I just reached the maximum level, and you want me to be a puppet emperor?

Chapter 326 I like my food a little overcooked, I just let it simmer for a while longer! (Please subscribe and vote!)

Upon seeing Li Chen and Fairy Shuyu enter, a skilled waiter immediately rushed over, beaming, and said, "Distinguished guests! Private room or main hall? Today, we recommend the 'Dragon's Breath Spicy Hot Pot' paired with 'Ice Phoenix Snowflake Beef,' so spicy it'll make your soul leave your body, and so exhilarating it'll make you ascend to immortality!"

When Fairy Shuyu heard these words, she didn't know why she wanted to laugh, and she also found them amusing. She wondered how they came up with these words.

'Dragon's Breath' and 'Ice Phoenix' are definitely pronouns referring to certain ingredients, just like there are no lion's heads in braised lion's head soup.

Fairy Shuyu understood this point well, because many herbs in the cultivation world also use this kind of naming.

But it does sound very appealing to cultivators, making them want to order a serving and try it.

Fairy Shuyu said softly, "How about a private room? Do you have anything lighter?"

The waiter immediately produced a jade slip menu as if by magic: "Don't worry, fairy, we have all kinds of flavors."

Fairy Shuyu seems to have decision-making difficulties; seeing the dazzling array of hot pot bases, she doesn't know which one to choose.

She glanced at Li Chen, who chuckled and said, "Then let's have a spicy and clear broth hot pot, and just order these for tea and condiments."

As a seasoned hot pot enthusiast here, Li Chen ordered very quickly.

The waiter called out loudly, "Private Room No. 1, for two distinguished guests."

Before the words had even finished, a pretty maid had already arrived nearby and respectfully led the way: "Gentlemen, please go up to the Nine Heavens Pavilion."

Li Chen and Fairy Shuyu followed her to the private room.

Before the hot pot broth was even served, Fairy Shuyu seemed interested in the tea, which Li Chen had specially ordered for her.

You should know that she has very high standards; she wouldn't be interested in ordinary tea, and she didn't even drink any at the teahouse just now.

Fairy Shuyu sat gracefully before the tea table, her slender fingers gently lifting the celadon teacup. Her fingertips were as white as jade, and her nails were neatly trimmed with a faint pink hue.

She lowered her eyes to gaze at the tea, her long eyelashes fluttering slightly like butterfly wings, casting a faint shadow beneath her eyelids.

She brought the teacup to her lips, first gently inhaling the aroma of the tea, then parted her lips slightly and took a sip.

Her lips were full and soft, and they looked even more lustrous after being moistened with tea. Her throat moved slightly, and her swallowing motion was extremely elegant.

Li Chen found it pleasing to the eye, and he even wondered if Fairy Shuyu would be just as elegant when swallowing other things.

He was indeed looking forward to seeing the scene he wanted to witness.

"This tea is acceptable."

She put down her teacup, her tone indifferent yet revealing a hint of criticalness.

Actually, Fairy Shuyu's evaluation is already very high. Li Chen even ordered the same style that Fairy Youlan liked, so he knew that the woman in front of him must like it too.

"Does Fairy Shuyu also have knowledge of the tea ceremony?" Li Chen asked with a faint smile.

Fairy Shuyu raised her eyes, her gaze falling on Li Chen's face. Her eyes were cold, yet inexplicably held a hint of scrutiny.

Her eyes were slightly upturned at the corners, carrying a hint of innate arrogance, yet her gaze also revealed a subtle, alluring charm.

"I know a little about tea. This tea is good, but it's been overcooked, and the astringency is a bit too strong."

This sounds humble, but it's enough to prove that she is indeed an expert in this field.

Fairy Shuyu gently put down her teacup, lightly tapping her fingertip on the table with a composed and elegant demeanor.

Although she didn't do it intentionally, the unique charm of a mature woman was more alluring than any seductive gesture.

