Chapter 109 Steak can't compare to the aroma of braised pork.
Yan Yixi hadn't originally planned to eat boxed lunches. This morning, he specifically instructed his assistant to order steak from a high-end restaurant. In his mind, steak had to be made in a fine Western restaurant to be truly delicious; the exquisite plating and perfect cooking time were enough to make one's mouth water just thinking about it.
However, when Supervisor He Yue walked briskly into the office carrying several lunchboxes, a rich aroma of meat wafted over. Yan Yixi had been looking forward to the high-end steak, but this aroma was like an invisible hand, gently tugging at his olfactory nerves, making him inexplicably feel that the ordinary lunchboxes in He Yue's hands exuded a unique temptation, seemingly even more fragrant than the high-end steak.
Looking at those programmers again, they're usually a bit aloof and indifferent to things outside of work. But now, they're like iron filings attracted by a magnet, all swarming around that ordinary boxed lunch, their eyes fixed on it, their eager expressions like starving wolf cubs guarding their prey.
The scene before him only deepened Yan Yixi's confusion. He remembered the last time he ate takeout, those programmers were all expressionless, mechanically shoveling food into their mouths while diligently staring at their computer screens fixing bugs. The way they ate was as if they were completing a daunting task.
Now, this small boxed lunch seems to possess a magical power, igniting everyone's enthusiasm. Yan Yixi casually glanced at the boxed lunch in He Yue's hand, and her assistant, Xiao Yu, immediately understood, her eyes filled with longing: "The boss ordered me! He wants me to eat!"
"Sister Yue, give me one." Xiao Yu said quickly.
He Yue, with a bright smile on her face, handed over a beautifully packaged boxed lunch and said, "Boss, this is something I carefully selected. I found a culinary expert in the company downstairs to make it. The company owner made it himself. I just took a look, and the aroma was absolutely amazing."
Yan Yixi nodded slightly. In fact, he had heard about this before. He originally thought that the new cook was only slightly better than the previous cook, but now it seemed that the meal was very much to his liking.
He turned and went back to his office, only to find that the premium steak that had been on his desk now seemed rather bland to him. The aroma of meat in the air grew stronger and stronger, like a domineering beast, recklessly filling every corner of the floor and masking the steak's original elegance.
Xiao Yu took the lunchbox He Yue handed him, opened it eagerly, and started eating with gusto. Yan Yixi watched him helplessly as Xiao Yu ate with great relish, chewing on the braised pork while commenting from time to time: "These potatoes are so soft and tender, they melt in your mouth, it's amazing. This meat is so fragrant, fatty but not greasy, lean but not dry."
"This soup is so delicious! My goodness, it feels like my taste buds are dancing!" Xiao Yu said as she stuffed another big piece of meat into her mouth.
Yan Yixi couldn't help but cough. He was filled with regret, regretting that he had arranged Xiao Yu's seat so close to his own. Now, Xiao Yu's hearty eating and exaggerated comments had completely drawn his attention.
Xiao Yu paused for a second, then saw the boss cough. He looked up, his mouth still stuffed with a large piece of meat, and mumbled, "Boss, what's wrong? Let me get you a glass of water."
"Go and get He Yue another boxed lunch." Yan Yixi reverted to her usual aloof demeanor, quietly watching her assistant, but her eyes never left the enticingly fragrant boxed lunch, completely ignoring the exquisitely presented high-end steak on the table.
"Ah! Okay, okay!" Xiao Yu nodded hurriedly, still chewing on meat, and mumbled his reply before dashing off to find He Yue.
He Yue was also eating heartily, exclaiming as she ate, "This eggplant is so delicious! I've never had such a good eggplant before." She gestured to the last box of rice, "Luckily, the boss made a lot; the portion is really generous. Two more colleagues just came to ask for more rice. Go get some quickly, or there won't be any left."
Looking at the scene in the office, Xiao Yu was filled with emotion. Xiao Wang, who usually loved watching TV shows while eating, was now completely absorbed in eating his meal.
And then there's Xiaomei, who always says she's gained weight and needs to lose weight, and only eats vegetables, but she's also eating braised pork belly with gusto, especially the fatty parts, and she's enjoying it immensely.
Throughout the office, everyone was eating quietly and attentively, with only occasional exclamations like, "This piece of meat is mine, don't take it!" or "This soup is so delicious, I want another bowl!" or "Amazing! I love these eggplant and tofu rolls, how are they made?"
Seeing his colleagues, who were worried about meals just a few days ago, now eating with relish, Xiao Yu couldn't help but swallow hard. He quickly grabbed a boxed lunch for the boss and then continued to eat heartily himself.
Yan Yixi naturally heard his subordinates' sighs. He came from a wealthy family and had a smooth life since childhood. Even after returning from studying abroad, he always felt that food outside was unpalatable. His family always had a cook and fresh ingredients, so he had never suffered any culinary mistreatment.
Now, having started his own company, he has overcome numerous obstacles and developed cutting-edge technologies. But the excitement of those breakthroughs pales in comparison to the satisfaction of enjoying an extra piece of braised pork with potatoes, which stirs up his curiosity.
"It's just a boxed lunch, isn't it?" Yan Yixi was full of doubt. He slowly opened the boxed lunch, and his eyes were immediately drawn to a generous amount of colorful dishes. The red pork belly was arranged in neat squares, reminding him of the Dongpo pork he had eaten at Zuixianlou last time, which cost 598 yuan for only three pieces. Next to it were potato chunks that had already soaked up the broth, looking incredibly soft and tender. With a gentle touch of his chopsticks, the sauce from the braised pork and potatoes overflowed, and a rich aroma wafted out.
"Interesting!" Yan Yixi continued looking and noticed the neatly arranged eggplant and tofu rolls next to him. He picked one up; the eggplant and tofu rolls were exquisitely made, with light purple and light yellow fillings sandwiched with pink meat. If this were in a high-end restaurant, it would easily cost at least 399 yuan. Looking at its exquisite presentation, he had to admit that the chef was indeed quite skilled.
Finally, there was a simple cabbage and egg soup, quite different from ordinary soups. The eggs in this soup were beaten perfectly, each strand like a dancing yellow sprite, swaying up and down beside the light-colored cabbage shreds, creating a beautiful and harmonious contrast. A sprinkle of chopped green onions was added on top, giving the soup a touch of spring.
This dish only costs thirty yuan?
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