Abnormal Gourmet Chronicle

Chapter 1333: Xia Mubing Side Story (Part 2)

Zhao Cheng’an turned his grief into appetite by gulping down six large glasses of Coke on the plane, finally descending with a burp and a bag of snacks.

Zhang Guanghang stood expressionless at the arrivals gate, holding a sign with the names Qin Huai and Zhao Cheng’an, looking every bit like a professional greeter. Quite a few passing tourists couldn’t help but turn back to glance at Zhang Guanghang, wondering to themselves which company could have such a handsome employee to pick people up at the airport.

"Zhang Guanghang, long time no see! I haven’t seen you since I left Beiping last time. I heard from Master Xia that you’re going to Japan for an exchange program after the New Year. When do you leave? How long will you be gone? Will there be no one else to help at Fen Garden after you leave? Does Master Xia plan to take on another disciple?" Zhao Cheng’an greeted Zhang Guanghang warmly, in a way that suggested they were old friends.

Zhang Guanghang was unmoved, scanning Zhao Cheng’an up and down before asking, "When did you hear I was going to Japan?"

Zhao Cheng’an: ...

"Of course before midnight!"

Zhang Guanghang gave Zhao Cheng’an a look that said you’d better be telling the truth, shifting his gaze between the snacks and the suitcase Zhao Cheng’an was holding, finally opting to take over the suitcase.

"The car is in the parking lot, follow me." Zhang Guanghang strode ahead with long legs, leaving Zhao Cheng’an to jog to keep up.

"Zhang Guanghang, I heard you want to make duck confit on Lantern Festival. What kind of duck is that? Is it tasty? I saw it in a TV drama once, a crime show, where the victim’s last meal before dying was duck confit, but I’ve never known what dish that was. Is it fried in oil?"

"Are you hungry? Want some snacks? Qin Huai made them. Let me tell you, Qin Huai has been making snacks like he’s on steroids lately, at least ten times better than the Yam Cake he made for you last time. Let me see what’s left..."

"Yam Cake, Rice Cake, Green Bean Cake, Furong Cake, Eight Treasure Cake... There are just two pieces of Yam Cake left, why don’t you try a piece to compare."

"No thanks, I’m not hungry, I don’t want any snacks right now." Zhang Guanghang refused.

Zhao Cheng’an could only make a face at Qin Huai, then whispered a complaint, "Why is Zhang Guanghang so unswayable? Are all handsome guys like that, with poker faces? Have they watched too many idol dramas? How did Xia Mubing end up with a disciple like that?"

Qin Huai: ...

Brother, from Zhang Guanghang’s perspective, you’re like a conman who fawns over his master, chatting with him late into the night, extracting 200 to 800 thousand a month. Now you’re here over the New Year, who knows how much more you’ll scam. The fact that he helped with your suitcase is generous enough.

What more do you want, for Zhang Guanghang to give you an extra 50k a month as pocket money?

Qin Huai said nothing and quietly followed.

Zhang Guanghang led the two to his Bentley in the parking lot, driving them in silence to the entrance of Fen Garden, indicating with his eyes for them to get out at the main entrance while he parked at the side gate.

As Zhao Cheng’an joyfully got out of the car, Zhang Guanghang spoke for the first time, "I hired a private investigator to check on you."

Qin Huai & Zhao Cheng’an: !!!

Zhang Guanghang looked at Zhao Cheng’an, "You really are Master Zhou from Zhiwei Restaurant’s direct disciple. Logically, a man of Master Zhou’s high moral standing wouldn’t have a conman for a direct disciple."

Zhang Guanghang turned to Qin Huai, "You’re indeed a self-taught pastry chef of extraordinary talent. Even Mr. Xu has nothing but praise for your snacks, and it seems you inherited a large fortune recently."

"Neither of you seems like a conman, but you’re definitely not distant relatives of my master either."

"I don’t know what your intentions are, but my master has been genuinely happy lately. I’ve never seen him so happy. Even if Mr. Li sold him Taifeng Building, I doubt he’d be this delighted."

"If it’s about money, I can give it to you—whether it’s 200k or 1.2 million a month, I can manage it. But I hope you don’t deceive my master. If it keeps him happy, let him stay happy. I don’t know what you and my master talk about on WeChat, but Zhao Cheng’an, please don’t chat with him after midnight. He’s getting old; he can’t handle late nights like he used to since last year."

"If possible, I hope you’ll advise him to take it easy, limit himself to two groups of guests a day: one at noon, one in the evening, or just at noon not in the evening. I’m going to Japan to study after the New Year, and I can’t stay to keep my master company. I hope you can chat more with him—he doesn’t have many friends."

"Please talk to him before midnight."

Qin Huai and Zhao Cheng’an were both taken aback.

Zhang Guanghang didn’t give them time to react, rolling up the car window and driving off from the gate of Fen Garden.

As they watched the car leave, Qin Huai couldn’t help but sigh, "Does Zhang Guanghang count as someone who doesn’t understand but indulges, who doesn’t respect but gives money?"

Zhao Cheng’an muttered to himself, "Do I really look like a conman? Clearly, you’ve scammed more. Luo Jun left you a legacy worth billions!"

Qin Huai: ...?

They exchanged glances, finally both sighing, "Xia Mubing sure took on a good disciple."

Zhao Cheng’an added, "Even when I die, I want to leave my inheritance to Zhang Guanghang."

Qin Huai: ... Not to mention what there is to inherit among your green-tinged assets, Mayfly, put your hand on your heart and tell me, do you really think you can outlive Zhang Guanghang?