Chapter 76

It was as if fireworks were exploding.

The burning consumed the last trace of oxygen.

What followed was a complete blankness in his mind.

Ji Wei, who had been looking down, suddenly lifted his head, his eyes filled with disbelief, meeting Lu Shenxing’s clear, dark eyes.

He was afraid he had misheard, afraid Lu Shenxing had misspoken.

The moment their gazes were about to meet—

He quickly pulled back.

The man lowered his eyes slightly.

The shy little cat slowly retreated into its shell, but it quietly peeked out its tentative ears.

The numerous CP fans in the bullet comments were already flooding the screen.

[What did Ji Wei just say? Why did he take off his mic?!]

[What he said isn’t important! What’s important is ‘you are the unique gift from God’!!! Ahhhhhhhhh, all I can do is scream!]

[Someone said before that Film Emperor Lu isn’t romantic. Give me a dozen men who are this smooth, okay?]

[Damn, Lu-Wei is trending at number one!]

[We can be lazy about other things, but we must be diligent when it comes to shipping!]

Ji Wei didn’t pause for too long before a customer came to order hot pot.

—It was the reporter from earlier.

She felt very bad for interrupting their program recording with her interview.

Therefore, in addition to buying five hundred dollars’ worth of items, she decided to also support the newly opened backyard hot pot.

Ji Wei took a deep breath, tied his shop uniform, and prepared to hand over the menu.

Just then, Lu Shenxing came out from behind the counter, took the menu from his hand, and said flatly, “I’ll do it.”

Afraid he would be too tired, Ji Wei quickly shook his head. “I can do it.”

“I know you can.” The man paused, then said in a slow, deliberate tone, “I’ve been sitting for a long time. I want to stand for a bit.”

That seemed to make sense.

“I’ll handle the checkout then,” Ji Wei said, readily taking a seat at the counter.

She had never had Chinese hot pot before. Looking at the spice levels on the menu, she cautiously chose… mild.

Then she ordered fatty beef, beef slices, luncheon meat, and some of the more expensive vegetables: cucumber, mushrooms, and cabbage.

[Mild? Have you heard of insanely spicy?!]

[Eating mild hot pot has no soul!]

[A Cantonese person shivers in the corner, I only ever eat clear broth… ]

Soon, a copper pot was brought over.

It was engraved with intricate, ancient patterns, looking like a painting of ancient Chinese court ladies. The bowls and chopsticks that came with it were in the same style, giving it a very exotic feel.

She couldn’t help but take a picture.

Once the water reached a boil, a fragrant aroma wafted from the pot. The broth had a rich red color that whetted the appetite.

She picked up a piece of fatty beef and placed it in the pot.

In less than half a minute, the beef was cooked. She rolled it in a bowl of sesame oil, dripping with red oil, and after letting it cool slightly, she swallowed it.

It was very spicy.

She quickly drank half a bottle of lemonade, but it was just so delicious. The flavor was different from the pure spiciness she had imagined; it had rich, complex layers.

She poured the entire plate of fatty beef in.

She couldn’t stop at all.

[Ahhhhhh, I want to eat it too!]

[This is the first time I’ve seen a foreigner eat hot pot so fiercely. She’s obviously dying from the spice, but she’s still taking huge mouthfuls!]

[Hahahahahaha, she must be from Texas!]

[She probably hasn’t had it before, just trying something new!]

Only after she finished eating did she regretfully remember that she should have taken pictures. She said goodbye to the guests.

“Thank you for your hospitality today. The hot pot was especially delicious, just a bit too spicy, especially the cabbage. I will recommend it to my friends.”

Xiao Chi saw her to the door.

The first day of the hot pot business was a success, and everyone was very excited.

“It’s all thanks to the hot pot Weiwei brought. It smelled so fragrant,” Ma Laoyezi praised. “I tasted a bit of the base. This must have been made by an old master from Yu City. His skill is too good, rarely seen in my life.”

Ning Qing glanced at the kitchen, looking like he really wanted to eat.

Ji Wei couldn’t help but wonder if Huang Bo was some hidden gem from a culinary school. He replied, “My uncle at home made it. He’s not from Yu City, but he’s a very good cook.”

