Chapter 200: Cutting corners
The security guard at the entrance of the cemetery chased after him. When he saw Xu Le standing there, his voice trembled in fear.
“I remember patrolling once around the place and there was no one. When did you sneak in? This…”
He was worried. Fortunately, nothing had happened.
Xu Le’s expression was cold as he watched the old man complain to Lu Yuxi.
“You know him?”
“Whoever it is, take him away first. You’re really making me angry. If I didn’t know you, I would have scolded this brat today.”
“Alright, Uncle Zhang, we’ll leave soon.”
Lu Yuxi was very familiar with the security guard. She patted his shoulder and comforted him. “I have already found him. Nothing will happen if I stay here. Just ten minutes. We will leave in ten minutes!”
The old man looked reluctant. Finally, he waved his hand and walked to the steps nearby. He sat down and stared at them with his flashlight.
Lu Yuxi squatted down and heaved a sigh of relief.
“I was so scared. When I realized you were gone, I didn’t even bring my phone…” Then she saw the steamed fish at the grave.
“Did you cook your parents’ favorite food and bring it over to visit them?”
Lu Yuxi was stunned. After saying that, she shook her head and said, “Sigh, things are unpredictable. My condolences.”
“There’s no need.” Xu Le sat down beside her and said, “I can’t even remember what they look like.”
The accident happened too suddenly. When his relatives came to help clean up, they accidentally lost their photos containing their memories. Moreover, more than ten years had passed, and only a vague image of his parents remained in Xu Le’s heart.
“Xu Le.”
Lu Yuxi called out to him and tears flowed uncontrollably. “I thought I would never see you again.”
This was true. After all, no one knew that his soul had transmigrated to a child and that he had the strongest Master Chef System. Even if he told others, no one would believe him.
“In school, you’ve never looked for me. Apart from Li Shengsheng, we don’t have any other mutual friends.” Xu Le scratched the back of his head and said in surprise, “How did you like me so much?”
Lu Yuxi was stunned. She wiped her tears and scolded angrily, “Don’t be too proud of yourself.” Then, she turned around and was about to leave.
Xu Le was about to follow when he saw her turn around. She said angrily, “Pfft, who do I have the right to decide who I like? If you’re not interested in me, why did you help me pay for the meal in the canteen at that time? I didn’t get shrimp tofu, but you gave me your share?”
She questioned him righteously. Xu Le choked, then his lips twitched and his eyes lit up.
“It’s not embarrassing to have a crush on me. Back then at school…”
“Didn’t you work part-time in the school cafeteria at that time? Your hands never trembled when you passed me food. Do you dare say you didn’t notice me at that time?”
Lu Yuxi continued to ask. Xu Le thought to himself, ‘You’re the school belle. Shouldn’t I take care of beautiful people?’
But he didn’t say it. He gestured and said, “Let’s go home.”
The word “home” was emphasized, as if it meant something.
Lu Yuxi instantly understood what he meant and said, “Sure, I’ll book a flight at dawn.”
The security guard guarding the cemetery saw that the two of them were about to leave and got up to send them off. He said, “You two young people must not run around. It’s a taboo to visit the cemetery at night. Sigh… go go go.”
Xu Le finally opened up and said, “Sir, I brought steamed fish over just now. If you don’t mind, eat it while it’s hot.”
“Huh? I’m okay with that, but this is an offering…”
Lu Yuxi said mercilessly, “Sir, didn’t you eat a lot of them before? In the past, every time I came over, weren’t the oranges and apples stuffed in your mouth all offeringsfrom others?”
“You little girl…”
The old man was speechless. He did not expect his wicked deeds to be exposed by Lu Yuxi’s words. Hence, he said, “Fine, I’ll eat. What’s there to be afraid of? I’m already almost approaching death.”
He ran over quickly and took the plate of steamed Qili Fish. He sized it up and drooled. “Are take-out plates so high-end these days? They look pretty good. My, it’s still hot.”
In return, he sent the two of them out the door. When Xu Le waved goodbye, the old man said, “Why do you look so familiar? What’s your name again?”
Xu Le smiled and did not reply. He turned around and left with Lu Yuxi.
When the old man returned to the security room for supper, the fish meat was tender and fresh and he almost couldn’t hold it on the end of his chopsticks. When he took a bite, it was soft, sweet, and extremely delicious!
“I’ve never eaten such delicious steamed fish in most of my life!”
The old man excitedly took out his phone and took a photo clumsily. He wanted to record it down and go to the nearby shops to find out which shop sold it.
After taking a photo, he couldn’t wait to throw aside his phone and wolf down his food.
The fish meat was cleanly processed without a single bone left. It was tender, fresh, and delicious. The old man quickly finished the fish meat and reluctantly placed two crispy green vegetables into his mouth and started chewing.
At the end, the carrot was carved into a flower. It was lifelike and beautiful. Stunned, he kept a piece, dried it with a tissue and stored it.
“It’s too delicious. I have to go out tomorrow and find out which restaurant this is from!”
That night, they flew back to Shanghai.
As soon as he landed, Zhang Heng urged Lu Yuxi to try the packaged Dong’an chicken. Just as Lu Yuxi agreed, Li Qing sent a message.
“I’m in the new store you rented. Mr. Cai Lan came to look for you today but couldn’t find you. He said that he would definitely come to support you when it’s open.”
“Oh, and, Song Deyue, the judge from before, dang dang dang! He gave you this recipe and said that the heavy responsibility of promoting traditional delicacies will be placed on Master Xu.”
“He said he had high hopes for you.”
Li Qing had always been talkative. One voice message after another popped up. Lu Yuxi did not have time to listen to the rest because Zhang Heng came out with a steaming Dong’an chicken.
“The packaging design is quite beautiful. It’s tinfoil inside and can be placed directly to reheat in the oven, airfryer or microwave. It’s also possible to heat it in a frying pan. Just turn to low heat and boil it slowly.”
Lu Yuxi had already finished reading the instructions at the back of the packaging. She took out the entire chicken on a plate and said nervously, “Shall I interview how you feel now? Are you afraid of making a mistake?”
“Not too bad.” Xu Le raised his eyebrows and said, “Open it and try it.”
“I hope it doesn’t taste too different from what it tasted when it’s freshly made.”
He used the kitchen scissors to cut open the tinfoil, and the unique sour and spicy fragrance of Dong’an Chicken wafted out. Lu Yuxi took a bite and immediately gave a thumbs up.
“It tastes super similar to your cooking. It’s very good.”
Lu Yuxi had just picked up her chopsticks when she saw something strange in the ingredients. She frowned and said, “They cut corners.”