Want to go on a date?
Early in the morning, Yi Yu stood under the huge glass curtain wall of the convention center, the sunlight giving his neatly trimmed short hair a golden edge.
He changed into a crisp white sports T-shirt and cargo pants, changing his previous awkward attempt to look like a "puppy" and looking upright and refreshing.
His eyes lit up when he saw the person across the street, and he waved vigorously at Qu Shiyao, who was frowning at her phone map across the street: "Sister Shiyao! Over here!"
[Hey! The fish is finally back?] The system looked over in surprise, examining it from head to toe: [It looks much more normal now!]
Although its host had tried to comfort it, its hostility towards the fish lessened somewhat, but it certainly didn't like it.
Qu Shiyao looked up at the sound, passed through the traffic and saw Yi Yu's bright smile, and agreed with the system's words.
It does look much better now.
As soon as the green light turned on, Qu Shiyao stepped onto the zebra crossing, and Yi Yu jogged over to greet her, his smile dazzling: "Sister Shiyao! The event has just started, shall we stroll over slowly?"
He pulled a beautifully printed brochure from his backpack and handed it over: "This is today's event guide. I heard that several internationally renowned chefs are here, and the final recipes are printed in it!"
"Thank you so much!" Qu Shiyao took the booklet, her eyes immediately glued to the dazzling array of food pictures.
Truffle-baked lobster, flame-grilled Wagyu beef tower, charcoal-grilled steak... the pictures are so tempting you can almost smell the aroma.
Her Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.
[Host! Mind your image! You're drooling!] The system felt that if it didn't remind the host soon, her image would collapse precipitously.
"I'm glad Sister Shiyao likes it!"
Seeing that her attention was completely focused on it, Yi Yu felt incredibly happy, and couldn't help but smile: "The teacher gave me an extra ticket, and I was just worried about not finding anyone to go with!"
Walking side by side with Sister Shiyao in the crowd, with the sun shining brightly and a gentle breeze blowing, in his heart, this was already a perfect date.
As for confessing my feelings? That's for later; at least for now, I have no regrets.
After having their tickets checked and entering, staff handed them a small box containing miniature pendants shaped like various food items.
Qu Shiyao flicked her fingertips and precisely pinched the crystal-clear purple beverage cup pendant.
"Sister Shiyao also likes purple?" Yi Yu was a little surprised.
"Hmm," Qu Shiyao shook her phone, the purple crystal pendant jingling, "This year's lucky color, blessed by metaphysics."
[Host! We must trust science! Lucky colors are just psychological suggestion!]
The system adjusted its glasses, which it seemed to have pulled out from nowhere, and immediately switched to science popularization mode: "[Based on spectral wavelengths and human psychological perception models, analysis...]"
"Stop!" Qu Shiyao ruthlessly cut off the system's incessant explanation. "Why don't you first explain whether you're practicing science or metaphysics?"
"Of course it's cutting-edge science! I'm based on quantum entanglement and high-dimensional information flow..." the system argued logically.
Qu Shiyao didn't even want to listen and blocked it for three seconds.
"What a coincidence!" Yi Yu had already started searching quickly on her phone, then proudly showed the screen to Qu Shiyao, "My horoscope says that my lucky color this year is also purple!"
His eyes sparkled, as if he was happy to share the same lucky color as Qu Shiyao.
"Wow! It really is!" Qu Shiyao leaned closer to take a look, and sure enough, it said "Lucky Color of the Year: Noble Violet".
The two immediately started chatting, from purple accessories to lucky numbers, completely forgetting about the system that was being kept out of sight.
In its mind's eye, the system looked at its interrupted science document and then at the two people outside chatting happily.
It silently pulled out its little notebook and angrily wrote it down:
Page 78 of the grudge notebook:
Host: This is the 108th time this system has been unreasonably blocked! This is an even greater offense!
Yi Yu: With sweet talk and purple metaphysics, you have severely interfered with the host's communication with this system! Your crimes are heinous!
Sure enough, this fish is still annoying! The system angrily pinned most of the blame on Yi Yu.
Upon entering the exhibition hall, a tremendous sound and an almost tangible fragrance immediately greet you.
On the left is a Chinese-style booth, where you can vaguely see the duck caramelizer wielding his knife in the rising steam, and the sweet and sour pork ribs glistening with an enticing caramel color.
