Chapter 119: Hidden Talents [Fifth Update]

Fang Nian’s actions signaled the scent of gunpowder to the gathered onlookers. They had been fretting over how to deflate Xiao Xuefeng, who had been riding high, and now that Fang Nian had jumped into the fray so aggressively, they were naturally delighted.

Xiao Xuefeng, however, was truly incensed. The "Shadow Beef" he served was prepared by a street vendor he had recruited. While not necessarily peerless, it was genuinely delicious; whenever the vendor had set up his stall, the beef would sell out in just an hour or two. To hear Fang Nian dismiss it as unpalatable left Xiao fuming.

"You bastard! Regardless of where my chef came from, you’d better explain right now what qualifications you have to judge this dish. If you can’t give me a good reason, don’t blame me for turning hostile."

Hearing this, Lu Xiao’s eyebrows arched slightly. Clearly irritated by Xiao Xuefeng’s arrogance, she held her tongue and looked toward Fang Nian. Fang Nian, having faced Xiao’s rage more than once—and knowing full well who usually ended up humiliated—remained unperturbed. He strolled forward and began.

"Shadow Beef wasn't actually created by any one person; it stems from a legend."

As he spoke, Fang Nian seemed to transform into a storyteller, addressing the crowd. "Legend has it that in ancient times, a famous poet surnamed Yuan happened upon a nondescript little tavern for afternoon tea. Among the appetizers brought out by the proprietor was a plate of beef, which looked remarkably vibrant, glossy, and novel."

"Why novel? You’ve all seen historical dramas where people dine in taverns; they usually order large bowls of wine and thick slabs of meat. Beef was almost always served in large chunks, rarely stir-fried or prepared in other ways. So, when the proprietor suddenly brought out a plate of thinly sliced beef, the poet must have found it incredibly curious."

"The poet tasted it and immediately found the flavor transcendent. It was spicy, fragrant, crispy, and tender, leaving a lingering aftertaste. What amazed him even more was that the beef was as thin as paper and crystalline. When lifted with chopsticks under a lamp, the intricate fibers cast a clear shadow on the wall."

"As you know, shadow puppetry was popular in that era, so the poet named the dish 'Shadow Beef,' and it became a delicacy. Centuries later, a man named Liu Guanggan popularized it further, elevating it to a top-tier Chinese dish."

Fang Nian turned to Xiao Xuefeng. "Mr. Xiao, is your chef a descendant of Liu Guanggan? If so, you should really have him patent it. That would be quite a profitable venture."

Xiao Xuefeng’s face darkened, but the others listened with rapt attention. Qian Xiaoxiao, captivated by the story, asked, "Then, Chef, could you teach me how to prepare this Shadow Beef?"

***

Fang Nian had once aspired to be a chef in his previous life and had studied many recipes before eventually moving on. He never expected to put that knowledge to use here, but it was a pleasant surprise. He smiled at the group.

"Of course, why hide it? It’s not exactly a state secret. Shadow Beef is quite easy to make. First, you take the beef shank, remove the outer membrane with a knife, trim away the impurities and uneven edges, and slice it into uniform, thin sheets. Then..."

Fang Nian spoke like a master chef, detailing the process of making Shadow Beef with precision. Qian Xiaoxiao even borrowed paper and a pen from a waiter to record every step. This infuriated Xiao Xuefeng, who wanted nothing more than to jump up and beat this chef to a pulp; he was, without a doubt, the most annoying person Xiao had ever met, save for Fang Nian himself. Little did Xiao know that the person he detested most was standing right in front of him.

Lu Xiao was naturally satisfied with Fang Nian’s performance. She had been annoyed by Xiao Xuefeng’s earlier posturing, but now she felt vindicated. If not for the crowd, she might have cheered aloud.

Xiao Xuefeng, deeply frustrated, sought to regain his standing. "Talk is cheap. If you’re so good, why don’t you show us and make it yourself?"

Before Fang Nian could respond, Lu Xiao interjected. "Oh, why must you trouble my chef, Mr. Xiao? This isn't a dueling arena, is it? As I said, my chef has prepared two signature dishes for everyone, and they should be ready by now. Why don't you try them? I think his craftsmanship is quite on par with yours."

Xiao Xuefeng was momentarily stunned and, finding no room to argue, simply nodded. Fang Nian then had the newly prepared dishes served to everyone.

Lu Xiao looked at the plate and smiled slightly. "Everyone, this is our chef’s secret 'Feihong Green Beans,' please enjoy—"

As she lifted the lid, she found that it wasn't the dish she expected, but a bowl of clear soup with a few lily petals floating on top. Xiao Xuefeng laughed immediately. "Ms. Lu, where are the green beans? Did you drop them? Why is there only this bowl of soup... or rather, water? Looking at this bland, watery mess, I doubt it's anything—"

Before he could finish, an exclamation came from Wang Jiang. "Holy cow, what is this soup? It’s damn delicious!"

Wang Jiang’s reaction was dramatic but clearly sincere; it was no act. Seeing this, the others ignored Xiao Xuefeng and began sipping from their bowls.

Lu Xiao, initially confused and wanting to scold Fang Nian for not following her instructions, was silenced by the group's reaction. She picked up her own still-warm bowl and took a sip.

The moment the broth slid down her throat, she felt a profound shift. An indescribable sensation washed over her entire body, as if a poisoned person had suddenly received an antidote. Her entire being relaxed.

Lu Xiao turned to Fang Nian, wide-eyed. "Li Long, what exactly is this soup? How is it so delicious? It’s far better than those green beans. If you had this talent, why didn't you show it sooner? Were you hiding it, afraid I wouldn't treat you well? Do you think I'm short on money?"

Fang Nian looked at the flustered Lu Xiao, offered a wry smile, and replied, "This dish is called Acacia Soup."