[Ma Laoyezi is a connoisseur of food. For his evaluation to be so high, I wonder how good it tastes?]

[Weiwei is amazing, and Weiwei’s uncle is also amazing. I can’t help but want to steal him from Film Emperor Lu!]

[I’m jealous! I want to eat it too!]

Although it was still morning, after the first customer, a second and third gradually followed…

Afraid that Lu Shenxing would be too busy, Ji Wei insisted on switching tasks back.

His worries were justified.

The morning was fine.

But during the lunch rush, more and more customers arrived, even forming a long line outside the shop. The eight hot pot tables in the backyard were already full. Ji Wei was responsible for both taking orders and serving dishes, and for a time, it was a bit overwhelming.

[Looks like being too popular isn’t always a good thing. I feel bad for Weiwei being so busy. Can the others help out?]

[I don’t think so. There are a lot of people buying cultural products too. Even Teacher Ning Qing is helping with packaging.]

[If this wasn’t being filmed abroad, I’d want to go eat there. Wuwuwuwuwu, I really want to eat!]

Ji Wei watched as the line outside the shop grew longer. With the sun high at noon, he felt this wasn’t a good solution.

He ran back to his room, took out a stack of paper and a few pens, and had the queuing customers register with a number and their phone number, so they could be called when it was almost their turn.

[Hahahahahaha, isn’t this me waiting for my number to be called?]

[Eight tables is still too few. I see some foreigners have even started sharing tables on their own!]

[I want to know today’s revenue. The hot pot is so spicy, the drink sales must be through the roof!]

Because they adopted the number-calling system, the queuing crowd slowly dispersed. However, they were all residents of nearby towns, and they were more than familiar with all the attractions and malls in St. Lawrence. While waiting to be called, they decided to browse the Forbidden City Little Shop.

“This notebook is nice.”

“That T-shirt isn’t bad either.”

“What’s this washi tape?”

The number of people inside the shop continued to grow.

Ji Wei: …………

***

Rod received a call from Anna at one in the afternoon. She said the new hot pot at the Forbidden City Little Shop was exceptionally delicious and recommended he go try it.

Hearing Anna’s excited tone, he couldn’t help but find it amusing. He was the one who had told her about the Forbidden City Little Shop in the first place. “I’ll go take a look, but you know, my father-in-law is Chinese. I’m always very picky about the taste of Chinese food.”

“You definitely won’t be disappointed,” Anna said. “I can’t talk anymore, I’m about to write up today’s interview.”

He hung up the phone.

His wife and child were on vacation in China, leaving him alone at home. He had eaten two sandwiches for lunch and was already feeling a bit hungry.

On a whim, he decided to go check out the Forbidden City Little Shop.

When he arrived at the shop entrance, it was crowded with people. He took a number and went to the beach to chat with a friend for two or three hours before receiving a text message to be seated.

“I’m heading out.”

He said goodbye to his friend and returned to the Forbidden City Little Shop.

He had been here before to buy washi tape and notebooks for his child, who loved them. He didn’t have any particular impression of the staff, other than thinking they were all quite good-looking.

The one responsible for taking orders and serving was a young man with two pear dimples. He served eight tables of customers in an orderly manner, without making a single mistake.

Rod was amazed by his memory.

“Excuse me, sir, what spice level would you like for your hot pot base? We have extra mild and mild,” Ji Wei said, picking up his pen to take notes. He didn’t actually need the paper to help him remember, but he needed to let Ma Laoyezi know what vegetables to cut.

[Extra mild is now a thing… This generation of Americans can’t handle their spice!]

[They can’t just handle it, the kids in Yu City could beat them!]

[Hunanese person raising my hand, we’re also really good at eating spicy food!]

Rod frowned.

The vast majority of Chinese food in America was not authentic. To cater to American tastes, it had become strange and weird. He didn’t expect the Forbidden City Little Shop to be the same, even offering “extra mild.” He had a feeling he was about to have a bad meal today.

Rod shook his head. “I want the spiciest.”

The bullet comments went silent for a few seconds.

