Chapter 57: Don't Be a Rogue

Wednesday.

The first major class of the morning is Modern History, which is completely unnecessary; I just sat and had a meal with the Modern History teacher's teacher yesterday.

Going out to buy groceries.

Returning to place the groceries on the dining table, then sitting on the side for a while.

Scrolling through short videos, I came across the recent situation of Miss Wang Yi; she is out of danger and has regained consciousness, though she is still unwilling to speak—with the medical capabilities of this world, as long as the brain and spirit are not damaged, she can basically recover completely as before, and it won't even affect her dancing in the future.

It is just unclear whether she can walk out of this and return to the dance stage.

This counts as a piece of good news.

Soon, another piece of good news was scrolled across—

The Royal Song and Dance Troupe officially announced: Our company's offer of employment to Ms. Wang Yi remains valid; we firmly refuse to change it due to the evil deeds of wicked people.

They also posted a message to comfort Wang Yi: This is merely an accident, and every setback that cannot defeat us will ultimately make us stronger; every injury that cannot destroy us will only add to the splendor of our lives. May you be like a phoenix rising from the ashes and display an even more beautiful posture.

Full of positive energy.

It truly gained a huge wave of fans for the Royal Song and Dance Troupe.

Looking at the comments below, there is a vast chorus of praise, with no shortage of people shouting "Long live the Emperor."

The Royal Song and Dance Troupe belongs to the Imperial Family, after all.

This counts as another piece of good news.

Seeing this, Chen Shu felt much better inside.

Starting to cook.

Boiled Beef, which Meng Chunqiu specifically requested by name, then making Fish-flavored Shredded Pork, a Sour and Spicy Blood Curd, and Stir-fried Pork Intestine, and finally a pot of Cucumber and Century Egg Soup, which is not often eaten in Yujing—the dietary culture of Yiguo in this world is not very different from my past life, the cooking methods are all quite similar, and many dishes are repeated, though there are some differences in how they are specifically made.

The dish Boiled Meat Slices or Boiled Beef appeared in ancient books, indicating that Shengzu brought this dish over back then, but five thousand years later, Chen Shu has not yet seen this dish outside.

Perhaps it has already been lost.

As for Sour and Spicy Blood Curd, I have never heard of it at all.

Fish-flavored Shredded Pork exists, with subtle differences.

I don't know if any place has Stir-fried Pork Intestine, but even if they do, the probability of it being exactly the same is relatively small.

Choosing these dishes has no other meaning; I just want to refresh Brother Meng's taste buds.

Yujing is a culinary desert, but Brother Meng comes from the Imperial Family, so this should not have much impact on him, and Chen Shu's skills cannot be called top-tier, at most they count as decent; this time, the victory mainly relies on freshness.

Next time, I will make him some authentic Mapo Tofu, Saliva Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, and the like.

Chen Shu likes to cook.

He likes it even more when others eat the food he made and show a satisfied expression; it would be even better if they were amazed.

Outside of cultivation, one must not forget about life.

Cultivation is also just for a better life.

Twelve-twenty in the afternoon.

Meng Chunqiu and Jiang Lai, who were in class, returned one after another; Chen Shu had sent them a message earlier, and just now he happened to bring out the last dish:

"Come quickly, it's just right!"

"Coming, coming!"

Meng Chunqiu is the most proactive; he was the first to change his shoes and go serve the rice.

Soon, the three of them were sitting in front of the table, and the aroma of rice and dishes filled the table.

This rice is also so fragrant.

After the bag of rice Chen Shu originally bought at the supermarket was finished, Meng Chunqiu immediately volunteered and got two bags of rice that were used for tribute in ancient times.

And I have to say, it is really delicious.

Even paired with a passable rice cooker, what is cooked comes out with every grain distinct, soft, glutinous, and fragrant; the more you chew, the more fragrant it gets. In Jiang Lai's words, one could eat several big bowls just by eating the rice alone.

"Brother Chen, is this another specialty dish from Yuanzhou?"

"Just eat it!"

"It looks so fragrant, and it's completely different from the cuisine of Yujing."

"What kind of cuisine does Yujing even have..."

"That is true... I'm digging in!"

