The Cheat Emperor of the Culinary World

Liu Yuqing laughed like a blooming flower, and Fu Yu was also in high spirits.

With all the important tasks done, Fu Yu had the whole afternoon free with nothing to do, so he decided to accompany Liu Yuqing for a stroll.

Fu Yu said, "What do you want to eat, or where do you want to go? You choose. Today you’re the hero of the hour, I’ll go anywhere with you!"

Fu Yu’s casual remark instantly made Liu Yuqing blush.

She tried to remain composed on the surface, but inside she was filled with joy, her heart fluttering like a little deer.

This person, clearly he had never been in a relationship before, right?

How come he speaks so fluently when it comes to sweet talk!

Liu Yuqing gave a light cough and said, "How about a nostalgic visit to Xinglin Lake Park?"

Fu Yu hesitated for a second: "It’s a bit far, isn’t it? It’ll take forty minutes by taxi..."

Mainly because the park and the big world are on opposite ends, one to the south and one to the north, exactly a diagonal apart.

"No worries. It’s still early anyway, and the sun is still a bit hot. By the time we get there, it’ll be just after four o’clock, perfect timing."

Liu Yuqing wanted to go, so Fu Yu had no objections.

So, the two of them took a taxi to Xinglin Lake Park together.

At this time, there were very few people in the park.

Close to the Spring Festival, the leaves on the trees in the park had long disappeared, with sparse visitors strolling on the footpath.

Fu Yu noticed there was a candied fruit stall in front of a rockery in the park, with huge bunches of candied hawthorn and various fruits swaying brightly red in the cold wind.

Fu Yu pulled Liu Yuqing, "Want some candied fruits?"

Liu Yuqing glanced over and hesitated, "With this wind blowing, it’s all dust. It’s too dirty..."

Fu Yu glanced sideways at Liu Yuqing, "Just say whether you want to eat or not, does it make your mouth water?"

Liu Yuqing smiled with her lips pursed.

Want to eat, a little tempting.

This thing, who didn’t buy it when they were kids!

Fu Yu went over to buy a hawthorn filled with walnuts and a candied grape for himself.

During school, the body was growing, always feeling hungry.

Liu Yuqing would use the pocket money given by her sister to buy various snacks from the convenience store with classmates.

Occasionally, she’d want candied fruits, eating one large hawthorn after another, filling her mouth with sugar crumbs.

Walking around the rockery and over a small bridge led to a low hill.

The mountain path was paved with neat stone steps, with a pavilion at the top.

Looking up from the foothill, the winding path was filled with either parents with kids or elderly couples supporting each other, leisurely walking.

Liu Yuqing suddenly got an idea, winking at Fu Yu: "Shall we have a race up the hill? Dare or not?"

Fu Yu twisted his lips: "Dare! But what’s the bet?"

Liu Yuqing thought for a moment, a teasing smile appearing on her face: "Whoever loses buys milk tea tomorrow!"

Fu Yu boasted: "Sure, I’ll give you a head start of ten steps!"

Liu Yuqing happily climbed ten steps, then without waiting for Fu Yu to react, shouted to start, and dashed up the hill.

Fu Yu watched Liu Yuqing’s rabbit-like sprint and was momentarily surprised.

So slender and tall, yet unexpectedly athletic.

Fu Yu didn’t know that Liu Yuqing had been practicing Taekwondo since childhood; her long legs were not only slender but also strong.

This was because Liu Yunong, worried about her sister being bullied after their parents left, had sent Liu Yuqing to a Taekwondo gym they were familiar with.

Fu Yu sighed slightly, then started chasing after her.

The visitors ahead and behind watched in confusion as two people suddenly emerged from nowhere, each holding a candied fruit, crazily sprinting up the stone step mountain path, nimbly ducking and weaving through the crowd.

Reaching the pavilion, Liu Yuqing stood with hands on hips, panting heavily.

She was faster by a step, flopping onto the wooden bench of the pavilion, smugly turning to smile at Fu Yu.

Fu Yu was only slightly out of breath, pretending to admit defeat: "I’m wearing leather shoes today!"