The hot pot and ingredients were served quickly, and the temperature in the room was rising.

Fairy Shuyu sat upright in front of the hot pot, her delicate eyebrows slightly furrowed, staring at the bubbling red oil pot with a slightly hesitant expression.

Because she didn't seem to know how to eat, she could only watch Li Chen do it and then learn from him.

This was completely different from her usual elegant and simple diet for spiritual practice. "Why don't you give it a try, fairy?"

Li Chen picked up a slice of beef as thin as a cicada's wing, dipped it lightly in the red broth, and the slice instantly curled up and changed color, releasing a fragrant aroma.

After hesitating for a moment, Fairy Shuyu finally couldn't resist her curiosity and, imitating Li Chen, used her jade chopsticks to pick up a slice of beef and carefully put it into the pot.

However, she underestimated the power of the hot pot; the scalding red oil splashed up, and a drop of spicy soup landed on the back of her snow-white hand.

If it were an ordinary person, they would have pulled their hand away in pain long ago, but she simply picked up a silk handkerchief from the side and wiped it.

Upon taking the first bite of the hot pot meat, Fairy Shuyu's eyes widened suddenly.

hot!
The intense spiciness explodes on the tip of the tongue, spreading like wildfire and instantly engulfing the entire mouth.

Her cheeks flushed visibly, spreading from her ears all the way down her neck, even tinging her delicate collarbones with a light pink hue.

This is a level of spiciness suitable for cultivators; she will definitely be able to feel it.

"Sha."

She unconsciously exhaled softly, her red lips slightly parted, letting out a warm breath.

Her tongue couldn't help but dart out, gently licking her lips, trying to relieve the burning sensation.

This gesture carried a hint of unwitting allure; her full lips, glistening with chili oil, appeared even more moist and tempting.

"Want some water?"

Li Chen handed her a glass of chilled plum juice at the right moment. He knew that this was the first time Fairy Shuyu had tried it, so he must have been prepared.

Moreover, this gesture made Fairy Shuyu feel that he was very considerate.

Fairy Shuyu took the chilled plum juice, tilted her head back, and drank it down.

Her slender neck formed a graceful arc, and her throat moved gently with each swallow.

A few drops of cold soup spilled from the corner of her lips and slid down her chin, but she was completely unaware.

When she put down the cup, her eyes were already misty, the corners of her eyes were slightly red, and her gaze was as shimmering as spring water.

Her expression, with tears welling in her eyes from the spiciness yet forcing herself to remain calm, was more captivating than her usual aloofness.

Li Chen didn't know she was so sensitive to spice, so he made her eat the other side of the hot pot.

Fairy Shuyu tried the clear broth but couldn't find the right flavor, so she switched back to the spicy broth and said, "Although it's spicy here, it's quite enjoyable."

This is a stage that everyone who comes to eat hot pot must go through.

After saying that, she put the cooked meat slices into her mouth. This time, she was no longer cautious, but chewed boldly, and ate faster and faster.

Li Chen thought, "I'm not competing with you, why are you in such a hurry?"

Perhaps because of the heat and spiciness, Fairy Shuyu subconsciously began to loosen her clothes to relieve some of the heat.

Her once meticulously styled hair had loosened a few strands due to the steam, which softly fell to her cheeks.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on the tip of her nose, sliding down her delicate jawline and eventually disappearing into the depths of her clothes.

Her wide collar opened slightly with her movement, revealing a glimpse of snow-white skin that shimmered alluringly in the heat.

After eating for a while, Fairy Shuyu looked at Li Chen, who had his chopsticks in mid-air but hadn't picked up any food, and said, "You should eat more too. This spiciness, combined with the heat of the spiritual fire, seems to be good for your meridians."

Li Chen then picked up some meat, put it in his bowl, and said, "I like it a little tough, so I'll just let it cook for a while longer."

Actually, what Li Chen wanted to eat was the other one that was in sight.

(End of this chapter)