A top star in the Chinese entertainment industry, but also a Taoist priest.

The owner took the order and quickly brought out a large iron pot.

The dark red butter broth bubbled and simmered, while chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns tumbled on the noodles, the steam carrying a spicy and numbing aroma that filled the nostrils.

Chen Yao patiently waited for the pot to boil completely, skimmed off the floating peppercorns with a slotted spoon, and then started adding the vegetables.

Her technique was quite skillful. She swished the tripe up and down seven times in the boiling red broth, and when she picked it out, the edges were just curled up. She dipped it in a dish of sesame oil and minced garlic, and then popped it into her mouth in one bite.

Then he narrowed his eyes and curled up a satisfied smile at the corners of his mouth.

Chen Shouyi glanced at her; this was the first time he had ever seen Chen Yao so relaxed.

On set, she is usually quiet and reserved, not saying much, and her laughter is restrained.

He scooped a slice of tender, cooked beef out of the pot, dipped it in the sauce, and put it in his mouth.

The beef was tender and smooth, and the richness of the butter and the spiciness of the chili exploded on the tongue at the same time. Even Chen Shouyi, who is not particularly particular about food, couldn't help but chew a few more times.

"How is it?" Chen Yao looked at him expectantly.

"good."

"It's just okay," Chen Yao said, clearly dissatisfied with the assessment, and added a few more slices of tripe to the pot.

"I've eaten at this restaurant several times. Whenever I'm in a bad mood or too tired from filming, I come here for a meal, and after eating, I feel better."

After she finished speaking, she rummaged around in the pot with her chopsticks, picked up a piece of freshly cooked beef tripe, and stuffed it into her mouth with satisfaction.

Chen Shouyi watched her eat and sighed inwardly.

This girl looks thin and small, but she can really eat a lot.

From the moment the pot boiled until now, her chopsticks haven't stopped. She's already gone through most of the three meat dishes and two vegetable dishes, but she hasn't slowed down at all, and she's still adding cilantro meatballs to the pot.

Chen Yao added a few more slices of tender beef, then looked up and saw Chen Shouyi putting a piece of haor fish into his bowl.

Chen Yao looked at him and suddenly remembered something.

"Master, I actually wanted to ask you this when we ate together last time."

She put down her chopsticks and tilted her head: "Aren't you Taoist priests supposed to be vegetarian? Last time at Zhangfu Garden, I saw you eating everything."

Chen Shouyi had just picked up a piece of fatty beef with his chopsticks when he heard this. He put the meat in his mouth, chewed it, and then slowly spoke:

"Who said Taoist priests have to be vegetarian?"

"Only monks eat vegetarian food; Taoist priests are not monks."

Chen Yao was taken aback; it seemed that this was indeed the case.

"However—" Chen Shouyi put down his chopsticks, "some sects do have dietary restrictions."

Many Taoist temples of the Zhengyi sect prohibit beef, while the Quanzhen sect requires a completely vegetarian diet. Others also prohibit spicy food, alcohol, onions, and garlic.

However, these are all rules specific to each sect, and none of them are rules that all Taoist priests must abide by.

"And what about you guys?" Chen Yao leaned forward curiously.

"The Wenshi School has no dietary restrictions," Chen Shouyi replied briefly.

Chen Yao blinked, waiting for him to continue.

Seeing her curious expression, Chen Shou decided to explain:

"We cultivate the Way of Lesser Yang Returning to One, and our sect emphasizes following the natural way without setting up complicated rules. Eating, drinking, and sexual relations are all natural things, and as long as they are not excessive or deliberate, they are not considered taboo."

Chen Yao smiled and said, "Your faction is quite good, without so many rules and regulations."

She looked at Chen Shouyi with a sly look in her eyes, "So, being a Taoist priest of the Wenshi School is quite comfortable."

"That's right," Chen Shouyi said with a smile. "However, the Wen Shi lineage values ​​talent, so it's not easy to get in."

"That's true, the entry barrier is definitely high." Chen Yao nodded thoughtfully.

The red broth in the pot was still bubbling. Chen Yao added a few more slices of beef tripe and stirred the broth with her chopsticks. She hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Chen Shouyi.

