Chapter 76

"Sure!" Tang Wulin smiled, he was already hungry.

Stewed beef in a sealed pot is a delicacy cooked in a brownish-yellow earthenware pot. The beef is washed clean, then simmered with scallions and ginger slices. The earthenware pot effectively locks in the moisture and the fresh flavor of the beef. After the beef changes color, over a dozen spices are added and simmered for a long time until the beef is completely tender. By then, the flavors of the spices have perfectly blended with the beef, making it a famous snack in Donghai City.

The shop was small, with the stove outside, where nearly a hundred small burners were placed, each holding an earthenware pot of simmering beef. The rising aroma of the beef made the lids of the pots hum, and the scent escaped, tempting passersby.

Inside the shop, there were only five small rectangular tables, seating no more than twenty people, and they were already half full.

It was already late autumn, and the temperature outside was not high. As soon as they entered the shop, they were greeted by warmth and the aroma of beef, instantly making them feel comfortable.

Gu Yue looked at Xie Xie with some surprise, "I didn't expect a young master from a wealthy family to eat at a street stall!"

Xie Xie didn't argue this time, "My mother used to love the stewed beef from this shop. I come here every so often." Saying this, he walked in and sat down at a table in the back.

Tang Wulin nudged Gu Yue, then followed him in and sat down opposite Xie Xie.

"Hey, Xie Xie's here, and he brought friends. The usual, right?" The owner was a middle-aged uncle, wearing an apron with some oil stains, his face full of smiles.

"Sure, thank you, Uncle Li," Xie Xie smiled.

Soon, three servings of stewed beef, three bowls of white rice, and two small dishes of vegetables were brought over.

"You're bringing friends for the first time, the small dishes are on the house," Uncle Li said with a smile, then patted Xie Xie's head, as if he were his own nephew.

Tang Wulin looked at Xie Xie in surprise. Xie Xie had a phobia of dirt, and his bed was always the cleanest in the dormitory. But now, he didn't avoid the touch of the street stall owner and instead smiled, "Thank you, Uncle Li."

Both Tang Wulin and Gu Yue were somewhat taken aback by this side of Xie Xie.

Xie Xie said, "What are you waiting for? Let's eat." As he spoke, he lifted the lid of the earthenware pot in front of him, and the rich aroma of beef immediately filled the air. The broth was a dark golden color, and small pieces of beef could be seen. Xie Xie touched the beef with his chopsticks, and it immediately fell apart.

He carefully picked up a piece and placed it on the white rice, then ate it together with the rice, his face full of enjoyment.

Tang Wulin couldn't resist any longer and started eating in the same way.

"Delicious," he praised. It was indeed very good. The rich aroma of the beef, mixed with the broth, and the savory flavor, perfectly balanced by the white rice, was flawless.

Gu Yue took a bite and was also moved.

This small shop, with its dim yellow lights and old tables and chairs, served surprisingly delicious food. The beef, the rich broth, the small dishes, and the white rice all made for a warm and comforting meal.

The three of them, who had been training together for three months, were clearly much more harmonious here than at the academy.

"Uncle Li, ten more servings, please," Xie Xie called out, knowing very well someone's appetite.

Tang Wulin scratched his head awkwardly, "Thank you."

"What for?" Xie Xie looked up at him.

Tang Wulin said helplessly, "Your name is really not good. I meant the other 'thank you.'"

Xie Xie suddenly smiled bitterly, his eyes slightly red, "My mother gave me this name. She told me that she named me this because she was grateful for that encounter. She said the happiest thing in her life was meeting my father at that time. But..." His face suddenly turned pale, and his hand holding the chopsticks tightened.

"Your mother?" Tang Wulin asked hesitantly. Although he could tell Xie Xie's family was wealthy, this was the first time he had heard Xie Xie mention his family.

Xie Xie pressed his lips together, "Father was always busy, even when Mother was seriously ill, he was still out of town. Mother's last wish before she passed away was to see him one last time, but he came back too late. I'll never forget that night, when Mother, with tears in her eyes, let go of my hand, full of regret. I hate him, I hate him! I also hate my name. If it weren't for that encounter, Mother might not have..."

At this, he suddenly buried his head on the table.

Coming here, he seemed to have shed all the cold and proud pretense he usually wore. This was the first time he had opened up to anyone.

Just then, Uncle Li brought over new servings of stewed beef. As he placed them on the table, he sighed, "This child is so pitiful. His mother used to bring him here all the time. After she passed away, he would come by himself. Every time, he would think of his mother. Don't blame him! It's rare to see him bring friends, and I'm happy for him. This child is young, but he carries a heavy heart. Help him, it's a sin!"

Tang Wulin gently patted Xie Xie's back, while Gu Yue sat there in a daze, looking at the crying Xie Xie, her eyes gradually showing more emotion.

"Hey, stop crying. I take back what I said, you can treat us today," Gu Yue kicked Xie Xie with her foot.

Xie Xie lifted his head, wiping the tears from his eyes with his sleeve, "I have a stench of money!"

Gu Yue pouted, "You're such a grudge holder."

Xie Xie said angrily, "You're the same age as me, and even younger. If I'm a brat, what are you? A little girl brat?"

Gu Yue opened a new earthenware pot and started eating, saying as she ate, "I don't argue with crybabies. Mmm, delicious."

When the three left the stewed beef shop, Uncle Li looked at their backs and sighed, "These kids can really eat!"

A meal of stewed beef not only brought Tang Wulin and the others satisfaction and warmth but also subtly brought them closer together.

Next, they had salt-grilled shrimp. Fresh shrimp were skewered on bamboo sticks, grilled over charcoal, and sprinkled with salt. It was simple but full of the fresh flavor of the sea.

Tang Wulin fully displayed his food god demeanor, and the three of them ate from one end of the snack street to the other, filled with laughter and joy.

"I'm so full," Gu Yue supported Tang Wulin's shoulder, while Xie Xie, on the other side, also supported his shoulder.

Tang Wulin smiled, "If you can't handle it, don't try to be like me, the food god."

Xie Xie rolled his eyes, "What food god, you're just a glutton. I wanted to say this the first time I saw you eat."

Tang Wulin snorted, "Let's keep eating, since you're treating us."

Xie Xie was shocked, "You can still eat?" This guy must have eaten as much as a whole cow on the way here.

Tang Wulin said proudly, "Of course!"

"Hey! What's going on over there?" Gu Yue suddenly said.

Tang Wulin and Xie Xie looked up and saw that there was some commotion at the entrance of the snack street, with a crowd gathered.

That place seemed to be the stewed beef shop!

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