"It was my mistake let's start over. I'm Song Changsheng. A pleasure to meet you, Fellow Daoist Zhu," Song Changsheng said with a respectful cupped-fist salute.
"So… does that mean Fellow Daoist Song agrees to be friends with me?" Zhu asked with a grin.
"Fellow Daoist Zhu, you stepped up for a stranger today. That sense of justice is rare. To make your acquaintance is truly my honor."
Song Changsheng had always been open to befriending those with kind intentions. After all, in this world, more friends are better than more enemies.
"Hahaha, you flatter me, Fellow Daoist Song. I just can't stand to see people going around cheating others.
Today feels like a fateful meeting like old friends at first sight. If you're free, why don't we find a place to have a drink?" Zhu Yiqun said, modest on the surface, though inwardly quite delighted.
Song Changsheng had more or less finished browsing the market, and upon hearing Zhu's invitation, nodded and said, "Sounds good. I've heard Yu Shi Fang in Liuyun Market has an excellent reputation. Why not try their food?"
"Hahaha, splendid! After you, Fellow Daoist Song." Zhu Yiqun readily agreed. Since he was the one who suggested drinks, it would've been a bit forward to pick the venue himself, after all, they weren't that close just yet.
Yu Shi Fang was a thriving and prestigious restaurant. Its owner was not affiliated with any power in Lingzhou or even within the entire Great Qi cultivation world.
It was a multi-national chain restaurant with deep backing. Rumor had it that even in the most chaotic regions, once you stepped inside Yu Shi Fang, no one would dare cause trouble.
Over time, dining at Yu Shi Fang became something of a status symbol.
Song Changsheng chose this venue for two reasons: first, to show he valued this meeting, and second, to ensure their safety in case someone harbored ill intentions.
Making friends was one thing but staying cautious was always wise.
"Gentlemen, how many in your party? What would you like to order?" A cheerful waiter greeted them at the door. His tone was respectful but not obsequious perfectly balanced.
Song Changsheng glanced around. The first floor was spacious but a bit noisy not his preferred setting. He said to the waiter, "Do you have any private rooms available? One by the window, please. And bring us a selection of your signature dishes and wine."
The waiter quickly nodded. "Of course. Right this way, gentlemen."
He led them to a private room named Orchid, poured them tea, and said, "Your food and wine will be ready shortly. Please make yourselves comfortable."
"Thank you." Song Changsheng, ever courteous, took out two spirit stones and handed them over as a tip.
After the waiter left, Song gestured for Zhu Yiqun to sit and asked, "May I ask which sect or school you're from, Fellow Daoist Zhu?"
Zhu smiled and replied, "I'm a rogue cultivator nowhere near as accomplished as you, Fellow Daoist Song."
Song observed him. Zhu looked to be around the same age as him, but he couldn't see through the man's cultivation at all. That was surprising.
If he truly was a rogue cultivator, then his talent had to be extraordinary.
Zhu seemed to notice Song's curiosity but offered no further explanation. Instead, he pointed to the gourd hanging from Song's waist and said, "Fellow Daoist Song, I believe I smell wine good wine."
Song was taken aback, then chuckled as he unhooked the treasured gourd. "You've got quite the nose, my friend. I'm impressed you picked that up."
Zhu burst out laughing, downed the tea in his cup, and pushed it toward Song. "I've got a sharp nose and a keen eye. The first time I saw you outside the market, I felt you were someone worth knowing.
And now, smelling this wine has only confirmed it. You love good wine, and I love good food it's a perfect match."
"Hahaha, so you've had your eye on my spirit wine all along, huh?"
Song teased as he pulled the stopper and poured them both a full cup. Instantly, the room was filled with a rich, intoxicating aroma.
Zhu's eyes lit up. He picked up his cup, took in the scent, then sipped lightly. His eyes narrowed with pleasure. After a long pause, he licked his lips and said, "Smooth and mellow, not harsh at all. The aftertaste lingers beautifully… This is excellent truly excellent wine."
With that, he downed the rest in one gulp, his face glowing with satisfaction.
Song refilled his cup with a smile. "My mother brewed this herself. If I didn't feel a strong connection with you, I wouldn't have brought it out."
"Really? Then I'd better have a few more cups," Zhu said with a grin, tipping the cup back again until it was empty.
The two of them continued to drink and toast each other in high spirits.
Before long, the waiter returned with their dishes.
A small plate of dried meat, a steamed spirit fish, and several well-balanced meat and vegetable side dishes.
As soon as the food was placed on the table, the rich aroma of the dishes quickly overpowered the lingering scent of the spirit wine.
"Yu Shi Fang lives up to its reputation excellent in color, fragrance, and taste. Even the ingredients and seasonings are top-grade spiritual materials," Zhu Yiqun remarked with satisfaction.
"Fellow Daoist Zhu, you mentioned you're a lover of good food. Where would Yu Shi Fang's dishes rank in your heart?" Song Changsheng asked, sipping his wine.
Zhu Yiqun chuckled, then replied confidently, "Among the restaurants I've eaten at, Yu Shi Fang ranks in the top five. But if we count the ones I know about… it probably wouldn't even make the top fifty."
Song Changsheng picked up a piece of fish and was instantly amazed by its exquisite taste. Hearing Zhu's comment, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "Yu Shi Fang is only in your top five? You've had food from four places even better than this?"
"Of course. Though I'd wager you've never even heard of three of them," Zhu Yiqun said with a firm nod.
"So you're saying there's one I have heard of?" Song frowned, thinking hard. In all of Lingzhou, no restaurant he knew could rival Yu Shi Fang.
Seeing his puzzled expression, Zhu Yiqun grinned mischievously and tapped his chubby nose. "I'm talking about me, Fellow Daoist Song. Don't tell me you haven't heard of me?"
"You? I thought you were just a food lover don't tell me you know how to cook?" Song looked him over skeptically. In the cultivation world, claiming to know how to cook usually implied being a ranked spirit chef not just knowing how to stir-fry.
"You underestimate the art, my friend. How can a true food lover not know how to cook? I may be unworthy, but I am, in fact, a top-grade Tier 1 medicinal cuisine master." Zhu Yiqun gave a solemn cupped-fist salute.
Now that caught Song Changsheng off guard. Medicinal cuisine masters were a truly rare profession second only to swordsmiths in scarcity. He hadn't expected this chubby fellow to have such a skill.
"Seems you still don't believe me. Then I suppose I'll have to show you."
With that, Zhu Yiqun pulled out a small porcelain bottle from his sleeve, popped the cork, and poured some yellow-brown powder over the dried meat. He looked quite pleased with himself as he said, "This is my special blend of seasoning. I'm not bragging, but no matter what dish it is, this will elevate it to the next level. I invite you to try it."
Song Changsheng, still half in doubt, picked up a piece of dried meat. After discreetly checking that it wasn't dangerous, he popped it into his mouth.
With just a few chews, his pupils instantly dilated in shock…
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