Liu Yuqing stuck out her tongue slightly, teasing in a low voice: "Oh, always cooped up in the back kitchen, strong arms but weak legs?"

"Weak?" Fu Yu squinted as he moved closer: "You don’t know that’s the last thing a man wants to hear?"

Liu Yuqing was stunned, then burst into laughter, her lips brimming with a smile, as if a spoonful of sweet osmanthus syrup had filled her mouth. Her face bathed in the afternoon sunlight had a honey-like amber glow.

Fu Yu squeezed in beside Liu Yuqing, turning his head to gaze at her smiling face.

Their eyes met.

Liu Yuqing’s smile gradually faded.

Her gaze was scattering, her chest felt hot, and a warm stream coursed through her heart.

Fu Yu looked at Liu Yuqing, his gaze deep and intense.

He reached out and held Liu Yuqing’s hand, their fingers intertwining tightly, holding onto each other intimately, their gaze firmly locked.

Fu Yu tentatively leaned forward.

Liu Yuqing blinked, her long, thick lashes fluttering like small fans.

Making Fu Yu’s heart burn with heat.

Fu Yu leaned closer and closer.

Liu Yuqing didn’t shy away but slowly closed her eyes.

Their hearts pounded like drums.

Fu Yu had never kissed a girl before; today was his first time.

For Liu Yuqing, this was also her first kiss, her heart in chaos, her mind blank with nervousness.

So this is what preparing for a kiss feels like.

So nervous...

Feeling Fu Yu slowly lowering his head, Liu Yuqing could almost hear her heart drumming like thunder.

Closer!

Getting closer!

She felt the tips of their noses lightly touch!

Ahhhh!!!

But just then, a piercing phone ringtone suddenly blared!

Liu Yuqing and Fu Yu both froze!

Who is it?

So tactless!

Calling right at this critical moment!

Fu Yu wanted to ignore it and continue what he was about to do.

But the caller was persistent, the ringtone blaring non-stop!

And just then, a couple came up the hill, happily holding their child’s hand as they entered the pavilion.

Liu Yuqing, panicking, hurriedly pushed Fu Yu away.

"Fu Yu, y-your phone is ringing..."

Fu Yu gritted his teeth, reluctantly pulled out his phone, glanced at the caller ID, and paused.

It was Liu Yunong calling.

If she’s calling, there must be something going on, right?

Fu Yu hurriedly answered the call, "Hello?"

As soon as he spoke, Liu Yunong’s voice came through the receiver: "Xiaofu, where are you now?"

"Me? I’m outside."

"Come to the restaurant right now. Tonight, there’s a secret recipe dish I want to teach you."

"Huh? Now? But, but I took the day off..."

Liu Yunong: "I know you took the day off, but there’s a dish replacement tonight. Have you heard of the State Banquet Dongpo Pork? It’s our family’s specialty!"

"This dish is only made once a year, and it happens to be tonight. If you don’t come to learn, you’ll have to wait until next year."

Fu Yu: "Really?"

I have to say, Fu Yu was tempted.

State Banquet Dongpo Pork?

Dongpo Pork, he knew how to make, but this so-called State Banquet Dongpo Pork, just the name itself sounded extraordinary!

Especially since Liu Yunong emphasized that it’s a secret dish of the Liu Family Cuisine!

You know, such secret recipes are rarely shown to outsiders.

And now Liu Yunong was ready to teach him how to make this dish.

This was truly a golden opportunity!

And it only happened once a year.

There’s no way he could really miss it.

No matter the field, once you reach a certain level of understanding, it’s the same.

Learning to cook is like learning martial arts; discovering a new recipe is like a martial arts fanatic finding a new manual.

But why does it have to be today of all days!

Fu Yu, answering the call, couldn’t help but glance at Liu Yuqing.

Because the family of three suddenly arrived, Liu Yuqing moved aside, leaving some distance between them.

In this situation, trying to kiss would definitely be awkward, right?

Damn it!

My first kiss!!

Forget it, better head back.

As long as we’re together, the first kiss will happen sooner or later!

Fu Yu said into the phone, "Alright, I’ll head over there now."