Chapter 397: Oil Fried Chili
Translator: Xiong_Guoqi Editor: DesTheSloth
Complete darkness had already fallen in Chengdu at 8:30 p.m. The sky was strewed with stars and it was a little cold on the streets outside. Passers-by were all wearing a coat and scarf. In this high-end restaurant, however, it was as warm as spring.
Almost all ladies wore a one-piece dress and revealed their white arms while men wore a thin shirt with two buttons undone to reveal their uninhibited temperament.
Not everyone in the restaurant was handsome and beautiful, but they all looked decent. The most beautiful lady was the one seated at the second table along the window.
The lady was wearing a bright pink mid-sleeve one-piece dress today with a small part of her white arms revealed. Without anything on the well-balanced legs, her skin seemed to be even paler with a tinge of red in contrast to the hemlines of the bright pink dress
"Mr. Ling, what are your hobbies?" As soon as the lady spoke, she stared at Ling Hong with her watery eyes.
That's right. It was Ling Hong that was seated across the table and facing this beautiful lady.
Just as said by Su Mu, Ling Hong was here for a blind date today. And he was forced to come here.
It was arranged by his mother personally. If he didn't come, he would have to face his mother's nagging later.
Therefore, Ling Hong still came obediently in the end after weighing the gains and losses.
"My hobbies cover many fields. I like all kinds of extreme sports. Of course, I also like delicious food." Ling Hong undid a button, which made him appear more relaxed.
"You enjoy delicious foods. Then where do you usually go for meals and what delicious foods do you usually eat?" The lady asked without beating around the bush.
Actually, the lady was also reluctant to come. What a joke! Ling Hong was well-known for enjoying women and furthermore, he was a famous playboy. She was asking that now merely for being polite.
Five minutes ago, she went out and answered a phone call with the excuse of going to the bathroom.
The conversation was like this.
"Little Ding, what are the results of the investigation?" The voice of the lady sounded more relaxed, but still seemed gentle and melodious.
"Without a doubt, he likes luxury cars. Besides that, he just separated with his former girlfriend, or that may not even be considered to be his girlfriend… three days ago." It was difficult to tell whether it was a male or female from the voice on the other side of the phone.
"So he's another playboy." The lady concluded quickly.
"Yes. You had better be careful." The person instructed.
"Don't worry. I won't be taken in." The lady said in an affirmative tone.
"That's good." After that, the person hung off the phone.
"It's again a playboy." The lady sighed and then went back to her seat. Then, this conversation occurred.
...
Having thought carefully for a while, Ling Hong said, "I ate steam buns this morning and Egg Fried Rice and Phoenix-Tail Prawns for lunch. Then here I am for dinner."
"These dishes are not complicated at all. Mr. Ling seems to be very busy." The lady stroked her hair smilingly.
"Not too much. There is only a little bit of work in my company today." Ling Hong said courteously.
"Then what do you usually eat at normal times, Mr. Ling?" The lady continued asking.
"More or less the same to today. But I really like eating beef." Ling Hong shrugged. He didn't really care about the question.
"Mr. Ling, do you like the Kobe beef, Matsusaka beef or Ohmi beef?" All those that the lady reported were top-notch types of beef.
"None. I prefer to eat the Translucent Beef Slices." Ling Hong shook his head. Thinking of the Translucent Beef Slices served in Yuan Zhou's restaurant, he felt like drooling.
"Do you eat these dishes every day, Mr. Ling?" The lady was a little surprised, but she didn't say much. She just couldn't help ridiculing inwardly.
The Translucent Beef Slices was merely a cold dish. How expensive would it be? And the quality of the beef used was also needless to say.
"This playboy seems to be so pitiful. He surprisingly eats such ordinary dishes. There isn't anything wrong with Little Ding's information, is there?" The lady thought inwardly, without turning a hair.
"The dishes are extremely great. Sometimes, I can't even eat them when I'm busy." Ling Hong knitted his brows and then said, "Just being able to eat a bowl of Clear Broth Noodle Soup would be quite satisfying already."
After a slight pause, Ling Hong added, "With a Tea Egg and occasionally, a cup of watermelon juice."
After all, the watermelon juice and Tea Eggs were all provided with limited quantities in Yuan Zhou's restaurant. Rich people weren't necessarily able to eat either of them.
