Sizzle!
On the iron griddle over the charcoal fire, fresh beef rapidly curled and changed color under the torment of hot grease, releasing waves of rich aroma. Tongs danced nimbly in Huai Shi's hand, skimming casually across the grill and flipping the meat without the slightest bit of sticking.
He calculated the heat with steady, precise ruthlessness.
Then, at the exact moment the heat reached perfection, slice after slice of beef was lightly lifted from the griddle, leaped through the air, and landed neatly on the plate.
The elegance of his movements, the exquisite precision of the heat, even that artistic control... moved the chef peeking out from the kitchen to tears.
As expected of the new generation's Culinary Demon, the Taiyi of the Present Realm.
The majestic bearing of governing a great nation as though cooking a small fish was truly awe-inspiring.
In any other place, he would already have been unable to stop himself from applauding, praising, and shouting in excitement.
Yet the diner seated opposite him seemed entirely unimpressed.
She even rolled her eyes.
"Enough, enough, stop showing off." Fu Yi picked up a piece of grilled meat from the dipping sauce, utterly devoid of interest. "Why does eating all-you-can-eat barbecue feel like having some Roman cuisine? You've completely ruined the atmosphere."
"Doesn't it make your status look higher?"
Huai Shi raised his brows smugly.
"Status?"
Fu Yi sneered. "What status could I possibly have in front of you? It was bad enough that the whole department had to work overtime while everyone else was on vacation. Everyone was working just fine, then suddenly this rookie got dragged out for a meal by the Taiyi of the Present Realm. Do you know how strangely my coworkers were looking at me?"
"Just tell me whether you're eating or