Food gives me an entry, I will be invincible if I stay alive

Chapter 170 Hidden Secrets Among Delicacies

Feng Yuanbo arrived at the villa.

He not only came himself, but also brought Cui Yunqi and Ning Xing with him.

In fact, Cui and Ning had already sent out invitations yesterday and made an appointment with Chen Xu to visit today.

When everyone arrived, they never expected to see Chen Xu in the kitchen.

Cui Yunqi almost doubted his own eyes. He had clearly reached the kitchen door, but he insisted on pulling Ning Xing back a few steps.

Ning Xing was pulled away by him in a daze, and then he led her back into the kitchen.

Only then did Cui Yunqi realize that he had indeed seen Chen Xu in the kitchen.

In that instant, not only did the top scorer of the current provincial examination from Yunjiang Prefecture stand in the kitchen of this courtyard, but also the top scorer of the previous provincial examination, as well as a young master from a prominent family and the magistrate of Yunjiang County.

With so many extraordinary people crammed into the smoky kitchen, the once spacious kitchen felt cramped and confined, making the air seem sparse.

Cook Sun was dumbfounded; she even began to doubt her own eyes.

But then the young master of the Cui family, dressed in a jade crown and gold belt, asked, "Brother Chen, from what you just said, were some of the delicacies here made by you?"

Cook Sun thought to herself: Even if I do this, can I admit it?
Unexpectedly, not only did that Mr. Chen readily admit it, but he also smiled and said:
"There are two plates of glass and jade scrolls here. One plate was made by Steward Sun, and the other plate was made by me after I learned from Steward Sun."

Brother Feng, Brother Cui, Brother Ning, since you three have arrived at such a convenient time, why don't you try it and discern its merits?

Guess which game was made by Manager Sun and which one by Mr. Chen?

Feng Yuanbo's eyes lit up immediately. "A riddle? Excellent! But it can't just be a riddle, can it? If we guess it correctly, will there be a prize?"

Chen Xu countered, "What prize does Brother Feng want?"

Feng Yuanbai immediately said, "When we part in the future, how about I compose a farewell poem for you?"

Good heavens, he's been thinking about this ever since Wu Zhengze received the poem.

Now that Wu Zhengze has returned to Jichuan with the poetry scroll, Feng Yuanbai still can't forget about it and asks about it whenever he gets the chance.

Just as Chen Xu was about to reply, Cui Yunqi suddenly clapped his hands and said, "No, Magistrate Feng, this is unfair."

"How is it unfair?" Feng Yuanbai raised an eyebrow.

Cui Yunqi spoke with an air of elegance, yet said something infuriating: "This is the Feng family's villa. The cook is a capable person in your household, and you, Your Excellency, are well aware of her culinary skills."

Wouldn't a single taste reveal the difference? Even if you win, it would be an unfair victory, utterly unacceptable.

After speaking, Cui Yunqi, being the younger generation, quickly cupped his hands and bowed slightly to Feng Yuanbai to show his humility.

What else can Feng Yuanbo do?
I was both amused and exasperated, but I couldn't argue with the younger generation. So, the talk of prizes was dropped.

Although Chen Xu addressed Feng Yuanbai as "Brother Feng" and Cui Yunqi and Ning Xing as "Brother Cui" and "Brother Ning," in reality, Cui and Ning would never dare to address Feng Yuanbai as a brother.

Everyone was talking their own thing, seemingly harmonious, yet there was an unspeakable undercurrent of tension.

Cui Yunqi helped Chen Xu out of the predicament, but didn't take credit for it.

He remained calm and collected, and took a pair of bamboo chopsticks himself.

Then, with a casual flick of the wrist, he picked up a glass-like jade roll made by Chef Sun.

Cui Yunqi took a bite, chewed it carefully for a moment, and then placed the remaining half of the jade roll on a plate containing leftover food.

He didn't say anything, just kept quiet for a moment to savor it, and then picked up a glass jade roll from another plate.

I picked one up and took a bite.

Then Cui Yunqi's expression suddenly froze for a moment, and his originally nonchalant eyes seemed to undergo a dramatic change, like a spring thunder turning into rain.

Cui Yunqi quickly lowered his eyes, concealing his expression.