Meng Chunqiu very unceremoniously reached his chopsticks into the Boiled Beef and picked up a piece; it was still piping hot, and after blowing on it and putting it into his mouth, he immediately narrowed his eyes.

A few days ago, when he first heard that Brother Chen was going to make this dish for them, he thought it was a very light dish, as the food he eats most at home is this kind of light food. Unexpectedly, the name was completely misleading; this dish is not only not light, but it is heavy on oil, heavy on spice, and heavy on fragrance. Just taking the first bite opened the door to a new world for him.

In Yujing, especially at home, one rarely eats this kind of dish.

The novelty quickly conquered him!

These past few days, he searched with several pieces of software and also asked the chefs at home, but everyone knows how to make Boiled Beef, yet they hadn't even heard of this kind of Boiled Beef.

"This is the taste!"

"Try the others as well."

"I will gladly accept!"

Meng Chunqiu first chose the Sour and Spicy Blood Curd, which looked similar to the Boiled Beef. He picked up the first piece, and it was a piece of blood. He frowned; it wasn't that he couldn't eat blood—the descendants of Shengzu can eat anything—but it is rare in Yujing to see blood made directly into a dish; it is usually used for hot pot or soup pots.

And he indeed rarely eats blood.

The Imperial Family tends to prefer food that looks exquisite and beautiful.

"Eat quickly, don't just stare at it."

"Alright!"

Meng Chunqiu took a bite, and his eyes brightened again, once more praising Chen Shu: "Brother Chen always exceeds my expectations and gives me surprises!"

"The blood in this one is just average; next time I'll make you Sour and Spicy Blood Curd, added with pickled vegetables, it's incredibly appetizing."

"What are these dishes called?"

"Spicy Blood Curd, Stir-fried Pork Intestine, Fish-flavored Shredded Pork."

"This is Fish-flavored Shredded Pork?"

"My version."

"Let me try."

Meng Chunqiu examined the dish carefully and took a bite. It was different from the usual preparation; the texture was similar, but the sourness was more pronounced. One bite made him want to shovel down a huge mouthful of rice:

"Truly delicious..."

Jiang Lai was not as relaxed as Meng Chunqiu. He buried his head and shoveled down half a bowl of rice before saying to Chen Shu, "Brother Chen, I feel quite bad about always eating the food you cook. Next time you go grocery shopping, call me. I'll help you carry the things you buy, and pay for the groceries..."

"Being a coolie is fine, but forget about the grocery money. It doesn't cost much."

"Otherwise, I'll feel bad."

"We'll see when the time comes."

"I can provide some ingredients, especially meat," Meng Chunqiu said with great flair. "Brother Chen, your craftsmanship is excellent, it's just that these ingredients are a bit lacking. Take this beef, for example; if you used high-quality beef with exotic beast lineage sent over from Dongzhou, that would be a real treat. And I can get those quite easily."

"That sounds great."

"The meat from Dongzhou is truly good. The Demon Race has very high requirements for meat quality. I hear some meat only needs to be blanched, or even eaten raw, without any seasoning, and it can still be extremely delicious."

"Using my method on meat that is too good would be a bit of a waste."

"Who says? Once it's in your mouth, it's not a waste!"

"Brother Meng is generous."

"That goes without saying..." Meng Chunqiu became smug again, quite the show-off, unable to handle a single compliment.

"Get more."

"Are you taking it to your sister and your girlfriend you aren't dating yet?"

"Brother Meng understands me."

"No problem."

This person is still somewhat useful.

After the meal, Jiang Lai insisted on washing the dishes. Meng Chunqiu put on a hypocritical show of fighting for the task before losing, saying he would install a dishwasher in the Dormitory tomorrow to free his hands.

Chen Shu sat on the sofa, picking his teeth.

At this moment, he received another call from the same number as last night. After connecting, it was the same gentle, mature female voice: "Mr. Chen Shu, I am very sorry to disturb you again. I roughly checked the time and inferred that you should not be in class and have already finished lunch. If you are taking a nap, I am very sorry."

"Please speak."

"Have you considered last night's matter?"

"I am unable to help, sorry."

"I feel regret and confusion about this," the person on the phone sighed. "You only need to go to these three places to help us investigate. The reward we give you is worth more than ten years of commissions you do at the agency."

