Chapter 21

Dong Ku followed the two people, intentionally keeping a distance of three steps, not getting too close. This was partly to ensure the two people wouldn't be on edge, guarding against him, and partly to give himself enough room to maneuver. After all, both were skilled and over 40, indicating they had a solid foundation.

The three of them entered through a curtain, turned, and walked down a corridor to the right, arriving at another door after a few steps.

Upon exiting, they found themselves in a small courtyard. The courtyard was clean and free of snow, revealing a neatly paved granite floor, which looked pristine. There were no trees around, making it more like a training ground. However, Dong Ku noticed that there were numerous shelves along the walls, clearly used for placing flower pots and potted plants.

It seemed they were dealing with someone who appreciated self-cultivation...

Dong Ku mentally noted the environment and followed the two to the only door.

"Follow me."

The second manager, Cheng Shu, said without turning back, and gently knocked on the door.

Creak...

The door opened with a slight sound, and a young maid, holding it open, appeared amidst the rising steam. Seeing the people outside, she smiled and said brightly, "Uncle Cheng..." Her eyes then glanced at Dong Ku, but her expression didn't change. She opened the door wider, stepped aside, and stood quietly to one side.

"Hmm?"

She was also a trained martial artist and a servant of the household...

Seeing the maid's calm demeanor, clearly shaped by significant experiences, and her defensive posture when opening the door, it was evident she was a skilled fighter.

The second manager, Cheng Shu, turned to look at Dong Ku and said, "Please come in." Then, he led the way inside.

Dong Ku, confident in his abilities, followed without hesitation. The trained martial artist who had been behind him followed after Dong Ku entered, subtly positioning himself to keep Dong Ku between them.

As the door closed behind them, Dong Ku had already noticed the layout of the room.

This was a reception hall, with antiques placed around the walls and calligraphy and paintings hanging on the walls, giving it an ancient and elegant feel.

Cheng Shu didn't stop but continued walking inside.

"Hmm?"

Turning through the inner doorway, the Japanese-style paper sliding door that appeared before them made Dong Ku's eyes narrow, confirming his suspicions even more.

Cheng Shu pulled open the paper door and stepped aside, saying, "Please come in."

Dong Ku paused briefly, nodded in acknowledgment, and entered the room. He took off his shoes while quickly scanning the room.

Inside was a standard Japanese-style room with a small table on a tatami mat. Behind the table sat a woman in a kimono, busy preparing tea.

Could the head manager be this woman?

This unexpected thought flashed through Dong Ku's mind, followed by the story of Kawanishi Fumiko.

"Uncle Cheng, please go attend to the front hall."

Just as he had neatly placed his shoes to one side and hadn't yet looked up, a clear and elegant voice spoke amidst the light scent of sandalwood.

"Yes."

Cheng Shu bowed and retreated, then turned and left.

The trained martial artist closed the door behind him, took off his shoes, and led the way to the small table.

"Please, sir."

The woman only looked up and gestured when Dong Ku reached the table.

She was truly beautiful!

Her natural beauty, unadorned by makeup, made Dong Ku genuinely admire her. Shocked by her youth and beauty, and her fluent Beijing accent, he smiled subtly and, after performing a standard Japanese bow, knelt beside the table.

The trained martial artist stepped back, standing less than two meters from the table, his eyes coldly fixed on Dong Ku.

"Please, sir, have some tea."

The clear and elegant voice spoke again, and the beautiful woman gently turned the teapot, picked up a cup of gongfu tea, and placed it in front of Dong Ku.

"Thank you!"

Dong Ku picked up the tea and took a sip, inwardly surprised by the woman's pure Chinese and her skill in tea ceremony.

"Good tea! This is pre-rain Longjing, isn't it..."

"Sir, you are also an expert in this field. This tea is indeed pre-rain Longjing."

The woman smiled faintly and then changed the subject, "Have you been to Japan?"

"I was fortunate to stay in Osaka for two years."

Dong Ku picked up the cup, which had just been refilled, and took another sip.

"Oh? How do you know I can definitely get the machines you need?"

"Here, the shelves display sake, and it's genuine sake. I assume the manager must have connections with Japan, so I took the liberty to disturb you..."

"You know, some of the machines in your collection are under military control. Just this fact alone would interest the Special Higher Police."

The woman smiled faintly and refilled Dong Ku's tea.

"Oh? These machines are problematic? If it weren't for your reminder, Dong Ku wouldn't have known."

Dong Ku's face changed, and he bowed in gratitude.

"I am just a businessman, and I don't involve myself in other matters. Although I can buy these machines through friends, I can't transport them through Shanhaiguan. You, on the other hand, are not a businessman or a hunter, but what you do is none of my business." She paused, not waiting for Dong Ku to respond, and continued, "Mr. Dong, please don't misunderstand. The sake is indeed from Japan, but I am not Japanese. I have been to Japan and stayed there for four years. My grandfather, Liu Bojun, was a local official in the late Qing Dynasty, and later retired to his hometown. My father was a businessman when he was alive. I, a weak woman, run a restaurant just to make a living and avoid trouble. So, Mr. Dong, please take these papers back, and I have never seen them..."

"Haha... Miss Liu, you are truly a straightforward person."

