The diner's satisfied expression was observed by Ningguang.
Such genuine contentment was generally hard to fake.
It seemed this dessert, named ice cream, had truly captured the diners' taste buds, its allure undeterred even by the scorching sun.
Ningguang picked up a spoon, scooped a small portion, and gently placed it in her mouth.
Cold, creamy, sweet!
The melt-in-your-mouth sensation bloomed on her tongue, a delicate texture like sheer gauze that Ningguang had never experienced before.
At that moment, she seemed to understand the diners' thoughts…
'To think that ice cream, such a perfect dessert, was developed by Feng Yi. He truly is the man I favor!'
Ningguang scooped another spoonful and placed it in her mouth, her eyes smiling as she looked at Feng Yi beside her, feeling a sense of pride.
"If you like it, this one's for you too!"
Seeing Ningguang's enraptured expression, Feng Yi offered her the portion he held.
Feng Yi tasted a few bites. While ice cream made with ordinary ingredients was delicious, it lacked a certain refinement.
It was far inferior to the one he had made earlier using green-plumed swan eggs, but its severe side effects meant such ice cream could never be widely distributed.
He could only make it for himself to satisfy a craving.
"Feng Yi, you're so kind~ Can you teach me how to make such delicious desserts?"
Ningguang had just finished her bowl and felt a lingering desire for more. Coincidentally, Feng Yi offered his portion at that moment, and Ningguang happily accepted.
She didn't mind Feng Yi's earlier taste and scooped a spoonful, eating it with delight.
"Of course. I'll teach you back at the Jade Chamber after dinner, but you must keep it a secret after you learn, okay?"
Given Ningguang's generosity, Feng Yi couldn't possibly refuse to share the simple ice cream recipe.
With Xiangling's help, Chef Mao finally had time to finish preparing Feng Yi's lunch.
Feng Yi was very hungry and immediately dug in. Ningguang, having just finished two bowls of ice cream, felt somewhat full and only managed a few bites before finishing.
Since Chef Mao had prepared portions for two, the rest of the food ended up benefiting Feng Yi's stomach.
Xiangling quickly sold out the entire barrel, yet the diners' cravings remained unsated.
Many diners complained that the one-item purchase limit was not enough to satisfy their appetite.
Xiangling was also helpless. If there were no limits, some diners might have bought the entire barrel, leaving none for the others who had waited so long.
Xiangling informed the diners in line that the next batch of ice cream would be available in an incense stick's time, asking them to return later.
Wanmin Restaurant had limited ingredients and containers on hand, and new supplies were en route. Selling one barrel every incense stick was the maximum they could manage at the moment.
However, despite the wait for new ice cream, the queuing diners had no intention of leaving.
What was an incense stick's time? A moment's distraction and it would be over!
If they left and rejoined the queue, they might not be able to secure the limited ice cream.
The diners' thoughts were surprisingly consistent, leading the queue to grow longer, forming a magnificent spectacle.
This peculiar phenomenon also attracted many curious passersby who joined the queue without fully understanding why, much to Xiangling's amusement.
The seemingly endless line kept Chef Mao and Xiangling busy, a labor that was both exhausting and fulfilling.
However, there was one exception – Guoba!
Besides helping Xiangling with the fire, Guoba spent the rest of his time holding a bowl of ice cream and a cup of milk tea, sitting on the nearby stone steps, enjoying the dessert that made the diners envious, appearing utterly detached from worldly concerns.
'The clamor of the world is but fleeting clouds; only the state of mind when savoring dessert is eternal!'
With ice cream in his left hand and milk tea in his right, Guoba's already small eyes seemed to be smiling with pure bliss.
If they hadn't known Guoba was the little chef Xiangling's pet, the diners would have found it impossible to accept that a mere pet was enjoying a better meal than them!
"Guoba? Guoba! Come help me move this freshly made barrel of ice cream to the cold storage!"
Xiangling called out to Guoba, who was basking in the sun. Lacking sufficient manpower, she was truly overwhelmed.
But after waiting for a long time, Guoba remained seated there, unmoving.
Guoba: The world is so beautiful, yet you are so impatient. No need to rush; let me finish this bowl of ice cream first…
"Ahem! If you don't help, then you won't get any of this ice cream later, you know!"
Xiangling's nonchalant remark struck Guoba like thunder.
Guoba: That despicable Xiangling, using my beloved ice cream as a hostage! I… I'll help, alright?
Guoba finished the remaining dessert in one gulp and then scurried off to assist.
Feng Yi devoured the two portions of dishes, patted his stomach, which was three-quarters full, and took Ningguang back to the Jade Chamber.
In the Jade Chamber's kitchen, as per Feng Yi's request, Ningguang prepared all the necessary ingredients for making ice cream.
Feng Yi stared at the green-plumed swan egg on the cutting board, falling into a deep dilemma.
This egg was specifically retrieved by Ningguang after learning that ingredient quality affected the final ice cream's quality.
Ningguang stated that if they were to do it, they should exert their utmost effort and make the highest quality ice cream!
This particular egg was a small gift from Cloud Retainer to her.
While not exceedingly precious, it was currently the highest quality egg available.
"Feng Yi? Is something wrong?"
Seeing Feng Yi staring at the egg in a daze, with a look of conflict on his face, Ningguang wondered if he was encountering difficulties.
"Uh… Since it's come to this, I won't hide it from you. I did make ice cream with this type of egg before. While the taste was a notch above what was made with ordinary ingredients at Wanmin Restaurant, it had some rather embarrassing side effects…"
Feng Yi explained the side effects to Ningguang. However, he was unsure if it was due to the egg, the special yak milk concocted by Ganyu, or a combination of both that resulted in the peculiar reaction!
If he had enough time, Feng Yi could have figured it out using controlled experiments.
"You yourself said it's not necessarily the egg's fault. Relax, relax. At worst, after it's made, we can let Baishi try a bite first. If there are no issues, then I'll eat it."
With only a one-third chance of side effects, the probability of success was a high two-thirds!
For a businesswoman, nothing was absolute. As long as the odds were over fifty percent, it was worth a shot!
Ningguang refused to believe her luck would be that bad!
Moreover, the side effects Feng Yi described were not entirely unacceptable…
"Since you put it that way, let's give it a try!"
After the ice cream is made, letting Baishi taste it first would allow them to determine if ice cream made with this egg had side effects.
Truly worthy of being Ningguang! Her mind is so sharp; how did he not think of that himself!