Chapter 99: Kid, Call Me Uncle
Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Kid, Call Me Uncle
As the first diner of the evening to try the pickled pepper soup base, all eyes were on him.
Pickled pepper chicken feet is a well-known dish, so most people were quite familiar with the flavor of pickled peppers.
But there was a saying that circulated among the diners.
To compare anything from the outside world to Boss Lu’s cooking was to underestimate her.
The diner picked up a skewer of white radish.
The radish slices were already succulent, and after simmering in the soup base, they grew even thicker. Coated in a bit of dipping sauce, the heavy, sour-and-spicy aroma was especially tantalizing.
The diner took a light bite.
In that instant, a distinct sour-and-spicy flavor assaulted his taste buds. The specially fermented pickled peppers were noticeably sour and perfectly spicy.
The two flavors blended together perfectly.
The heat lingered in his mouth, simultaneously stimulating his appetite and making the experience all the more perfect.
"It’s sour, it’s spicy, and it’s delicious."
With his mouth full of skewered treats, the diner managed to give Lu Wu a thumbs-up.
Panting lightly, he also had to field questions from the other curious diners.
As the soup base boiled, curling steam veiled Lu Wu’s features. She handed out another order of skewers, this time from the mushroom soup base.
Lu Wu had added many kinds of mushrooms to this soup base.
Matsutake, morels, and porcini bobbed in the broth. This soup pot was brilliant in the same way as the previous clear broth base.
It was all about that rich, savory flavor.
The clear broth provided a savory, meaty flavor, while the mushroom soup base was all about the natural, delicious essence of the mushrooms themselves.
A little salt was all that was needed to season the soup; heavy spices would have only ruined its natural flavor.
After simmering for a long time, the savory essence of the mushrooms infused the entire broth, making its texture even smoother.
Sliced bamboo shoots were lifted from the soup base and handed to a diner.
Lu Wu used only the tender tips of the bamboo shoots, which had no fibrousness at all.
The pale-yellow slices carried the clean fragrance of bamboo. They were faintly sweet, refreshingly crisp, and burst with juice when bitten.
"SLURP!"
The diner slurped the broth from the corner of his mouth, standing off to the side, completely engrossed in his meal.
Judging by the diners’ reactions, the three new soup bases tonight were a massive success.
Zeng Si also came tonight, a small child in tow—his son, Zeng Sheng.
Zeng Sheng didn’t like crowded places like this.
But he couldn’t help it; his dad had tempted him with the promise of delicious skewers.
Although he was mentally mature and wouldn’t stoop to his childish father’s level, the pursuit of delicious food was a basic human instinct he felt no need to resist.
The scene was just as he’d expected: noisy.
Whenever someone brushed against him, Zeng Sheng’s delicate brows would furrow in annoyance.
He tried to hide behind Zeng Si, unaware that his shy demeanor looked exceptionally cute to some onlookers.
And so, a "weird uncle" decided to tease him.
"Want some, little fella? Just call me ’Uncle,’ and these skewers are all yours."
Wearing someone else’s face, Cang He Guang felt free to let loose.
He dangled the skewers in front of Zeng Sheng, his gaze full of adoration.
’This kid... his physique is incredible.’
’What should I do? I really want to snatch him up and make him my disciple.’
"Mister, my mommy told me not to take food from strangers."
Zeng Sheng’s eyes were glued to the skewers for a long moment before he managed to tear them away. Judging by his tone, however, his heart wasn’t in it.
’It smells so good... I want some.’
’Mom’s a terrible cook. Her food is barely edible, but she loves cooking, and Dad always makes me help him finish it all.’
Having been tormented by her cooking for years, a door to a new world had opened for Zeng Sheng just last night. He’d discovered for the first time that, away from his mother, the outside world was not, in fact, full of storms and hardship.
Having tasted that divine flavor, Zeng Sheng was now practically drooling.
’But this guy seems a little weird. A little creepy.’
’I’m just a kid. This is scary.’
"Hey friend, it’s almost our turn. You go ahead and enjoy your meal."
Zeng Si pulled Zeng Sheng protectively into his arms. He could tell this big guy was up to no good.
The burly Zeng Si flexed his bicep, a clear warning not to try anything.
Seeing the father and son treat him like some kind of monster, Cang He Guang felt as if his heart had been pierced by a thousand arrows. It shattered.
’Do I really look that much like a bad guy?’
He retracted the skewers and resentfully tore into a piece of meat, sulking off to the side to comfort his wounded heart with a snack.
This was Lu Wu’s fourth day running the stall here. All the diners who were in the know had found out, and all who were meant to come had arrived.
The area was packed, with a constant, unending stream of customers.
As one of Lu Wu’s first-ever customers, Steward Zhu could barely find a place to stand.
Tonight, he had chosen the tomato soup base. Lu Wu had managed to perfectly balance the tomato’s natural sweet and sour notes. Even though he’d ordered nothing but meat skewers, the meal was still light and refreshing, with a delightful fruity aroma.
He loved it.
But just now, Tian Shou had sent a message: their mission to collect "Desire" was complete, ahead of schedule.
Experience told them it was time to pull out.
But with so many diners outside the casino, they were trapped.
Shoving his way through the crowd, Steward Zhu finally made it back inside the casino. He was still carrying a bowl of skewers for Tian Shou.
"Thanks."
Tian Shou thanked him casually.
"Did the message get out?"
Tian Shou asked as he took a bite of a skewer, an expression of pure satisfaction on his face.
He licked his fingers, practically buzzing with excitement.
"Mm, after Boss Lu closes up for the night, they’ll move according to plan. They’ll help draw away the unwanted attention, and that’s when we’ll execute our withdrawal."
Watching Tian Shou eat with such relish, Steward Zhu’s fingers twitched.
’I should just snatch it from him.’
’The head sect is getting impatient. We have to take the item back and report on our mission. I was getting too attached before.’
’Besides, nobody said we can’t come back for more after we make our report.’
’Boss Lu will be here for a few more days anyway. There’s plenty of time.’
’By then, the attention from the rest of Hong’an City should have died down, and I can also move forward with the luring plan.’
"Fine, whatever you say."
Tian Shou didn’t like using his brain; he much preferred violence.
Tian Shou was a fast eater; the skewers were gone in no time.
Leaving only the persistent, fragrant aroma clinging to his clothes.
He said with some regret, "How is it all gone already?"
Steward Zhu didn’t reply. Instead, he surveyed the casino floor. He noted that, over the last few days, the crowd of gamblers had changed. There were many new, unfamiliar faces.
Among them were two unlucky souls, Mumu and Tian Tian, who had already gambled away a third of their entire net worth. They were completely hooked.
Their pretty little faces were tear-streaked, their eyes red and puffy.
Steward Zhu’s expression was indifferent.
’Tonight would be the final squeeze.’
"Let’s ramp it up."
He commanded coolly.
Tian Shou merely buried his face in his palm, inhaling the lingering fragrance of the food, and nodded.
He snapped his fingers. All at once, the gamblers on the floor shuddered, their expressions growing even more entranced.
Tendrils of black mist were drawn from their bodies. The process was going smoothly.
Seeing this, Steward Zhu led Tian Shou away to arrange the rest of their plan.
The very instant they stepped into the room, every gambler in the casino simultaneously snapped their heads around to look in their direction.
The gamblers’ eyes were sinister. They grinned eerily, a truly horrifying sight.