The man’s features were handsome and chiseled. His eyes were dark, and he exuded a sharp, ascetic aura.
He glanced at the screen and said in a gentle voice, “Yes.”
It’s human nature to gossip, and Viscount Albert was no exception. “She seems to have changed a lot compared to last year.”
It was almost as if she had become a different person.
Viscount Albert had met Xiang Yi once last year.
At that time, Xiang Chen had used his connections to visit the most famous psychiatrist and neurologist in France.
At that time, Albert had quite a poor impression of Xiang Yi.
He thought that she was a materialistic, arrogant, rude, and foolish girl.
However, after looking at her today, he felt that she wasn’t as bad as he had thought.
After watching a snippet of “Two Under One Roof”, he initially wanted to nitpick on Xiang Yi and make things hard for her. But to his surprise, she managed to easily fulfill his condition of garnering at least one million viewers.
He wondered…how the dishes tasted.
As they spoke, the first dish was served.
“Chili?” Albert frowned. He was used to eating light, tasty and refreshing food as starters so he instinctively felt a little repulsed when he saw the chicken bites that were mixed with lots of red chilies.
‘But… what kind of chili is this? Why does it have such a mesmerizing aroma!?!’
Yes, Albert was a huge fan of spicy food and there were lots of photos of the various spicy dishes that he had tasted at many famous restaurants on his social media page.
The stir-fried spicy chicken bites on the plate were golden brown in color and garnished with red chilies and white sesame seeds. The fragrance of peppercorn wafted up to his nose…
Albert couldn’t help but poke his fork into a piece of chicken and stuff it into his mouth.
He inhaled sharply.
‘It’s so spicy!’
However, it wasn’t just spicy. On the contrary, there were several depths of taste to the rich flavor resulting from a perfect combination of numbing spiciness, fragrance, sweetness, saltiness… The multitude of flavors exploded at the tip of his tongue, making him feel a slight tingling sensation.
Spiciness was not just a taste but a painful sensation resulting from capsaicin being transmitted through neurotransmitters. However, it was mesmerizing and addictive.
This dish may not be the most perfect appetizer in Western cuisine.
However, for Albert, it was perfection!
Before he could marvel in amazement, the second dish was served.
West Lake fish in vinegar gravy.
There was smooth and glistening sweet and sour sauce drizzled all over a whole fish, which had been slit a few times in an elaborate manner to make the fins stay erect, resembling flower petals. Not only would doing so add a touch of aesthetic beauty to the fish, it would also enhance the flavor.
The fish was smooth, and the taste of the sweet and sour sauce was just right, neutralizing the spiciness of the previous dish. Sugar makes the brain produce large surges of dopamine and thus, after tasting the dish, Albert felt like his spirits had been lifted.
“Incredible! Has she been practicing cooking since she was a child!?”
Xiang Chen took a mouthful of the fish and said, “It’s so-so.”
‘What a heartless little girl. It’s been such a long time since she returned but she didn’t send me a single text. Yet, she keeps being so chummy with the other rascals and calling them ‘brother’ so affectionately.’
Ah. ?
Albert was flabbergasted!
‘They call me picky, but Chen is the pickiest eater in the world!’
Immediately afterwards, the finely shredded tofu dish was served. The fusion of tofu, bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, ham and other ingredients provided an irresistibly delicious flavor that one will never get enough of, so much so that it was impossible to stop after just one bite.
Next, crimson and glossy braised pork belly that was tender but not mushy was served, followed by a light and refreshing medley of stir-fried vegetables; roasted squab that was coated in tempting grease; fresh and tender blanched vegetables…
Each and every dish was exquisite and delectable!
Albert was especially excited after the last dish, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, was served. He was so worked up that his voice began to get shaky.
“For a restaurant to be awarded three Michelin stars, the dishes have to be prepared by a chef with impeccable culinary skills, and there must also be an exquisite selection of the best wine for pairing. The service has to be flawless, and guests have to be served in an extremely refined dining environment.”
“However, when it comes to true delicacies, nothing else is needed…”
“The food just has to be delicious!!!”
