Chapter 18: Three Courses
Two female tourists stood in front of the menu, whispering as if deep in
discussion.
After a while, the round-faced girl glanced at Xia Yu behind the counter and
laughed dryly. "Ahahaha… um, could the prices be a little lower? Friendship
discount—how about 10% off? No, 20%? Actually, if we order three dishes, maybe
30% off?"
"I'm not the owner of the restaurant yet," Xia Yu spread his hands
apologetically. "I'm just the chef, so I'm afraid I can't adjust the prices."
The two women exchanged helpless looks.
"Just think of it as a luxury hotel meal!" the round-faced girl gritted her
teeth. "But let me make this clear: if your food isn't delicious, I'll expose
it on my Weibo!"
With a proud tilt of her chin, she added, "Don't underestimate me—I'm an
internet celebrity with 600,000 followers on Weibo, and quite well-known in the
food scene!"
Xia Yu eyed her suspiciously. "Are you a famous food blogger, then?"
She nodded confidently.
Rubbing his chin thoughtfully, Xia Yu said, "How about this: I'll give you a
free meal, and you help promote the restaurant on Weibo—write a soft article so
people in Japan learn about this super authentic Chinese place in Ameyoko."
The round-faced girl hesitated for a moment, then shook her head firmly. "No
way! I write food travelogues just for fun—no commercial stuff."
Xia Yu shrugged. "Well, then I'll just try my best to please you, and you
can write something on your own accord."
The two women ordered three dishes: Fuqi Feipian, Sweet and Sour Pork
Tenderloin, and Squirrel Sea Bass, totaling 11,000 yen.
Among them, Fuqi Feipian was the simplest to prepare.
Days ago, the old man had cut beef into pieces, marinated offal like beef
tongue, heart, and tripe with spices, salt, and pepper, cooked them over high
heat, then dried them in the sun before slicing thinly for later use.
When ordered, the slices were arranged on a plate, dressed with marinade,
soybean oil, pepper powder, chili oil, sesame seeds, peanuts, and celery, then
mixed well and served.
So Xia Yu brought the first plate: bright red Fuqi Feipian.
"Please enjoy!"
He set the plate down and returned to the kitchen counter.
"This isn't special compared to Fuqi Feipian in China!" the round-faced girl
declared, snapping photos with her phone. "First, keep evidence, then try it!"
Her goddess-like friend beside her seemed entirely accustomed to this
ritual.
"I always find this fragrance unusual…" The goddess-like girl picked up a
thin slice of beef, tasted it, and a flood of spices and beef flavor burst in
her mouth.
It felt like a hallucination: she was on a prairie, but instead of emerald
grass, the ground was bright red with chili peppers. The air was thick with the
numbing scent of Sichuan peppercorns.
A herd of healthy cows charged by, full of vigor. The girl's eyes widened in
surprise.
These cows weren't yaks with milk spots—they looked like they'd just bathed
in brine, their bodies coated in spicy fat.
She chewed unconsciously. As she swallowed, the vivid vision faded, and she
opened her mouth in surprise, cheeks flushed.
"Tasty!"
"Delicious!"
Her friend closed her eyes, savoring the flavor with a blissful expression.
When Xia Yu brought the second dish—the sweet and sour pork tenderloin—the
entire plate of Fuqi Feipian was gone.
He put down the plate, his face full of black lines.
"I haven't even served rice yet, and the food's gone…"
"No need for rice—we can just eat the vegetables," the round-faced girl said
without looking up, her eyes glued to the steaming plate.
The bright red sweet and sour pork, dotted with broccoli, was enough to whet
anyone's appetite.
Its unique sweet and sour flavor made mouths water instantly.
"Wait a moment—there's another dish coming!" Xia Yu hurried back to the
kitchen.
Fortunately, there were only two customers tonight, or he'd be overwhelmed.
"Damn, damn, damn… the last squirrel bass is ready!"
About half an hour later, panting lightly, Xia Yu placed a large fish dish
before them.
"Please enjoy!"
This time, he lingered behind the counter to watch.
Sure enough, the sweet and sour pork plate was empty, and the two bowls of
rice were nearly half gone. The goddess-like girl touched her stomach,
obviously full, her cheeks flushed and eyes dreamy.
The round-faced girl, meanwhile, was busy typing on her phone, seemingly
absorbed in writing. Xia Yu's calls didn't rouse her.
"Writing on Weibo?" he asked, curious.
It was indeed a Weibo post, a few hundred words with photos. The shots were
well-composed, the food looked delicious even without filters—enough to whet
anyone's appetite.
When Xia Yu saw photos of the Fuqi Feipian and Sweet and Sour Pork
Tenderloin, he grinned.
The girl knew her stuff—it was worth every effort to prepare the final
dishes well.
He tapped her shoulder. "Don't rush—take a photo of the squirrel bass first,
then write your thoughts. Pictures and text together, perfect!"
His suggestion sparked excitement.
Of the three dishes, the most artistic was definitely the squirrel sea bass.
A large fish lay on a smooth white porcelain plate, as if freshly leapt from
a pond, tail and head raised high, body decorated with colorful garnishes—green
beans, pine nuts, corn kernels…
Reluctantly, the two girls picked up chopsticks.
Under Xia Yu's encouragement, they tasted a piece of the fried fish, chewing
slowly.
Within ten minutes, the entire fish was gone—only the tail and head
remained, not a single bone left.
The squirrel bass demanded exquisite knife skills: the fish meat was cut
into delicate flower slices, the keel shaved from head to tail, and fish bones
removed carefully. The tail remained connected, so the two halves stayed
joined.
Xia Yu silently poured barley tea to help their digestion.
After eating and drinking, the two girls were nearly unable to walk, looking
thoroughly satisfied.
"Give me your comments," Xia Yu said, pointing at the three empty plates.
"Which dish was the best?"
He expected a tough choice, but the two girls answered in unison:
"Fuqi Feipian!"
"…"
Xia Yu's face turned green.
In the backyard, the old man sitting on the porch put down his teacup with a
sly smile.
That expression seemed to say:
Boy, you're still young.