Chapter 602

It would be a difficult task to make it taste bad.

Xia Xia Xia Mujun looked at the mapo tofu, thoughtful.

At this moment, he finally understood why Yamashita Yūjirō, despite having the “Midnight Diner Notes” left by his father, had never been able to restore the true taste of this mapo tofu...

At this time.

Also because Xia Xia Xia Mujun succeeded on the first try.

The remaining ingredients were extra, and several boxes of tofu were still neatly arranged on the cooking table.

“You two can practice with these extra ingredients.”

Xia Xia Xia Mujun pointed to the remaining ingredients that could be used for two more times.

Saionji Nanase said happily:

“Mm-hmm, I also want to make some to take home for my dad to eat.”

Yukimura Suzune thought that since Xia Xia Xia Mujun, who didn’t cook much, could make it so delicious, this recipe must be excellent.

If she made it, she would definitely be able to make it just as delicious, so she said softly, her tone filled with confidence.

“Mm.”

However, after she and Saionji Nanase made the mapo tofu and started tasting it, they always felt that the taste was wrong.

She frowned, her chopsticks stopping at her mouth.

Compared to what Xia Xia Xia Mujun made, the taste was much worse; the spiciness wasn’t balanced enough, and the saltiness was also lacking.

Saionji Nanase was confused, tilting her head, her purple eyes full of bewilderment.

“Our steps were clearly the same as yours, Xia Xia Xia Mujun, why is the taste so different?”

She looked at her own finished product, then at what Xia Xia Xia Mujun had made earlier.

Yukimura Suzune was also puzzled, her beautiful brows slightly furrowed, looking at Xia Xia Xia Mujun, her eyes full of a thirst for knowledge.

“I want to know too.”

Xia Xia Xia Mujun couldn’t explain; he couldn’t say it was because of the equipment bonus, so he could only smile sheepishly.

“Maybe... it’s because you two already ate a portion, and now that you’re eating it again, you don’t have the feeling of the first time.”

Hearing this, both of them blinked, their long eyelashes fluttering, feeling that it made sense.

Psychological factors indeed affect the sense of taste.

At this time.

Fujiwara Aoi arrived late, pushing the door open with full energy, the door hitting the wall and making a sound.

“Aoi is here!”

After smelling the scent in the room, her nose twitched, and she said excitedly, her eyes shining.

“So fragrant, you guys already finished making it?”

She walked quickly to the cooking table.

“Can I taste it?”

She looked at the three portions of mapo tofu on the table.

“But... why are there three portions?”

“Could it be that all three of you made it?”

Saionji Nanase smiled, her eyes filled with anticipation.

“That’s right.”

Yukimura Suzune asked, her gaze falling on Fujiwara Aoi’s face.

“Aoi, both of us and Xia Xia Xia Mujun made it separately. Why don’t you try all three portions and see which one tastes better?”

Fujiwara Aoi looked at the two girls’ expectant expressions, especially those two pairs of shining eyes, and her face froze for a moment, then she laughed it off.

“Of course I can.”

Saying this.

She started tasting, picking up her chopsticks and starting from the nearest portion.

After eating for a while, her chopsticks moved between each portion, only feeling that what Xia Xia Xia Mujun made was the most delicious, the spiciness and fragrance just right.

But after seeing the expectant eyes of Yukimura Suzune and Saionji Nanase, she laughed it off, her eyes rolling, and she showed a bright smile.

“Everyone used the same recipe, I feel they’re all about the same, and they’re all very delicious.”

After she finished speaking, she picked up another mouthful of the portion Xia Xia Xia Mujun made.

Yukimura Suzune and Saionji Nanase felt that Xia Xia Xia Mujun’s explanation just now was indeed correct.

And at this time.

Xia Xia Xia Mujun also noticed that quite a long time had passed, glanced at the wall clock, the hands already pointing to 3:40, so he said.

“Well, I should be going soon.”

He started to untie his apron.

Fujiwara Aoi was confused.

“Eh... isn’t it not time for club activities yet?”

“And Xia Xia Xia Mujun, aren’t you off work today? Where are you going?”

Xia Xia Xia Mujun folded the apron and put it aside, explaining.

“Senior Yasui and Senior Araki invited me to go eat something.”

Hearing this.

The three girls didn’t have any special thoughts.

After all, they were gathering for shogi, and it wouldn’t be good for the three of them to go, so they all said goodbye to Xia Xia Xia Mujun.

Yukimura Suzune said goodbye.

“Then we’ll go tutor your sister today.”

Fujiwara Aoi said anxiously, raising her hand.

“And me, tutor me too.”

Saionji Nanase smiled, her tone gentle.

“I’ll teach you, Aoi-chan.”

Xia Xia Xia Mujun felt relieved, his gaze sweeping over the three, finally landing on Saionji Nanase’s face.

“I’ll leave my sister to you.” ===== CHAPTER 966 =====

Yukimura Suzune, Saionji Nanase, and Fujiwara Aoi had already arrived at the home of the Xia siblings.

When Yukimura Suzune and Saionji Nanase came over last time, the Xia siblings hadn’t moved out of the three-tatami room.

So now that the two saw this ten-tatami room, they couldn’t help but feel a bit novel, and under Natsume Ruri’s introduction, they observed it carefully.

Soon.

All four girls were sitting at the small table.

Saionji Nanase asked curiously:

“Where is Reisaki-chan? Didn’t she come today?”

Natsume Ruri explained:

“Reisaki-chan’s parents are home today, so she went home.”

“However... Ruri remembers that brother doesn’t have to work today, why isn’t he coming back today?”

Yukimura Suzune put down the pen in her hand gently and explained:

“He said he was going to have a meal with Senior Yasui and Senior Araki from the Shogi Club.”

Natsume Ruri’s face turned strange for a moment, then she smiled with a bit of belly-blackness:

“Is that so... but Ruri heard from Tsukishima-sister yesterday that Tsukishima-sister also seems to be eating with Araki-sister.”

She rested her chin on her hands, her eyes sweeping over the three faces.

“I don’t know if the girl Yukimura-sister mentioned is the same one Tsukishima-sister mentioned.”

Hearing this.

Fujiwara Aoi and Yukimura Suzune, who were present, were instantly stunned.

The air seemed to be quiet for a few seconds.

Fujiwara Aoi was dumbfounded: ===== CHAPTER 967 =====