The father and daughter walked out without the slightest hesitation, utterly disappointed with Ming Yue Zhai. They felt that Ming Yue Zhai was no different from other restaurants, full of fraudsters and just a place to extort money.
As Yao Wenxian walked, he cursed, "This has truly broken my heart. I thought the place recommended by Old Xie would be exceptional. I wasn't expecting a cure, but at least the food should be edible. Who knew they'd serve these ordinary, no-frills home-style dishes? Heh, if we could eat these, why would we be running around? It's infuriating!"
It was understandable for him to think this way; any normal person would.
Yao Xue shared the same sentiment. She had wanted to leave long ago. If it weren't for Yao Wenxian holding her back, she would have left before the food was even served.
"Utter garbage."
Yao Xue even spat on the ground. Staying another second in a place like this was an insult to her.
Utterly subpar!
"Alas..." Xie Yuqing also shook his head, his disappointment evident.
He himself didn't understand how things had escalated to this point. Logically, it shouldn't have. The last time he visited, Lu Ming's medical skills and Bian Ru's cooking were both impeccable.
Their collaboration last time was a match made in heaven, curing Xie Yuqing's inflamed condition instantly.
The experience had profoundly impacted Xie Yuqing; he almost revered Lu Ming as an immortal. But now, only a few days later, everything had changed.
Lu Ming's medical skills were subpar, Bian Ru's cooking was also lacking, and their teamwork was a disastrous sight.
"Alas, they say one should look at a person with new eyes after three days. Shouldn't things be getting better? How could they be getting worse? I truly can't comprehend it, can't comprehend it at all."
Xie Yuqing racked his brain but couldn't fathom such a vast difference.
Meanwhile.
Su Wanran was also extremely disappointed with Lu Ming. She had placed her entire future and fortune in Lu Ming's hands, expecting him to help her grow her business.
And this was the result?
This was child's play!
Even if you couldn't prepare delicious food, you could at least serve some relatively expensive dishes, making it somewhat passable for everyone, right?
At the very least, make them look appetizing and luxurious, and not disappoint Yao Wenxian and Yao Xue so much.
Maintain some semblance of dignity!
"Alas," Su Wanran sighed deeply. She didn't know what else to say. At this point, she couldn't criticize Lu Ming and could only silently accept the current reality.
At this moment.
Lu Ming suddenly seemed to have a realization. He coughed and said, "Oh, right, I forgot to add the seasonings. My apologies."
Huh?
Everyone turned to look at Lu Ming simultaneously.
Seasonings?
Yao Wenxian sneered, "Seasonings can only add a touch of perfection; they can't change the essence of the food. With these few garbage dishes, no amount of seasoning will make them useful. It's this late, and instead of correcting your mistakes, you're trying to deceive us with flowery words? Heh, you really think highly of yourselves. Do you think I'm that easily fooled?"
Lu Ming replied, "You'll know soon enough whether you're fooled or not. Come, try it."
Immediately, Lu Ming opened the seasoning packets and added them to the three dishes and one soup.
Yao Xue didn't believe Lu Ming's nonsense. Whether he added seasoning or not, she was walking out. But as soon as she reached the door, her nose caught a whiff of a wonderful aroma.
Hmm?
This scent?
For some reason, Yao Xue, who suffered from severe anorexia, suddenly felt an appetite. Her stomach even rumbled.
She was… hungry!
The rumbling of her stomach echoed throughout the private room, like the sounding of a victory horn.
Her foot, which had already moved forward, paused mid-air.
Yao Xue no longer wanted to step out. She wanted to turn back, to taste the three dishes and one soup. Her appetite had become incredibly strong.
However.
She had spoken too definitively earlier, belittling Lu Ming to the extreme. If she turned back now to ask Lu Ming for food, she feared she would be met with his ridicule.
Where would she put her face?
Yao Xue was in a dilemma, unable to advance or retreat. Her foot hung in the air, causing her great discomfort.
This standoff lasted for about four or five seconds.
Yao Wenxian clearly noticed Yao Xue's awkwardness, especially the rumbling of her stomach, which he clearly heard.
How long had it been since he heard such a pleasant sound?
Yao Wenxian's face lit up with a smile. He coughed and offered his daughter an excuse to save face.
He said, "Xue'er, it seems you're a bit hungry. Why don't you bear with it and try some of the food here? Although they're simple home-style dishes, they can still fill your stomach, right?"
Yao Xue's face flushed like a ripe apple. She was extremely embarrassed. Everyone could see Yao Xue's thoughts, but no one exposed her. Instead, they were all trying their best to support her.
Being seen through by everyone, yet being supported by them, felt incredibly awkward.
Beside them, Su Wanran was inwardly delighted. She said, "Yes, Xue'er, why don't you have a little? Perhaps these dishes aren't as unappetizing as you imagined?"
"Really? Alright then, I'll just have a few bites to tide me over. Hmph."
Even at this point, Yao Xue maintained her elegant demeanor, as if she wasn't eager to eat but was merely trying it out of necessity.
Thus, Yao Xue sat down, coughed, and picked up her chopsticks to eat.
She picked up a piece of meat.
Yao Xue looked at the ordinary-looking slice of meat before her and truly couldn't understand why it smelled so fragrant.
This kind of dish could be made by any restaurant on the street.
Why did it smell so wonderfully fragrant specifically at Ming Yue Zhai?
Strange, truly strange.
Yao Xue couldn't help but open her mouth and take a large bite.
She chewed slowly.
"Delicious, it's truly delicious." Yao Xue was so moved she almost cried. This was undoubtedly the most delicious slice of meat she had ever eaten in her life; she had never tasted anything more fragrant.
Good heavens, this slice of meat was a gift from heaven, an absolute delicacy!
"It's too delicious, Dad, I want to eat it every day from now on."
Yao Xue ate while crying, tears streaming down her face and dripping into her bowl.
Eating the meat slices and drinking the soup, she quickly finished a large bowl of rice.
Satisfying.
Awesome!
Still not enough!
"I, I want more!" Yao Xue handed her bowl to Lu Ming and said loudly, "I want to eat more, quickly, quickly go and serve me another bowl."
Lu Ming smiled and took the bowl. However, he only filled it halfway.
To be precise, only about one-third of a bowl.