A Core Ship From The Start-Chapter 2238 - 1518: Three Drinking Companions (Eating Instant Noodles on a Snowy Day Is Quite Beggar-Like)
Louwailou is located by the West Lake, and there’s a poem that goes, "Beyond the hills, there are more hills; beyond Louwailou, there is more West Lake. When will the songs and dances cease? The warm breeze intoxicates the tourists, making Hangzhou resemble Bianzhou."
This is where the name Louwailou came from.
Sitting in Louwailou, watching the beautiful scenery of West Lake, and enjoying the delicious food, it’s like food blends into the scenery, and the scenery complements the food.
However, for Duanmu Huai...
"I finally understand why this place is built by the West Lake."
Duanmu Huai poked at the fish with his chopsticks, looking rather bored.
"Is it because if the food doesn’t taste good, you can just toss it into the lake to feed the fish?"
"................."
Wang Yuyan, sitting across from Duanmu Huai, also said nothing, just taking small bites. But judging from her expression... it was understandable.
The West Lake Vinegar Fish wasn’t exactly bad. After all, they said it’s the authentic West Lake Vinegar Fish, praised by countless tourists. But to Duanmu Huai, its taste was just average. Of course, he believed that Louwailou wouldn’t dare to fool him. So either the chef’s skills were limited, or the West Lake Vinegar Fish was just like that.
But strictly speaking, the West Lake Vinegar Fish wasn’t too bad. After all, fish in this era weren’t fed with artificial feed but naturally bred. Back then, people didn’t use as many seasonings like they do now, where cooking feels like a witch brewing a potion, so it was more about the flavor of the ingredients themselves.
Naturally bred fish, if handled properly, wouldn’t taste bad. But to reach the level praised by scholars and poets was a bit far-fetched.
Well, it’s not surprising. In tourist spots, even fried rice is sold at sky-high prices; the taste is secondary.
How should I put it... hmm, it reminds Duanmu Huai of those online-famous foods he watched in food shows back in Nemume and Satori’s world. Reporters on TV would say it was a craft honed over a hundred years, and after one bite, they would hold their faces and exclaim "Oh delicious," as if they tasted the finest of delicacies. Then, queues would form from Shibuya to Roppongi.
And the result? Just so-so.
Some online-famous restaurants were even exposed for claiming their Italian pasta was handmade with secret sauces and limited daily servings, only to reveal it was just made with instant noodles.
As can be seen, online-famous foods are the same across times and borders.
If you ask whether they can be eaten, of course, they can be.
But if you ask how good they are, that varies from person to person.
Thinking of this, Duanmu Huai suddenly remembered a joke. He looked up at Wang Yuyan.
"By the way, let me ask you a question. Do you know what is the most delicious thing in the world?"
"Eh?"
Needless to say, upon hearing Duanmu Huai’s out-of-the-blue question, Wang Yuyan, who was battling with West Lake Vinegar Fish, was taken aback.
What is the most delicious thing in the world?
She had read many books, but she really couldn’t answer this question.
"Well... I do not know."
"It’s simple, hunger tastes the best."
Duanmu Huai laughed heartily.
"If I starve you for three days and nights, letting you neither drink a drop of water nor eat a grain of rice, and then put a plate of West Lake Vinegar Fish in front of you, you’d likely reincarnate as a starving ghost immediately."
"Uh.............."
Upon hearing this, Wang Yuyan was left speechless and could only chuckle helplessly. But she had to admit it did somewhat make sense. However, Wang Yuyan was born into wealth and never experienced hunger, so she wasn’t sure if Duanmu Huai was right.
"Hahaha!"
At this moment, there came a burst of laughter from nearby, and Duanmu Huai turned to see a big man sitting not far away, watching them.
"This gentleman speaks the truth. If someone were starved for three days and nights, even a simple cornbread would taste like the ultimate delicacy."
"You’re welcome. Why not join us for a drink? It’s not like we’re busy."
"In that case, I humbly accept."
The big man was straightforward. Seeing Duanmu Huai’s invitation, he walked over with large strides. He seemed to be around thirty, with a strong build, wearing a gray robe, thick eyebrows, big eyes, a high nose, and a broad mouth, with a square face that showed traces of hardship, exuding an imposing aura.
The big man walked up to Duanmu Huai and clasped his hands in greeting.
"Greetings to the gentleman."
Duanmu Huai also clasped his hands.
"Please have a seat. This meal’s on me." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞
"Since you insist, I shall not refuse."
Speaking, the big man called over Xiao Er.
"Waiter, bring two big bowls and ten jin of sorghum wine."
"Eh?"
Hearing the big man’s order, Xiao Er was also taken aback.
"Sir, can you really finish ten jin of sorghum wine?"
"This gentleman is treating, so why save his money? If ten jin isn’t enough, bring twenty!"
Xiao Er said no more and quickly brought two large bowls and a big jar of wine.
By now, Wang Yuyan was dumbfounded. She usually saw small wine cups, and the bowl before her was larger than her head. Can they really drink wine like this?
