"Lawyer Wei, the kitchen's full of smoke. These two mighty guardians are enough to watch over me, so why don't you go sort out Professor Chen?" Chen Shu turned to her. "Haven't you noticed how much weight he's lost? More than ten jin."
"No rush."
Lawyer Wei kept watching them.
Chen Shu held a Cast-Iron Wok, stir-frying Pickled Chili Rabbit over a blazing flame with plenty of oil. The pickled chilies released a sharp, sour, spicy aroma, while the oil had seasoned the wok to a glossy black, making it slicker than any nonstick pan. Each toss sent the food soaring before it fell back—a feast for the eyes. Beside him, Ning Qing silently washed the Cilantro with meticulous care. Once it was clean, she laid it on the cutting board and pointed a finger. The Cilantro fell into neat little pieces.
Before taking the dish off the heat, Chen Shu seasoned it, scooped up a little with the Wok Spatula, and offered Ning Qing the first taste. Then he held it out to the two at the door.
Lawyer Wei had known it all along—
They weren't two mighty protectors or two fearsome guardians. They were just two gluttons waiting to be fed.
"Does it have enough flavor?"
"Yes."
"Delicious!"
"Too salty?"
"No."
"Just right!"
Lawyer Wei couldn't help smiling.
The scene warmed her heart.
Just then, a Wok Spatula appeared in front of her.
"Want some too, Lawyer Wei?"
Lawyer Wei picked up a piece. The rabbit meat was white and scorching hot against her fingers. Once it entered her mouth, the pickled chilies' bright sourness and heat, along with the perfectly balanced seasoning, had all soaked into the meat. Its searing temperature made the flavors hit even harder. For a moment, her taste buds seemed to explode.