"Manager Cheng, where are you getting off?" Guo Xuyang asked.
"I'll get off when we reach my destination. You guys go find Manager Jiang directly," Cheng Xiuping replied as he drove.
"Alright. This timing works out perfectly. Take the meat with you, and ask the hotel to process it for you. I've put it in the trunk."
"I've made a reservation at a private kitchen. I'm not sure if they process outside ingredients."
"Just take it. If they don't process it, it'll be a nice gift for your friends. Why did you arrange for lunch? You can't drink then."
"There are no outsiders, just a few old guys. They won't drink too much. They're very strict about drinking at night, so they generally don't let them eat out."
"I see. Stewing some of this lamb might pique their interest."
"Then I won't be polite."
"What are we being polite about? If your friends enjoy it, maybe I can open a lamb soup restaurant in Kyoto." Guo Xuyang said with a smile.
"If that really happens, I'll have them bring people to support you. Alright, we're here. I won't keep you any longer. Let's meet again tonight." Cheng Xiuping said as he stopped the car in front of a siheyuan.
"Okay, I'll call you later." Guo Xuyang got out of the car and carried a foam box. "I've put ice packs in it to keep it fresh."
"Yangzi, thank you."
"We're past being polite. I'm leaving." Guo Xuyang got into his car and drove away.
"Old Cheng, what is this?" An old man with white hair came out of the courtyard and asked Cheng Xiuping, who was carrying a foam box.
"Old Yao, this is good stuff. Please help me process it later."
"You know my rules. I don't process outside ingredients," Old Yao said.
"You can come and take a look. If you really can't process it, I won't force you."
"I'm not looking. You always try to trick me. Last time you brought a big goose and tried to trick me into processing it. Luckily, I didn't fall for your trick."
"This time it's really different. You'll know once you see it. The person who gave me this said he could supply it long-term if they enjoy it." Cheng Xiuping began to persuade him.
"You're not trying to supply me with raw materials, are you? You know my standards are very high."
"Just open it and see. If it really doesn't meet your standards, would I still try to force it on you?" Old Yao was eventually persuaded by Cheng Xiuping and opened the foam box. Inside the foam box was a plastic container, divided into two compartments: one for beef and one for lamb.
Old Yao leaned down, smelled it, and then touched it with his hand. He shook his head. "Isn't this just lamb and beef? It looks no different from what I usually buy."
"How about this? Could you use your stove to cook this lamb for me? If it doesn't taste good, I'll pay you double."
"You're tricking me again. Would I take your money? This lamb doesn't seem special. Why are you so sure it's delicious?"
"Because I've eaten it before. I'm inviting those old friends today, so I brought this good stuff I ate in the provincial capital."
"Is it really that good?"
"When have I ever lied to you?"
"I'll trust you one more time. If you're lying to me, I won't take your orders anymore."
"Don't worry, I definitely won't lie to you." Seeing Cheng Xiuping's earnest look, Old Yao was tempted. He took out the lamb, rinsed it twice, and put it directly into a large pot to cook. The piece of lamb weighed about fifteen or sixteen pounds, and it didn't look very prominent in the pot.
"This beef is even better than that so-called wagyu beef. Old Yao, could you add this dish for me too? Charge me whatever it costs." Cheng Xiuping made another request after seeing Old Yao cooking the lamb.
"You should be content. You should take this back and prepare it yourself. I don't have time to do this for you." Old Yao refused.
"They used this beef in the provincial capital to make beef brisket soup, and it was indeed very delicious, even better than the lamb soup. However, I always felt something was missing. If you make it, it will definitely be even better than theirs."
"Even if you praise it to the skies, I still won't make it for you." Old Yao waved his hand.
"Have you finalized the guest list? How many people are coming? I need to prepare the dishes for you."
"Including me, there are eight people for now. Unless there's a special incident, it will be eight people."
"Then I'll go and prepare for you. This lamb is from you, so it doesn't count. I'll prepare eight dishes for you."
"How about preparing one less dish? Can I count this beef as mine?"
"Are you sure about using this beef? If the guests say it doesn't taste good, don't blame me."
"Don't worry, I definitely won't blame you."
"Alright then, I'll prepare ingredients for seven guests. It's the same rule as before, ten thousand per person."
"No problem. Get two more bottles of Erguotou, and I'll round it up." Cheng Xiuping said and opened his phone to transfer ten thousand.
"Old Yao, please check if it has arrived."
"It's too much. You know my rules, I'll transfer the excess back to you later."
"It's not too much. There's also this lamb and beef."
"What can I say about you? You've made me break my rules more than once."
"What are we being polite about?" Cheng Xiuping chuckled.
...
"Manager Jiang, we've arrived." Guo Xuyang called Jiang Qixin after reaching the location Jiang Qixin had sent him.
"Wait a moment, I'll send someone to pick you up." After Jiang Qixin hung up the phone, a handsome young man came to the car within two minutes.
"Are you Mr. Guo?"
"Who are you?"
"I was sent by Director Jiang."
"Hello, hello." Guo Xuyang was about to get out of the car upon hearing this.
"Mr. Guo, you don't need to get out. Just follow me." The young man got into a jeep and led them north. After about twenty minutes, they arrived at a courtyard.
"Mr. Guo, please get out. Director Jiang is waiting for you inside." The young man said and led two people inside. Guo Xuyang looked at the situation and knew this must be their safe house. He couldn't help but wonder what the purpose of coming here was.
"Sir, please wait here." The young man said to Pi Xiaoqian.
"I'll wait here?" Pi Xiaoqian pointed to his nose and asked.
"Yes, sir."
"Then what about him?" Pi Xiaoqian pointed to Guo Xuyang and asked.
"He needs to go inside."
"No, I came with him. Why can he go in and I can't? I also know your director."
"I apologize, sir. Please wait." The young man did not get angry but said to Pi Xiaoqian.
"Alright then." Pi Xiaoqian agreed and actually sat on a chair and closed his eyes to sleep.
"Mr. Guo, please come with me?"
"Hypnotism?" Guo Xuyang glanced at the young man.
"Just a little trick, a humble performance for you."
"You know me?"
"I just found out. Please come this way." The young man said and walked forward.
Guo Xuyang didn't know how many rooms he passed through. It took him a full half hour to reach a place.
"Mr. Guo, I won't be going any further. Just walk straight down this path, and someone will meet you there." The young man said and turned back.
"Is my friend okay?" Guo Xuyang asked.
"I'll take him to the restaurant Manager Jiang booked to wait for you," the young man said, nodding at Guo Xuyang. Guo Xuyang knew who he was about to meet from this setup. He hadn't expected to be received so soon.
A thousand chapters. More than three hundred days and nights. I couldn't have done it without the support of my friends and the care of everyone. Honestly, the journey has not been easy. From an initial six thousand words a day to later five thousand words, my only thought was to persist. To persist in finishing this novel. After all, this is my first novel, and I don't want to have any regrets. Even if the performance isn't ideal, I have to be worthy of my friends and everyone who supported me. Today there are three updates. Please continue to follow them. Cast your free votes, and let's all get excited.