"I'm a coward."

"Why be bound by these false things?"

"What do you mean?"

"Human life is short, Mr. Chen. Do not be bound by anything. Who knows if this is a dream, a game? It is better to let go and play to your heart's content."

"..." Chen Shu was silent for a moment. "I have my own way of playing."

"What a pity."

The woman on the phone paused: "But we can still be friends. My surname is Jiang. You can reach me through this phone number. Your potential is worth us getting to know you. I think with your understanding of history, if Square Bodies appear outside Yiguo in the future and Yiguo needs to send a team of experts, you might go too, right? Those cultural relics will not belong to Yiguo, so you shouldn't have any psychological pressure then."

"We'll talk about it then."

"We still have considerable influence in Yujing. If you encounter any trouble, as friends, we would be very happy to solve it for you."

"Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Chen Shu hung up the phone with her, feeling that her philosophy sounded familiar, as if he had heard it somewhere before.

But he couldn't recall it for the moment.

Let it be shelved for now.

In any case, this kind of work is completely out of the question.

Although he had been a bit short on money lately and could run around all day for a commission fee of a few thousand, he really couldn't look down on a few million.

At least it was far from enough for him to do such a thing.

Yeah, even more wouldn't be enough.

There was a cultivation class in the afternoon.

He had to attend this one.

More than half of this semester had passed, and everyone in the class had successfully opened their Spirit Sea in the first week, without a single exception. Now, Teacher Fu was teaching things used for formal cultivation. Chen Shu sometimes asked her about difficult problems in cultivation, and Teacher Fu's guidance was always precise and concise.

The next day, Thursday.

Chen Shu left Yujing Academy.

Today, he carefully steamed a portion of Rice Cake, cut it into small squares, packed them neatly in a box, and arrived at the entrance of Ling'an Academy.

"Here."

Chen Shu handed the box to Ning Qing.

The Rice Cake was soft, glutinous, and snow-white, with a filling of purple sweet potato and taro paste in the middle, but only a thin layer that showed a pale purple color. Through the translucent plastic box, it looked exquisite and beautiful.

After Ning Qing took it, he asked again: "Do you know what filling this Rice Cake has?"

"Purple sweet potato and taro paste."

"Does it sound like it belongs only to you?"

"Hahaha, cheesy pick-up lines..."

Ning Qing caught a glimpse of this person secretly eyeing her.

Want to shake my Daoist heart? Impossible.

Ning Qing remained expressionless as she held the box, even opening the lid and picking one up to put into her mouth.

It was soft when she pinched the Rice Cake, and it was also very soft when bitten, but besides being soft, it had a little bit of chewiness; the purple sweet potato and taro paste in the center was very fragrant and faintly sweet—she felt it would be better if it were replaced with sour jam, or if some lemon juice or something similar were added inside.

She liked eating sour things.

"Let's go!"

This person put an arm around her shoulder, leading her as they walked into the campus:

"Treat me to a meal!"

Ning Qing glanced at him again—

Did he think that just because she wasn't speaking, she wasn't keeping a tab?

Could he act recklessly?

Impossible.

One hour later, the sky had gradually darkened.

After finishing the chicken casserole, Chen Shu left Ling'an Academy and walked back along the somewhat empty roads of University City.

The streetlights lit up, lining up in a long row, casting bright yellow light one by one. The roads of University City were not bustling; only the schools and the snack streets outside the schools were bustling, but it wasn't desolate either; it was just that as the weather grew colder and it got dark earlier, the people outside were gradually becoming fewer.

When he was almost at Yujing Academy, Chen Shu took a shortcut, an alley that could only accommodate one car, with residential houses on both sides.

As he walked, he suddenly felt a bit alert.

Chen Shu stopped his footsteps.

Two people were standing in front.

Turning his head again, two more people walked out from behind.

Both sides were walking toward him.

"?"

Were they robbing him?

Chen Shu scratched his head.

Public security in Dayi wasn't necessarily that great, but public security in the capital shouldn't be this bad, right? Wasn't it said that University City was managed more strictly?

People in University City didn't go in for robbing.

If one happened to run into someone like a certain group member, they might just pull a reverse operation on you.

