Chapter 238

A weird odor drifted out of the kitchen, smelling like something half-burnt and faintly bitter . It was a scent that put a frown on everyone's face .

"Ah, my lassie, why are you in such a sorry state?" Grandpa Ouyang felt his heart ache when he saw Ouyang Xiaoyi charging out of the kitchen covered in ashes .

But Ouyang Xiaoyi's eyes were sparkling . They shone brightly as excitement flickered across her eyes .

She wiped off the ashen marks from her face, chuckled, and then raised the porcelain plate in her hands up to Grandpa Ouyang's nose . "Grandpa, come here and have a taste . This is my first time cooking Egg-Fried Rice!" She said excitedly .

"Ah, sure thing, let your grandpa give it a try . " Grandpa Ouyang patted Ouyang Xiaoyi's head fondly with loving eyes . He took over the porcelain spoon handed to him by a nearby maid and glanced at the porcelain plate that Ouyang Xiaoyi shoved before his eyes with hesitation .

"This…"

On the porcelain plate sat a lump of steaming… um, oddly colored… rice . The grains of rice gave off a blackish hue, and somewhere amidst that were also traces of red . A huge slab of over-cooked egg was mixed within the rice, coming off as rather eye-catching .

What was this? Grandpa Ouyang was baffled . The hand holding his porcelain spoon quivered slightly .

"A typical Egg-Fried Rice demands that every grain of rice comes with a certain amount of egg . You have chosen a convenient path here, an entire slab of egg with a huge lump of rice . More importantly…why was the color of this rice so peculiar?"

Gulp .

Grandpa's long beard shook a little as he swallowed a mouthful of saliva .

"Grandpa… have a taste! Go on!" Ouyang Xiaoyi was somehow very much confident in herself as she egged him on .

"Of course . Since this is the first time my little lassie has cooked a dish, then… grandpa shall have a bite . Just one though . " Grandpa Ouyang's heart even trembled as he dug up a spoonful of rice . With a stealthy shake of the hand, nearly a third of the content fell out of the spoon . That move, alas, went unnoticed .

He brought the spoon before his nose and gave it a sniff . In that very instant, a burnt, pungent smell gushed forward . Grandpa Ouyang's lips trembled, he felt a dreadful sensation inside . "Lassie…Grandpa is really going to eat it now . " Grandpa Ouyang flared his nostril and announced .

"Grandpa! I'm waiting to win Owner Bu over with this Egg-Fried Rice!" Ouyang Xiaoyi wiped her face again and declared with the utmost confidence .

Grandpa Ouyang could only force a smile . Win him over? Murdering Owner Bu was more like it…

How satirical would it be if Owner Bu, having survived an eighth grade War-God, ended up poisoned to death by her bowl of Egg-Fried Rice .

"Eat!" Ouyang Xiaoyi glared .

Grandpa Ouyang immediately poured the entire spoon of Egg-Fried Rice into his mouth .

All of a sudden, the colors from Grandpa Ouyang's face drained . His complexion changed three times in a single breath, turning from white to red, and then from red to purple, and finally from purple to black .

Creak, creak…

Grandpa Ouyang, with watered eyes, summoned up great courage and chewed the food ferociously . Loud crispy sounds echoed from his mouth, much like the noise of hard rocks colliding into each other .

In this very moment, Grandpa Ouyang's heart was filled with all sorts of mixed feelings . It was much like an assortment of sauces getting knocked over and spilling everywhere . He could taste astringency, bitterness, numbness, and even a reeking stink…

The only one missing was savoriness!

There was simply nobody else who could cook up an Egg-Fried Rice like this! You are the one and only… my lassie!

Grandpa Ouyang's entire body trembled . He took several steps back, took a deep breath, and finally forced himself to swallow the Egg-Fried Rice in his mouth .

"How is it? How is the taste?" Ouyang Xiaoyi asked curiously .

"Oh, a simply electrifying experience . It is like burning flames once down your stomach . After swallowing, I felt as if I have risen from the ashes . You have fully inherited this gift of cooking from your father . " Grandpa Ouyang gave his critique with a blank face .

Ouyang Zongheng was dumbstruck, very much puzzled at what his father just said .

"My lassie, grandpa is tired . I'm afraid I'll have to go get some rest . Let your father and brothers have a taste and ask for their feedback . " Grandpa Ouyang wrinkled his face and suggested with an almost weeping tone .

Ouyang Xiaoyi felt more excited than ever . It seemed like her Egg-Fried Rice turned out pretty great . Grandpa's review was uplifting! Who would have thought he could feel completely revived after eating her food .

Grandpa Ouyang was already nowhere to be seen when she looked up again . Xiaoyi was baffled, but instantly turned her attention towards Ouyang Zongheng and the three Ouyang barbarians .

