Chapter 60: Xiaoyi, Serve the Dish
Translator: OnGoingWhy Editor: Vermillion
"Are you really here to order takeout?" Ji Chengxue’s expression was strange as he looked toward Lian Fu. There was a trace of humor in his eyes.
"That’s right, His Majesty said he wanted to eat the food from this place. That’s why I hurried over here, although I personally don’t think there would be any delicious dishes in this store. Don’t tell me that it would be better than the food from the Immortal Phoenix Restaurant and the imperial kitchen?" Lian Fu unconcernedly said as he pinched his thumb and middle finger together and played with the bangs hanging in front of his forehead.
At that moment, Ji Chengxue had already finished his food. He calmly stood up and solemnly said to Lian Fu, "No, gong gong, what you’re saying is incorrect. Owner Bu’s culinary skills is definitely the best. His culinary skills deserve his asking price."
Lian Fu was slightly startled as he thought, "To think that the third prince would think so highly of this store. It looks like this store might have some capabilities after all."
"I hope that’s the case. By the way, didn’t His Majesty appoint Your Highness in the military campaign against the sects? When is Your Highness going to set off?" Lian Fu suddenly seemed to remember something as he asked Ji Chengxue.
"There’s still a few more days," Ji Chengxue seemed to be uninterested in the question as he lightly sighed and stopped the conversation. After paying the bill, he was carrying a serving of Oyster Pancakes as takeout while leaving the store.
"Gong gong, what do you want to eat?" Ouyang Xiaoyi charmingly asked Lian Fu.
Lian Fu walked toward a seat while swaying his hips and sat down. He crossed his leg over the other and asked with a smile, "What’s…… delicious here?"
"Gonggong, look behind you. The menu is on the wall," Ouyang Xiao pointed to the wall behind Lian Fu and seriously said.
Lian Fu was slightly surprised for a moment. When he turned his head, he immediately saw the menu and the astronomical price of the dishes.
"Oh my! As expected of the rumored black-hearted store that is known throughout the imperial city. A plate of Egg-Fried Rice actually costs ten crystals, it’s even faster than snatching money." Lian Fu raised his eyebrows and there was a trace of ridicule in his high-pitched voice.
Bu Fang walked out of the kitchen and wiped off the water droplets on his hands. He expressionlessly glanced toward Lian Fu.
"The price is clearly indicated and our customers are treated fairly. It’s up to you whether you want to eat or not," Bu Fang simply said.
"Heh! You’re really bad tempered even though you’re not strong at all. Do you really think I am bothered by the price? I have nothing but money! I’ve more than enough money to buy ten of your stores!" Lian Fu snorted and said.
"No, your money can’t purchase the store," Bu Fang seriously replied.
"I don’t want to argue with a country bumpkin like you. Do you know how much assets I have? It’s enough to crush you to death if I stacked them into gold coins!" Lian Fu pinched his thumb and middle finger, and played with his fingernails as he scornfully glanced at Bu Fang.
"I don’t want to say any more, just serve the dishes first. I want to try out each dish. If I find them delicious, pack a serving of each dish for me."
"Our store doesn’t provide takeout service. There’s only one dish that permits takeout," Bu Fang expressionlessly replied.
Lian Fu was slightly stunned as he carefully observed Bu Fang. When he discovered the solemn expression on Bu Fang’s face and realized he was not bluffing, he was immediately furious.
"If I am telling you to pack the food, you should just pack the food. What’s with all this nonsense?" Lian Fu uncrossed his legs. He pointed toward Bu Fang with one hand while placing the other hand on his waist as he snorted and said.
"Hmm? Are you trying to cause trouble?" Bu Fang frowned and simply said.
Lian Fu’s body immediately froze as he sneaked a peek at Blacky, who was lying at the entrance and still gnawing on the Sweet ’n’ Sour Ribs, from the corner of his eye. When he recalled the terrifying moment when that black dog blew away his clothes with a single breath, his entire body shuddered.
"I am not trying to cause trouble. Just serve the dishes and let me have a taste first." Lian Fu twitched his mouth and finally yielded.
"What do you want to eat?"
"Didn’t I already said it? I’ll have all the dishes," Lian Fu impatiently replied.
Bu Fang expressionlessly looked at him and asked, "Are you sure?"
When Lian Fu did not reply any further, Bu Fang nodded and returned to the kitchen.
After a while, the rich fragrance of the Egg-Fried Rice drifted out into the dining area.
"The first dish, Ordinary Egg-Fried Rice. Xiaoyi, serve the dish," Bu Fang’s indifferent voice rang out from the kitchen.
