Chapter 16: Lotus Root and Pork Rib Soup

Bao Heng’s words made sense.

Since there were so many fake customers in the restaurant, what else could be real? What looked like fragrant meat could turn into hard, stone-like pieces once it entered their stomachs. That would be a horrible death.

So, the group climbed into the car and drove away from Nanlai Restaurant.

They drove for about half an hour before the car finally stopped.

They should have left the area where the restaurant could have any influence by now.

Qi Yushu couldn’t wait to grab the take-out box from Bao Heng’s hand and tear it open.

The meat inside the box had a deep, enticing reddish-brown color, its surface glistening with a layer of oil. It looked incredibly tender. The unique fragrance of spices and meat mixed together in the air lingered for a long time.

Eat, or not eat?

Without hesitation for more than three seconds, several of them had already pulled out their flatbreads, eager to try.

These flatbreads were something every mercenary would prepare before heading to the Anjin Desert. They were made with very little water to ensure they could be stored for a long time without spoiling. If there was an opportunity to start a fire and cook, they could break the flatbread into small pieces and throw it into a pot to make porridge. However, if time was tight or conditions were unsuitable, they would just chew it dry with water, accompanied by dried meat from mutant beasts. After one meal, their throats would feel like sandpaper.

Xin Huan had anticipated they would eat it with the flatbread, so these braised meats were pre-sliced.

The braised meat was so tender that it didn’t even need to be cut—just a light press with the back of a knife would split it along the grain. A few more cuts to chop up the fat meat, mixing it with the lean meat, and it would be perfect for either noodles or rice bowls, or even for stuffing into flatbreads.

They filled the two flatbreads with generous amounts of braised meat, as if competing to see who could stuff the most filling.

When the meat was about to spill out, they finally happily brought it to their mouths, “Ah!”

Biting into the tough and chewy flatbread, their tongues finally tasted the flavor of the braised meat. After being cooked for a long time, the meat had become tender and juicy, releasing a savory aroma. Every bite felt like the meat was slowly melting in the mouth, with a rich, slightly sweet aftertaste that grew more intense with each bite.

The braised meat contained fat, and it was essential to have the fat for it to be authentic braised meat. But this fat wasn’t greasy at all, instead being fragrant and tender. In fact, it was impossible to tell the difference between the fatty and lean meat, as they blended perfectly into the delicious braised meat.

Besides, who cared about the distinction between fat and lean meat when they were mercenaries who had lowered their standards to this level? They were more than happy to eat a bite of fatty, juicy, and fragrant pork belly. The dried meat from the mutant beasts, though, was just large chunks of lean meat. Was it delicious?

Gao Youqing thought to herself as she devoured her food. “Sister Wei is such a good person, she didn’t forget to share this with us. We almost mocked her for imagining things. How wrong we were.”

In the blink of an eye, one handmade braised meat sandwich was finished. Gao Youqing didn’t hesitate and pulled out another flatbread, folding it and pinching the sides to make it into a pocket, stuffing it full before stopping. When she looked up, she saw that four of the take-out boxes were already empty.

The braised meat sandwich, once held in hand, caused the rich juices from the braised meat to rush out as the flatbread was squeezed. The inner white part of the flatbread quickly turned dark brown as the dry, plain flatbread absorbed the braised meat’s aroma. The once coarse texture of the bread now felt less harsh.

Gao Youqing carefully made sure not to let a single drop of braised sauce fall to the ground. She would feel heartbroken if even a drop was wasted!

If the dry flatbread was just an emergency food to sustain them, the braised meat inside was a symbol of luxury and deliciousness. Combining the two elevated the flatbread to a new level.

The only regret was that it lowered the value of the braised meat, but without this method of eating, there wouldn’t be enough braised meat to go around. In the end, they would still have to eat dried meat and flatbread.

However, although the braised meat was delicious, Bao Heng didn’t indulge in it like the others. He still kept a bit of vigilance and scanned the surroundings.

That’s when he noticed one of them had betrayed the group.

He shouted loudly, “Qi Yushu, what are you eating!”

