Chapter 238: Hearts Are Made of Flesh
Chapter 238: Chapter 238: Hearts Are Made of Flesh
With so many people helping, the cooking was done quickly.
All the dishes were ready within an hour and a half.
Shen Lu glanced at the time. It was already 6:30 PM. The employees, who usually got off work at 5:30, were still in the kitchen.
Shu Meng and the others came to their senses and quickly said their goodbyes.
They were already more than satisfied to have watched Shen Lu prepare seafood up close; they wouldn’t dare stay and impose for a meal.
"It’s getting late. Don’t go to the trouble of cooking when you get home. Just stay and have a meal here." Shen Lu was never a harsh person, so letting Deng Ying and the other two stay for dinner was no trouble at all.
However, the Bai Family Siblings had brought the seafood, so she couldn’t take it upon herself to give too much of it away. She only set aside some braised swimming crabs for them to try, moving all the other dishes to the booth seating area.
Xue Can had arrived at the shop shortly before six. Noticing the Bai Family Siblings were also present, he frowned slightly. He didn’t go over to greet them, instead finding a seat for himself in the fast-food section to handle some work.
After Shen Lu finished serving all of the Bai Family Siblings’ dishes, she went to tell Xue Can that dinner would be a little late today.
Xue Can replied amiably, "It’s no problem."
Shen Lu then went back to continue eating with the Bai Family Siblings.
Half an hour later, Shu Meng and the others finished preparing the staff meal. The most eye-catching dish, placed right in the middle, was the plate of braised swimming crabs.
Shen Lu was missing from their table today, replaced by Shu Meng, Deng Ying, and Xin Yu. Both Fu Cheng and Xue Can found the meal somewhat dull, and after a few simple bites, they put down their chopsticks.
Meanwhile, the Bai Family Siblings were flushed with delight as they ate, exclaiming in constant amazement.
"This is so delicious!" Bai Wanwan exclaimed, gnawing on a piece of crab and savoring the meat. "I never used to like crab much; I felt like there wasn’t enough meat. But after you cooked it like this, I’m suddenly in love with it."
Bai Lei was in love with the marinated seafood medley, popping a razor clam in his mouth, then a baby octopus, eating with pure delight.
"You’re really one of a kind. No one else could come up with so many creative dishes."
Shen Lu picked up a piece of typhoon shelter spiny lobster. ’I wonder if the size affected the texture?’ she thought, finding the meat a bit coarse, though the flavor was excellent.
Stuffed and satisfied, the Bai Family Siblings leaned back in their chairs, rubbing their full bellies and not wanting to move an inch.
Shen Lu said, "I only cooked half of the seafood you brought. You should take the other half back with you later."
Bai Wanwan waved her hand dismissively. "Why would we take it back? It’s all a gift for you."
’We’re not short on seafood at home; we have tons more.’
Besides, she had intentionally brought extra; aside from what they planned to eat, the rest was always meant for Shen Lu.
Shen Lu didn’t stand on ceremony. "Well, in that case, I’ll happily accept."
"No need to be polite. In fact, I insist."
Seeing the great atmosphere, Bai Lei found the perfect opportunity to jump in. "Shen Lu, um... have you mentioned to your supplier about providing goods for my family?"
Bai Wanwan shot him a glare. ’What are you doing?! Why bring that up now?’
Bai Lei’s expression seemed to retort, ’Well, when else? We’ve already finished eating. If not now, then when?’
Shen Lu pretended not to notice the silent war of glances between them and smiled faintly. "I mentioned it to him a couple of days ago, but he hasn’t gotten back to me. How about this? I’ll ask again in a few days."
The Bai Family Siblings were a little disappointed, but since there had been no outright rejection, it meant there was still hope.
"Thank you for going to the trouble."
"It’s no trouble at all," Shen Lu said with a sweet smile, looking as good-natured as ever.
Bai Wanwan’s Light Brain kept flashing. Though she had dismissed the call several times, the person on the other end was persistent, so she had no choice but to answer.
