1970s: Hot wife accompanies the army, cold-faced rough man is not easy to tease

Chapter 300 Smoked Beef Sandwich

This forum was incredibly well-funded. On the first night, Lu Youyou met several academic luminaries at the banquet with the professor. Not to mention, almost all the renowned experts and scholars appeared in Columbia University's lecture hall the next day.

For the first two days, Lu Youyou attended more than a dozen reports, and she was always present during the Q&A sessions. As a result, many people recognized her when she went on stage on the third day.

Professor Hopkins' keynote speech was the highlight of the forum. When Lu Youyou was seen holding the microphone, the expected doubts did not arise. Instead, many people showed interest.

After all, he was the only person who made such a deep impression on the big shots just by asking questions, and who stayed behind for private conversations after the speech. Moreover, the same scene happened many times.

"Ladies and gentlemen, good morning, today..."

As the theme deepened, even though many people had raised their expectations, they still found themselves unconsciously drawn into Lu Youyou's rhythm.

So much so that when the main course was served and the microphone was handed to Professor Hopkins, the audience was still somewhat reluctant to leave.

The professor quipped, "I'm getting old, aren't I? This old guy isn't as popular as my students anymore."

As soon as he finished speaking, applause and laughter erupted simultaneously.

To be honest, it wouldn't be a bad idea to let the lady continue talking.

Hopkins had no intention of teaching his apprentice to the point of starving himself, and during the Q&A session, he directly invited Lu Youyou to come on stage with him.

Several bigwigs who had been "troubled" by Lu Youyou in the audience became interested this time.

Those who didn't fully understand the lecture mostly asked questions directed at Hopkins, the main speaker.

In the last bit of time, the experts used all sorts of tricky questions to make Lu Youyou go through a "thesis defense".

Professor Hopkins remained calm and unconcerned, showing no worry that his prized student would fail the test.

His students are just that outstanding; those old guys can only be envious!

As he expected, the more questions Lu Youyou answered, the more familiar a look appeared in the eyes of several big shots, just like when he first heard Lu Youyou give a group presentation in class.

He suddenly felt a sense of urgency. Were his old friends going to try and steal his students?!

After his keynote speech, Professor Hopkins was held up by several acquaintances. After he finished talking to them and came out, he looked around...

Where is Lu?
After looking around again, I finally saw the person I was looking for outside the lobby.

Is that his longtime nemesis Thompson, blocked by the thick, tall Roman column?

As the dean of the MIT School of Marine Science and Technology, what could he possibly have to talk about with international students from Stanford?!
Hopkins strode over and just happened to hear a tail—

“Lu, you can go back and think about it. My words are always valid.”

Without even considering the context, Hopkins was convinced from the tone alone that this was the Big Bad Wolf trying to trick Little Red Riding Hood.

Thompson wasn't intimidated by meeting his old friend. Everyone wants talent, and even if you're a little late for graduate school, there's always a PhD or postdoc. Good things come to those who wait; as long as you get what you deserve, it's fine.

In fact, the two big shots have known each other for many years and have a good relationship, but when it comes to poaching students, good relationships don't guarantee anything. Thompson wasn't embarrassed at all about being caught, and even took the initiative to treat everyone to dinner.

Hopkins only felt a toothache: "Lu still has to listen to the report. If you want to eat, I'll keep you company."

Lu Youyou suppressed a smile and said, "Professor Thompson, thank you for your kindness, but I do have a few more reports I'd like to hear, so I'll have to excuse myself now."

Hopkins immediately said, "Go ahead, go ahead. Remember to go find Lawrence when it's over, don't go alone."

Thompson looked at his old friend, who seemed to want to pack up the students and send them away, with a wry smile: "Why haven't I seen you care about the students like this before?"

"I suddenly want to care about her now, is that not allowed?" The two teased each other as they walked out. Thompson would agree to anything Hopkins said, but he wouldn't budge when it came to Lu Youyou.

He wanted Lu Youyou to stay and apply for his doctoral program; how could he let MIT snatch her away!

*
In the annex lecture hall on the other side, Lawrence had just finished his speech.

Lu Youyou only had time to hear the end of the speech, but judging from his expression, the speech must have gone very smoothly.

Dressed in a sharp suit and wearing gold-rimmed glasses, Lawrence looks more like a Wall Street investment banking elite than a scholar today.

After stepping down from the stage, he walked over to Lu Youyou, and without mentioning himself, first congratulated her: "Congratulations!"

Lu Youyou smiled and said, "You too."

"Where's the professor? He wasn't with you?"

"The professor has an appointment with Mr. Thompson from MIT."

Lawrence nodded knowingly; his teacher was entrusting his junior sister to him.

"Come on, I'll take you to eat the most famous smoked beef sandwich in New York."

Lu Youyou knew which restaurant he was talking about: Katz's Delicatessen, the king of sandwiches in New York, which opened in 1888 and still stands strong forty years later.

She had visited New York many times in her past life, but either forgot or was too busy and never had the chance to go. Now, time has turned back, and she has returned to the 1980s to taste this restaurant that is about to turn 100.

Lawrence walked straight to the parking lot and saw the car that had been parked there at some point. Only then did Lu Youyou realize that this senior brother's home was in New York.

Lawrence navigated the streets of New York with practiced ease and soon arrived at Katz's Delicatessen in the Lower East Side.

"I've been eating at this shop since I was a child. The smoked beef sandwich comes with two portions of meat, plus Reuben sauce and sauerkraut. Whenever I'm unhappy, I order one here, and it cheers me up after eating it."

When they arrived, it was lunchtime, and a long queue had already formed at the entrance.

Lawrence is not usually a very talkative person, but he was noticeably different here.

The menu was hanging on the glass window, and Lawrence began to describe each dish at length.

Lu Youyou couldn't help but chuckle. Everyone has their own Abebe, but Lawrence's is a bit special, consisting of a beef sandwich and sauerkraut.

It took them about twenty minutes to get a table. There were no seats available, so the two of them packed their food and went back to their car.

"Try it and see if you like it?" Lawrence looked at Lu Youyou with expectant eyes.

The beef is soaked in a secret marinade for three weeks, then coated with spices and slow-roasted at a low temperature for three days, then stewed for three hours, and finally steamed.

It's salty, but just right for bread, and the smoky flavor doesn't overpower the meaty aroma.

The slices of meat are thick, but tender and not dry. The lean meat has a slightly fibrous texture but doesn't get stuck in your teeth when you bite into it. The edges are charred and have a bit of fat, with just the right amount of rich, fatty aroma.

I never imagined that smoked meat could be so tender and juicy, almost melting in your mouth, yet still retaining a springy texture.

Lu Youyou took a bite and nodded under Lawrence's eager gaze.

"I knew it, no one can dislike a smoked beef sandwich."

Lawrence then opened his own portion and took a large, satisfying bite.