Everyone was eating dry flatbread, but Qi Yushu was holding a crispy, soft, and delicate round flatbread. Where did that come from?

Qi Yushu, looking like a weasel caught stealing chickens, shrank his neck and shoved the last piece of the meat sandwich into his mouth, mumbling, “Xin Huan gave it to me. She said this goes better with the braised meat. Don’t be jealous. After all, we grew up in the same place…”

Several fiery glares shot his way.

“How could you secretly eat such good food? Don’t you consider us friends?”

“No wonder you were the last to come out. We were all worried about you, but it turns out you were hiding food for yourself.”

Qi Yushu shamelessly smiled, “There’s not enough bread for everyone, so I thought if I ate more, there wouldn’t be a fight for it. I had to carry the burden. Hehe, burp!”

His words were really infuriating, and everyone rushed over to knock him down and tickle him, forcing him to hand over the remaining flatbread.

“There’s none left! None left!”

“Hahaha, so ticklish!”

“Haha, I’ll give it to you… I still have one left…”

Qi Yushu pulled out a slightly flattened white flatbread from his pocket, which was quickly snatched away.

The two pieces of bread are hollow in the center. Although the edges align when pressed together, there’s a large gap in the middle, making it look like two shallow dishes stacked together. It’s clear that these are specially made to hold the braised meat.

A dry flatbread with braised meat is already delicious, but how much better would it be with this tailor-made white bread?

Someone quickly took the lunch box with braised meat and stuffed it generously between the two pieces of bread.

Bao Heng, the most composed person, had gained everyone’s trust and was chosen to cut the bread. He faced the pressure, took a clean knife, and carefully sliced the meat sandwich into five equal parts.

Several pairs of eyes were fixed on Bao Heng’s hands.

The knife tip touched the bread shell, applying slight pressure. A soft “crack” echoed in everyone’s ears. After a brief pause, the knife tip reached the soft dough and smoothly cut through it.

In one smooth motion, the round meat sandwich was cut into five equal portions. The meat juices spilled onto the temporary cutting board made from a takeout box lid, causing a wave of regret.

Bao Heng announced the completion of the division. No one had any objections to the size of the portions, and everyone reached for their piece.

The rich fragrance of the meat mixed with the authentic wheat aroma came rushing in. Just like the feeling when the knife tip sliced open the bread, the outer layer of the white bread was crisp and golden, while the inner part was soft and chewy, with a slight elasticity, unlike the completely hard, dry flatbread. The rich and delicious flavor of the braised meat complemented the simple and chewy texture of the white bread perfectly. As Xin Huan had promised, this is the most perfect pairing!

Several people took a bite, and then… there was no more.

Such a small piece. It was gone so quickly.

The feeling was so frustrating, like a deep longing. If not for the team being on a mission, they would have wanted to rush back to Nanlai Restaurant immediately and eat to their hearts’ content.

Isn’t it just the crystal core? Take it!

————

Today, the braised meat at Nanlai Restaurant is very popular.

Braised meat is neither dried nor marinated. Dried meat is made by air-drying or smoking, while marinated meat is cooked in a flavored liquid.

Braised meat has its own unique method. The meat is cooked with nearly twenty types of spices and herbs. The process is not difficult, making it a very popular snack. Authentic meat sandwiches should use this braised meat.

Nan Tu chose pork belly with a ratio of 3:7 fat to lean meat. The texture was tender, preventing the fat from being too greasy and the lean meat from being too tough. Pork bones and chicken frames were used to make broth, and various spices and herb bundles were added along with the meat, slow-cooked over low heat, allowing the meat to absorb the flavors.

Once cooked, the meat can be pierced easily with chopsticks. However, the braised meat is not yet flavorful enough. It needs to be soaked in the braising liquid for over an hour.

When Qi Yushu and the others arrived at the restaurant, Nan Tu noticed something unusual about Xin Huan’s expression. Plus, these people seemed overly tense. Nan Tu had an idea.

“Do you know that person?”

Xin Huan replied, “Hmm, not very well. We used to be in the same orphanage, but he’s two years older than me. He started as a mercenary early. Actually, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen him.”

