Chapter 208: Young Master Cui's Drinking Party

Brother, just eat it like this?

It's still early, we still need to fry the seasoning.

Ye Cheng added oil to the pot, stir-fried the scallion, ginger, garlic, and chili for a moment to bring out the fragrance, then added broad bean paste, added about half a pot of water, put in the crayfish and spice packet, covered the pot, and started cooking.

The aroma and spiciness drifted out through the lid, making Xiao Hu choke and flee from the kitchen.

This is too spicy, brother, are you sure? Later the shrimp meat will lose its freshness.

It's not about eating for freshness, don't worry, it'll definitely be tasty later, cough cough." Ye Cheng himself was choked badly, damn it, probably too much chili was added.

The two stood outside for a while, waiting for the smell to fade a bit, then went in to look. Each crayfish was soaked in the sauce-colored broth. Thinking of the spicy-numbing flavor, Ye Cheng couldn't help swallowing a mouthful of saliva.

As a seasoned foodie, Xiao Hu was basically certain this pot would be delicious; he wiped the saliva from the corner of his mouth and looked at Ye Cheng,

Brother, don't we have too little to eat?

Ye Cheng turned his head and gave him a big white eye, saying, 'Who, come on, tell me, who said earlier they wouldn't eat?'

Hehe, brother, those were just angry words, not to be taken seriously." Xiao Hu gave a foolish laugh and brushed it off.

Seeing the broth start to reduce, Ye Cheng added cucumber and potato slices.

Then he fetched two packs of instant noodles, soaked them without seasoning, shocked them with cold water, and also added them to the crayfish.

A pot with cucumber and potato as base, paired with instant noodle crayfish, was ready; Xiao Hu couldn't wait, grabbed one and started eating.

Upon taking a bite, his two bull eyes widened round, looking at Ye Cheng he said delightedly,

Brother, it's delicious.

Nonsense, everyone across the country knows it's delicious." The popularity of crayfish in later generations isn't detailed here; it's suitable for all ages, with varied flavors, truly very popular.

However, to be safe, this time Ye Cheng told Xiao Hu not to eat the heads, as they contain more heavy metals and possibly bacteria.

If eating only the meat, forty crayfish would be finished in a split second; finally Ye Cheng saw Xiao Hu eating too fast.

No choice, we had to count and eat, nobody eating more; otherwise, at Ye Cheng's pace, he'd eat about ten and Xiao Hu thirty, and they'd be done.

After finishing the shrimp, Xiao Hu picked up a chopstickful of instant noodles, coated in broth, with a QQ texture, simply perfect.

Of the two packs of instant noodles, Ye Cheng only ate a few broken bits at the end; the rest were all eaten by Xiao Hu.

Plus the refreshing cucumber and potato slices completely overturned Xiao Hu's impression of crayfish; after finishing, he still didn't forget to make plans for the next meal,

Brother, how about I get some more tomorrow and you cook another crayfish feast?

Ye Cheng took a sip of beer, shook his head, 'Tomorrow won't work, Zhao Zhiming invited me to lunch tomorrow, there should be something.'

What about the day after tomorrow?

The day after tomorrow also won't work, this stuff shouldn't be eaten often, heavy metals exceed the limit." Ye Cheng continued shaking his head.

Xiao Hu looked remorseful, 'Brother, you say heavy metals exceed the limit, so don't make me eat it; I've already eaten once, and now you say I can't, aren't you harming me?'

Seeing Xiao Hu's pouty face, Ye Cheng nearly burst out laughing, 'Damn, let your stubborn mouth know it's delicious now; wait a couple days I'll get some back, raise them myself for a few days, clean them up, then eat.'

Zhao Zhiming's invitation to Ye Cheng for a meal was at a seafood restaurant, with a small private room booked.

At the entrance he already heard Zhao Zhiming's loud voice chatting with someone, Ye Cheng knew there must be others present; this meal was for discussing business.

But when he went in and looked, he actually knew both people at the table.

Cui Shuran and Xiao Rou.

Then it was obvious this gathering was mostly Cui Shuran or Xiao Rou seeking him for something, having Zhao Zhiming act as intermediary.

After eating so many business meals, he still had this bit of perceptiveness.

Seeing Ye Cheng enter, Zhao Zhiming hurriedly pulled him to sit, 'Brother, you've finally arrived.'

'Young Master Cui, Xiao Rou.' Ye Cheng greeted those across from him, then said to Old Zhao,

'What matter can't be said over the phone, requiring you to call me specially?'

'If there's nothing, I couldn't invite you to eat, you really are something—come, waiter, serve the dishes!' Zhao Zhiming called out, had the waiter bring the food, and himself began pouring wine, not mentioning any business at all.

Cui Shuran remained as ever, sitting there with a bored expression, an aloof Buddhist-like figure.

Xiao Rou was more lively, leaning across the table to ask Ye Cheng, 'A Cheng, were you alright after you went back?'

Ye Cheng blinked, 'What do you mean by alright or not? I haven't offended anyone lately.'

Xiao Rou's big eyes gave him a glare, she said unhappily, 'I mean after that dive last time, your body hasn't had any problems, right? You were down there so long.'

Oh, you mean that? It's fine, I did say—I once met a Daoist when I was young...

Before Ye Cheng could speak, Xiao Rou cut him off with a 'Get lost,' 'Don't come, my dad and I talked about it—those Daoist encounters are just old swindlers' tricks, stop trying to fool me.'

Ah, Xiao Rou has gotten clever." Ye Cheng teased.

Zhao Zhiming poured the wine, raised his cup, 'Come, let's not talk about that, let's drink first—we're old friends, haven't gathered in a while, let's have three cups!'

Having said that, Old Zhao downed a cup in one gulp, then looked at the three.

The three's cups were still held in midair, not having taken a sip.

Old Zhao looked at them in surprise, 'No, you guys drink—three cups, down three in a row.'

Ye Cheng calmly said, 'We just heard you say you yourself would down three cups, so we're waiting for you; you guys agree, right?'

Right, right, you yourself down three cups." Xiao Rou immediately chimed in.

Cui Shuran nodded, indicating agreement.

Damn! After mixing in the liquor scene for so many years, to be tripped up by you few youngsters? Fine, I'll down three cups first.

Having said that, this guy directly drank three cups.

Ye Cheng began to frown; drinking so happily, there must be a big matter.

After he also had a cup, he directly asked, 'Brother Zhao, what exactly do you want from me? Tell me.'

Old Zhao gave a hehe laugh, 'Nothing much, just Young Master Cui wants to ask you for a favor.'

Right, Shuran wants you to help, it's not a big deal." Xiao Rou interjected.

Ye Cheng looked at Cui Shuran, with a solemn expression, 'I don't know what I have that would catch Young Master Cui's eye; next time I'll definitely change.'

This is a phrase often used to tease in later generations, and the three of them didn't understand it at once.

After they figured it out, Xiao Rou burst out laughing with a 'puchi' sound, pointing at Ye Cheng and saying, "You're such a bad person, but you're really funny—I laughed to death."