Chapter 584

Listening to the enthusiasm and hope in his tone, Natsume Chikage was also genuinely happy for him, and sent his blessings with a smile.

“Congratulations, Yamashita-san. Being able to find a path you truly love and are willing to fight for is a very lucky thing. I hope you go further and further on this path of dreams, with a bright future!”

Yamashita Yujiro didn’t expect this young customer with outstanding appearance to not only speak well, but also give such sincere blessings, so he felt warm in his heart and nodded vigorously happily.

“Thank you! Natsume-kun! I’ll take your kind words!”

Although Ando Chizuru felt regret for the closing of the restaurant, seeing Yamashita-brother find his direction again and be so excited, she also became genuinely happy for him.

“Yamashita-brother, go for it! In the future, when your music works come out, you must tell me! I will definitely go listen and support!”

Yamashita Yujiro laughed and nodded vigorously.

“Definitely! I’ll notify you first when the time comes!”

At this moment.

After listening to the other party’s story, a certain thought in Natsume Chikage’s mind became clearer.

He coughed twice lightly, his gaze sweeping over the old notebook that was closed as if unintentionally, and asked in as natural a tone as possible.

“Um… Yamashita-san, excuse my presumption. This notebook on the bar counter looks like it has some age, is it for you to record musical scores or lyrics?”

Yamashita Yujiro looked in the direction of his gaze, a hint of nostalgia flowing in his eyes, shook his head, his tone gentle.

“Neither.”

“This one… is actually left by my father. It is a recipe notebook that accumulated half a lifetime of his hard work.”

Natsume Chikage’s heart accelerated slightly, and he proposed tentatively.

“So that’s it… it looks very precious. I wonder… if I can borrow it to read? I am very interested in traditional recipe notebooks.”

Yamashita Yujiro nodded generously, reached out to take the notebook, and handed it to Natsume Chikage.

“Of course, no problem, please take a look.”

Natsume Chikage took the notebook emitting a faint white light and warm touch with both hands, and opened it carefully.

On the yellowed inner pages were neat and powerful handwriting, detailing the ingredient ratios, step points, and even some subtle insights and annotations for each dish.

Sure enough, what was recorded inside were all kinds of recipes, from home-cooked dishes to some complex banquet dishes, all-encompassing.

The more he looked, the more he liked it in his heart.

This special equipment can not only realistically improve culinary skills, but also allow him to instantly master all the recipes inside!

Although he might not have many opportunities to cook himself, he could actually teach the essence inside to his sister Ruri, or under the blessing of his own culinary skills, occasionally prepare nutritious meals for his sister carefully, all of which are excellent.

He closed the notebook, his fingertips gently stroking the cover, pondered for a moment, and finally took the initiative to speak, his tone sincere.

“Yamashita-san, to tell you the truth, I am also quite interested in cooking. Your father’s recipe notebook is detailed and has unique insights, I really like it very much.”

“And, I personally have some hobbies of collecting, I like to collect various old items with stories and craftsmanship inheritance.”

“If you don’t mind…” he raised his eyes, looking at Yamashita Yujiro with clear eyes, “I wonder if you are willing to part with it and transfer this recipe notebook to me? Regarding the price, we can discuss it.”

Ando Chizuru was a bit confused listening from the side.

But she had indeed heard from Ruri that Natsume-brother had a hobby of collecting all kinds of “strange” things.

And she had seen with her own eyes Natsume-brother’s strong interest in their family’s “Water-Chanting” kitchen knife.

Therefore, although unexpected, she didn’t feel it was too incredible.

Even, her mind turned, and she quickly followed up, a cute and eager expression on her face.

“Yamashita-brother… I, I am actually very interested in cooking too! I really want to learn the recipes inside… can I? I want a copy too!”

Yamashita Yujiro was completely stunned, not expecting the two to make such a request.

At first, he instinctively felt a hint of resistance in his heart.

After all, this is the inheritance written stroke by stroke by his old father who poured half a lifetime of hard work into it, and its significance is extraordinary.

But soon, he thought about it, and his mood gradually became relieved.

He had already decided not to continue running the restaurant and turned completely to the music path.

He had already read this recipe repeatedly and memorized it by heart during the few years he inherited the shop.

