Ever since coming to this world, he had never eaten a proper, decent meal.
The rainy season went without saying.
Dry flatbread every day.
Back then, he had been in no mood to think about what to eat. Staying alive came first.
He had eaten nothing particularly good after the rainy season either, apart from a single meal at a restaurant in Northbank City.
Now, smelling the aroma wafting from the Flowers Beggar's Chicken before him, he was already swallowing involuntarily.
Zhao Shengping gripped the Chicken Leg and gave it a slight tug.
There was a soft crack—not a bone breaking, but the perfect, crisp sound of flesh separating and a joint coming apart.
The entire Chicken Leg came away intact, brimming with juices, without a single ragged shred or stray bone.
Chen Fan took it, cleared his throat lightly, and bit into it with an impassive expression.
The faint bitterness and sweet aftertaste of lotus leaves, mingled with the delicate fragrance of fruitwood smoke, instantly melted across his tongue. He chewed slowly, remaining silent for a long while before murmuring in a daze, "As expected of the Western Pass Braised-Food Master. Your cooking is unbeatable."
Zhao Shengping had been all smiles, eagerly awaiting the Domain Lord's verdict. But the unexpected title, "Western Pass Braised-Food Master," left him frozen, a flicker of panic crossing his eyes.
"D-Domain Lord, how did you know my old nickname...?"
Meanwhile—
Crippled Monkey and the others gathered nearby could no longer contain themselves. They strode forward to take their shares. There were only two Flowers Beggar's Chickens, nowhere near enough for everyone. A piece each, and they were gone.
Weiwei received a piece too.
Often, though, food tasted best when everyone crowded together and scrambled for it.
Eating alone in a corner, taking one's time,