Chapter 157 "Turning Against Each Other"

Su Xiaonuan worked quickly and efficiently, taking out chicken feet that had already been cleaned, deboned perfectly, and with only intact skin, meat, and cartilage left, from the refrigerator. She put them into the prepared sauce, added sliced ​​lemon, chopped cilantro, and chopped chili peppers, put on gloves, and began to mix them thoroughly.

Each chicken foot is evenly coated with a golden sauce, absorbing the tangy lemon, the fiery chili, and the complex flavors of garlic and spices, making it look crystal clear and extremely tempting.

In less than two minutes, two generous portions of boneless chicken feet with sour and spicy lemon, piled up like small mountains, were ready.

Su Xiaonuan had just placed the two large bowls on the tray, and before she could even take them over, Old Chen and Xiao Li suddenly stood up and appeared in front of her almost instantly, their movements so fast they created a gust of wind.

"We'll do it ourselves! We'll do it ourselves!" Old Chen grabbed the tray, his movements almost grabbing it.

"Yes, yes, no need to trouble the boss!" Xiao Li quickly agreed, his eyes fixed on the chicken feet in the bowl.

Su Xiaonuan was startled by their speed, but then felt a warmth in her heart.

These plainclothes colleagues, though varying in their disguise skills, shared a common sentiment of consideration and a desire not to cause her any trouble.

She smiled and let them go.

The two carried their bowls back to the small table, no longer caring about their image. They put on disposable gloves and eagerly picked up a plump chicken foot each and put it in their mouths.

The moment the chicken feet entered their mouths, both of them stopped chewing at the same time!

What an explosive taste experience that was!

The refreshing tartness of lemon acts as a vanguard, instantly activating all the taste buds;

Immediately afterwards, the spiciness of the small red chili peppers ignited like a passionate flame, but it wasn't overly scorching; it stimulated the mouth in just the right way.

The spiciness of minced garlic and cilantro intertwines, providing a rich and layered flavor.

Most importantly, the chicken feet themselves are deboned cleanly, leaving only the crisp and chewy skin and cartilage. They are soaked in the sour, spicy and savory sauce. When you bite into them, the juice bursts between your teeth. The sour, spicy, fresh, fragrant, chewy and crispy textures and flavors are perfectly blended, creating an ultimate enjoyment that makes your scalp tingle and makes you unable to stop eating!

Old Chen and Little Li were both stunned, their eyes wide open, as if their souls had been elevated by that one bite.

Several seconds later, the two of them simultaneously let out a long sigh of relief, their faces showing an almost dreamlike expression of bliss.

"Hmm..."

"this……"

The two smacked their lips, seemingly still savoring the incredibly delicious flavor.

Then, they looked at each other again, and this time, their eyes held not only satisfaction but also something else—a tacit, cunning slyness as they began to plot.

Su Xiaonuan had absolute confidence in her cooking skills. She harbored a plan to lure out her target, Zhang Qiang, but remained calm on the surface. She simply moved a small stool and sat opposite them, watching the two plainclothes officers with "ulterior motives" with great interest. She had already roughly guessed what was going to happen next.

Sure enough, the slightly older Old Chen first sighed dramatically, rubbing his non-existent lower back, his tone carrying a deliberate air of weariness: "Ah, I'm getting old, my teeth aren't what they used to be! I just love eating things that are soft, chewy, and flavorful. These chicken feet are actually pretty good, sour and spicy, appetizing, perfect for middle-aged and elderly people like us." As he spoke, his eyes glanced at the chicken feet in Little Li's bowl, which were clearly more plentiful.

The young plainclothes officer, called Xiao Li, clearly wasn't interested. He shook his head dejectedly, quickly stuffed another large mouthful of chicken feet into his mouth, and mumbled, his voice trembling with a perfectly timed sob, his acting a little over-the-top: "Brother Chen, how could I not understand? This taste... this tastes so much like the chicken feet my late grandmother used to make! My grandmother used to... sob, I miss my grandmother so much!"

While feigning grief, he glanced at Old Chen's bowl out of the corner of his eye. "Brother Chen, look, I'm reminded of my grandma, and I feel so sad... Could you... share some more with me? Just to comfort me?"

Old Chen clearly hadn't expected Xiao Li to play the "emotional card," and his expression instantly changed. He immediately darkened his face and adopted the demeanor of an older brother, scolding, "Nonsense! Xiao Li, how can you be so inconsiderate! Don't you understand respecting the elderly and caring for the young? I'm old, what's wrong with wanting to eat a few more bites? You want to take this little treat from me?"

He deliberately emphasized the words "old".

Not to be outdone, Xiao Li immediately retorted, "You're only six years older than me! What middle-aged or elderly person? If word got out, everyone in the industry would laugh their heads off! Brother Chen, are you really going to act like you're old just because I'm old? I'm just expressing my condolences! It's all about sentiment!"

"Six years old is still a big age! I've eaten more salt than you've eaten rice!"

"Your salty stuff can't compare to these chicken feet!"

"I don't care! This bowl is mine!"

"My grandma's flavor is stronger! You have to give in to me!"

The two of them started talking back and forth, their voices growing louder and louder, their faces flushed. Just a moment ago they were as close as brothers, but in the blink of an eye they were arguing fiercely over a few chicken feet, their spittle almost flying onto each other's faces.

Su Xiaoan sat quietly opposite, resting her chin on her hand, watching this "civil war" that started because of food, feeling both annoyed and amused.

She sighed softly, feeling helpless. Humans, indeed, are so fickle and unpredictable when faced with the most exquisite delicacies.

Comrades who were fighting side by side just moments ago can turn against each other in the blink of an eye because of a stutter.

Seeing the two getting more and more agitated in their argument, Xiao Li even stood up excitedly, his finger almost poking Lao Chen's nose. Lao Chen also stuck out his neck, looking like he was "defending the chicken feet to the death." Su Xiaonuan was worried that they would really make a big fuss and affect the covert control here, so she decided to get up and mediate.

However, someone was faster than her.

The middle-aged man, wearing a chef's apron and exuding a calm demeanor, had somehow become a towering figure standing beside the small table.

His face was calm, exuding an imposing aura without anger, and his gaze swept over the two who were arguing heatedly, like a cold searchlight.

"What's all this commotion?!" The deep, penetrating voice boomed like a thunderclap from a clear sky, instantly striking the two people's ears with an undeniable authority.

Old Chen and Xiao Li seemed to have been put on pause; all their movements and sounds came to an abrupt halt.

The two men turned their heads sharply and saw the apron-wearing man's serious face. Instantly, the anger and excitement on their faces receded like a tide, replaced by a deathly pale expression mixed with awe and panic.

The two who were arguing like fighting cocks just moments ago are now like two quails being stared at by a tiger, shrinking their necks, drooping their heads, and standing obediently side by side, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Su Xiaonuan was also affected by the sudden low pressure, her heart tightened, and she knew something was wrong.