This was meant to be a sleepless night . The Ouyang Quarter stayed brightly lit as people ran back and forth between the bedroom and bathroom all night long…

A couple more small explosions erupted in the kitchen . Smoke lingered about as weird scents drifted out .

…

The morning sun had finally shot across the horizon, exuding warm rays of light . It appeared to have resurrected the entire earth, as green grass sprouted from the fields right outside of the Imperial City . After a long winter's sleep, they had finally grown with great vitality, embracing the cool spring breeze .

The streets of the Imperial City were bustling with pedestrians as street vendors peddled their goods with loud hollers .

In the small alleyway, rested Fang Fang's Little Store .

Bu Fang pulled open his doors and enjoyed the cool, comforting morning air . He couldn't help but draw in a deep breath, and then stretched out his body .

"Blacky, time for breakfast . " Bu Fang returned to the kitchen and then came out with a plate of Sweet 'n' Sour Ribs, placing it in front of Blacky .

He pulled over a chair for himself and sat by the door, gazing at the floating clouds in the sky with great leisure .

Time was seemingly frozen at this moment . Bu Fang could only hear the faint chewing sounds of that lazy Blacky wolfing down its Sweet 'n' Sour Ribs .

Leisure moments like these were always so short-lived . Once the first costumer stepped in, the store began its day of busy business .

An aromatic, steaming hot Golden Shumai was carried out . Sauce trickled down the pieces of shumai, causing one to salivate .

Lees Fish, drenched with the fragrance of brewed wine, was also carried out by Bu Fang and placed on the table . This was a dish that easily stirred everyone's appetite .

The fame of Fang Fang's Little Store had spread throughout the entire Imperial City . Many people knew of this mystical store . Not only did it have tasty gourmet delicacies and spectacular fine wine, it also had impressive strength .

Cheerful footsteps echoed in the alleyway, tap tap tap .

Today, Ouyang Xiaoyi was dressed in a pink silk dress that made her look like she floated in the air while running . Her delicate face was flushing as she blinked her beautiful eyes . One could tell she was brimming with excitement .

In her arms was a red wood food container . Ouyang Xiaoyi treated it like a precious treasure . Her gaze landed on the container from time to time in the most adorable manner .

"Smelly boss, I'm here!" Ouyang Xiaoyi shouted loudly the moment she stepped into the store .

The customers of the store were already familiar with Xiaoyi and all greeted her with friendly smiles . Ouyang Xiaoyi also beamed back at them . When someone asked about her food container out of curiosity, she merely tilted her nose and wagged her fingers mysteriously .

"This is a secret . "

Bu Fang walked out of the kitchen and cast a puzzled look at Ouyang Xiaoyi . When he caught sight of the food container in her hands, his face instantly froze .

"Surely this lassie didn't actually go back and cook up an Egg-Fried Rice…" Bu Fang had on a poker face . However, reminded of the system's evaluation of Ouyang Xiaoyi's cooking talent, he suddenly had a very bad feeling .

"Smelly boss! You said if my Egg-Fried Rice could conquer your taste buds, you will take me as a chef's apprentice!" Ouyang Xiaoyi squinted her eyes and giggled delightfully .

This was something that needed much more deliberation… Bu Fang wanted to tell her this . However, he tilted his head, gave it another thought, and nodded .

"My Egg-Fried Rice is in this very food container! Smelly boss, don't you want to have a bite?" Ouyang Xiaoyi patted the red wood food container in her hands, then crooked her finger at Bu Fang with a smile .

The customers nearby became instantly intrigued . Was this Ouyang lassie trying to challenge Owner Bu's cooking?

"Owner Bu, our orders can wait . Let's have a taste of Xiaoyi's food first . " Someone proposed .

Bu Fang, who was just looking for an excuse to turn her down, rolled his eyes at that customer .

Alas, Bu Fang had to comply with her request .

Ouyang Xiaoyi's eyes sparked and as she placed the food container on the table . She uncovered the lid under numerous pairs of curious eyes .

In that very moment, an awful pungent odor drifted out of the box .

The scent was extremely strong, so pervasive that even the fragrance of countless gourmet dishes in the store couldn't overpower this unparalleled smell . Now that was frightening .

The customers' eyes widened . What the hell was this? Why could there be such an awful smell in the world?

The faces of many customers darkened . They all stepped back and took deep breaths .

Bu Fang's face froze . There was definitely an ugly shade spread across his complexion .

However, Ouyang Xiaoyi didn't seem to notice the bewildered facial expressions of those around her . She carefully took out the plate of Egg-Fried Charcoal from the food container…

Bu Fang's eyes narrowed . His heart shuddered as he gulped down a mouthful of saliva .

Lassie… judging by the looks of this dish, you are already a rising star in the field of dark cuisine—or in other others, terrible food . Can we stop… with this nonsense?