Xiaoyi eagerly ran toward the window and brought the overwhelmingly fragrant Egg-Fried Rice to Lian Fu. She placed the plate of Egg-Fried Rice onto the table and charmingly said, "Here’s your Egg-Fried Rice. Please enjoy your meal."
Lian Fu nodded. As his gaze shifted toward the Egg-Fried Rice, his eyes immediately lit up and found the sight in front of him slightly incredible. The plate of Egg-Fried Rice in front of him seemed to be slightly giving off light.
Using a porcelain spoon to scoop up a spoonful of rice, the golden egg fluid left a string-like trail as he lifted it up. An even richer fragrance surged out from within the Egg-Fried Rice and assaulted Lian Fu’s nasal cavities. He could not help but take a deep breath.
"How fragrant! Looks like he has some skills after all," Lian Fu muttered. As he shoved the spoonful of Egg-Fried Rice into his mouth, the delicious taste immediately burst forth. The supple and smooth egg fluid instantly solidified inside his mouth and became springy as it smacked his taste buds. He was completely captivated by the food.
"De…… Delicious!" After eating a mouthful, Lian Fu could not stop any longer. He continued to shove spoon after spoon of Egg-Fried Rice into his mouth.
When Ouyang Xiao saw Lian Fu’s appearance, she covered her mouth and laughed as she said, "Gong gong, take your time. No one is going to snatch your food, there’s still more dishes later."
"Hmm…… De…… Delicious!" Lian Fu continuously nodded his head as he replied. A grain of golden rice fell out and landed onto the table. Lian Fu’s eyes immediately widened as he hurriedly picked the rice grain up and shoved it into his mouth.
"The second dish, Improved Egg-Fried Rice. Xiaoyi, serve the dish," Bu Fang’s voice rang out once more. Another dish was completed once again.
When Lian Fu took a bite of the Improved Egg-Fried Rice, his expression changed. He could not believe the dense amount of spirit energy circulating within the Egg-Fried Rice. It was practically more effective than eating an elixir!
"The third dish, Dry-Mixed Noodles and Stir-Fried Vegetables."
"The fourth dish, Fish Head Tofu Soup. Xiaoyi, serve the dish."……
"The eighth dish, Sweet ’n’ Sour Ribs. Xiaoyi, serve the dish," Bu Fang’s voice rang out once more and Ouyang Xiaoyi cheerfully ran over to pick up the dish.
"Burp! Why is there still more dishes…… How fragrant…… Burp!" Lian Fu’s stomach was filled to the point of bursting but his mouth could not stop at all. He had just swallowed the overwhelmingly fragrant Golden Shumai when the Sweet ’n’ Sour Ribs that was exuding a rich aroma was served.
The tangerine color of the Sweet ’n’ Sour Ribs was extremely appetizing. Even though Lian Fu had already eaten a lot of dishes, he could not help but reach out his chopsticks when he smelled the aroma.
As a piece of Sweet ’n’ Sour Ribs entered his mouth, the intoxicating taste of the sauce spread within it and instantly captivated Lian Fu within the rich taste of the meat.
"Hmm, it’s so delicious!" Lian Fu uncontrollably muttered as he gestured with his thumb and middle finger pinched together.
"Gonggong, do you still feel that the smelly boss’ dishes are incomparable to the food from Immortal Phoenix Restaurant?" Ouyang Xiaoyi calmly asked as she proudly looked at the Chief Eunuch Lian Fu, who was completely captivated by the delicious food.
Lian Fu had just finished the Sweet ’n’ Sour Ribs and was using a handkerchief to lightly dab his lips while occasionally burping.
"I’ll admit…… Burp! The food here indeed tastes delicious and deserves the price. In addition, these dishes contain a dense amount of spirit energy that would help in cultivating. The price is considered fair as well," Lian Fu nodded and said as he smacked his lips.
"It’s really good. I didn’t expect a little cook like you would actually have such culinary skills. It’s my oversight." Lian Fu gave a heartfelt praise as he glanced at Bu Fang, who had just walked out of the kitchen, with awe.
Naturally, Bu Fang would gladly accept when someone praised his culinary skills. He nodded as a form of acknowledgement.
"Very well, little cook, pack a serving of each dish for me," Lian Fu said as he rubbed the jade pendant hanging at his waist with his palm. Suddenly, a lot of crystals appeared.
"The rules of the store only permit each customer to order each dish only once and takeouts are not available. Oh, there’s one dish that is permitted for takeouts…… the Oyster Pancake."
Bu Fang looked toward the crystals on the table and expressionlessly said.