[Who was just saying Americans can’t handle spicy food! Here’s one now!]

[Wow, he didn’t even flinch. He’s a real man.]

[Are we finally going to see the insanely spicy level? I’m so moved! I thought we were going to be making mild all day!]

“Are you sure?” Ji Wei couldn’t help but ask. The hot pot base they had been making today only used a quarter of the ingredients, and customers were already shouting that it was too spicy. The spiciest level would require using all the base at once.

Seeing the young man’s troubled expression, Rod asked knowingly, “Can’t you make it? Then…”

“We can,” Ji Wei nodded. “Please take a look at what vegetables you’d like.”

Only then did Rod take the menu. He was a vegetarian and skipped straight past the meat section, ticking off two servings of cabbage, one of broccoli, one of cauliflower…

[Two servings of cabbage? This guy is a beast!]

[Vegetables are very spicy in hot pot. I wouldn’t even dare to order like him!]

[I’m a fan, I’m a fan. If he came to China to do a food stream, he’d definitely be a hit!]

When the hot pot arrived, Rod looked at the thick layer of chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns floating in the pot and blinked. It seemed this hot pot had some substance after all.

As the base came to a boil, he poured in a serving of cabbage and cauliflower. The moment he ate it, he regretted it. It was so spicy that his mouth felt like it was on fire, a fire that spread all the way down to his stomach.

Seeing that his expression wasn’t good, Ji Wei quickly asked, “Is it not spicy enough? We can add more.”

Rod was so overwhelmed by the spice he couldn’t speak. After a long while, he finally asked in a hoarse voice, “Is… is there any water?”

It was a complete contrast to his confident and calm demeanor before he arrived.

Ji Wei was stunned for a moment, then immediately turned around and went into the kitchen to pour him a glass of lemonade.

[So sudden!]

[So sudden +1. I thought he was a beast, but it turns out he’s a total rookie!]

[His reaction is so real. When I get hit by spice, I’m just like him, my whole face turns red.]

[Hahahahahaha, you guys are killing me!]

Rod was not one to waste food. Despite the excruciating spiciness, he finished everything by dipping it in water. After eating, he posted a tweet.

—I recommend the extra spicy hot pot at the Forbidden City Little Shop. It tastes great, not spicy at all. There’s only the afternoon left this week, so come quickly if you want to try it!

After seeing Rod off, Ji Wei welcomed several more customers who ordered the extra spicy hot pot. No matter how tactfully he advised against it, they still insisted on ordering it. It was only when the hot pot was served that they all cursed Rod with a [bleep].

[I’m shocked, can they even bleep things out on a live stream? Did anyone see what they said?]

[I don’t know, but I guess the translation would be ‘Rod, you son of a bitch’! ]

[Hahahahahaha, I think I understand what happened.]

[So devious!]

Because there were many people waiting for their numbers to be called, by six in the afternoon, everything in the shop was sold out. Xiao Chi and the others helped with washing dishes and serving food.

The backyard hot pot stayed open until eight at night before seeing off the last customer.

After working all day, the guests could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

“How about hot pot for dinner tonight?” Ma Laoyezi was still full of energy.

“Okay,” Ning Qing was the first to agree.

The others had no objections, but Ji Wei, considering his idol’s leg was still recovering and that he shouldn’t eat anything too spicy, added, “Let’s do a dual-sided hot pot, one with red broth and one with clear broth.”

[Clear broth! My image of Weiwei is shattered. How can you eat clear broth in a hot pot? (Just kidding)]

[They had barbecue in the first episode, Weiwei should be able to handle spicy food, right?!]

[It’s true that Film Emperor Lu can’t really handle spicy food.]

Everyone was busy in the backyard. Lu Shenxing was still sitting at the counter, his head propped up by his hand, his eyes slightly closed, looking a bit tired.

“Let’s go eat,” Ji Wei said, walking over.

The man lifted his eyes, then lowered them again. “Too tired.”

He really needed to rest then.

Just as Ji Wei was about to say he should get some rest, the man extended his well-defined hand.

As if he wanted him to hold it.