Nan Tu whispered, “You should… “

Xin Huan was surprised, “You really want to send something? What’s the benefit of that?”

Nan Tu said calmly, “The benefit is that they’ll come back soon.”

When there’s little food, it tastes especially good. The attraction of wanting more is far stronger than being full.

“When they return, there’s a piece of news you can share with them…”

————

Nan Tu’s guess was correct. The desire created by the unfinished meal reached its peak after Bao Heng’s team had to chew on dry rations for two more meals.

Gao Youqing held the map and said, “One of the purposes of this mission is to explore the restaurant that Xie Wei mentioned. We haven’t prepared to go deeper into the Anjin Desert, and we’ve been staying nearby, not venturing far. So I think…”

She stopped, looking at the reactions of the others.

Liang Yue quickly understood her meaning and winked at her.

Qi Yushu then eagerly voiced everyone’s thoughts, “I can’t eat any more of this dry food. Let’s go back to Nanlai Restaurant! This time, you all order your own. Don’t come and steal my food!”

“I agree!”

“Me too…”

Bao Heng said angrily, “One by one, if you all die one day, it’ll definitely be because you starved yourselves to death!”

Luckily, not everyone in the group had been driven mad by the food. Another teammate, although tempted, hesitated: “What about all the strange things in that restaurant? Are we just going to pretend we didn’t see them? Isn’t that burying our heads in the sand?”

Liang Yue quickly responded, “Who cares about the strange things? As long as they don’t harm us, that’s fine. I remember reading those weird tales where monsters take human form and marry humans, living happily for many years. But then, an old monk or Taoist steps in, causing the husband to doubt the wife, and everything falls apart. The ending is never happy, and someone always gets hurt. If we just muddle through, it might be better.”

They should be the ones pretending to be ignorant, carrying on as if nothing unusual was happening.

“We’ve already tested it. If we follow the rules, there’s no problem,” Gao Youqing added from another perspective. “Setting aside whether the food is good or not, we all know how crucial supplies are in the desert. If everything goes smoothly, fine. But if something goes wrong, it’s a huge issue. It could mean losing team members or even a total disaster.”

“Has anyone considered how important supply points are on our route? This means Nanlai Restaurant will eventually save our lives. If we don’t figure this out and make use of it now, avoiding it is foolish.”

“And once we safely return to Tianling City, no matter the reason, we must make sure more people know about Nanlai Restaurant. The significance of Nanlai Restaurant being here is far greater than we thought.”

This argument was irrefutable, so after a brief discussion, they all agreed by unanimous vote to return to Nanlai Restaurant for dinner before nightfall.

Although there weren’t many crystal cores collected this time, the mood of the group was even more joyful than when they were overloaded. On the way, they even hummed a little tune.

Suddenly, a low rumbling sound came from afar, and the ground began to tremble slightly. The group quickly became alert.

“It might be the Singing Sand…” one of them suggested.

“No, it’s not the Singing Sand, it’s a beast—!” Liang Yue’s words had barely left her mouth when a large cloud of flying sand suddenly rose from the sand ahead. The speeding vehicles couldn’t dodge in time and drove straight into the sandstorm. The team members were already accustomed to handling sudden attacks like this. They pulled down their goggles and kept their weapons steady, aimed in the direction where enemies might appear.

Qi Yushu, who was driving, quickly swerved the steering wheel to steer away from the original path.

The first attack missed, but a massive figure suddenly leaped out. It was an Iron-Tailed Lizard, its skin gleaming with a metallic sheen, appearing even more terrifying under the sunlight. Every time its huge tail swung, it caused the ground beneath them to tremble slightly.

“A creature this large must be at least level five!” Bao Heng reminded.

He quickly made a decision: “Get rid of it.”

The mercenaries had become familiar with the weaknesses of these beasts after years of combat, and the beasts weren’t entirely unfamiliar with the mercenaries either. For example, the Iron-Tailed Lizard once thought that the massive off-road vehicles were its enemies, attacking the car body with its strong tail, which was ineffective and allowed the mercenaries to seize the opportunity to strike back.

