This wasn’t an interview.

It had completely turned into his personal eating broadcast!

’Man, it really does sound delicious. I just ate, but watching this is making me hungry again. Maybe I should go again tonight...’

"Xiao Xie, how did the on-site interview go?"

His chief came directly to Xie Hua’s desk and asked kindly.

Xie Hua snapped back to reality and wanted to hide the camera in frustration, but it was too late.

His chief had already seen the camera in his hand and nodded with a smile:

"Not bad. You’re already done filming? Very efficient."

Xie Hua stammered:

"Chief, actually, this is..."

Although his chief seemed good-natured, she had a decisive personality. She quickly began to review the footage herself.

Just when Xie Hua thought he was completely screwed.

He heard his chief’s voice rise in praise:

"This was filmed quite well!"

"Huh?"

Xie Hua thought he had misheard.

His chief said with satisfaction:

"Recently, the higher-ups were saying that our serious media style is too heavy. It doesn’t resonate well with young people and has limited reach on social media. They told us to create some more lighthearted content. I think this is great. Why don’t we just call it ’A Reporter’s Daily Vlog’?"

Although she was older, she wasn’t out of touch. On the contrary, she had a good grasp of current trends.