Duanmu Huai watched the scene with great interest. He had often seen similar scenarios in martial arts dramas, but since coming to this world, he hadn’t drunk this way. The reason was simple: this kind of drinking is only fun when done with others; drinking alone is like drinking in solitude, much like Li Xunhuan, always lost in drunken dreams, which is no way to live.
Since Duanmu Huai had been alone after arriving here, he never tried to drink this way. Though he had Wang Yuyan as a guide, seeing her small frame, one bowl might cause her to die from alcohol poisoning. So Duanmu Huai hadn’t experienced this style of drinking, but now that he encountered Qiao Feng, he didn’t mind going for a round with him.
The big man had already opened the wine jar and smiled at Duanmu Huai.
"Why don’t we both first drink ten bowls each, how about that?"
"Please."
Duanmu Huai didn’t waste words, and directly picked up a bowl, drinking it dry in one gulp. Seeing Duanmu Huai’s response, the big man laughed heartily.
"How refreshing!"
Saying this, the big man also picked up a large bowl and drank it dry in one gulp.
Then he poured more, and continued to drink.
The two drank bowl after bowl. Duanmu Huai’s physical attribute was high, and the alcohol in this era wasn’t strong, so it was no pressure for him to drink. The big man also seemed to be a good drinker, keeping pace with Duanmu Huai without hesitation. In a moment, twenty jin (approximately 10 kg) of wine was drained by the two. Then the big man called for another twenty jin, attracting the attention of the waiter and the surrounding guests.
As for Wang Yuyan, she was completely stupefied. She had never seen such drinking in her life. Looking at the wine jars, even if it was water, someone would be bloated to death. Yet the two had drunk forty or fifty jin, acting as if nothing happened, making her wonder if she was dreaming.
"Brother, you have great skills!"
Finally, the big man couldn’t hold on anymore, put down his bowl, and saluted Duanmu Huai.
"I, Qiao Feng, am impressed!"
"Just average."
Duanmu Huai also returned the salute with a smile. He liked Qiao Feng, but wasn’t keen on seeing him.
Whenever he saw him, a theme song played in his head that wouldn’t stop.
"To be honest, I actually came here with something to ask, but I couldn’t make up my mind. Having had some wine, I’ve finally built up the courage."
Qiao Feng sighed and then looked at Duanmu Huai.
"Something to ask?"
"Yes, the Jianghu rumors say that you can predict and calculate, as if you are a reincarnated heavenly person, knowing worldly secrets..."
This was a result of Duanmu Huai dealing with Murong Fu; people couldn’t explain such events any other way and likened him to an immortal, impervious to weapons and fire, leading to such rumors.
"You’re making me sound like a fortune teller."
Duanmu Huai waved his hand.
"Get to the point."
"Alright."
Qiao Feng took a deep breath and looked at Duanmu Huai.
"There are rumors that I, Qiao Feng, am from an Outer Domain. Do you know anything about this?"
"..............."
Duanmu Huai didn’t answer immediately but fiddled with his chopsticks for a moment before speaking.
"The entire Murong household has been executed. Your great revenge is fulfilled, so go to Shaolin Temple, find your father Xiao Yuanshan, and then return to the Outer Domain to live freely. Besides, I think the name Qiao Feng is quite nice."
In the novel, Xiao Yuanshan wanted Qiao Feng to join him against Murong Bo, killing Qiao Feng’s adoptive parents and mentors, framing Qiao Feng for it. But now Murong Bo, Murong Fu, and their family have been executed, so Xiao Yuanshan’s revenge is complete, eliminating this plot.
As to why Qiao Feng sought Duanmu Huai to confirm his identity... Duanmu Huai didn’t care to listen or ask.
"..............."
Hearing Duanmu Huai’s words, Qiao Feng trembled, then stood up and bowed to Duanmu Huai. He didn’t understand why Duanmu Huai mentioned Murong Fu’s enmity with him, but since Duanmu Huai said his father is Xiao Yuanshan at Shaolin Temple, he just needed to find his father to inquire.
However... it meant his identity...
Without thinking further, Qiao Feng turned and left.
Watching Qiao Feng’s departure, Duanmu Huai shrugged. In the entire "The Eight Trigrams," Murong Bo was the culprit; dealing with the Murong family solved everything.
You see, if you can’t solve the problem, solve the one causing it.
It’s even more convenient.
"Can you really predict and calculate?"
Wang Yuyan was astonished, watching Duanmu Huai. Even though she didn’t know what Qiao Feng asked Duanmu Huai or what he answered, it seemed like Duanmu Huai really solved Qiao Feng’s issue. Plus, when she and her cousin met Duanmu Huai, as her cousin left, Duanmu Huai called out her name despite her never having spoken it.
Wang Yuyan had little fame in the Martial Arts world; barely anyone back home knew her. How did Duanmu Huai know her name?
"I don’t know everything, just what I know."
Duanmu Huai stood up and stretched.
"Alright, we’ve drunk the wine, eaten the fish, admired the lake, let’s go."
"Where to next...?"
"I heard Zhang Sanfeng the True Person is having his hundredth birthday. I plan to drop by and offer my greetings."
After all, Duanmu Huai truly intended to visit Zhang Sanfeng; he’s considered an ancestor figure.
With nothing better to do, it’s nice to join a birthday feast, right?
