Specialty Products

"Thanks, this is great. But, Boss Du, wasn't that just like the lightness skill from a novel?"
Xiang Yuanyuan took the basin, her face lighting up with a smile as she looked at the marinated beef soaking inside. She led Du Ruo toward the living room on the second floor, but couldn't help asking as they walked.
"No, not at all. Hey, you've cleaned up, huh? Much tidier than before."
Du Ruo replied casually, then glanced around the living room, surprised by what he saw.
Last time he was here, the living room wasn't exactly dirty, but it was pretty cluttered, especially with wine bottles scattered everywhere. This time, though, it was much tidier, with the bottles nowhere in sight.
"Ahem, well, I used to live alone and didn't care about the details. But now Ah Qi is living here too. By the way, Ah Qi is cooking tonight—I only made one dish, the rest are hers."
Xiang Yuanyuan's face flashed with embarrassment; in truth, it was Li Qiyao who had cleaned the second floor, Yuanyuan had only lent a hand.
"If you ever get tired of cleaning, you can call the housekeeping lady to tidy up for you. They're quite thorough and do a good job."
Du Ruo saw Li Qiyao still busy in the small kitchen, so he went over to greet her, then spoke to Xiang Yuanyuan.
"Sure, I'll talk to Xiaoling and ask her to arrange it."
Xiang Yuanyuan nodded quickly.
They chatted for a while, then Yang Chenguang arrived, carrying a big bag of fruit. He looked around the second floor curiously—he had never been up here before. Previously, it wouldn't have been appropriate; he didn't want to sleep on the sofa at night. But with Du Ruo here now, he didn't mind.
Du Ruo and Yang Chenguang moved the table out onto the balcony, then gradually brought dishes from the kitchen, setting up a full spread. The balcony on the second floor of the tavern was quite spacious, easily accommodating them. As they looked at the feast, none of the three moved their chopsticks, simply staring at the bowls of wine in front of them.
"The last dish—it's time to eat!"
Li Qiyao, wearing an apron, came out with a plate in her hands, inviting the three to start.
"Chef, you’ve worked hard! Come, sit down. I didn't expect Qi Qi to be not only beautiful and talented at painting, but also a wonderful cook."
Du Ruo gave her a thumbs-up. To be honest, Li Qiyao had changed a lot since coming here—perhaps because she was more familiar with everyone, or because her past gloom was fading. She was much more cheerful, and no longer always frowned.
"Come on, cheers! To Ah Qi's new beginning—may she soon find her Prince Charming."
Xiang Yuanyuan raised her glass in a toast once everyone was seated.
Only then did Du Ruo realize the true purpose of tonight's meal.

"Cheers!"
Everyone raised their glasses together. It was a good occasion—so happiness was all that mattered.
At the table, Xiang Yuanyuan didn't touch any staple food, content to eat dishes and sip wine. Her chopsticks kept gravitating toward the plate in front of her, as if she had a particular fondness for it.
Li Qiyao, meanwhile, ate like a cat—sampling a little bit of each dish, with a small half-bowl of rice in her bowl. Soon, she stopped using her chopsticks, but curiously, she didn't touch the plate in front of Xiang Yuanyuan.
Du Ruo enjoyed himself the most—clearly, they knew his appetite, so tonight's meal was not only plentiful but lavish, letting him indulge heartily.
But when Du Ruo reached for the plate in front of Xiang Yuanyuan, both she and Li Qiyao glanced at the piece of meat his chopsticks picked up.
"So, how was your day?"
Yang Chenguang asked, just making conversation.
"The scenery was wonderful, but I forgot to bring my sketch board."
"No worries, Ah Qi. You can come over any time."
Xiang Yuanyuan comforted her.
"You're leaving? Why not stay a few more days?"
Du Ruo frowned. The piece of meat he tasted was different—slightly cottony in texture, not the kind that melts away, but with a lingering, almost stringy feel. It was simply that the meat was delicate. Du Ruo immediately understood what it was, and understood the girls' odd behavior.
"Yes, I have to go back. The studio needs to reopen soon. It's rent-free, but leaving it idle isn't good."
Li Qiyao smiled. Being able to resume her work, free of worries, she believed her future would be brighter than ever.
"That's great! Cheers to your reopening—may everything go smoothly. Our Yang Family Village always welcomes you."
Yang Chenguang raised his beer, clinking it with Li Qiyao's drink, then downed it in one gulp and grabbed a piece of meat from the plate, popping it into his mouth.
"This dish is good—quite special. Stir-fried just right, perfect with wine."
It was the plate in front of Xiang Yuanyuan.
"It's a specialty from home. If you like it, eat more—it’s good for your kidneys."
Xiang Yuanyuan smiled and pushed the dish forward.

"Whether it’s good for the kidneys or not doesn’t matter—it’s just perfect as a side for wine."
Yang Chenguang had meant to be polite, but hearing Xiang Yuanyuan say that, he dug in with several quick bites, pairing it with his drink.
The night breeze swept away Li Qiyao's departing melancholy. Under the lights of the balcony, the four chatted and drank, relaxing together.
By the end of the meal, only Xiang Yuanyuan and Du Ruo were still eating and drinking; Yang Chenguang and Li Qiyao just occasionally picked at their food, chatting about their own stories.
"This is a really good dish—first time I've tasted meat like this. What do you call it? I'll try to get some next time."
Yang Chenguang picked up the last piece from the plate, paired it with some vegetables, and popped it into his mouth, asking Xiang Yuanyuan with lingering satisfaction. Aside from Xiang Yuanyuan, who had eaten several bites at the start, Du Ruo had only taken two pieces—the rest had gone into Yang Chenguang's stomach.
"Dried field mouse..."
Xiang Yuanyuan replied without a care. It was a specialty at her home; her grandfather especially liked it with his drinks. She often sneaked some when she was little, so she didn’t have the same aversion as other girls.
"..."
The air suddenly grew quiet. Li Qiyao covered her mouth, stifling a laugh. Xiang Yuanyuan had cooked this dish herself, but Li Qiyao had watched her make it, so she knew what it was and avoided trying it earlier.
Du Ruo, too, was unfazed. Having spent over a decade in Guangdong, he'd eaten all sorts of village delicacies, so he wasn't repulsed—just not particularly fond.
Only Yang Chenguang was silent, holding his wine cup and unsure what to think.
"Don't worry—it was caught in our sugarcane fields, then smoked with our own straw. Clean and safe. We’ve always eaten it like this at home."
Xiang Yuanyuan reassured him, and Yang Chenguang relaxed a little.
"And it's good for the kidneys,"
Du Ruo teased gently. In the country, anything labeled as 'good for the kidneys and virility' instantly becomes more valuable.
"Boss Du, Wang Lang, the Plum Blossom Mantis King, is here to see you!"
Just as Yang Chenguang was about to ask if Du Ruo had known all along, a voice called from downstairs—it was Wang Lang, the mantis boxing practitioner from this morning.