Now, however, it had evolved to realize that it was the one controlling the vehicles that posed the real threat. It started using tricks, loosening the sand ahead of where the mercenaries might pass, creating what appeared to be a flat surface, but was in fact a delicate, soft quicksand trap.

Although the mercenaries’ off-road vehicles were specially modified and unlikely to get stuck in the sand easily, they could still sink into unpredictable quicksand or special terrain.

Countless mercenaries had fallen into such traps and been buried in the desert.

Luckily, Qi Yushu reacted quickly and decisively changed direction.

The group sped on, but the Iron-Tailed Lizard was persistent, chasing them relentlessly. As the small building of Nanlai Restaurant appeared in the distance, they were unsure whether to continue trying to shake off the Iron-Tailed Lizard or loop around a few times nearby.

“If we bring the beast near Nanlai Restaurant, do you think the owner will be upset?” Liang Yue asked, concerned.

Bao Heng thought for a moment and replied, “If she found it troublesome, she wouldn’t have opened a restaurant here.”

Liang Yue’s comment reminded Bao Heng, and he quickly told Qi Yushu, “Try driving around Nanlai Restaurant.”

With a building for cover, it was best if the Iron-Tailed Lizard backed off. If it chose to attack the restaurant, Bao Heng believed the owner wouldn’t sit idly by.

That way, they could deal with the Iron-Tailed Lizard and also probe the owner’s true strength.

The off-road vehicle headed straight for Nanlai Restaurant. The Iron-Tailed Lizard followed without hesitation. It even slowed down when the car changed direction and then suddenly lunged, its massive body crashing into the rear of the vehicle. The force lifted the front of the car slightly, almost flipping it over.

At almost the same moment, bullets and fire erupted from the weapons in the hands of the team, driving the Iron-Tailed Lizard back.

Wounded, the beast became even more violent, its cold vertical pupils flashing with hatred. Seeing this, Gao Youqing realized the danger—this large Iron-Tailed Lizard had such a small mind, it would likely not stop until it was dead or had killed them. There would be no way to shake it off now.

Not far away, Nanlai Restaurant was now within reach. The off-road vehicle didn’t slow down at all and continued straight toward the restaurant. But the Iron-Tailed Lizard suddenly stopped its attack, standing far off while slowing its movements. It raised its neck and head, as if wary, yet also somewhat confused.

The group exchanged glances, unsure whether the Iron-Tailed Lizard was retreating or whether there was something about Nanlai Restaurant that made it hesitate. But the latter seemed more likely.

They waited until the Iron-Tailed Lizard disappeared from sight, and the area grew quiet. They confirmed that there was no danger before getting out of the car, leaving one person outside to keep watch, and then entered Nanlai Restaurant.

Sister Nan Tu’s prediction was spot on; they had already become repeat customers so quickly. Xin Huan, smiling, came forward and, seeing their slightly disheveled state, asked, “Did you encounter a beast?”

Qi Yushu answered, “A level five Iron-Tailed Lizard, like a sticky candy, it just wouldn’t leave.”

This time, the team entered Nanlai Restaurant much calmer than before, though they wondered if Nan Tu’s absence was the reason for their relaxed demeanor.

Bao Heng cleared his throat. Qi Yushu, catching his hint, casually asked, “Do you think a beast might attack Nanlai Restaurant? There’s only one server here. What would you do if something happened?”

Xin Huan naturally understood his hidden meaning and didn’t try to hide anything. With confidence, she said, “You’re overthinking. In the area within a fifty-meter radius of our boss, no beast dares to approach.”

Qi Yushu and the others:!!!

No wonder the Iron-Tailed Lizard fled in a panic!? They didn’t even need the restaurant owner to make a move—just her presence was enough to deter the beasts around?

Someone with that kind of ability, no wonder they could run a restaurant in the dangerous Anjin Desert!

Xin Huan said this without the slightest hesitation. “Within a fifty-meter radius of the restaurant, no beast will appear”—this was information Nan Tu had actively shared with Xin Huan and instructed her to pass on.

