Chapter 324: Chapter 324: Meeting Shen Lan Again

The weather held up for four straight days.

Little Deer Cuisine was packed to the brim every day, its patrons more worried than Shen Lu about another severe sandstorm striking.

"Boss Shen, you should really think about moving. This spot is right in a wind corridor. When a sandstorm hits, the wind and sand are much worse here."

’Damn it, if this place gets blown away, where am I supposed to find food this good and cheap?’

"Rest assured, the restaurant will be perfectly fine. You’re the ones who need to be careful when you’re out and about."

’Are you kidding? The restaurant’s defense rating is already at 8. It can withstand attacks from Level 5 Superpower Users and above, and its defense against natural disasters is double that.’

’Even if a maelstrom passed through, her Little Deer Cuisine would remain standing.’

Shen Lu found a spare moment and sent another message to Li Zexing.

As she sent it, Shen Lu grumbled, "Is being a superstar such a big deal? I’ve been messaging him for five days straight, and he hasn’t replied even once. That brat... Don’t tell me he actually got blown away by the wind?"

Less than two minutes after she sent the message, Li Zexing actually replied!

Li Zexing: I’m filming at the Chenhai Building tomorrow afternoon at three. You can come visit the set.

Shen Lu: Alright, I’ll bring some tasty food for my visit.

Shen Lu immediately locked in the plan, afraid Li Zexing would change his mind.

Li Zexing crossed one leg over the other, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.

The next day, Shen Lu headed to the Chenhai Building, bringing with her a newly perfected braised meat platter, one savory and one sweet pizza, and a cup of hot lemon black tea.

Shen Lu had previously drawn an Advanced Braised Meat recipe, but she had to shelve it because she couldn’t gather all the ingredients.

Now that the Mysterious Mall was unlocked, Shen Lu gathered all the ingredients and tried braising a batch.

The moment she lifted the lid, an extraordinary, rich aroma struck her like a physical blow, leaving her feeling light-headed.

It was intoxicatingly fragrant!

This was a scent that could touch the very depths of one’s soul!

Shen Lu instantly felt that the 200 reputation value she had painstakingly saved had been well worth spending!

That’s right. Both of those ingredients had been purchased at the steep price of 100 reputation value for 50 grams.

Over the past few days, Shen Lu had scraped together about 217 reputation value. After the purchase, she was left with only 17.

She had simply been curious and wanted to test out the recipe.

In that pot of braising liquid, Shen Lu had cooked a piece of pork belly, two pig’s trotters, several pounds of chicken and duck feet, as well as some duck gizzards, sausages, and other things.

After opening the pot, she couldn’t wait for it to cool down and began tasting everything one by one.

As expected of an Advanced recipe. It wasn’t just the aroma; the flavor itself was on a whole other level.

Shen Lu had no doubt that if she were to sell these braised meats, never mind the people from the Upper City District—even members of the Royal Family would bow their heads to take a bite.

’Unfortunately,’ she thought, ’there’s no way I’m selling these right now.’

’Each batch costs at least 200 reputation value to make. The cost is massive!’

Feeling the sting of the expense, Shen Lu painstakingly arranged a braised meat platter. Since it was a gift, it was only right to make it look exquisite.

’As for the quantity, though, she stingily packed just enough for one person. Hmph. It was only because Li Zexing had some star power. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be getting a single bite of something this good.’

Fu Cheng had physical therapy at the hospital that afternoon, so Shen Lu asked Huo Qian to borrow a car from the Gale Mercenary Corps to drive her to the Chenhai Building.

To her surprise, it wasn’t just the car that showed up—Xue Can was there too.

"I happen to be free this afternoon. Get in, Boss Shen. I’ll give you a ride."

As he spoke, Xue Can shot Huo Qian a look, signaling for her to stay put and not ruin his chance to travel alone with Shen Lu.

"Then I’ll have to trouble you, Mr. Xue." Bundled up like a puffball, Shen Lu didn’t see the look Xue Can gave Huo Qian. She climbed into the back seat and waited for him to start the car.

Huo Qian received her leader’s message loud and clear. "In that case, Boss Shen, I’ll stay here and watch the restaurant."

Shen Lu gave her an okay sign.

Xue Can cheerfully pressed the accelerator and headed toward the Upper City District.

Though the wind and sand weren’t severe today, Xue Can drove slowly, prioritizing a steady and stable ride.

It wasn’t that he was being deliberately slow; everyone drove like that these days.

The Chenhai Building, known as the tallest skyscraper in the Imperial City, was located in the heart of the Upper City District.

It took them nearly two hours to reach the underground garage of the Chenhai Building. Shen Lu took off her extra scarf, grabbed the food container, and got out of the car.

’I thought we’d have to park outside.’ It turned out her perspective was too limited. Then again, it made sense. The people of the Upper City District lived a life so wonderful that the residents of the Lower City District couldn’t even begin to imagine it.

’Isn’t an underground garage a standard feature for them?’

It was easy to find Li Zexing. He’d been filming here for a couple of days, and hordes of fans came to watch every day. All she had to do was head for the biggest crowd.

Shen Lu sent Li Zexing a message, and a little while later, his agent, Qin Shuangshu, came to lead her onto the set.

When the surrounding fans saw this, they practically roared with envy and jealousy.

"Who is she? Why did Brother Qin come out to get her? I want to see Brother Xing, too!"

Shen Lu just smiled at them. "I’m just making a delivery."

’No sense in making enemies,’ she thought. ’These little fans might be my customers one day!’

One wealthy-looking fan boldly called out, "I’ll give you a thousand Star Coins! Let me make the delivery!"

Qin Shuangshu frowned and said to a nearby security guard, "Keep a close eye on that fan. Don’t let her cause any trouble."

Shen Lu gave the fan a helpless look, as if to say it wasn’t her call—someone else was making the rules.

Li Zexing wasn’t in the current scene, but he was in the next, so instead of going to his dressing room, he sat off to the side, watching the others act.

Surprisingly, Shen Lu didn’t see Princess Ruoxin by Li Zexing’s side. Instead, she saw Shen Lan.

Shen Lan was holding a box and speaking to Li Zexing with a pitiful expression. Behind her stood a slightly chubby girl in pigtails, who had clearly put a lot of effort into her appearance.

But she was very nervous, her smile slightly strained.

’What’s going on here?’

Shen Lu walked closer, her mind full of questions.

Seeing her approach, Li Zexing gave a slight nod and, as a show of respect, sat up straighter.

"That costume looks great on you. Once the movie is out, you’re going to attract a whole new wave of fangirls."

’You don’t hit a person who’s smiling at you,’ Shen Lu thought. Besides, she was here to get something out of him, so a little sweet talk was in order.

"Your compliments are so unoriginal, Boss Shen," Li Zexing said with a click of his tongue. "I’m sick of hearing that."

"Then what would Superstar Li like to hear?"

"That depends on how you show your sincerity, Boss Shen."

"I’m not great with words. My sincerity is in this box. Want to see?"

Li Zexing smiled. "What a coincidence. Shen Lan also came to visit the set today and brought me food. But I only have one stomach and can’t eat so much. You tell me—should I eat your food, or hers?"

Shen Lan shot several venomous glares at Shen Lu, then answered in a pinched, high-pitched voice, "Of course you should eat what I made. Her ingredients are all low-quality. How could they possibly be as high-grade, sanitary, and fresh as mine? Ze Xing, you still have to film later. You can’t risk an upset stomach. It would be terrible if it affected the shooting schedule."

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