The Spirit of Gourmet

Chapter 424 The Night Arrives Early

Qin Lang carefully put away the business card that Song Lichuan had given him, then strode off the stage with the trophy in his hands.

The Magnolia Food Festival also had other activities in progress, so the audience in front of the stage came and went quickly.

Just as Qin Lang and Song Lichuan exchanged greetings, most of the audience had already left, leaving only Cao Dongdong and his friends, as well as Du Ziyan, who had just been defeated by Qin Lang once again.

Di You didn't give Du Ziyan a friendly look until Qin Lang approached, at which point he smiled and strode forward.

"Qin Lang, congratulations on becoming the champion!"

"Thank you." Qin Lang smiled and looked at Du Ziyan. "When do you plan to leave Lanqiu City?"

“I’ve wanted to leave for a long time.” Du Ziyan shrugged. “I came to Mingjing Prefecture this time because I was invited by a friend in Guanling City to attend Guanling City’s annual food festival.”

"The Guanling City Food Festival?" Qin Lang looked enlightened.

When we parted ways with the food and travel group departing from Rosemary City on the "Leaping Fish" cruise ship, Ms. Sang Ran, the leader of the group, mentioned that this was their next destination.

Guanling City is the most important port city in the entire Mingjing State, and the food festival held there has an influence that covers the entire Mingjing State.

It's understandable that someone as food-obsessed as Du Ziyan would come to participate after hearing the news.

"I was just passing through Lanqiu City when I happened to witness the city under lockdown to apprehend wanted criminals." Du Ziyan smiled as he said this, "But by some twist of fate, I've run into you here again."

"That duel just now was truly exhilarating."

"Your vegetarian dish from Dinghu Lake has also benefited me greatly."

"Your Ruyi is the same," Qin Lang said slowly. "If you hadn't lacked suitable rare fish ingredients, you might not have lost."

“Rare ingredients are hard to come by, and being able to obtain the right rare ingredients is also a reflection of a Spirit Chef’s ability.” Du Ziyan waved his hand. “If your skills are inferior, then your skills are inferior.”

“What I mean is that I have it,” Qin Lang said with a smile.

"...What do you have?" Du Ziyan was taken aback.

“I have some rare fish ingredients, and they should be even more suitable than your rare sea bass.” Qin Lang saw the sudden gleam in Du Ziyan’s eyes. “Shall we arrange a time later to exchange culinary skills?”

"That's wonderful!" Du Ziyan nodded emphatically.

Since the lockdown hasn't ended yet, and he'll be staying in Lanqiu City for several more days, he can definitely find time to talk to Qin Lang again.

After agreeing on a time for their next culinary exchange with Qin Lang, Du Ziyan hurriedly left the event venue.

According to him, he was going to prepare for the next exchange.

"This guy's efficiency is really impressive." Watching the other person's departing figure, Qin Lang shook his head speechlessly, then looked at Cao Dongdong and the others, "On the last day of the event, let's go for a stroll around some more."
-
"The event is over~"

After enjoying the grand acrobatic performance that concluded the Magnolia Food Festival, Qin Lang and the others couldn't help but feel a little lost.

The lively Magnolia Food Festival over the past three days left a deep impression on them, with its various local delicacies, performances, and specialties being experiences they couldn't find elsewhere.

After a while, Qin Lang was the first to come to his senses. "All good things must come to an end. We should head back to the hotel."

As he spoke, his gaze fell on the distance, where he spotted the members of the Mingyue Troupe who were evacuating from the area. Zhong Tu's suspicions resurfaced.

At this moment, Zhong Tu should still be dealing with the nightmare. If the hunting team really manages to leave Lanqiu City, they'll just have to catch them again next time.

However, this means the lockdown of Lanqiu City shouldn't last long. "Qin Lang, stop daydreaming." Zhao Qian waved her hand in front of Qin Lang's eyes. "It's getting dark; we need to go back soon."

"Hmm...hmm?" Qin Lang nodded subconsciously, but then paused for a moment and looked up sharply at the sky, which had clearly darkened.

What time is it now?

“5:30 p.m.,” Fatima said, adjusting her glasses. “At this time yesterday, it was still light.”

"Tonight, night seems to have fallen earlier than usual."

"It must be due to the weather, right?" Cao Dongdong couldn't help but ask. "Sometimes when it's cloudy, it seems like it gets dark earlier."

“But today doesn’t fit the scenario I mentioned.” Qin Lang shook his head. “The weather is even better today than yesterday.”

"This sudden, early night always feels..."

Before he could finish speaking, a terrified scream suddenly erupted from the crowd leaving the venue.

"Xiao Bao! Xiao Bao, wake up!"

As the screams rang out, a commotion broke out among the surrounding crowd.

Qin Lang and the others exchanged glances, quickly walked through the crowd, and after seeing the situation, they couldn't help but gasp.

The one who spoke was a thin mother holding her child. Her face was full of anxiety and fear as she looked around, hoping to get help from those around her.

In her arms, a child who was only one or two years old had fallen into a deep sleep, his face contorted in pain, his limbs trembling and struggling unconsciously, a heartbreaking sight.

“I brought some calming medication; it might help him.” Fatima stepped forward quickly. “Could you tell me what happened?”

"Only by understanding the situation can I prescribe the right medicine."

"Okay...okay." The child's mother came to her senses and nodded hurriedly, then quickly said, "My child suddenly fell into a deep sleep for some reason, and then he became like this."

“An hour ago, he had already taken a normal nap on me. Logically speaking, he shouldn’t be sleeping at this time.”

"And even when you're sleeping normally, it shouldn't be like this."

"I...I don't know what's wrong with Xiaobao." The child's mother's face gradually turned pale. "Is he sick?"

"Have you eaten anything?" Fatima asked upon hearing this.

“The food we’re feeding him is all brought from home. He’s still so young, I don’t dare let him eat anything he shouldn’t…” The child’s mother kept shaking her head, her face growing paler and paler.

Upon hearing this, Fatima didn't rummage through her bag. "Try this. It won't harm your health, and perhaps it will..."

Before she could finish speaking, Fatima swiftly grabbed the child's mother who was about to fall, and her expression turned grim the next moment.

"The child's mother also fell into a coma."

As if signaling the beginning, the sounds of people falling to the ground and exclamations of surprise echoed from all around.

But those who gasped in surprise soon followed suit.

Qin Lang's expression changed, and in the next instant he touched the increasingly hot Azure Silver Pearl in his arms. "Oh no, something terrible has happened!"

(End of this chapter)