He remained silent, simply finishing the glass-like jade roll he was holding with his chopsticks.

When he was about to pick up a second bite, he suddenly noticed that Feng Yuanbo and Ning Xing were also about to take their second bite at the same time.

Just as the two pairs of chopsticks were about to touch, Cui Yunqi's chopsticks suddenly shot out like sharp arrows from an unexpected angle, turning and grabbing at the target.

Swish! Another jade scroll was picked up by his chopsticks. At the same time, Feng Yuanbai twisted his wrist and suddenly reached out from the side, also picking up a jade scroll.

Now, the small white porcelain dish is spotless, with nothing else inside.

This dish only contained five glass and jade scrolls. Originally, Chen Xu was just testing the waters, so the quantity was extremely small.

Unexpectedly, there wasn't enough for three people to share even two servings. Ning Xing sighed helplessly and put down the bamboo chopsticks in his hand.

He found it very strange.

With their backgrounds, what good things haven't they eaten? Why would they fight over a mere jade roll?
But the deliciousness of this dish is truly extraordinary.

At first bite, you'll find the thin, chewy, fragrant, and sweet wrapper. But with one bite, a burst of flavors—salty, crisp, fresh, and soft—suddenly explodes in your mouth.

The richness of the flavors at that moment was as if an entire spring had suddenly unfolded in one's mind.

It sent shivers down your spine, a sensation that went straight from the tip of your tongue to your heart.

Ning Xing didn't even have time to react before instinctively reaching for a second bite.

Unexpectedly, Cui Yunqi was cunning and ruthless, while Feng Yuanbai was also experienced and shrewd. Ning Xing was unable to defeat the two of them.

He caught his breath and suddenly came to his senses.

Hey, what exactly did I just eat?
Could this be the work of the cook in the Feng family?

Theoretically, that should be the case, since Ning Xing simply couldn't believe that a great talent like Chen Xu would have such superb culinary skills.

Why shouldn't he focus on his studies? Why would he want to delve into culinary arts?

Even if one has studied cooking, how could one possess such extraordinary skills?
Ning Xing was almost convinced that the second plate of jade rolls was made by the Feng family's cook.

But just then, he suddenly noticed that the cook in the Feng household had a strange expression.

The cook was standing on one side of the stove, tiptoeing to look this way.

Her slightly rounded body almost tilted to one side, her pale, plump face filled with disbelief, her eyebrows furrowed tightly together.

If she weren't not thin, but rather rather plump, she would be scratching her ears and cheeks like a monkey right now.

Although she did not make this action, her anxious and distressed state was clearly revealed.

Normally, if a cook makes a dish that would make the master and guests fight over it, would she have this anxious and bewildered expression?
Ning Xing found it utterly unbelievable, yet he had no choice but to make a guess at this moment:

Is this second plate of crystal and jade scroll truly made by Chen Xu?
Surprised, he was about to speak when Cui Yunqi preemptively blurted out, "Brother Chen, this plate of crystal and jade scrolls, did you make it?"

He pointed to the white porcelain dish that was already empty.

Chen Xu immediately smiled and asked, "How do you know?"

Cui Yunqi said with great enthusiasm, "Although I have never tasted the cooking skills of the Feng family's cook before, I do not expect them to be anything extraordinary."

But this second plate of crystal and jade scrolls was extraordinary.

It can truly be described as gathering the freshest ingredients of spring, even more delicious than sweet dew. Such extraordinary skill must be something only an extraordinary person in the world could accomplish.

Brother Chen is proficient in all forms of literature, poetry, divination, and philosophical discourse; he can be considered one of the most intelligent people in the world.

It's only natural that such a delicious dish could be made.

【Like +10+10……】

What's reasonable and justifiable? This is utter fallacy!
Ning Xing was so angry she almost laughed.

But Chen Xu said, "Brother Cui's praise is too much; I really don't deserve it."

This emerald roll was actually made on the spot by Steward Sun, and the original ingredients were all prepared by Steward Sun beforehand.

The difference in taste is due to one thing.

Cui Yunqi immediately asked curiously, "What is it?"

Chen Xu smiled slightly.

(End of this chapter)