CHAPTER 53: CHAPTER 53: UNCLE LI ACTUALLY DOESN’T EAT?

Shen Jingqi immediately noticed the distant flashing sign.

[Diannan Fragrance]

"Miss, we’ve arrived."

Uncle Li turned his head.

"Alright, Uncle Li. You should come in with us."

Li Baiyu suggested.

Shen Jingqi got out of the car, opened the door for Li Baiyu, and helped her out.

The three of them entered the restaurant together.

Inside the private room, Li Baiyu was ordering food.

She scrutinized the tablet, her long fingers tapping on it.

Just watching her, Shen Jingqi felt a profound happiness.

"Come and see what you want to eat."

Li Baiyu’s voice was gentle.

Shen Jingqi leaned over.

As the distance between them reduced to about twenty centimeters, Li Baiyu’s scent drifted into Shen Jingqi’s nostrils.

Maintaining this distance, Shen Jingqi leaned towards the menu.

It was like a collection of beautiful and lovely plants.

[Truffle]

[Origin: Shangri-La]

[Date: December 18, 2024]

Like black diamonds, dazzlingly brilliant.

[Matsutake]

[Origin: Yulong Snow Mountain]

[Date: December 18, 2024]

Two beautiful matsutakes resting on green pine needles, very comforting.

[Morel]

[Origin: Lijiang]

[Date: December 18, 2024]

Like exquisite works of art.

[Red Mushroom]

[Origin: Xishuangbanna Primitive Forest]

[Date: December 17, 2024]

The bright red color catches the eye.

Just looking at the menu, Shen Jingqi was captivated.

"These are all fresh dated, air shipped directly."

The waiter leaned in to explain.

"We’ll have these."

Li Baiyu submitted the order.

"Besides making soup from these ingredients, please prepare your best dishes."

"Certainly, they’ll be prepared by Executive Chef Kai Feng. Please be patient."

The waiter respectfully picked up the tablet.

"Oh, please start with three servings of truffle sashimi."

Li Baiyu gestured to where Uncle Li was sitting.

At that moment, Uncle Li was resting with his eyes closed.

"Sure."

Truffle sashimi?!

Soon, the waiter brought over three exquisite plates.

Shen Jingqi looked at the plate in front of him.

The thinly sliced black truffles displayed clear marble-like veins.

Beside them were a few lush green leaves.

Next, the waiter set down several small dishes.

These contained wasabi, soy sauce, and aromatic vinegar.

Shen Jingqi counted the black truffle slices centered on the plate, a total of six slices.

Occupying one-sixth of the plate’s space.

Truly exquisite!

"Go ahead and eat!"

Li Baiyu picked up chopsticks, gently grabbed a slice, and ate it directly.

"Just like that?"

Shen Jingqi picked up a slice and tentatively put it in his mouth.

It was initially tasteless, but the moment it entered, a rich aroma unfolded.

The intense fragrance, like molecules in the air, rapidly exploded upon contact.

The air absorbed the aroma, expanding into more structures.

With the arrival of the next black truffle slice, an even greater molecular chain burst forth.

Thus, the encounter unleashed a more intense aroma, encircling the neural pathways, entering the brain’s pleasure center.

As the layers of aroma erupted, the six black truffle slices provided just the right satisfaction.

Shen Jingqi put down his knife and fork, savoring the taste.

He saw the same joyful signal on Li Baiyu’s face.

When tasting something delicious, the eyes shine brightly!

Like twinkling stars.

The attending waiter leaned forward and said:

"Allow me to clear this for you."

The waiter picked up the sashimi plates in front of Shen Jingqi and Li Baiyu.

Meanwhile, the sashimi plate in front of Uncle Li remained untouched.

Uncle Li, eyes closed, was slowly inhaling through his nose.

Suddenly, Uncle Li exhaled a long breath, looking very satisfied.

After a while, a spark of electricity seemed to flash across his neck.

What was Uncle Li doing, just smelling it?

Could Uncle Li be trying a newer way of savoring?

To smell.

Li Baiyu seemed unsurprised by this, simply savoring the rich fragrance of the black truffle.

"Starter, black truffle ball."

The waiter began serving dishes.

Buoyed by the goodwill from the truffle itself, Shen Jingqi swallowed the black truffle ball whole.

The aroma was about to explode!

The sense of happiness shot straight to the top of his head.

So satisfying!

Shen Jingqi felt like he was traversing the peak of Shangri-La.

Distant Shangri-La, connected to him through a single truffle.

"Shangri-La, it just sounds like such a beautiful place, and it can yield such an amazing taste. It’s truly a wonderful experience."

Shen Jingqi marveled.

"Have you been to Shangri-La?"

Li Baiyu asked.

"I haven’t been, but I’ve seen it in books and videos."

Shen Jingqi spun the plate.

"Once I have money and time, I’ll travel to some places."

Since beginning college, Shen Jingqi has almost always been on campus, with little opportunity to travel anywhere.

Medical studies require a lot of coursework, and Shen Jingqi also works part-time, leaving little extra time.

"Have you ever gone anywhere during holidays?"

"Not for any extended time."

Shen Jingqi put down his knife and fork and said earnestly:

"I like traveling, not just touring. Traveling means going to a place and living there for a while. Only then can you feel the local spirit."

"You’re different from many young people, not very keen on visiting all the internet-famous places."

Li Baiyu paused.

"I feel the same."

"However, I also travel infrequently. Travel sounds very desirable."

"Travel is life itself."

Shen Jingqi noticed the waiter was back.

"Main course, matsutake, and morel soup."

"Black truffle omelet."

"Red mushroom fantasy."

"Staple: truffle-flavored rice noodles."

"Enjoy your meal."

Shen Jingqi looked at the various plates, bowls, and dishes, realizing the main courses were also quite exquisite.

Every dish was a small portion or cluster.

Even the rice noodles, the staple, came in a small bowl.

Shen Jingqi took small bites, feeling the spread of flavors.

The matsutake soup had a touch of chilliness to it.

The impression of Yulong Snow Mountain was evoked in this dish.

Shen Jingqi was lost in its spell, his thoughts drifting far, overwhelmed by strong sensations.

Li Baiyu also savored her meal quietly.

It was clear that she, too, was in a good mood.

"Dessert: Truffle Snowfield"

"Red wine."

The waiter brought the final pairing.

Another delightful, ethereal taste.

A small piece, yet it brought endless flavors.

Amidst a sumptuous spread, one lets loose, fueling boundless greed.

Finally, a sip of wine balanced sweet and bitter, calming the senses into a gentle slumber.

The waiter cleared all the dishes.

To Shen Jingqi’s surprise, Uncle Li hadn’t touched his food throughout.

He merely sniffed with his nose, seemingly very content.

Could it be that Uncle Li had some dietary restrictions?