"Then, Daoist Master," Chen Yao put down his chopsticks, picked up the teacup with both hands, and hid the lower half of his face behind the cup, only revealing his clear eyes as he looked at Chen Shouyi.

"Since you don't need to observe dietary restrictions, laws, or precepts, does that mean... you'll need to remain in a state of abstinence forever?"

Chen Shouyi's chopsticks stopped in mid-air, and the corners of his mouth slowly turned up.

He knew, of course, that she wasn't asking about asceticism; she was asking if there were any other practices besides abstaining from meat and alcohol.

"This," Chen Shouyi also picked up his teacup and took a sip, looking at Chen Yao across from him.

Chen Yao felt his gaze fall on her face, and her ears began to feel slightly hot.

She had already prepared to look away, but as soon as she asked the question, she regretted it. It was too obvious, and she wanted to take it back.

But seeing Chen Shouyi's expression, she raised her head and met his gaze directly, waiting for his reply.

"Well, our sect doesn't prohibit that either."

Chen Yao slowly exhaled, finally putting down the cup and revealing her entire face. Then she realized what was happening and gave him a reproachful look:

Why are you speaking in such a breathy manner?

"Is there?" Chen Shouyi picked up his chopsticks, looking completely innocent. "No, I don't think so."

"Then why didn't you say anything just now?"

"I'm thinking about how to answer."

"You thought about it for so long? Were you doing it on purpose?"

"no."

"You're doing this on purpose," Chen complained. "You always only say half of what you mean, just to make others anxious."

Chen Shouyi picked up a piece of goose intestine and dipped it in the pot, smiling without denying it.

The atmosphere relaxed considerably afterward, and the steam from the hot pot mixed with the aroma of numbing spiciness melted away much of the remaining awkwardness between the two.

Chen Yao was clearly more relaxed than before, and occasionally even cracked a joke.

She asked how Shouzhuo became a disciple, and Chen Shouyi briefly recounted how Shouzhuo stumbled upon him practicing martial arts while climbing a mountain and insisted on becoming his disciple. Chen Yao laughed so hard she almost dropped her chopsticks.

Chen Shouyi also asked about things on set, and Chen Yao gave a few scattered comments about the daily life of filming.

The two sat for a while longer, until only a thin layer of oil remained in the pot, before Chen Yao patted his stomach and leaned back in his chair.

"I can't eat anymore."

She called the shopkeeper to settle the bill, and her action of taking out her wallet was swift and efficient.

Chen Shouyi sat opposite her, naturally picked up his teacup and continued drinking tea, showing no intention of taking it from her.

He always felt perfectly comfortable being treated to meals by others.

After Chen Yao paid the bill, the two got up and walked out of the hot pot restaurant. The evening breeze carried the fragrance of April grass and trees, and also brought a cool breeze.

She took a few steps, looked down at her stomach, and then sighed.

"I shouldn't have eaten so much." She looked regretful. "I shouldn't have added that plate of tender beef."

Chen Shouyi walked beside him: "You didn't say that when you were eating."

"I was hungry back then," Chen Yao muttered, then sighed. "I'll have to practice more when I get back. If my face is swollen tomorrow, I won't look good on camera, and Xiao Zhou will nag me again."

"No need," Chen Shouyi said unhurriedly. "The tea I drank before already aided digestion; a cup before bed is fine."

Chen Yao paused, turned her head to look at him, and widened her eyes slightly: "Really? That prescription has so many effects?"

These past few days, she's been waking up feeling great every morning. Her skin is better, and she has more energy than before. But she hasn't really noticed any improvement in digestion, mainly because she hasn't dared to eat as much as she did tonight.

Chen Shouyi did not answer and continued walking forward.

"What exactly is the formula?" Chen Yao caught up with him, tilting her head to look at him. "Last time you said it was called something like 'Nourishing Spirit and Clearing Complexion Drink,' but you didn't elaborate when I asked."

Chen Shouyi laughed heartily, his steps unwavering: "You'll figure that out yourself."

Chen Yao stomped her foot, and the heel of her shoe made a crisp sound on the stone pavement.

"Chen Shouyi! You're keeping us in suspense again."