The safer Nanlai Restaurant was, the more mercenaries would gather around, bringing in more crystal core profits. This not only gave the system the opportunity to gather energy but also brought Nan Tu wealth and attribute points.

However, Xin Huan, acting on her own, changed the subject of this message.

Nan Tu was the boss of Nanlai Restaurant. She and the restaurant were essentially one and the same. Besides, Nan Tu had said she was too busy to leave the restaurant and wander the Anjin Desert, so it made no difference.

At this thought, Xin Huan felt quite proud of herself for being so clever.

The team members still had the shock in their eyes, and Bao Heng’s heart was like a stormy sea. The significance of this matter to the mercenaries struggling in the Anjin Desert was truly immense. It wasn’t just the mercenaries; even Tianling City would not sit idly by upon hearing this news.

“Let’s eat something; fighting the mutant beasts really drains your energy,” Xin Huan said, putting down the menu. “Do you have time to sit and eat here this time?”

The shocking news would have time for them to process later, but for now, they still needed to eat.

Hearing Xin Huan’s words, a few of them blushed slightly, recalling how tense they were when they last came to the restaurant, nearly walking awkwardly on tiptoe.

Gao Youqing looked at the menu.

When they came yesterday, they were so restless that they didn’t even look at the menu properly. This time, they were determined to carefully choose what to eat.

Grilled Bamboo Shoots Fish, Sweet and Sour Sesame Ribs, Garlic Cabbage Belly Slice Snail, Wine-Scented Wild Herb, Eight-Treasure Pig’s Trotter…

Just looking at it, Gao Youqing felt like a luxurious feast was laid out in front of them. She was overwhelmed, her mouth watering as she didn’t know which dish to pick.

But at this moment, Xin Huan suddenly pulled the menu away and apologized, “Sorry, this is the old menu. A lot of dishes are sold out, so you can only choose from this one.”

She handed over a menu with many dishes marked out in black.

Sold out? To whom?

Gao Youqing muttered in her heart but didn’t feel the need to complain about it, continuing to read the menu.

Her eyes caught a particular word, and Gao Youqing’s eyes brightened. Water bamboo shoots, they have water bamboo shoots?

Water bamboo shoots weren’t an especially rare ingredient, nor were they incredibly unique in flavor, but they were a vegetable Gao Youqing had often eaten during her childhood.

Though it had been ten years since she last tasted water bamboo shoots, she still remembered their refreshing crunch and faint fragrance.

Water bamboo shoots were aquatic plants, and Tianling City didn’t produce them—there never were any, and after the Great Catastrophe, it was even more impossible to have them. Gao Youqing had always missed this ingredient, not because it was irreplaceable, but because she wasn’t from Tianling City. She had come here for a trip with her family ten years ago and never returned to her hometown.

There was more than one human base besides Tianling City, but the various regions were separated by vast, harsh terrains like deserts, swamps, and primitive forests, making contact nearly impossible. Humans lived in the cracks, constantly facing the encroachment of mutant beasts. Survival was the priority, leaving no energy to unite with distant bases.

Gao Youqing couldn’t return to her hometown, nor did she need to. The place where her hometown once stood was very likely unrecognizable.

Only the memory of the mist-wrapped mountains of her hometown, with peach blossoms blooming everywhere and the vast, green water bamboo fields stretching for miles, remained—an image no one could take away.

She held back tears and said lightly, “Being steamed by the dry desert heat every day, I feel like I’m turning into a dried corpse. Let’s eat something fresh and moist. I’ll have the stir-fried water bamboo shoots with chicken oil mushrooms.”

Liang Yue thought for a moment and agreed with Gao Youqing, so she ordered a bowl of pork ribs and lotus root soup.

She originally wanted to order another kind of soup — fritillaria and dried tangerine peel stewed pork shank — because she had never drunk it before and did not even know what pork shank was. But just as her finger moved to the menu, Xin Huan told her that the last bowl had just been ordered by someone.

Liang Yue glanced at the tables around them where customers in light, casual clothing sat. She thought, “These fake customers are really eating.”

Such a waste.

