The Spirit of Gourmet

Chapter 384 Magnolia Culinary Extravaganza
"Of course, Qin Lang's tea and fruit are better."

Upon hearing Qin Lang's question, Wei Ya answered without the slightest hesitation.

"No!" Cao Dongdong clutched his heart in anguish. "Qin Lang, you've gone too far! You actually used a weapon like tea fruit!"

"Isn't this your own fault?" Zhao Qian covered her mouth and laughed, ruthlessly exposing him. "Someone was very confident that he could beat Qin Lang this time."

“I…” Cao Dongdong pouted, then quickly grabbed the tea fruits on the coffee table. “I don’t care, this matter won’t be resolved without at least twenty tea fruits.”

"Dream on!" Zuo Ge immediately became agitated, shoving Cao Dongdong aside with his buttocks. "There are only a hundred in total, and you want twenty?"

The others also came to their senses and each picked out the tea fruits they had their eyes on, quickly dividing up most of the tea fruits on the table.

Then, amidst gasps of amazement and hushed discussions, everyone began to savor the flavors of the tea fruits while enjoying the orchid tea.

Sensing the wonderful fusion of tea and tea fruit, everyone's gazes became somewhat strange.

"Qin Lang, you didn't secretly drink Lan tea behind my back, did you?" Cao Dongdong clicked his tongue. "Is this the first time you've ever drunk it and been able to make such a perfect dessert?"

“If it were anyone else, it definitely wouldn’t be possible.” Zhao Qian silently ate her second tea-flavored pastry. “But with Qin Lang…”

Do you remember that incident in Bailushan City?

Upon hearing this, Cao Dongdong suddenly recalled Qin Lang's outrageous attempt to improve the seasonings after eating at a food stall in Bailushan City.

Orchid tea and tea fruits seem to be similar in a certain sense.

"It really is true..." Cao Dongdong scratched his head, then a look of regret appeared on his face. "I was careless. I shouldn't have made the bet with Qin Lang!"

"What happened in Bailushan City?" Di You couldn't help but ask with curiosity. "Can you tell me about it?"

Cao Dongdong glanced at Qin Lang, and after the latter nodded, he briefly explained how they had helped the amusement park revive in Bailushan City.

Casual conversation is an essential part of tea tasting.

As everyone listened to Cao Dongdong recount his past, occasionally asking questions and offering their opinions, the hundred tea fruits were quickly devoured.

"It seems I really made the right choice coming here today." Zhong Tu put down his teacup with a chuckle, still savoring the delicious tea fruits. "Not only did I get to taste such wonderful tea fruits, but I also gained something else."

Upon hearing this, everyone's attention immediately turned to him.

"Speaking of which... Captain Zhong, weren't you leading the search and capture team for rare animals? What brings you to see Ms. Wei Ya?" Qin Lang asked curiously.

"Is it convenient to talk about it?"

“There’s nothing inconvenient about it.” Zhong Tu nodded. “In fact, this matter is also somewhat related to the city lockdown and search.”

“During this period, all members of the public security management team have been working overtime to conduct a thorough search for the wanted criminals of the hunting team.”

"Based on the schedule, it will take about five more days."

“There’s still a week until the lockdown starts, it seems like you’ll definitely be able to catch them both,” Zhao Qian said excitedly from the side.

However, Zhong Tu did not smile much when he heard this.

He sighed softly, then said, "Normally, that would be correct, but there are some other issues right now."

"The ongoing lockdown has brought some negative effects."

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

"In order to prevent wanted criminals from escaping, we conducted the strictest identity checks on people who wanted to leave Lancho and tried our best to persuade them to stay here and wait for the lockdown to end before leaving."

"Right now, the night-blooming orchids are in full bloom, and Lanqiu City is receiving a large influx of tourists. This situation is conflicting with their schedules." "Therefore, many people have already put pressure on the Lanqiu City Spirit Chef Association, demanding that the lockdown be lifted early."

At this point, Zhong Tu's expression turned serious.

Clearly, he has been under a lot of pressure in this regard during this period.

But if the lockdown is lifted now, all the previous efforts will be in vain.

The living room fell silent for a moment, then Qin Lang spoke softly, "Captain Zhong, you came to see Ms. Wei Ya today, did you already have a solution?"

“Yes.” Zhong Tu nodded. “I have indeed thought of a way that might resolve the conflict.”

"Furthermore, after hearing your story in Bailushan City, I feel that the feasibility of this method seems to be even higher than I imagined."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately became curious.

What methods are available to solve the current problem?

Under everyone's curious gaze, Zhong Tu looked at Wei Ya and said, "Ms. Wei Ya, I hope that the Magnolia Food Festival can be held soon."

"The Magnolia Culinary Extravaganza?" Di You and Wei Shasha exclaimed simultaneously.

Seeing the blank looks on Qin Lang and the others' faces, Di You quickly explained, "This event is held annually and is the biggest event in Lanqiu City. It's not just about food; there will be various Lanqiu City specialties, games, and legend performances. It can be said to be the most complete showcase of Lanqiu City's features."

“This event is sponsored by the Wei family every year, and Ms. Wei Ya is the only member of the Wei family in the Royal Chef Association.”

"Therefore, Ms. Wei Ya has been in charge of some of the aspects of the Magnolia Food Festival in recent years."

“However…” At this point, Di You’s face showed a strange expression, “According to tradition, the Magnolia Food Festival should be held in a month.”

After hearing Di You's explanation, everyone looked enlightened.

"Captain Zhong, are you planning to focus the tourists' attention on the Magnolia Food Festival and temporarily put aside their thoughts of leaving?" Zhao Qian couldn't help but ask.

"Yes." Captain Zhong nodded.

"Since food can attract countless tourists and revitalize an amusement park on the verge of bankruptcy, I think using the Magnolia Food Festival to soothe tourists' negative emotions should also be effective."

“Indeed.” Cao Dongdong nodded in deep agreement. “Putting everything else aside, I’m already attracted to the Magnolia Food Festival.”

"The Magnolia Food Festival also features legendary performances?" Zuo Ge asked with the same anticipation. "I don't know what kind of performances they will be, but I'm very interested."

“Same.” Fatima pushed up her glasses, her words concise and to the point.

“Theoretically it should be feasible, but wouldn’t it be too hasty to bring forward such a grand event by a month?” Qin Lang said after thinking for a moment.

For a moment, everyone looked at Wei Ya, who remained silent.

Whether it's rushed or not, Wei Ya certainly knows best.

“It’s a bit difficult to hold it a month in advance and so soon,” Wei Ya said slowly. “The local specialties and most of the performers are experienced and don’t need to be prepared in advance.”

"But some performances are still in preparation and cannot be presented immediately."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expression darkened.

So...it just won't work?

(End of this chapter)