Chapter 194: She’ll Think She’s Very Childish, Right?
Chapter 194: Chapter 194: She’ll Think She’s Very Childish, Right?
The smug smile on Shen Lu’s face was getting on Xue Can’s nerves. Then, a thought struck him.
"By the way, does your offer to treat me to a meal still stand, Boss Shen?"
Shen Lu’s smile faltered. "Umm... it does."
"There’s no time like the present. Let’s make it today."
"Now?" Shen Lu’s eyes widened. "Not right now, I’m busy with other things."
"Tonight, then." Xue Can quickly locked in the time. "If you’re making a full spread just for me, you won’t be using ingredients from those local suppliers, will you, Boss Shen?"
Shen Lu shot Xue Can an annoyed glare. "I won’t."
Seeing her unhappy expression, Xue Can felt satisfied. A smirk touched his lips. "In that case, I’ll trouble you again at seven this evening."
"Fine, it’s a deal." Since she had made the promise herself, she’d have to follow through eventually—better sooner than later. "Are there any dishes you’d like to eat? But let’s get this straight, the maximum is eight dishes."
Eight dishes for one person was more than generous—it was a luxury.
If she weren’t giving him credit for carrying her back to the restaurant so she wouldn’t have to wade through the rainstorm, she would’ve just slapped together four dishes to get it over with.
Xue Can didn’t really have any favorite dishes and was originally going to tell Shen Lu to just make whatever. But since she had just sassed him, he naturally had to make things difficult for her.
"I want to try some things you’ve never made before. Make sure there’s chicken, duck, fish, and meat, plus a cold appetizer and a dessert."
Shen Lu ground her teeth. "Fine. Chicken, duck, fish, meat, a cold appetizer, and a dessert. You won’t be missing a single one!"
’Unbelievable. He’s really asking for the world.’
’Revenge. This is definitely revenge!’
Shen Lu snorted, said she had to get back to work, and returned to the front counter to serve her customers.
Xue Can stood where he was, let out a breath, and shook his head with a self-deprecating smile.
Reflecting on it now, he had actually bickered with Shen Lu like some hot-headed kid.
’She must think I’m so childish.’
Xue Can composed himself and prepared to leave. It was no big deal to skip one meal; after all, a feast was waiting for him that evening.
Lei Li, who had been covertly watching the whole exchange, remained frozen in her seat. Only after Xue Can had left did she recall her reconnaissance drone.
How to put it... she just couldn’t figure out the relationship between Xue Can and Shen Lu.
Were they on good terms?
But when Xue Can proposed a partnership, Shen Lu didn’t just refuse—she bluntly shot him down.
Was their relationship just so-so?
Shen Lu had practically mocked him to his face, yet not only did Xue Can not get angry, he had even willingly backed down to try and please her.
It was complicated. Lei Li felt there had to be a reason for it all that she was missing.
’What could it be?’
It was like a feather tickling her heart, making her burn with unbearable curiosity.
Asking Xue Can directly wouldn’t get her the answers she wanted, so Lei Li decided to use a cruder method: force her way into the situation.
She had a feeling Shen Lu didn’t dislike her. When Shen Lu had been serving her earlier, she’d noticed the other woman stealing several glances.
They were appreciative, even awestruck, glances.
’At least the girl has good taste. After all, I’m the famous Tyrant Flower of the Imperial City Mercenary Corps. The line of men chasing me could stretch from the Imperial Capital Survival Base all the way to the Zhunan Survival Base.’
Draining the last of her mint water, Lei Li, having made up her mind, stood up to leave.
As she passed the front counter, Shen Lu called out to her.
"Excuse me, miss, please wait a moment."
Lei Li glanced back. "Hm? Is there something else?"
"Since this is your first time here, you probably don’t know about our check-in raffle, right?" Shen Lu approached, holding a card with both hands. "Dine with us to get one stamp per day. Once you collect ten, you’ll be entered into our prize drawing!"
Normally, Lei Li would have been disdainful of such promotions.
She wasn’t short on money, nor was she a fan of Li Zexing. She could just buy whatever she wanted.
However, she took the card anyway, even feigning a look of pleasant surprise.
"No wonder I saw so many people asking you for a stamp. So they’re all participating in this event."
"Mhm, the prizes are great. We’d love for you to join."
"Alright, thank you." Lei Li put the card away. "I’ll be going now."
"Okay."
After seeing the gorgeous customer out, Shen Lu returned to the front counter in high spirits.
Serving such a beautiful woman was a delight. As Shen Lu stamped cards for the customers who had finished eating, she started thinking about what to cook for Xue Can that evening.
Soon, she had a few ideas.
’Wuyuan Steamed Chicken, Beer Duck, Grilled Fish, Char Siu Pork, Kelp and Pork Rib Soup, a Scallion Omelet, and Stir-fried Water Spinach. For the cold appetizer, fried peanuts and cold-dressed century eggs. And for dessert, I’ll make cookies.’
’As it happens, I’ve been craving cookies too. I’ll make a big batch. They’re a great snack to munch on.’
Oh, right.
Shen Lu suddenly remembered something—she still had to go to the Upper City District to find suppliers today!
She glanced at the time. It was almost two o’clock. Her daily tasks were complete, so Shen Lu had Wang Daguo cover her shift, let Cai Su know she was leaving, and rushed off to the Upper City District.
Following the list Fu Cheng had sent, her first stop was the Water Spirit Vegetable Company.
This was the largest company contracted to manage the vegetable cultivation zones in the Upper City District. No other supplier could match Water Spirit Vegetable Company’s variety or massive output.
The Water Spirit Vegetable Company was also located in the corporate district, but its rules weren’t as strict. After giving her name and purpose of visit, Shen Lu was shown to a reception room.
A customer relations specialist soon came over to shake her hand.
After they exchanged basic information, the specialist’s expression shifted slightly upon learning that Shen Lu’s restaurant was in the Lower City District.
"Miss Shen, you should know that our company has a few unwritten rules. For instance, we don’t bypass our middlemen to trade directly with merchants from the Lower City District."
Shen Lu was a bit stunned.
They had just said it so brazenly—they didn’t do business with merchants from the Lower City District, only with the middlemen who operated there.
"Why is that?" When Xue Can had told her this, Shen Lu had assumed it was just an excuse to fool her. She never thought it was actually true.
The specialist gave a fake smile, his tone dripping with arrogance. "Our company only has points of sale in the Upper City District. The Lower City District is handled by our middlemen. Our resources are limited, so that’s the best we can do."
Shen Lu smiled as well. "So that’s how it is."
Her tone was thick with mockery.
’She didn’t want to be like this, but she just couldn’t help it.’
’They’re just vegetable sellers, what’s with the high-and-mighty attitude? I came all the way to their doorstep, and they still insist I buy from a middleman.’
’Why should I? For the same price, why should I have to buy produce that’s several grades lower in quality?’
The specialist paid little mind to Shen Lu’s reaction. She wasn’t the first merchant from the Lower City District to try this, and she wouldn’t be the last.
Whether Shen Lu tried to flatter him or mock him, his answer wouldn’t change.
Their conversation ended unpleasantly. Fuming, Shen Lu left the Water Spirit Vegetable Company and went to find the other suppliers on her list.
Without exception, whether it was a large corporation or a small workshop, they all gave her the same line.
"Sorry, but our policy states that only designated middlemen from the Lower City District can purchase vegetables from us."