The Spirit of Gourmet

Chapter 469 The Little House by the Sea

"Qin Lang, there's a small house over there!"

After searching, Cao Dongdong quickly located the only inhabited house in the nearby beach area. "There might be someone inside."

“If the people living inside were also present during the time when Zhenling appeared, they might be able to learn some other information.”

"That makes sense." Qin Lang nodded in agreement. "Zhao Qian, let's go take a look together!"

"Good!" After searching around without finding any other clues, Zhao Qian glanced at Cao Dongdong and said, "This time, you deserve credit."

"Hmph~" Cao Dongdong smirked, "This is nothing, let me knock on the door later."

"I will use my stunningly handsome looks to make them reveal everything they know without reservation!"

After saying that, Cao Dongdong quickened his pace and rushed towards the door of the hut before Qin Lang and the other person could get there.

"This guy gets all cocky after just one compliment," Qin Lang said, shaking his head. "Let's pick up the pace."

When the two arrived at the door of the small house, Cao Dongdong had already knocked on the door. An elderly man with white hair stood in the doorway. At first, he had a smile on his face, but when he saw Cao Dongdong standing at the front, his expression instantly turned ugly.

"It's actually you!"

Without the slightest hesitation, the other party pulled out his cane and made a gesture as if to hit Cao Dongdong, shouting, "Get out! Get out of here!"

"Hey! You..." Cao Dongdong hurriedly stepped back, and the old man slammed the door shut again in the next instant.

"Didn't someone say that they could get the other person to tell them everything they know without reservation?" Zhao Qian burst out laughing.

"This isn't my fault!" Cao Dongdong couldn't help but cry out, "Who knew that this old man would be living here?"

Yes, the person who just opened the door was none other than the elderly man who rushed onto the stage during Cao Dongdong's performance at the Haisheng Banquet Restaurant yesterday.

No one expected it to be such a coincidence.

The other party already had a very bad impression of them because of what happened last night, so the hope of getting any information about Zhenling from them was probably slim.

Qin Lang stroked his chin and suddenly spoke up, "I actually wanted to say this last night, I feel like this old gentleman looks familiar."

"The situation was chaotic at the time, and I didn't have time to think about it carefully. But seeing it again today, it looks even more familiar, like I've seen it somewhere before..."

"Now that you mention it, that does look familiar to me." Zhao Qian looked thoughtful, then slammed her fist into her palm. "I've got it!"

"This person seems to be a food recommender from String Fish City!"

"The other person's photo was on the form when I registered with the association!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Lang quickly searched through the information and, sure enough, found that the other party was among the eight food recommenders in Xianyu City.

“Xu Wei, the ‘Food Recommender of Music’.” Qin Lang glanced at the information. “He is a music enthusiast and also a food recommender who specializes in evaluating mutton ingredients.”

"Lamb ingredients?" Zhao Qian looked surprised upon hearing this. "How come there's a separate examiner for lamb ingredients in Xianyu City?"

Normally, the selection of food recommenders is tailored to local conditions. In coastal cities like String Fish City, seafood food recommenders are more specifically categorized, while other food recommenders are more general.

Sheep, which live in mountainous and pasture areas, should theoretically be classified under the category of poultry and livestock for assessment.

“I’m a little surprised by that too,” Qin Lang said, stroking his chin. “But that’s what it says, so it can’t be wrong.” As he spoke, Qin Lang couldn’t help but look towards the small house.

"You're not planning to participate in the food recommender assessment on the spot, are you?" Cao Dongdong couldn't help but ask. "This old man is not easy to deal with."

"Let's give it a try." Qin Lang shrugged. "The other party might know some clues, but given the current situation, they're unlikely to tell us. If we can win him over with food, there might be a chance."

"I have already obtained five Level 1 Food Recommender badges in Mingjing Prefecture. I only need two more to qualify for the Level 2 assessment in Mingjing Prefecture. Since I will get them sooner or later anyway, I might as well get them here."

After saying that, Qin Lang patted Cao Dongdong on the shoulder, then strode towards the door of the small house and knocked on the door a few times.

Soon, Xu Wei's gruff voice came from inside the door, "Knock on the door again, or I'll call the security team!"

“Mr. Xu Wei, you’ve misunderstood.” Qin Lang sighed. “We are chefs from out of town, here to visit you and participate in the Food Recommender assessment. What happened last night was just a misunderstanding.”

The sounds inside paused for a moment, then the door creaked open again. Xu Wei saw that it wasn't Cao Dongdong knocking, but another unfamiliar face, and his expression softened slightly.

"Those who participated in the food recommender assessment?"

“Yes.” Qin Lang nodded seriously. “I heard that Mr. Xu’s assessment is specifically for mutton, and I happen to have some special insights into cooking mutton.”

"Hmph, you're quite confident." Xu Wei snorted lightly. "But my sheep is not quite the same as ordinary sheep."

"Never mind, let's go in first."

After speaking, Xu Wei stepped aside, gesturing for Qin Lang and the other two to come in.

Qin Lang and Zhao Qian were alright, but when Cao Dongdong entered, Xu Wei had a dark face the whole time and didn't give him the slightest bit of a friendly look.

"The assessment will have to wait a while; the ingredients haven't arrived yet." Xu Wei sat down at the coffee table in the living room, picked up his tea and took a sip, then pointed to the tea set on the table, "Pour yourself if you want some."

"Okay." Qin Lang didn't mind the other party's less-than-friendly attitude, and smiled as he picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea for each of the three of them.

The assessment requires waiting, and this is a good opportunity to clear up the misunderstanding.

“Mr. Xu Wei, there may be some misunderstanding about what happened last night,” Qin Lang said softly. “Although my friend’s playing was indeed terrible.”

"But he absolutely did not mean to insult music in any way."

"He's just... well, you know, clueless." Qin Lang glanced at Cao Dongdong, who had a resentful expression, and said, suppressing a laugh, "He's just bad at it without even realizing it."

"So please don't be so angry."

"You don't even know what kind of dish you're made of..." Cao Dongdong snorted lightly, "I play very well, it's just that no one knows how to appreciate my music."

“It seems he is indeed incompetent without realizing it.” Xu Wei, who had been silent until now, spoke up quietly at this moment, “It was I who misunderstood.”

Cao Dongdong: “…”

"Pfft..." Zhao Qian couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, her shoulders even shaking. "Sorry, I couldn't help it."

With the conversation flowing freely, the atmosphere in the living room improved slightly. Xu Wei glanced at Qin Lang and then said, "The ingredients will be here soon."

"Once the ingredients arrive, you can choose them yourself. After you've made your selection, you can cook them. If your cooking meets my requirements, you'll pass my test."

(End of this chapter)