Then she ordered the lotus root and pork ribs soup.

After they had finished ordering, Xin Huan crossed out that dish too. After Nan Tu brought back the casserole pot, Nanlai Restaurant served a batch of soup every day, but the number was limited. The soup had to be simmered for hours, so once it was gone, it was gone.

The others ordered two more dishes.

Though the food here was delicious, it wasn’t cheap. While they would love to try every dish, their wallets wouldn’t allow it. Of course, this was relative to their usual spending. When compared to prices in the desert, these were practically charitable prices.

After finishing the orders, Bao Heng said to the group, “Tomorrow, we will head back to Tianling City.”

Qi Yushu asked curiously, “We still have enough food and gasoline for several more days, and we haven’t caught any decent prey. Isn’t it a bit of a loss to just head back now?”

Bao Heng replied calmly, “I want to inform Tianling City as soon as possible that there won’t be mutant beasts near Nanlai Restaurant.”

How was that related to Tianling City? Was he trying to notify everyone through official channels that they could come to Nanlai Restaurant for food when supplies were scarce?

Bao Heng then told them a story.

“Do you all remember when Tianling City wanted to build a camp in the Anjin Desert?”

That was something from five or six years ago. At that time, Qi Yushu and the others were not yet adults and certainly not mercenaries. They hadn’t paid much attention to the matter, though Gao Youqing had some vague memories.

“I think I remember something about it, but didn’t it fail?” The result was obvious. There were no human camps in the Anjin Desert. Whether they needed to replenish resources, receive treatment, or repair weapons, mercenaries could only return to Tianling City.

“Years ago, Tianling City attached great importance to building a supply camp. At that time, humanity’s experience in fighting mutant beasts was not sufficient, and the casualty rate of mercenaries was appalling, causing a sharp decline in the population of Tianling City. To reduce the loss of manpower, the officials decided to build a supply camp in the Anjin Desert.”

“With full support in all areas, the camp was quickly built halfway. But at this point, the mutant beasts discovered the unfinished camp and launched a relentless attack. The workers and guards protecting the camp were almost completely wiped out.”

“Because the strategic importance of this camp was so great, Tianling City restarted the plan nine months later, choosing the least active season for the mutant beasts to build. They learned from the previous experience and increased the patrol and defense forces. But tragedy struck again. The number of mutant beasts that attacked almost doubled. Many mutant beasts that should have been hibernating woke up early due to hunger and became even more vicious. So, the result…”

Bao Heng fell silent for a moment, and everyone could guess the outcome.

After a while, Liang Yue cautiously spoke up, “Actually, the key to attracting the mutant beasts might be the number of humans.”

So, even though they had increased their armed forces during the second construction, the number of mutant beast attacks had only risen.

The appearance of the beast tide attacking Tianling City was also due to the large concentration of people in the city, which attracted the beasts. Some of them even crossed the vast Anjin Desert to reach it.

However, at that time, no one understood this principle.

This was a lesson learned by Tianling City through bloodshed. Initially, when mercenaries went out on missions, they thought the more people there were, the safer it would be. But they often encountered beast attacks. It was only later that they understood the underlying reason and adjusted to form small teams of 6-8 people. This way, they maintained their combat power without attracting too many powerful beasts.

But this experience was unsolvable when it came to camp construction. If gatherings of people weren’t allowed, then who would maintain the camp’s operations? Mercenaries couldn’t enter the camp in groups to receive treatment and rest, so what was the point of building the camp?

Everyone recalled what Bao Heng had said at the beginning: to inform the Tianling City authorities about the existence of the Nanlai Restaurant.

Within a 50-meter radius of the restaurant owner, no beast dared to step in…

!!

They suddenly looked up, and it dawned on them how important this matter was!

But would the restaurant owner agree?

“This is not something for a small mercenary like me to consider. Hey, the food’s here, let’s eat! We need to fill our stomachs so we have the energy to depart tomorrow,” Bao Heng called to everyone.

———

When Xin Huan turned and left with an empty tray, she overheard the guests at the next table whispering. “What are they talking about, Tianling City, and beasts?”