To the right is the Western-style area, with exquisite dishes served on silver platters and waiters carrying champagne.
Various fragrances wafted through the air.
Qu Shiyao stood at the entrance, her eyes wide open, her indecisiveness suddenly appearing.
Yi Yu immediately saw through her embarrassment and smiled, pointing to a deep blue exhibition area:
"Sister Shiyao, I heard that the seafood there is all air-freighted directly there this morning. Shall we go there first?"
"What are we waiting for! Charge!" Qu Shiyao's eyes lit up as she grabbed Yi Yu's wrist and dragged him into the crowd.
As Yi Yu was dragged along by her, his heart skipped a beat.
The warm touch on his wrist made his ears burn, and he quietly turned his hand back and gently squeezed it in return.
In the sunlight, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but turn up in a smile.
System: [...] If emotions could be visualized, this fish would be covered in pink bubbles right now.
---
As noon approached, the two had made their way from the seafood section to the barbecue section.
The air was filled with the aroma of charred oil and the unique smoky smell of burning fruitwood.
"Master! Please grill this! And make it spicy!"
Qu Shiyao generously handed a plate piled high with beef ribs to the kitchen helper behind the counter, then turned to Yi Yu and asked, "What do you want to eat?"
Yi Yu smiled and picked up another plate: "Same as Sister Shi Yao! Beef short ribs, extra spicy!"
Behind the kitchen counter, a middle-aged man in a snow-white chef's uniform, with a stocky build and a kind face, turned around at the sound.
When he saw Yi Yu clearly, his eyes lit up with surprise: "Little Fish?!"
Yi Yu, who was discussing with Qu Shiyao which type of meat would be juicier when grilled, suddenly looked up and exclaimed in surprise, "Teacher!" He quickly stepped forward.
"You brat! I thought you stood me up!" Yun Ben laughed as he walked around the kitchen counter and gave Yi Yu a big bear hug, patting his back hard.
Yi Yu winced as he was slapped, and quickly explained, "How could that be! It's the teacher's place, I'd crawl here to support him!"
"Supporting me?" Yun Ben released him, sniffed him, and teased, "Oh? You're here to support me, smelling like someone else's cooking? Did you eat your fill at someone else's place before daring to challenge my main course?"
Yi Yu's face flushed bright red, and she stammered, unable to speak, her eyes unconsciously glancing at Qu Shiyao beside her.
Yun Ben followed his gaze and looked at Qu Shiyao.
This girl is truly outstanding in appearance and has a great temperament. What's even more remarkable is that when he was interacting with Yi Yu just now, she simply stood aside with clear eyes and a poised and generous demeanor, without any of the awkwardness or deliberate performance typical of young girls.
"And who is this?" Yun Ben asked with a smile, his eyes full of the gossipy light of an elder looking at a younger generation.
"This is my neighbor, Qu Shiyao," Yi Yu quickly introduced, then said to Qu Shiyao, "Sister Shiyao, this is my mentor who taught me cooking, Teacher Yun Ben!"
Qu Shiyao immediately stepped forward, her smile sincere and carrying just the right amount of respect, and offered her hand:
"Uncle Yun, hello! I've heard so much about you! Yi Yu has often talked about your cooking skills, saying you're a true master! Today I'm finally going to be able to enjoy your delicious food!"
Her movements were fluid and graceful, and her attitude was warm and appropriate.
system:【? ? ? 】
It spun wildly in its mind: [Host! When did Yi Yu ever mention this?! How come I don't know?! Also, we clearly ate our way here! What makes you say 'specially'?!]
Qu Shiyao remained completely unmoved, and even wanted to roll her eyes at the system: Don't you know any polite words? Little system, you're still too green!
"Oh? This kid is still talking about me at home?" Yun Ben shook hands with Qu Shiyao with a smile, then turned to look at Yi Yu with a teasing expression.
Yi Yu caught the teacher's teasing look, her ears turned even redder, and she said helplessly, "Teacher! Please stop teasing me!"
"Alright, alright!" Yun Ben smiled and patted Yi Yu's shoulder, then gave Qu Shiyao a meaningful look before turning around to carefully wash his hands.
"Wait here! I've just come up with a few new dishes recently, let me show you around! Little Fish, take good care of your friends!" With that, he plunged into the kitchen.