Until these four drew near.

Borrowing the light from the streetlamp, Chen Shu scanned them.

They all looked relatively young, with tall and sturdy builds, and each person had obvious traces of martial arts training; while he was scrutinizing them, they were also staring at him coldly.

The atmosphere suddenly became a bit tense.

"Chen Shu?"

"Gentlemen, what can I do for you..."

"Take a guess!"

"I won't guess."

"Quick Loan, Loan, ever heard of it?"

"Oh..."

Chen Shu dragged out the long tail of his voice; so you guys came to find me first.

The young man in the lead pulled a metal short staff from behind him and gave it a flick; the short staff swished and became over half a meter long. He said to Chen Shu, "If you guys hadn't stuck your noses in, that day, even if we hadn't gotten the money, we at least could have tracked that family's whereabouts, and then this kind of thing wouldn't have happened later, and many of my brothers wouldn't have been arrested..."

"What kind of logic is this?"

"What kind of logic? It's exactly this logic."

"You should go find our company. I'm just like you, I'm also just an employee."

"We're looking for everyone one by one."

"You can't just come to vent your anger on me because I'm easy to bully; that doesn't make sense, and besides, I'm a university student, it's very easy to blow things up, how troublesome." Chen Shu persuaded them in a tone as if he were talking to Qingqing, "Forget it, forget it..."

"Don't worry, after taking a beating today, go back and get the money ready; pay the money and it's over, otherwise next time it won't be this simple!"

"Then I'm too lazy to persuade you guys anymore..."

Chen Shu said as such, then his head tilted slightly, he looked up, and then looked behind him in the same way.

There was actually no surveillance.

Seeing him act like this, the other side immediately became solemn, with a vague suspicion—

This person might be tougher than they imagined.

Regarding students of Spell Principles at Yujing Academy, even if they had only been in school for a few months, they were very cautious. The other party was at least a First Tier Cultivator, with a small probability of being Second Tier, but they had mobilized personnel entirely according to the standard for dealing with a Third-stage Cultivator.

Then again, in this day and age where lethal spells were regulated, how much combat power could a mere Third-stage Cultivator have left?

Let's just see who is tougher!

The four of them each flicked out their telescopic batons.

Just at this moment, another series of light footsteps came, and the five of them stopped their movements in unison and turned their heads to look.

They saw two little boys wrapped up very thickly, looking like two penguins, running over happily; they glanced at them, lay down under the streetlight, and each took out some marbles.

The atmosphere was slightly affected.

Chen Shu looked at the two children, then looked at these four people.

Before he could speak, the young man with the crew cut who had spoken earlier spoke first; he shouted at the two children: "Hey! Kids! Go play somewhere else!"

However, the two children only glanced back at him indifferently and then completely ignored him.

"Did you hear that? There's going to be a fight here soon!"

"Tch! Scum!"

"Damn..."

The man with the crew cut was shamed into anger; he patted his body, took out five yuan, and handed it over: "Take this and go buy something to eat at the small shop over there; stop loitering here."

One child looked back and immediately showed a look of disdain:

"What can you buy with five yuan? Twenty would be about right."

"..."

The hoodlum was instantly deeply wounded; the cigarettes he usually smoked only cost ten yuan a pack!

Is this what a flower growing up in the Imperial Capital is like?

"Is the money enough? Big brother."

Chen Shu asked tentatively, and seeing him look toward him, he immediately spread his hands: "Don't look at me, I don't carry cash anyway; we don't use cash anymore, putting it in online banking can even appreciate in value."

"..."

The crew-cut man took out another twenty yuan, combined it with the previous five, and handed it to the child, saying repeatedly: "Get lost, get lost, get lost! If I see you again, I'll deal with you too!"

The child took the crumpled twenty-five yuan, glanced at him with disdain, and only then got up and left with his little companion.

"Look at you all, why must you do this line of work? There's absolutely no social status in it."

"You motherfucker!"

"Don't use foul language..."

Chen Shu watched as the faces of the several big brothers showed successive looks of rage, yet his expression remained quite relaxed; in the silent, deserted alley, he loosened his shoulders and neck, thought for a moment, and said to the group:

"Before we start, is there anyone else who wants to leave?"