"I know, I know! Bai Lei and I are on our way back now!"
Bai Wanwan sounded both exasperated and reluctant.
She was about to turn eighteen, with one foot already across the threshold of adulthood, yet her parents still treated her like a child. If she wasn’t home by eight o’clock, the frantic, non-stop calls would start pouring in.
As promised, Shen Lu packed up a large box of cookies and the leftover cupcakes, then saw the siblings out of the shop.
Just then, Xue Can emerged from the direction of the staff dormitory and started talking to her about Xiao Lang.
"He’s awakened an Olfactory Superpower."
"So, you’re saying his sense of smell is extremely sensitive?"
"Yes. Because he just awakened, his Superpower Level is one, so the enhancement to his sense of smell isn’t particularly obvious. Once his Superpower Level increases, his sense of smell will be tens, or even hundreds of times stronger than an ordinary person’s." Xue Can added, "This kind of superpower is quite rare, and it’s also highly sought after by major Mercenary Corps and the military."
Shen Lu read between the lines. "Don’t tell me you’re trying to poach my people, Mr. Xue?"
If Xiao Lang had no connection to Shen Lu, Xue Can would have genuinely tried to poach him.
Having a subordinate with an Olfactory Superpower would be extremely convenient for many things.
For example, in tasks like finding people or tracking, an Olfactory Superpower could be incredibly useful, greatly reducing wasted time.
"If Xiao Lang ever wants to join a Mercenary Corps, the Gale Mercenary Corps will welcome him with open arms," Xue Can said diplomatically.
"That’s a matter for Xiao Lang and Sister Cai; it’s up to them." Shen Lu would never presume to decide someone else’s future for them. ’But,’ she thought, ’based on what I know of Cai Su, she would never be willing to let Xiao Lang go to a Mercenary Corps or the army. It’s far too dangerous.’
After seeing Xue Can off, Shen Lu closed the shop. Before going upstairs, she paid a visit to the staff dormitory.
Song Zhigao was sitting on the sofa, watching TV. Or rather, his eyes were on the screen, but his mind was elsewhere. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t even notice Shen Lu enter until she called out to him, snapping him back to reality.
"Boss."
"If you’re tired, go wash up and get some sleep."
"Got it."
Song Zhigao wasn’t tired. He was just replaying Shen Lu’s seafood cooking techniques from the evening in his mind.
He recalled how his master had pestered, cajoled, and played every emotional card he had to get him to go undercover at Little Deer Cuisine. He had been extremely reluctant.
But what could he do? He owed his master a debt of gratitude.
But he had also made it clear to his master that this was the last time. Once this assignment was over, he would not help Master Luo again, no matter what.
Song Zhigao had resigned from his position in the kitchen of a hotel in the Upper City District to apply at Little Deer Cuisine. Though he didn’t show it, he was secretly quite arrogant.
Over the past weeks, he had come to admit that Shen Lu was indeed a skilled cook, but he hadn’t felt there was anything particularly special for him to learn. Many of her dishes were impressive at first glance, but after some thought, he concluded that she was simply more generous with her ingredients than most.
But today, Shen Lu’s practiced, precise way of handling and cooking the seafood—so effortless and masterful—had truly won Song Zhigao’s admiration.
In all the hotel kitchens he had worked in, only one or two master chefs possessed that level of skill.
And they were all chefs with at least 30 years of experience.
’And yet, Shen Lu isn’t even eighteen.’
Then there was the matter of being an undercover spy. Song Zhigao was finding it harder and harder to continue.
After all, he wasn’t made of stone. Shen Lu treated people kindly and was never harsh with her employees—a quality that was exceedingly rare.
What’s more, the Commerce Association was actively targeting and suppressing Shen Lu, copying her marketing strategies and stealing her customers. Through it all, Song Zhigao had never once seen her fly into a rage or try to cut corners to protect her profits.
She did her best to maintain the quality of her dishes and always greeted customers with a smile.
’Am I really going to be someone else’s accomplice and help persecute such a good boss from the shadows?’