Chapter 940

Natsume Chikage, listening to the enthusiasm and hope in his tone, was also sincerely happy for him, smiled and sent his blessings.

"Congratulations, Mr. Yamashita. Being able to find the 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, and have a bright future!"

Yamashita Yujiro didn't expect that this young guest with outstanding appearance not only spoke well, but the blessing was also so sincere, and instantly felt warm in his heart, nodding happily and heavily.

"Thank you! Natsume-kun! I accept your kind words!"

Ando Chizuru, although feeling regretful about the closing of the restaurant, seeing Yamashita-brother find his direction again and being so excited, was also sincerely happy for him.

"Yamashita-brother, come on! Later when your music works come out, you must tell me! I will definitely go to listen and support!"

Yamashita Yujiro smiled and nodded vigorously.

"Definitely! I'll notify you first when the time comes!"

At this moment.

Natsume Chikage, after listening to the other party's story, had a certain thought in his heart become clearer.

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

"That... Mr. Yamashita, excuse my presumption. This notebook on the bar counter looks like it has been there for some years, is it used for you to record musical scores or lyrics?"

Yamashita Yujiro followed his gaze, a trace of nostalgia revealed in his eyes, shook his head, his tone gentle.

"Neither."

"This one... is actually left by my father. It is a recipe notebook that he accumulated for most of his life."

Natsume Chikage's heart beat slightly faster, and he proposed tentatively.

"So that's how it is... it looks very precious. I don't know... if I can borrow it? 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 that was emitting a faint white light and felt warm to the touch with both hands, and opened it carefully.

On the yellowed inner pages were neat and powerful handwriting, recording the ingredient ratios, step points, and even some subtle experience annotations of various dishes in detail.

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 improve cooking skills in a down-to-earth manner, 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 occasionally prepare nutritious meals for his sister carefully under the blessing of his own cooking skills, which were all excellent.

He closed the notebook, rubbed the cover gently with his fingertips, pondered for a moment, and finally took the initiative to open his mouth, his tone sincere.

"Mr. Yamashita, to tell you the truth, I am also quite interested in cooking on weekdays. Your father's recipe notebook is recorded in detail and has unique insights, I really like it very much."

"Moreover, I personally have some collection hobbies, and I like to collect all kinds of old objects 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 your love and transfer this recipe notebook to me? In terms of price, we can discuss it."

Ando Chizuru was a bit confused listening on the side.

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

Moreover, she had also seen with her own eyes the strong interest Natsume-brother showed in their family's "Water Chant" kitchen knife.

Therefore, at this moment, although surprised, she didn't feel it was too incredible.

Even, her mind turned, and she hurriedly followed to help, a cute and eager expression appearing on her face.

"Yamashita-brother... I, I am actually very interested in cooking! I also really want to learn the recipes inside... can I? I also want a copy!"

Yamashita Yujiro was completely stunned, not expecting at all that the two would make such a request.

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

After all, this is a heritage written by his old father with half a life's hard work, stroke by stroke, 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.

This recipe, in the few years he inherited the shop, had been read repeatedly and remembered by heart.

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

Perhaps, letting it go to the hands of those who truly appreciate it and are willing to learn it, and letting his father's craftsmanship 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 will not be in vain. His taste will not truly disappear.

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

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

"Money is not needed."

"Since you really like it and want to learn the things inside... then, just give it to you."

"I hope it can exert greater value in your hands."

Natsume Chikage took the notebook, a huge sense of surprise surged in his heart, he really didn't expect it to be so smooth.

But accepting such a precious gift carrying others' memories and emotions for nothing, he still felt a bit uneasy.

He thought about it and looked at Yamashita Yujiro seriously.

"Accepting such a precious gift from you just 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 hurriedly nodded and followed up.

"Me too! Yamashita-brother, if there is anything I can help with, please just say it!"

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

"If you really want to do something for me..."

He paused, his gaze seemed to penetrate 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 are willing to make and love to eat these dishes, I think, my father's hard work and persistence for so many years will definitely 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, grandfather rarely came.

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

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

Because of this, Ando Chizuru and her mother had always wanted to make dishes that could satisfy grandfather and carry the "old friend's taste."

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

Over time, they could only give up helplessly.

But now, having obtained this more comprehensive recipe notebook, Ando Chizuru felt that perhaps there was no need to be obsessed with Mapo Tofu anymore.

They could try to make other dishes that fit his taste and carry warm memories for 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 gratifiedly, 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 photocopy to Ando Chizuru.

"Chizuru-chan, this is for you. Let's work hard together."

Ando Chizuru took the photocopy 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.

"That... Chikage-brother, I am very familiar with Ruri-chan, and have always called her by her name directly."

"Now calling you 'Natsume-brother'... feels like it's a bit too formal, a bit distant, and... I'm also not very used to it."

She paused, her voice lower, carrying anticipation.

"So... can I also call you 'Chikage-brother' like Rensaku-chan?"

Natsume Chikage, upon hearing this, smiled and nodded readily.

"Of course you can. It's just a form of address, you can do whatever you want."