Treating a Guest to Dinner

The next morning, Shen Jingchuan went downstairs and found the innkeeper.

"Shopkeeper, I'd like to invite a distinguished guest to your restaurant, but there's something I'd like to discuss with you."

The shopkeeper quickly cupped his hands in greeting. "Young Master Shen, please speak."

"I'd like to cook a few dishes for this distinguished guest myself."

Shen Jingchuan said:

"I'd like to use your kitchen for a bit. You can charge me whatever you want; I'll use your ingredients and you can charge me the price of a finished dish, but I'll do the cooking. Is that convenient for you?"

The shopkeeper was taken aback:

"You cooked yourself? This... who is the honored guest you invited? Such a grand occasion!"

"That's Steward Wang from our market," Shen Jingchuan said.

The shopkeeper's eyes widened instantly, his mouth opened slightly, and without saying a word, he slapped his thigh:

"Okay! No problem! Feel free to use the kitchen! I won't take any money, not a single penny!"

Shen Jingchuan shook his head:

"No, that won't do. You still have to pay."

The shopkeeper shook his head vigorously, like a rattle drum.

"No, no, no, if you could put in a good word for me with Steward Wang, that would be better than anything. Just tell me what ingredients you need, and when you're hosting a dinner party, and I'll prepare everything perfectly in advance."

Shen Jingchuan thought about it and didn't refuse anymore:

"Okay, I'll write you a list of the ingredients I need for the dishes. Use what you have on hand, and please help me buy the rest. I'll still pay, so don't argue with me about that."

"Alright, alright, you write it, you write it," the shopkeeper readily agreed.

Shen Jingchuan asked for paper and pen and listed out the ingredients needed for the dishes he planned to make. The shopkeeper took a look and saw that they were all common ingredients: chicken, duck, fish, meat, vegetables, and dried goods—nothing special. He immediately nodded in approval.

"We have most of these here. If you're missing one or two, I'll have someone go buy them right away. When are you treating us?"

"I'll go and make an appointment with Steward Wang first, and then I'll let you know," Shen Jingchuan said.

"Okay, no problem!"

After leaving the inn, Shen Jingchuan went straight to the Hall of Affairs. When he arrived at the door, the gatekeeper recognized him and thought, "Hey, this guy was just here yesterday." He didn't give him any trouble and simply went in to report.

He came out shortly after, saying that the manager wanted to see him.

Shen Jingchuan entered the hall and bowed to Wang Cheng'an: "Senior Wang, I pay my respects."

Wang Cheng'an sat at the head of the table, holding a teacup, and looked at him with a smile:

"Young Friend Shen, you just left yesterday, why are you here again today? Do you have some good news to share with this old man?"

"Sit down first, sit down and let's talk." Wang Cheng'an waved his hand, gesturing for him to sit down.

After Shen Jingchuan sat down, he got straight to the point:

"Senior Wang, I'm very grateful that you bought so much of my goods. I'd like to treat you to a meal."

Wang Cheng'an raised an eyebrow slightly, somewhat puzzled. It was just business dealings, and he'd made money too; there was no need to go out of his way to treat him to a meal, was there?

Shen Jingchuan smiled, "Actually, there's another reason I invited you to dinner."

Wang Cheng'an became interested. "Oh? What's your purpose? Tell me."

"That's right," Shen Jingchuan said unhurriedly. "Our Shen Household is a large Lineage. Look at all these goods you've brought—the watches, the makeup mirrors—they're all made by our Shen Household."

Wang Cheng'an nodded, understanding dawning on him—just as he suspected, this young man must be from an Aristocratic Clan, no wonder he was so confident.

Wang Cheng'an smiled and said, "I've long seen that Young Master Shen is no ordinary person. So tell me, what other purpose do you have in inviting me to dinner?"

Shen Jingchuan said solemnly:

"Our Shen Household also has a unique skill in cooking. I'd like to invite you to try it. I've already spoken to the inn, and I'll personally cook a few dishes for you tonight. Would that be convenient for you?"

Wang Cheng'an held his teacup and pondered for a moment.

This kid came all this way to invite him to dinner, it must be more than just cooking a few dishes. But then he thought, in this Spirit Creek Market, what could a mere Qi Refining Fourth Layer cultivator possibly do? Nothing could possibly happen on his turf.

He put down his teacup and nodded, saying:

"Okay, when?"

"Is tonight okay?" Shen Jingchuan asked.

"Sure," Wang Cheng'an readily agreed.

"Then I'll go back and prepare." Shen Jingchuan stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "I'll come to invite you again tonight."

After saying that, he turned and left the deacon's hall.

As evening fell, Xiao Mingshu, accompanied by Huan'er, personally went to the Hall of Affairs to invite Wang Cheng'an.

Wang Cheng'an didn't put on airs. He changed into casual clothes and brought someone with him— Mr. Wu, the accountant. Mr. Wu was actually his distant cousin and usually managed the accounts in the steward's office; he was one of his confidants.

The three arrived at the inn, where a private room had already been prepared. Huan'er quickly brewed some spiritual tea and served them. Wang Cheng'an and Mr. Wu sat down and took a couple of sips of tea. Then they smelled a rich aroma wafting from the kitchen, making their stomachs rumble.

"This smell..." Mr. Wu sniffed, his eyes widening. "Uncle, I've never smelled anything like this before. It smells wonderful, so wonderful!"

Wang Cheng'an was also slightly moved. He had lived to such an old age and had tasted all kinds of delicacies. But this aroma was indeed different, fresh and rich, with an indescribable spicy and stimulating flavor that whetted one's appetite just by smelling it.

Before long, the dishes were served one after another.

Exactly eight dishes: No more, no less.

Braised pork belly – with a bright red color, rich but not greasy, the meat chunks are coated in a thick, dark sauce and melt in your mouth.

Spicy Chicken – Stir-fried with dried chilies and Sichuan peppercorns, the chicken is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, spicy and fragrant, the more you chew, the more addictive it becomes.

Cumin Lamb – Thinly sliced lamb is stir-fried over high heat and sprinkled with cumin and chili powder, releasing a unique aroma that fills the nostrils.

Braised Carp – The whole carp is first fried in oil and then braised in soy sauce. The sauce is thick and the fish is tender and savory with a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.

Kung Pao Chicken – diced chicken with peanuts and dried chili peppers, offering a sweet, sour, and slightly spicy flavor with a rich texture.

Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs – Pork ribs are deep-fried until golden brown, then coated with a sweet and sour sauce, resulting in a crispy exterior and tender interior, with a delicious sweet and sour flavor that whets the appetite.

Steamed sea bass – The sea bass is steamed to perfection, drizzled with steamed fish soy sauce and hot oil, and seasoned with shredded scallions and ginger for added freshness. The fish is tender, smooth, and refreshingly light.

Mapo Tofu – tender tofu with minced meat, Sichuan peppercorns, chili peppers, and fermented bean paste, all topped with a spicy, numbing, and fragrant flavor that will make you sweat after just one spoonful.

Eight dishes filled the table, red, green, and shiny, their aromas mingling together and filling the entire private room.

Mr. Wu stared at the table, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down, and he could barely hold onto his chopsticks.

Seeing this, Shen Jingchuan quickly said, "Please."

Wang Cheng'an didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a piece of braised pork, put it in his mouth, chewed it a couple of times, and then his eyes widened in surprise.