"Awesome! This is so delicious!"

In the blink of an eye, the old man devoured the rice and two dishes on his tray, leaving nothing behind. He let out a sigh of contentment, comfortably leaning back in his chair, patting his slightly protruding belly while listening to the exclamations around him:

"So numb, so spicy! This chili chicken has left my mouth numb, but it's really delicious!"

"From today on, Huang Yatou's tofu is my favorite. It's really fresh and tender!"

"You have no idea, every dish Senior Brother Jiang makes is eternal greatness!"

"..."

Listening to the surprised exclamations and praises from the students, the old man's lips curled into a slight smile. For decades, hadn't his own dishes been praised in the same way?

Back then, he was quite proud, thinking he was remarkable, and put even more effort into cooking, always busy figuring out how to make food taste better. Wasn't all his hard work just to earn more praise and admiration from others?

But looking back now, serving others for a lifetime is really not as good as being served once.

Today, he was truly at ease, not only enjoying delicious food but also rubbing his full belly contentedly. This is the life of the gods!

He's decided, he's not going home anymore. He'll rent a house near this school, come to this dining hall every day to eat, and go fishing or play chess in his spare time. Life just couldn't be better!

With his mind made up, the old man didn't sit any longer, quickly got up, and left the dining hall, briskly walking towards the outside of the school.

He needs to hurry and rent that house. Otherwise, when his son finds out, it'll be a missed opportunity not to be regained!

…

In the kitchen of the Seventh Dining Hall.

Jiang Yu was peeling river shrimp with Lu Shuwu and others in the dish preparation room, unaware that another "freeloader" had entered the dining hall.

These fresh river shrimps were quite large, and if Jiang Yu hadn't called Boss Zhao in advance, they wouldn't be available to just anyone.

"Boss, are these river shrimps prepared for that child with an eating disorder?"

Lu Shuwu picked up a river shrimp, skillfully shelling it, and with a slight pressure on his fingers, he squeezed out the shrimp meat, placing it in the dish beside him. He couldn't help but ask,

"What dish are you planning to make today?"

"Well, he's from Qiantang, not used to spicy food. Besides, in his situation, even if he could, he shouldn't eat spicy. Since our dining hall's dishes tend to be spicy, I have to make something else for him."

While busy with his tasks, Jiang Yu explained briefly and added,

"Today I'll make a famous Qiantang dish, Longjing Shrimp."

"Longjing Shrimp?"

Lu Shuwu's eyes lit up, and he quickly said,

"I've had this dish before. The shrimp has a tea fragrance, the tea has the fresh taste of shrimp. It's refreshing and appetizing, and the taste lingers endlessly!

Boss, this dish isn't sweet, make a bit more so everyone can have a taste!"

Jiang Yu couldn't help but glance up at him, smiling, "It's not 'everyone can try it,' you just want to taste it, right?"

"No, Boss, I also want to try it!"

Ma Guoqiang, who was chopping peppers for the side dishes, quickly looked up to "clarify" for Lu Shuwu.

Even He Chunxiao and Qian Liwei, who usually didn't speak much, nodded emphatically and said in unison:

"I want to try it too!"

Jiang Yu: "…"

Are you guys planning to rebel?

He couldn't help but shake his head, helplessly saying, "Alright, just be diligent and peel all these shrimps."

"Got it!"

Lu Shuwu quickly replied, cheerfully starting to peel the shrimp meat again.

After peeling the shrimp meat, Jiang Yu washed them several times until they were snow-white, then placed them in a basket.

Once the water was drained, he put the shrimp meat into a bowl, added salt, MSG, and egg white, stirring with chopsticks until sticky, then mixed in dry starch for coating.

Next, he took a teacup, put in an appropriate amount of Longjing tea leaves, and poured in 80-degree hot water to steep, setting it aside for later.

Jiang Yu didn't drink tea, so he naturally didn't have good tea leaves. This Longjing tea was brought over by Liu Shurong's husband through someone from home yesterday.

The authentic production area of Longjing tea is in Qiantang. As a renowned local merchant, obtaining top-notch authentic Longjing tea was as easy as pie.

With all the preparations done, Jiang Yu took the shrimp and the brewed Longjing tea to the kitchen to start cooking.

After first greasing the pan with oil, Jiang Yu added cooked lard, heating it to medium-low temperature, then put the coated shrimp in to fry, separating them with chopsticks as they fried. After about ten seconds, he removed all the shrimp, draining the excess oil over a sieve.

Immediately after, Jiang Yu poured out the excess oil in the pan, leaving only a little at the bottom. Once heated, he added the fried shrimp back in, quickly pouring in the soaked tea leaves and tea liquid.

He stir-fried them evenly, then drizzled in a bit of Shaoxing wine to eliminate any fishy smell and enhance aroma. Finally, he added a pinch of salt and MSG for seasoning, and after a few more stirs, Jiang Yu turned off the heat and plated the dish.

Instantly, the kitchen was filled with the rich fragrance of tea, a scent that was simply irresistible.

Lu Shuwu was already waiting aside, and seeing the dish plated, he eagerly approached.

