Chapter 76 - Valuing Sex Over Friends
“The man who has caught Yaru's attention and cooked for him personally. He truly stands out from the rest,” remarked Hong Yan, noting the other's calm demeanor as he lightly shook hands. Absent were the restless, covetous glances typical of other men, leaving a favorable impression. Playfully teasing Chen Yaru, he added, “No wonder you thought I arrived early. Such a handsome fellow. If I were a decade younger… I might even compete with you.”
“You flatter me, Elder Sister Yan,” replied Zhang Xiaoloong, opting not to elaborate.
Firstly, there was no necessity for explanation. Secondly, at the recent gathering at Wang Changyu's residence, he had utilized Chen Yaru as a buffer. Given this, until the other party identified a genuine target, he couldn't readily evade behind his shield, lest it cause trouble for Chen Yaru.
“Please, Elder Sister Yan, have a seat,” Zhang Xiaoloong didn't object to his boyfriend's comment, which pleased Chen Yaru. “I'll fetch you a spoon and have you taste the vegetable egg soup I've prepared. Let's see how it compares to the chef's at Jinshi.”
Jinshi, despite being smaller than other prominent establishments in Qingyang City, was unrivaled in popularity.
The name itself implied opulence.
Patrons were exclusively affluent and influential, with dishes renowned for their meticulous preparation and delectable flavors, living up to the establishment's prestigious reputation.
“That's splendid,” Hong Yan dismissed any notion of competition. “To savor soup personally crafted by the lovely Chen surpasses anything Jinshi could offer at a hundred banquets. I consider myself fortunate to benefit from Xiaoloong's hospitality today.”
However, upon closer inspection, he found the appearance of the soup quite amusing.
Set aside any critique; the unpeeled eggs alone spoke volumes of creativity in concocting a vegetable egg soup. Such daring innovation would surely surpass the modest “Mount Tai aura,” a risk Jinshi's chef wouldn't dare undertake.
Chen Yaru presented the spoon, growing embarrassed as the other focused on the egg. “Though not perfect, this soup is quite tasty. If you doubt it, feel free to try; you'll see.”
Hong Yan nodded, dipping the spoon into his own bowl. After confirming its scent, he confidently sampled the soup, embodying a sense of pride.
“How is it?” Chen Yaru smiled, confident that once tasted, opinions would change.
Hong Yan paused momentarily, a slight frown indicating something amiss.
Undeterred, he served himself another spoonful, this time scrutinizing the flavors carefully, his gaze settling on the vegetable leaves in the soup.
She possessed a discerning palate, having sampled the fare. Aside from a hint of saltiness, the seasoning was minimal, allowing the natural aroma of the food to shine.
Naturally, discerning the absence of egg, she hastily scooped a portion of vegetable leaf with a spoon, savoring it slowly. Her eyes lit up with newfound understanding.
“Where did you procure this dish?” Hong Yan queried eagerly upon finding her answer.
Surprised by his enthusiasm, Chen Yaru had initially intended to assist Zhang Xiaoloong in praising his vegetables at an opportune moment. Yet, it seemed unnecessary now.
Upon reflection, it made sense. Her culinary skills were already renowned, yet she had crafted such exquisite soup. If entrusted to a professional chef, the result would undoubtedly be beyond compare.
Hong Yan grasped the worth of such a treasure more keenly than she did; there was no need for further elaboration.
“A friend gifted it to me. They cultivated it themselves—a pure, harmless green vegetable. Regrettably, they only provided me with this pouch,” Chen Yaru gestured casually toward the nearby bag.
“Do you have their contact information? I'm eager to procure their produce!” Hong Yan's eyes sparkled with anticipation.
“It may prove challenging. I've heard they possess only an acre of land. Considering the logistics, they can yield just over a hundred kilograms of produce daily. Moreover, it's a two-hour journey to our locale, making transportation inconvenient,” Chen Yaru frowned, shaking her head. Seemingly, obstacles abounded, rendering the task daunting.
“Whether it exceeds a hundred pounds is inconsequential. It's perfect for crafting Jinshi's finest dishes. As for the two-hour commute…” Hong Yan suddenly noticed a mischievous glint in the other's eyes and promptly reached out, playfully pinching her. “Come now, spill the beans. What are you hiding from me? Or shall I have Elder Sister Yan administer immediate punishment?”
Chen Yaru didn't back down either. The two beauties engaged in a playful skirmish of pinches and scratches, completely forgetting about Zhang Xiaoloong, the bemused spectator.
Thankfully, they quickly recalled the presence of another individual, averting what could have been an awkward situation. Thus, the delightful atmosphere remained intact.
“Let's focus now. Where did this dish originate?” Hong Yan's tone turned grave. “I must say, I've never encountered the flavor of this second dish in Qingyang City. Moreover, its true value can only be realized when presented to us, the Jinshi.”
Chen Yaru glanced sidelong, prompting Zhang Xiaoloong to speak up, “I cultivated this dish myself, and it's the first harvest. I wanted Yaru and Uncle Chen to savor its freshness.”
“Ah, I see,” Hong Yan exclaimed, a sudden realization dawning upon her as she lightly tapped Chen Yaru. “Come on, spill it. You invited me here for a reason, didn't you? A little conspiracy, perhaps? You want me to purchase these vegetables, right? I was curious why Beauty Chen suddenly reached out to me. Turns out, it's for the sake of Xiao Qing. Quite the hustle.”
Chen Yaru didn't deny it, admitting candidly, “Yes, that was my intention initially. I hadn't anticipated this dish would be so delectable. Now, regardless of whether Sister Yan is interested, Xiaoloong's produce won't lack buyers.”
“How dare you! These dishes are mine, and they shall remain mine,” Hong Yan retorted with mock indignation before turning to Zhang Xiaoloong. “What's the price for this dish? If you're really only selling it for over 100 kilograms a day, I'll take the lot.”
Zhang Xiaoloong pondered briefly but refrained from stating a precise figure. Without ginseng as a point of reference, he was unsure of an appropriate price.
“Xiaoloong, Sister Yan is a wealthy woman in Qingyang City. Just aim high. She can afford it,” Chen Yaru interjected.
“You're quite the loyal friend, selling out Sister Yan like that,” Hong Yan teased with a mischievous glint in her eye, though she chuckled. “Alright, handsome. Since Yaru has vouched for you, name your price. As long as it's reasonable, I won't haggle.”
Her words displayed both generosity and sincerity, revealing Hong Yan's appreciation for these dishes and the effort behind them. It was, in a way, praise for the vegetable's cultivator.
“How about this? Such a dish has never graced the market before. Since Yaru has only used it to prepare vegetable soup, its true essence hasn't been fully revealed. Why not have Sister Yan's chef prepare it again? After tasting it, we can negotiate the price anew,” Zhang Xiaoloong proposed.
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