Yi Yu leaned closer to Qu Shiyao and whispered, "Sister Shiyao, my teacher is usually competing in Kyoto or abroad. It's a rare opportunity, so you'd better eat more later!"
Qu Shiyao picked up the lemonade on the table, took a sip solemnly, and said with an extremely serious expression, "Don't worry! I will never let Master Yun down!"
Yi Yu chuckled at her behavior, and her tension eased considerably.
Before long, Yun Ben personally brought out two specially made large porcelain plates.
Before anyone even arrived, a unique aroma, a blend of fruitwood smoke, premium beef fat, and secret spices, had already taken over, instantly drowning out the noise of the entire barbecue area.
The aroma captivated everyone around, drawing sidelong glances and murmurs of amazement.
Put the plate down.
Two large beef ribs lay on a specially made wooden cutting board, their skin roasted to a golden brown and glossy sheen, displaying a perfect deep amber grid pattern, with slightly curled edges, emitting a soft "sizzling" sound.
Rich, flavorful juices flow beneath the crispy crust, steam rising and filling the nostrils with the aroma of fruitwood smoke and spicy spices.
Qu Shiyao's chopsticks extended almost instinctively.
With a gentle pinch, the crispy outer skin cracks open, revealing the tender, juicy, and finely textured beef inside.
The moment you put it in your mouth, the hot, juicy meat bursts out as your teeth pierce the crispy crust!
The extreme crispness of the outer skin contrasts sharply with the tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat inside, creating an explosion of flavor!
She even forgot to speak, her eyes narrowed with satisfaction, and all that remained was the instinctive act of chewing, her cheeks bulging.
Looking at Qu Shiyao's unpretentious and engrossed expression as she enjoyed the food, Yun Ben's smile deepened, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes smoothed out.
What could be more satisfying for a chef than the heartfelt delight of diners?
After swiping away the food, Qu Shiyao leisurely picked up a delicate wet wipe, elegantly wiped her mouth, and instantly switched from a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey to a refined lady.
She gave Yun Ben a thumbs up and exclaimed sincerely, "Teacher Yun! Absolutely amazing! This is the best beef ribs I've ever had! Bar none!"
Yun Ben laughed heartily at her praise, pointing at Yi Yu and saying, "This kid has truly mastered my skills; his baking at home isn't bad either! Let him show you his skills next time!"
"Teacher! I'm still far from good enough!" Yi Yu quickly waved her hand, her face turning red again.
Yun Ben glared at Yi Yu with a look of disappointment and frustration.
This silly boy! What a great opportunity! Invite that girl over to your house next time and let her try your cooking! You blockhead!
After saying goodbye to the enthusiastic Chef Yun, Qu Shiyao still held a delicately shaped matcha mousse cake in her hand as a dessert.
The two walked out of the convention center and felt a pleasant breeze as they enjoyed themselves.
Yi Yu was pondering how to naturally suggest taking a walk together to watch the sunset—
"Buzz—!"
Qu Shiyao's phone started vibrating frantically, like a death knell.
She picked it up and saw that it belonged to CEO Si.
Qu Shiyao's brow twitched, and she answered the phone.
Si Cheng's slurred, clearly drunken voice boomed down at us:
"Assistant Qu! Immediately! Right now! Come to Yunduan to pick me up! Now!"
"..." Qu Shiyao hung up the phone expressionlessly, wishing she could go over right now and smash the domineering CEO's head.
She turned to Yi Yu, who was standing to the side with an expectant look on his face, her tone tinged with apology and annoyance.
"Sorry, Yi Yu, you go home first. My boss got drunk and passed out in a bar. I have to go get him."
The light in Yi Yu's eyes dimmed instantly, and the invitation stuck in his throat.
But upon hearing the word "bar," he immediately became alert: "Sister Shiyao, it's not safe for you to go to a bar alone! Shall I go with you? I'm strong enough to help with all the moving!"
He patted his strong arms, his eyes earnest.
Qu Shiyao initially wanted to call her "children" to come over, but then she thought that having several women there might introduce uncontrollable factors...
She glanced at Yi Yu again and nodded decisively: "Okay! Thank you so much! Consider it overtime work, I'll treat you to a late-night snack later!"
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