Journey to the West: Starting by taking Sun Wukong as my disciple!-Chapter 713 - 712 The Most Loyal Quasi-Apprentice
"I said, I just got here not long ago," the waiter said indifferently. "Isn’t it pretty normal for me not to be around when you first started? Are you here to eat? If you’re not here to eat, then hurry up and leave. If you are, give your name, and I’ll check if you have a reservation."
The man, seeing that Xiong Daoren was not speaking politely, responded in kind.
There was something odd about this person’s tone, and it wasn’t clear what he was there for. Going to a restaurant and not talking about eating, but instead catching a waiter and asking all sorts of questions – who does that?
"Is this how you work as a waiter in the restaurant?" Xiong Daoren was also getting a bit angry upon hearing the waiter’s impolite and somewhat impatient tone.
What exactly did this person mean? He really didn’t seem like he was here to work as a waiter at all. Instead, he acted like he was the boss, saying things a waiter shouldn’t say.
"What about it? Shopkeeper Chen hasn’t said anything to me, so do I need a stranger like you to lecture me?" the man retorted.
Xiong Daoren took a deep breath. He couldn’t argue with this guy and could only reason with him, "I’m also a waiter at this place, and if we go by seniority, I’m actually your senior. Is this how you talk to your seniors?"
The man paused, remembering that Shopkeeper Chen had told him that the other three waiters at Chaos Residence were mythical creatures, each occupied with their own affairs, and that Shopkeeper Chen didn’t necessarily keep them there but instead let them pursue their own dreams.
"You came up without giving your name; I took you for someone here to cause trouble, and that’s not my fault," Sha Wujing said indifferently. "As a senior, you should be aware of the rules in here. You came up asking questions left and right. The fact that I didn’t just kick you out is already quite generous of me."
"You!" Xiong Daoren wanted to say something, but then he thought about it and realized the guy might actually have a point. After all, it was he who didn’t state his purpose upon arrival, and indeed his questioning could raise suspicions.
To speak frankly about whose fault it was, it seemed his own fault was the greater. He swallowed his pride and asked again, "Where is Shopkeeper Chen? What did the shopkeeper go out to do?"
"The Shopkeeper only mentioned he’s stepping out, he didn’t tell me what for," Sha Wujing replied. "Are you here to see the Shopkeeper?"
Xiong Daoren shook his head, "If the Shopkeeper’s not here, what about Wukong? Wukong’s always around, right?"
"He is, he’s in the kitchen; I’ll take you there," Sha Wujing offered.
On hearing this, Xiong Daoren got irritated again. He glared at Sha Wujing and said, "What, I don’t know the way to the kitchen? No need for you to take me."
Sha Wujing didn’t bother further; he just turned around and continued sweeping the floor.
Xiong Daoren looked at the indifferent attitude on the other side, his anger boiling with no outlet. He took a few deep breaths before turning and heading towards the kitchen. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂
In the kitchen, Sun Wukong was still prepping dishes. Tian Peng had just bid him farewell and gone down to the mortal world, leaving no one to assist. So Sun Wukong was busy cooking all by himself.
As soon as Xiong Daoren entered the kitchen and saw Sun Wukong’s back as he cooked, he called out, "Wukong, I’m back!"
Sun Wukong turned around slowly and, seeing Xiong Daoren at the doorway, like he found a lifesaver, exclaimed, "You’re back, that’s great! Hurry and give me a hand. Those vegetables there and the crayfish all need to be prepped. I have a lot of orders to fill, quick!"
Xiong Daoren thought he was going to start a nostalgic storyline meeting Sun Wukong, but he didn’t expect this kind of response.
Seeing all the backed-up orders, he rolled up his sleeves and went to the faucet to start preparing.
While working, Xiong Daoren asked, "Wukong, I saw there’s a new waiter in the courtyard. What’s his story? He doesn’t seem polite at all. Isn’t the Shopkeeper afraid he’ll drive all the customers away?"
"Oh, you mean Sha Wujing?" Sun Wukong knew who he was talking about the moment he heard the discourteous tone, and he chuckled.
"Hey, this guy, he might not be the most polite speaker, but when it comes to getting things done, he’s pretty good, and most importantly, he’s loyal to my master. As long as he treats my master well, I don’t mind his lack of courtesy."
"What do you mean by treating well?" Xiong Daoren didn’t understand, "Aren’t all of us brothers just as good to Shopkeeper Chen? From what you are saying, this guy treats Shopkeeper Chen even better than we do."
"You guys are almost there," Sun Wukong pondered. Actually, as long as it was someone Chen Nuo took a liking to, they were very loyal to Chen Nuo.
"He made a Blood Oath the first day he met my master, vowing to follow my master for the rest of his life. None of us have made such an oath yet."
"Blood Oath?!" Xiong Daoren knew about them and realized that if a Blood Oath was made, then the commitment to Chen Nuo must be substantial. His bias toward that person lessened a bit, "So that’s how it is."
Sun Wukong nodded, then didn’t continue the topic.
"By the way, Wukong, I’ve come this time because I have a favor to ask of you," Xiong Daoren said.
Sun Wukong had guessed that his sudden return meant he needed help; he nodded and asked, "What is it?"
"It’s nothing major. You see, my birthday is approaching, and I’ve obtained a new treasure, so I want to hold a Buddhist Robe Assembly. The thing is, I can’t cook. I was hoping you could whip up a few dishes for me when the time comes. Can you do it?" Xiong Daoren asked with a smile.
Sun Wukong chuckled and then said, "Whether I can or not, I believe you know best, right?"
Xiong Daoren instantly understood what Sun Wukong meant and quickly said, "Wukong, look what you’re saying! Of course, I can’t just have you cook for free. I’ve had the thank-you gift prepared for a long time, ready for you when you come to cook."
"Alright, as long as you know that." Sun Wukong smiled, "So when are you planning to hold the Buddhist Robe Assembly?"
"In three days," Xiong Daoren replied.
Sun Wukong nodded in agreement, "Alright, then we’ll wait for three days. Take a look beforehand at what dishes you want and let me know. I’ll get the ingredients ready, and once they’re cooked, you can come to pick them up."
Xiong Daoren eagerly said, "It’s a deal, Wukong. First, I’ll take a look at the menu. I’ll tell you once I’ve made my choices."
Sun Wukong handed the menu directly to Xiong Daoren, "First, take care of these ingredients for me, and then you can sit down and take your time looking through it."
Xiong Daoren agreed wholeheartedly, quickly handled the ingredients, and then stood aside to look over the menu.
"Wukong, we’ve been away for such a long time, and there are so many new dishes on this menu," Xiong Daoren commented while browsing, "Just now while I was preparing the ingredients, I realized that thing could actually be eaten."
"Yes, it can be eaten. Despite its scary appearance, it tastes pretty good," Sun Wukong said, "Not only is it delicious, but once you really take a liking to it, you won’t even find its looks scary anymore. Seeing it will be just like seeing a beautifully prepared dish."
Listening to Sun Wukong’s description sent shivers down Xiong Daoren’s spine. That thing looked so frightening, how could he ever start to find it appetizing?
Forget it, he really couldn’t stand the sight of it; better to choose something else.
"This is called crawfish, and it’s currently on promotion; order one portion and get another one free. There’s plenty of it, so you’re hitting it at just the right time," Sun Wukong, occupied with cooking, didn’t notice Xiong Daoren’s expression and went on talking.