The lady stared at Ling Hong for quite a while. When she found Ling Hong didn't appear to be lying, she couldn't help but say, "Mr. Ling, you are really living an austere life."
To speak bluntly, she always ate French dishes when she was out on tour. Never had she expected Ling Hong to eat so simply even if he was wealthier than her. To make matters worse, he had even felt it satisfying to eat a Tea Egg with watermelon juice. It was known to all that women were ashamed of eating Tea Eggs.
"I haven't seen such a man like you who holds back himself despite wealthy conditions."
The lady had used the word "hold back" to describe Ling Hong rather than thrifty. There was even a faint admiration in her tone. After all, she wouldn't have the courage to do the same.
"Well, it's alright." Ling Hong first felt puzzled and then he reacted.
He was looked down upon by others. However, Ling Hong didn't intend to explain it. Instead, he left the mistake uncorrected and made the best of it by speaking of the Clear Broth Noodle Soup along with the garlic that he ate usually, mentioning that the garlic can never be abandoned uneaten.
That made the lady mutter inwardly, "This guy isn't going to go bankrupt, is he?"
That's right. The lady was really suspicious about that in the end.
However, Ling Hong just tried to hold back his laugh and only burst into laughter after the lady left," Haw-haw-haw. For the very first time, I am remarked by others as thrifty and diligent. It's really unprecedented. Interesting. I'm also a thrifty man now."
On the next evening...
Ling Hong came to Yuan Zhou's restaurant in the evening while drinking Su Mu's liquor.
"Boss Yuan, did you know I was about to tell a story and hence came out to hear it?" Ling Hong ridiculed Yuan Zhou with a smile.
"No." Yuan Zhou shook his head.
"Really? Then what for?" Ling Hong asked curiously.
"A new side dish will be served today. I'm here to see if anybody want it," Yuan Zhou said primly.
"Good. For such a big event, you don't even tell me even though I have stayed here for a whole day. Disciple Yuan, you really don't take me serious." Wu Hai pointed at Yuan Zhou and said in an exaggerated manner.
"Then, Disciple Wu, you haven't called me teacher yet." Yuan Zhou said back without any hesitation. Only after that did he suddenly react.
"No, you are not my disciple." There was conspicuous contempt on Yuan Zhou's face.
"What do you mean? Do you feel wronged by taking this famous young artist as your disciple?" Wu Hai yelled in exasperation.
"You are right." Yuan Zhou nodded his head immodestly.
"I almost lost control of my hot temper." Wu Hai stepped up immediately and wanted to beat him.
"Don't hit the face and hands." Ling Hong added in time.
"Why don't you do it after the new dishes are carried to us?" Fang Heng stopped Wu Hai and suggested.
"You are unable to beat me. I have abdominal muscles." Yuan Zhou said again without turning a hair.
"Ho Ho." Wu Hai looked at the not-so-strong body of Yuan Zhou with pride.
"The new dish is Oil Fried Chili." Yuan Zhou turned his head and started to speak of the proper subject.
"Sounds nice. What is it?" Su Mu stroked the corner of his eye.
"You don't even know that? It's definitely chili. Get a serving for us, please." When Wu Hai heard it was chili, he felt his former anger vanish.
"Also, one serving for us." Fang Heng didn't want to stay behind.
"One for us, too." A customer at the last table also uttered.
"Ok. One moment, please." Yuan Zhou nodded his head.
"Shen Min, go to carry three servings of Oil Fried Chili." Yuan Zhou pointed at the countertop and said that.
"Ok, boss." Shen Min nodded her head and walked into the countertop quickly.
As expected, the plates were stacked neatly inside.
"Pa". Shen Min put the plates in the tray carefully and then carried them out.
"The plates are really beautiful." Jiang Changxi said with satisfaction while looking at the plates.
"Indeed." Su Mu also nodded his head.
The plates used by Yuan Zhou were certainly good-looking.
As a whole, the small plate was green with its edges corrugated. The green was darkest at the rim of the plate and turned lighter from outside in. In the middle of the plate were the bright red chilies, which appeared harmonious and beautiful.
"Old rules. Payment first." Yuan Zhou said lightly.
"I know. You are really a Compass." Fang Heng couldn't help laughing. Then he took out his phone and started to make the bank transfer.
"Thank you." Having received all the money, Yuan Zhou nodded his head and thanked him.
...