The atmosphere inside the Chinese restaurant was quite lively, somewhat reminiscent of a Japanese family restaurant. Customers at every table were chatting and enjoying themselves, some even starting to drink and have fun before the evening even started.
Before leaving, the waiter named Xiao Wu put down a small and exquisite hourglass. The upper and lower structures were in the shape of red lanterns, which was very Chinese in style.
When the hourglass had rung halfway, the three dishes they ordered were all served. The enthusiastic boss personally brought a large bowl of fragrant rice to the table and said with a smile:
"Our food is delicious and the rice is free. If you don't have enough, you can ask Xiao Wu to fill it up!"
"Thank you, boss. We will enjoy it."
Fujiwara Yu looked at the big bowl of rice in front of him. There was no way that the two of them could finish it all, right?
Although he had never eaten Chinese food before, he was quite interested in the fresh food, so the first dish he picked up his chopsticks was boneless pork trotter.
Whether a dish can whet your appetite can be judged by its appearance and aroma. The sautéed garlic slices are full of garlic aroma, and paired with the spiciness of the chili peppers and the unique meaty aroma of pork, the aroma is definitely excellent.
As for the appearance? That goes without saying.
The soup has become thick with the seasoning of oyster sauce and chicken bone broth. Add the green peppers roasted over direct fire and stir-fry them in a pan. It has various colors, which makes people's appetite increase just by looking at it.
How could such a delicious dish be bad? So, without hesitation, Fujiwara Yuu scooped a large spoonful of diced pork knuckle and green chili peppers into his mouth. The first thing he felt was the overpowering spiciness of the chili peppers, which slowly flowed down his esophagus to his stomach, creating a burning sensation.
Then came the pork trotters, which were soft, chewy, and glutinous. The rich collagen made the lips sticky, and the oily gravy was slightly bitter, but the sweetness of the green chili could be tasted after a careful analysis. The rich layers of flavor made Fujiwara Yu's eyes light up, and he subconsciously scooped up a spoonful of fragrant white rice, which was really delicious.
"hiss--"
Fujiwara Yuu and Date Kou both gasped in shock at the same time, their lips becoming visibly red and swollen. They even reached out to pick up the tea on the table and took two sips at the same time, immediately revealing expressions of pain.
Because what they thought was iced tea was actually boiling hot. They completely forgot that the tea prepared on the Chinese table was brewed with boiling water, unlike the all-ice water in Tokyo.
So the two of them were like large dogs trying to cool down in the summer, with their tongues sticking out and tears in their eyes.
Waiter Xiao Wu, who had been waiting nearby, tried hard to suppress the upward curve of his lips. He served two cups of iced yogurt with excellent business skills, but his tone was hiding a smile:
"Have some iced yogurt, both of you. It will help alleviate the spiciness."
Fujiwara Yuu grabbed the iced yogurt and shoved it down his throat. The combination of heat and coolness created a truly icy and fiery experience. But after the spiciness subsided, his taste buds were piqued, and he couldn't help but pick up his chopsticks and move on to the next dish, the shredded pork and green pepper dish, which didn't seem too spicy.
The green peppers in this shredded pork and green pepper dish are different from those in boneless pork trotters. They're not roasted over direct heat, preserving their crispness. The pork tenderloin is marinated in cooking wine, light soy sauce, and cornstarch, resulting in a salty, fragrant, tender, and utterly flavorful dish. Paired with the green peppers, they're not greasy at all, and you'll even want to slurp them up over rice.
It was at this time that Fujiwara Yu finally understood why there was rice on every table in a Chinese restaurant. It was because this dish was so delicious that one couldn't help but eat it. No wonder those girls who loved fitness and staying in shape would choose to have a big meal at a Chinese restaurant on their cheat day. They wanted to get the satisfaction of a carbohydrate bomb!
"Huh... I feel so satisfied after eating two bowls of rice!" Yi Dahang said he was satisfied, but his body was very honest. He grabbed the rice spoon and filled his small bowl with two more spoonfuls, preparing to attack the third bowl.
Fujiwara Yuu, who was sitting opposite him, attacked the secret braised pork in a casserole. The appearance of the rich and red sauce looked very appetizing, and the small handful of chopped green onions garnished on it was the finishing touch, adding the fragrance of green onions while becoming a touch of green in the sea of flowers.
The rosy, translucent pork belly, its fat and lean flesh simmered to a tender tartness, is a simple sip, and the fat hidden beneath the thick sauce eagerly oozes into your mouth. The rich, savory pork belly and the sweet, savory sauce merge between your teeth, like two like-minded friends who met too late, embracing each other tightly, unwilling to part.
Fujiwara Yu, who likes salty and sweet tastes, even did not miss the soup. He poured it on the rice and stirred it slightly. The sweet and soft rice paired with the mellow and delicious soup was so delicious that even he, who could only eat two bowls of rice on weekdays, successfully conquered the third bowl.
As for the big eater in front of him, Yi Dahang lived up to everyone's expectations. After finishing the fifth bowl of rice, he found that the rice that had been piled up like a mountain in the wooden barrel was now empty.
"The food in this restaurant is really great. I think we can choose to have dinner here next time." Yi Dahang licked the corner of his mouth with satisfaction, and it was obvious that he had a strong interest in other dishes in the restaurant.
"Although the food in this restaurant is delicious, it is still quite expensive. Three signature dishes cost nearly 7,000 yen, which is still a bit expensive for a dinner party. It is better to go to a family restaurant with a better value for money." Although Fujiwara Yu is rich, he will consider other people's wallets. They are students of the same grade and it is not appropriate for him to treat others, as it will give people the illusion of superiors and subordinates.
"That's true. Let's wait for the six of us to have this small gathering in private."
"Well, how about getting some coffee after dinner? It's my treat."
Date Ko put his arm around Fujiwara's shoulders with a smile in his eyes. He was about to make a joke, but his line was snatched away by the other party first, leaving him no chance to make a joke.
"I'm just bribing you with coffee. It's tuition for my relationship training. Let's go."
"Hahahahaha, then I won't be polite!"
After paying, the two left the store under the enthusiastic "escort" of the boss, and deliberately walked to a coffee shop a little further away and hidden in an alley. The hand-brewed coffee in such places is often particularly mellow, and they are considered treasure shops.
The tables and chairs in the restaurant were spaced far apart, providing a certain degree of privacy. After ordering two more espressos, they chose a seat by the window on the second floor. Ida Hang, resting his hands on his knees, asked directly:
"What kind of questions do you want to ask me?"
As soon as he asked the question, Date Kou noticed Fujiwara pulling a palm-sized notepad from his bag. He straightened his back, frowning, looking very serious. He began to question his life a little... Was this a relationship consultation? Why did he feel like he was being interrogated by Fujiwara like a criminal?
"Excuse me, squad leader. How did you and your girlfriend first meet? When did you realize you had feelings for her? How did you convey your feelings to her? And how do you get along after you started dating? Please give me some details. I'm ready."
The continuous questions made Ida Hang's eyes turn pale and he didn't know how to answer for a moment.
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