Now, what is the point of keeping it by his side and leaving it on the shelf?

Perhaps, letting it go to the hands of someone who truly appreciates it and is willing to learn it, and letting his father’s skills be passed down in another way, is a better destination.

As long as there are still people willing to make delicious dishes according to this recipe, his father’s hard work was not in vain.

Thinking of this, a relieved and frank smile appeared on Yamashita Yujiro’s face.

He looked at Natsume Chikage, then at Ando Chizuru, and finally reached out, gently pushing the notebook in front of Natsume Chikage.

“No need for money.”

“Since you really like it, and want to learn the things inside… then, I’ll give it to you.”

“I hope it can play a greater value in your hands.”

Natsume Chikage took the notebook, a huge surprise welling up in his heart; he really didn’t expect it to be so smooth.

But he still felt a bit uneasy about accepting such a precious gift that carried others’ memories and emotions for nothing.

He thought for a while and looked at Yamashita Yujiro seriously.

“Accepting such a precious gift from you like this, I really feel a bit uneasy.”

“May I ask, is there anything I can do for you? Or, do you have any unfulfilled wishes?”

Ando Chizuru also nodded quickly and followed up.

“Me too! Yamashita-brother, if there’s anything I can help with, please just say it!”

Yamashita Yujiro looked at the serious expressions of the two, shook his head with a smile, his eyes gentle and clear.

“If you really want to do something for me…”

He paused, his gaze seeming to pierce through the wall and look into the distance.

“Then please, make good use of the knowledge in this recipe, make delicious dishes, and let more worthy people taste them.”

“Even, if there is a chance in the future, share the skills and insights inside with others who are also interested in cooking.”

“As long as more and more people can cook and love to eat these dishes, I think, my father’s hard work and persistence for so many years, must be worth it! His taste will not truly disappear.”

Natsume Chikage’s expression became solemn, he held the notebook with both hands, nodded solemnly, and made a promise.

“I understand. I promise you, I will definitely cherish and use it well.”

Ando Chizuru looked at this shop that was about to close and was full of memories, and her heart was also very complicated.

She remembered that her grandfather used to be a regular here and always talked happily with the old shop owner Yamashita.

It’s a pity that after the old shop owner Yamashita passed away, her grandfather rarely came.

But she knew that her grandfather would often go to the old shop owner Yamashita’s grave alone, bring a pot of clear sake, and sit for half a day.

She could feel it, her grandfather really missed this old friend, and also missed that taste that could no longer be tasted.

Therefore, Ando Chizuru and her mother had always wanted to make dishes that could satisfy her grandfather and carried the “old friend’s taste.”

They even asked Yamashita-brother for the Mapo Tofu recipe, tried repeatedly, but her grandfather always shook his head.

Over time, they could only helplessly give up.

But now, having obtained this more comprehensive recipe notebook, Ando Chizuru felt that perhaps she didn’t have to stick to Mapo Tofu anymore.

She could try to make other dishes that fit his taste and carried warm memories for her grandfather.

She also nodded seriously and made a promise.

“Me too! Yamashita-brother, I will often try to make the dishes inside and serve them to grandfather to taste! Definitely!”

Yamashita Yujiro looked at the two sincere young people in front of him, smiled with relief, and there seemed to be light in his eyes.

“Mm. Then… I’ll leave it to you.”

After leaving “Taste of the Town.”

Natsume Chikage found a convenience store nearby that provided photocopying services and carefully photocopied the entire “Midnight Diner Notes.”

He solemnly handed the copy to Ando Chizuru.

“Chizuru-chan, this is for you. Let’s work hard together.”

Ando Chizuru took the copy that still carried the residual heat of the machine with both hands and held it to her chest.

Afterward, she seemed to have gathered her courage, raised her slightly flushed cheeks, and asked shyly in a low voice.

“Um… Chikage-brother, I’m very familiar with Ruri-chan, and have always called her by her first name.”

“Now calling you ‘Natsume-brother’… feels a bit too formal, a bit distant, and… I’m not very used to it either.”

She paused, her voice even smaller, carrying anticipation.

“So… can I call you ‘Chikage-brother’ like Reisa-chan?”

Hearing this, Natsume Chikage smiled and nodded readily.

“Of course you can. It’s just a form of address, you can do whatever you like.”