Another person replied naturally, “Probably some movie or game. Let me tell you, my unlucky boss made a scene again today…”

Xin Huan couldn’t help but smile.

She remembered that she had once worriedly asked Nan Tu. Though she had placed some restrictions on the mercenaries, she couldn’t keep them silent all the time. Wouldn’t the other guests be scared if they overheard their conversations?

After all, what the mercenaries often discussed were matters of fighting and killing.

She still remembered Nan Tu’s response: “You’re underestimating the indigenous people here. Their experience is vast. What’s so surprising about this small thing?”

———

Bao Heng urged everyone to begin eating.

In truth, there was no need for him to say anything. Everyone had already eagerly picked up their chopsticks.

Chanterelle mushrooms stir-fried with water bamboo shoots looked like an ordinary home-cooked dish, only with slightly brighter colors. The tender golden yellow matched with the clear and bright water bamboo, fresh and simple.

Gao Youqing couldn’t wait to pick up a piece and pop it into her mouth, closing her eyes in anticipation of the familiar taste taking her back to memories of home.

Hmm.

The next moment, Gao Youqing opened her eyes in surprise.

Logically speaking, the flavor she remembered shouldn’t be this much enhanced. Why did she think the stir-fried water bamboo shoots now tasted much better than what she remembered from her childhood?

She felt puzzled and reached for more. This time, she not only picked up the water bamboo shoots but also the mushrooms, filling her mouth with a big bite over rice. She happily dug in.

The chanterelle mushrooms were smooth, and the water bamboo shoots were tender. Together, the mushrooms contributed a unique freshness, while the crisp texture of the water bamboo shoots added layers to the dish. Even more astonishing, it wasn’t just the cooking technique. The water bamboo shoots were perfectly seasoned, bursting with sweetness. It was as if this wasn’t just a simple vegetable stir-fry but secretly enhanced with rare ingredients, achieving a “turning stone into gold” effect.

Despite everything in her memories being sacred and untouchable, Gao Youqing had to admit that this stir-fried water bamboo shoot with chanterelle mushrooms seemed even better.

Actually, fresh water bamboo shoots are high in water content, making them hard to absorb flavor. Many people, when cooking water bamboo shoots, only enjoy the crisp, refreshing texture. If they try to make it flavorful, they often end up overcooking them, losing their original texture, and making it unappealing.

But who says you can’t have both fish and bear’s paw?

Nan Tu used a wet stir-fry method, adding chicken broth in small amounts three times. After each addition, she patiently cooked it over low heat to evaporate the water, then added the next batch of chicken broth. This way, the flavor of the chicken broth was fully absorbed by the ingredients. The mushrooms, chicken broth, and reed shoots all became incredibly fresh. Not only that, the water bamboo shoots took on a deep flavor.

Qi Yushu, seeing Gao Youqing eating the water bamboo shoots with so much enthusiasm, reminded her, “You should try some other dishes too. This drunken chicken is really good, it’s cold and has a wine fragrance, the marinade has seeped into the chicken.”

Gao Youqing replied, “But this water bamboo shoot is really delicious.”

Liang Yue asked curiously, “Didn’t you just tell me that water bamboo shoots don’t have much flavor?”

Liang Yue had never even seen water bamboo shoots, let alone tasted them. When she saw Gao Youqing order them, she eagerly asked what they tasted like.

Gao Youqing wanted to eat them herself but couldn’t lie and exaggerate. So she said the truth, “Water bamboo shoots are just very watery with a very light sweetness; other than that, they don’t have much flavor.”

“Well, that’s how it used to be…” Gao Youqing chuckled helplessly, “But the boss made them so delicious, adding a unique flavor.”

Everyone tried the dish and couldn’t stop praising, “It feels like we’re not eating vegetables, but meat. The flavor is so rich, but it still has the crisp texture of vegetables. I love it!”

———

The group inside the restaurant was eating heartily, while outside, Chang Tianlei was anxiously pacing.