This dish, unlike the heavily oily and spicy Xiang and Sichuan cuisines, was fresh and tender, the shrimp white like jade, and the tea leaves fresh and tender, with elegant color, giving off a light appearance.

Two plates of shrimp were plated, one was for Wu Wenle, the other was left for everyone in the dining hall.

Smelling the rich tea fragrance, Lu Shuwu couldn't help but swallow, but he didn't dare to ask for a taste. Seeing him like this, Jiang Yu couldn't help but laugh and said:

"Just wait a while, when Xiaoyan and the others are done, then you can eat."

"Oh, okay, I'll go help."

Lu Shuwu said, turning around and heading towards the sales area.

In order to taste this new dish sooner, he really was putting in a lot of effort!

Watching Lu Shuwu leave, Jiang Yu turned around again and prepared a dish of fish head stewed tofu.

After the two dishes were done, he grabbed a tray, placed the Longjing Shrimp and fish head stewed tofu on it, took two bowls of rice, picked up chopsticks and spoons, and carried them out of the dining hall.

The dining hall was still bustling; every time the students came to eat, it was as if they were tasting such delicious food for the first time. Their faces were full of bright smiles as they ate in big mouthfuls and chatted heartily with their companions.

In the meantime, they couldn't help but comment on the dishes made by Senior Brother Jiang.

The scene was both lively and joyful.

Seeing Jiang Yu come out with a tray of steaming, mouthwatering food, some students showed surprise on their faces and called out:

"Hello, Senior Brother Jiang!"

"Senior Brother Jiang, are you also coming out to eat?"

"Senior Brother Jiang, what dishes are you serving? It even smells of tea!"

"Senior Brother Jiang, why does your dish look different from what we're eating?"

"Senior Brother Jiang..."

"..."

Jiang Yu didn't expect these juniors to be so enthusiastic. In fact, he didn't recognize most of them, and even if a few looked familiar, he couldn't recall their names.

Wearing an awkward but polite smile, he nodded to these juniors, said nothing more, quickened his pace, and soon reached Liu Shurong and her son.

After setting down the food from the tray, Jiang Yu smiled and said,

"This is Longjing Shrimp, and I also made a fish head stewed tofu, both relatively light dishes. Auntie, please try them."

"It's really too much trouble for Boss Jiang, having you make separate dishes every time."

Liu Shurong looked slightly apologetic, glanced at her son, and continued,

"Ever since Lele was willing to eat the Sister Song's Fish Soup you made yesterday, his spirits seem to have improved quite a bit. He ate several soup dumplings and drank half a bowl of vegetable and lean meat porridge this morning, which is much better than before.

He seems to only want to eat the food you make.

To help Lele recover as soon as possible, we might stay around here for a while. During this period, we'll have to trouble you, Boss Jiang."

Saying this, she bowed to Jiang Yu to express her gratitude.

"Oh, Auntie, there's really no need, no need!"

Seeing this, Jiang Yu quickly stepped aside and hurriedly said,

"It's just a few more dishes, no big deal. Besides, it's not like I'm giving it to you for free. These dishes have to be paid for."

He paused and continued,

"It's better to eat this Longjing Shrimp and fish head stewed tofu while they're hot; they'll taste fishy if they cool down.

Auntie, take your time enjoying the food. I have to get back to cooking; the dining hall staff haven't eaten yet."

Saying this, he greeted Liu Shurong and quickly turned back to the kitchen.

He really wasn't good at handling such situations and always felt uncomfortable, so it was better to avoid them.

Back in the kitchen, Ma Guoqiang and He Chunxiao had already prepared the dishes for the dining hall staff. Jiang Yu said nothing more, directly heated up the oil, and started cooking.

Once a few stir-fried dishes were done, Yan Tongtong and the others had also finished their break.

Lu Shuwu came in and eagerly said,

"Time to eat, time to eat! This Longjing Shrimp isn't spicy; you all probably won't like it, so leave it for me later!"

"Wow! Such a rich tea aroma, I love this dish!"

Ma Guoqiang closed his eyes and took a deep breath, looking intoxicated,

"Everyone knows, I don't love anything but tea. Wasn't this dish made especially for me?"

"Isn't it just shrimp? You guys are exaggerating!"

Hu Zhihai smirked, picked up a shrimp with his chopsticks, put it in his mouth, and chewed it; he paused, and exclaimed in amazement,

"Wow! This shrimp is crispy outside and tender inside, bursts with juice in one bite, full of rich tea aroma, even without the spiciness, the texture is incredible!

Delicious! So delicious!"

"Really?"

Qian Liwei, who had been silent, also came by,

"Is it really that good? How come I don't believe it?"

"Try it if you don't believe it!"

"I'll try it then. Though I'm indifferent to non-spicy shrimp, I can still try one."

"How does it taste? Crispy outside and tender inside? Does it burst with juice in a bite?"

"Hmm! No juice burst... Maybe the shrimp I tried wasn't cooked right? I'll try another one!"

"Did you get it this time?"

"Hmm? Let me try one more time!"

"..."

"No, I'll try one more time!"

"Jeez! While I might be less than human, you, my friend, are truly a rascal!"

"..."

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