Dong Ku laughed and reached out to take the papers, saying, "I was too abrupt, not considering Miss Liu's position. Please forgive me."

After putting away the papers, Dong Ku did not intend to give up. He knew Miss Liu was no ordinary person and must have considerable influence. Building a good relationship with her would be beneficial. If she wasn't a collaborator, she might even be helpful; if she was, then...

For a blood-soaked soldier king, pitying a woman was not a consideration. Even with a skilled guard, he was confident he could eliminate her with a swift strike.

After a moment's thought, Dong Ku raised his teacup and said, "Since Miss Liu finds it difficult, and you have pointed out the challenges, it seems I need to reconsider my plan to start a factory." He paused and then changed the subject, "Miss Liu, I have tasted the dishes in your restaurant, and they are truly authentic and very local. I have traveled to many places and tasted many specialties, but unfortunately, I can't find them here."

"Mr. Dong, do you have an interest in food?"

Miss Liu smiled faintly and reached out to refill Dong Ku's tea.

"Not really, just a bit of a foodie. Wherever I go, I always try the local cuisine first."

"Oh?"

Miss Liu, who ran a restaurant, was naturally interested in specialties. Hearing that Dong Ku had tasted many dishes, she leaned forward slightly and smiled, saying, "Mr. Dong, would you be willing to share some of your experiences?"

"Of course, good things are meant to be shared." Dong Ku put down his teacup and smiled, "In the northwest, I tasted a kind of braised beef that I couldn't find anywhere else after traveling to many places. I even stayed there for several days to learn the recipe, but unfortunately, I am lazy and haven't been able to recreate it."

As Dong Ku finished speaking, the woman's eyes lit up. She understood that Dong Ku was willing to share the recipe, but her eyes quickly returned to their calm smile. She nodded and listened without interrupting.

Dong Ku took another sip of tea and continued, "In Sichuan, there is a kind of hot pot that is hard to find here. It is made with live fish, chicken, or duck, and is spicy and refreshing, perfect for the cold winter in Northeast China. There is also a Korean-style teppanyaki I tried, which is convenient and has a grilled flavor, with many variations and fewer dishes. Unfortunately, the only restaurant that served it was destroyed by the Japanese, and I can no longer taste it..."

Dong Ku sighed, expressing his regret.

After Dong Ku finished speaking, Miss Liu slowly sat up straight and said, "It seems Mr. Dong has tasted many delicious dishes. Since you know so much about them, why don't you open your own restaurant?"

"Ah..." Dong Ku sighed, shaking his head and smiling bitterly, "I am lazy and enjoy traveling. I have no interest in management. Collecting recipes is just a hobby, and I have never thought about opening a restaurant. I apologize for making Miss Liu laugh."

"Oh? Mr. Dong, you know many recipes? These are closely guarded secrets! I wonder if you are interested in selling them?" Miss Liu's smile was intelligent as she spoke softly.

"Haha..."

Dong Ku laughed heartily and said, "Miss Liu, I am not short of money, so I have never thought about selling these recipes. However..."

Miss Liu paused, not understanding why Dong Ku would know the recipes and formulas but not want to sell them. She was pondering his intentions when he changed the subject, so she smiled and said, "Then, Mr. Dong, what do you plan to do?"

Dong Ku smiled, his face full of hope, and said, "Miss Liu, you run a restaurant, and I can tell from the dishes I've tasted here that you have high standards for your chefs, both in knife skills and flavor. If I could have these dishes made here, it would be a way to make up for the ones I can no longer taste. Could you please get me some paper and a pen? I'll write down a few of my favorite dishes, and you can have your chef try them. If they are suitable for the menu, wouldn't that be a treat for me?"

After Dong Ku finished speaking, the woman's expression didn't change, and she continued to smile. She lifted her head and instructed, "Uncle Tie, please bring Mr. Dong some paper and a pen..."

After about ten minutes, the woman looked at the recipe for the braised beef, the hot pot preparation process, and the teppanyaki with pictures and specifications for the cooking utensils. Based on her experience, she judged that these were genuine and not fake recipes.

"Uncle Tie, take this to the kitchen and have Chef Liu try to make a fish dish according to this recipe."

The man named Uncle Tie stepped forward, took the hot pot recipe from the manager, nodded, glanced at the seated Dong Ku, and left the room.

"Mr. Dong, I am a businessman and don't take things for free. If these recipes work, I will try my best to meet your conditions. However, I wonder..."

"Haha..." Dong Ku waved his hand to interrupt her, "These recipes are just taking up space in my mind. In Miss Liu's hands, they can truly realize their value and not be lost. I can also enjoy them again."

"Mr. Dong's generosity is admirable. By the way, you don't need to be so formal. You can call me Liu Rujie."

Liu Rujie smiled.

"Liu Rujie? 'Rujie' means 'entrusted to the past, hoping for the future.' What a beautiful name!" Understanding the meaning of the name and knowing that her family had no male heirs, Dong Ku sincerely praised her.

Liu Rujie revealing her name at this point didn't surprise Dong Ku. He knew that, especially for women, names were not easily revealed, especially in the early Republic of China, when old customs were still prevalent.

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End of the page.