He was the unlucky one assigned to guard the luggage and keep watch. Normally, this wouldn’t be so bad, but today, while everyone else was enjoying their meal at Nanlai Restaurant, he was stuck in the barren Anjin Desert, unable to even smell the delicious food. He was feeling miserable.

Actually, even catching a whiff of the aroma might have been torturous.

Before entering, everyone promised to bring him some takeout, so he had some hope. He anxiously waited, staring at the entrance of the restaurant, hoping it would open any second.

His eyes had become dry and sore from staring. Finally, the scene he had imagined several times appeared. Chang Tianlei jumped up and rushed in front of everyone.

“Where’s the food you promised to bring me? You didn’t forget, right? You wouldn’t forget, would you?!”

If they had forgotten, how could they call themselves friends?

“Of course I didn’t forget.”

Bao Heng handed the stacked takeaway boxes to Chang Tianlei. Chang Tianlei happily walked to the side, sat down on the ground, and began opening them one by one.

There was a big box filled with rice, and another box that contained a mix of dishes like drunken chicken and stir-fried white water bamboo shoots with chanterelle mushrooms. These were all portions set aside before everyone started eating.

The box at the bottom seemed to contain soup. Chang Tianlei carefully opened it, and an overwhelming fragrance surged upward.

“My god, what is this? It smells amazing.”

Bao Heng and the others chuckled beside him. This was nothing. They still remembered when Xin Huan wore thick gloves, cautiously brought the clay pot to the table, and slowly lifted the still-steaming lid. That was truly astonishing. The steam and aroma burst out in an instant, just like a volcano suddenly erupting with its pent-up force. It not only grabbed the attention of Bao Heng and the others, but even a few nearby tables kept glancing over.

As the steam dispersed, the contents of the clay pot were revealed—it was lotus root and pork rib soup.

It was strange. The ingredients weren’t anything special. In the past, it was just an ordinary household soup. But why did it smell so good? With that doubt in mind, Chang Tianlei leaned over and took a sip.

Just one sip, and it felt like a lightning strike. The salty richness of the pork ribs, the sweetness of the lotus root, and an indescribable yet intensely present umami flavor surged forth. The slightly hot temperature tingled his tongue, reviving his taste buds that had been numbed by dried mutant beast meat. They rejoiced and eagerly embraced the soup’s gentle nourishment.

Such a refreshing and sweet lotus root soup could sell for a sky-high price in Tianling City. Was it because Tianling City lacked lotus root? Of course not. It was because there simply wasn’t a single chef in Tianling City who could create this divine flavor.

Even in such a simple takeaway box, it didn’t diminish its radiant glow in Chang Tianlei’s eyes.

He drank three big mouthfuls of the soup in a row and started to sweat slightly. This time he could taste something—within the fresh and sweet soup seemed to be a hint of salty aroma from ham. It had been so many years since Chang Tianlei last ate ham that he couldn’t immediately recognize it.

He took another sip, smacked his lips, trying every possible way to slow the loss of that umami flavor. Still feeling unsatisfied, he wanted to gulp down the rest of the soup in one go but hesitated, not wanting the remaining lotus root and ribs to be left dry and flavorless. He restrained himself and picked up his chopsticks.

The soup was delicious, and the ingredients hadn’t become flavorless “leftovers” after releasing their essence. Instead, all the flavors complemented one another in a perfect balance.

The lotus root was extremely soft and glutinous. The more he chewed, the sweeter it became. It had been thoroughly simmered in the soup, making the soup sweet and rich, while also absorbing the essence of the broth itself. The pork ribs were cooked to a powdery white, and with one bite, a stream of juice seemed to flow out. The flavor was deeply infused into the meat and bones. After simmering for several hours, they were perfectly tender without falling apart.

“Have I just not eaten ribs for too long, or why does this taste so good?” Chang Tianlei mumbled as he devoured the food.

He couldn’t figure it out, but it didn’t stop him from sweeping through the food like a storm. He even wished he could leave no single grain of rice behind.

Chang Tianlei let out a satisfied burp. He glanced at the tightly closed doors of Nanlai Restaurant. Never mind those few rules—add ten more, twenty even—and he would still eat this meal no matter what.