Ji Wei was stunned for a moment, then tentatively took it. The moment he touched Lu Shenxing’s slightly cool skin, his hand was held tightly. Then, the man stood up from his chair and said, “Let’s go.”

He’s not tired anymore just like that?

Ji Wei was a bit confused.

But the young man still slowly, held Lu Shenxing’s hand back.

[Ahhhhhhhhhh, A-Wei is dead!]

[Too tired, needs Weiwei to hold his little hand to get up!]

[The sister in front gets full marks for reading comprehension!]

[Wuwuwuwuwu, I’m watching others display their affection, why am I so happy!]

[So sweet!]

Ji Wei and Lu Shenxing walked towards the backyard. They hadn’t gone far when someone called out to them. He turned back, about to say they were closed, but saw that it was an old acquaintance, Charles.

Charles looked at Lu Shenxing beside Ji Wei, suppressed the urge to hug Ji Wei, and congratulated Lu Shenxing, “I’m so happy to see you’ve recovered.”

“Thank you,” Lu Shenxing said flatly.

“Is there something you need?” Ji Wei couldn’t help but ask.

“I was hoping to try your hot pot, but it turns out you’re closed,” Charles said, shrugging helplessly, though his expression didn’t seem particularly disappointed.

Lu Shenxing lowered his eyes and told the cameraman to cut the live stream inside the shop. “Let’s talk outside.”

Charles nodded.

Once outside, he finally explained his purpose. “Mr. Lin Yiqiu bought your painting from me last week for one million US dollars. My intuition was right after all. You will become one of the most famous painters in China.”

“My painting isn’t worth one million dollars,” Ji Wei responded honestly.

“Mr. Lin Yiqiu is very famous in the international collection circle. If something catches his eye, he’ll buy it for tens of millions. If it doesn’t, he won’t buy it even if it’s by a famous artist,” Charles consoled him. “Besides, if he hadn’t offered a million, I would never have sold it.”

“What kind of person is Mr. Lin Yiqiu?” Ji Wei couldn’t help but feel a bit curious.

“He is fascinated by art,” Charles sighed. “Unlike me, who never does business at a loss.” He seemed to remember something and added, “He was a minor painter in his early years. A student stabbed his hand, but he didn’t press charges.” His tone carried a hint of respect.

“What was that student’s name?” Ji Wei asked again.

“That I don’t know,” Charles shook his head. “I imagine he wasn’t very famous.”

Lu Shenxing suddenly spoke, “There’s no need to know.”

Ji Wei suppressed the doubt in his heart and nodded.

After Charles commissioned a painting from him and left, Ji Wei was about to go back inside. Seeing Lu Shenxing still standing outside, he asked, “Aren’t you coming in?”

“You go in first. I need to make a call,” the man said gently.

“Alright.” Ji Wei walked into the shop.

Only then did Lu Shenxing dial a number. “Help me look into someone…”

***

Ji Wei walked to the backyard. Everyone had already brought the cut vegetables to the table. He went to the kitchen to get bowls and chopsticks. After Lu Shenxing came in from outside, everyone started to eat dinner.

Ning Qing turned out to be someone who paid great attention to the quality of life. Before eating, he first took a picture of the hot pot.

Taking pictures of food is something that, once one person starts, others will follow. To Ji Wei’s surprise, even Lu Shenxing picked up his phone and took a picture in Ji Wei’s direction.

Ji Wei thought for a moment and also took out his phone to post on Weibo.

[Ji Wei Who Plays Games] The hot pot is delicious.

[Hahahahaha, Weiwei posted on Weibo. Why am I looking at someone else’s Weibo post!]

[So real. Take a picture before eating, then post a comment saying it’s delicious!]

[Xiao Chi posted too!]

[Film Emperor Lu posted too!]

Everyone’s Weibo posts were about how delicious it was, and the accompanying pictures were all of the boiling hot pot, looking very appetizing. The style was very consistent, except for Lu Shenxing.

Ji Wei’s special follow notification updated.

[Lu Shenxing] Delicious.

There was nothing wrong with the text, but the problem was Lu Shenxing’s accompanying picture…

Two-thirds of the picture was his own side profile, with only a small corner of the hot pot on the left.