There was no introduction, no joyous atmosphere, not even eating for a dozen minutes first.
Wang Gen Sheng was full by the 7th minute.
Gong Liang fared a bit better, lasting until the 16th minute.
Qin Huai, who had been delayed by a restroom break, barely made it to 21 minutes. Then everyone spent the rest of the ti watching Shi Dadan eat, staring wide-eyed with intense focus.
Gong Liang swallowed all his topics and questions, as all previous preparations beca irrelevant because at this mont there was only one question in his mind.
Buddy, aren’t you full yet?
Can you still eat?
How is it that so much food is just right for the four of us to eat today?
Wang Gen Sheng had seen how Shi Dadan ate buns at Yunzhong Restaurant before, so he was quite accepting of Shi Dadan’s appetite, rely finding it particularly good today, exceeding the amount he’d eaten previously.
Qin Huai was genuinely a bit shocked.
Not only had he seen Shi Dadan eat buns at Yunzhong Restaurant, but he had also seen how Shi Dadan ate at Cao Guixiang’s house. He knew Shi Dadan’s usual capacity, but it was never as exaggerated as today.
Does Shi Dadan need a nostalgic buff to eat? Cao Guixiang’s dishes are delicious, but they’re nothing compared to the nostalgic boost from familiar places like Huang Ji, familiar rooms, and semi-familiar dishes.
These spirits just love to taste mories and youth.
If we follow this logic, letting Shi Dadan eat a few more als at Huang Ji might even trigger a side quest.
Thinking about this, Qin Huai saw Shi Dadan finishing up his al.
Mostly because the dishes on the table were nearly all gone.
Gong Liang, initially bewildered, had now turned into awe, finally exclaiming as Shi Dadan finished, "Mr. Shi, your appetite is truly eye-opening. I’ve watched eating contests abroad before, but seeing soone your age with such an appetite is unheard of."
Shi Dadan laughed heartily, "It’s been a long ti since I’ve tasted Huang Ji’s cooking, suddenly eating here made lose control and I ate a bit more. Xiao Qin knows, I don’t usually eat this much."
Qin Huai nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, Old Shi usually only eats about twenty buns at a ti."
Gong Liang: ?
On the other hand, Wang Gen Sheng was a bit curious, sipping tea as he asked, "Old Shi, you’ve eaten at Huang Ji before? Aren’t you from Guangdong Province? Why haven’t I heard you ntion it?"
Wang Gen Sheng’s question startled Qin Huai, who instinctively looked at Shi Dadan, afraid he might misspeak. But Shi Dadan calmly cleared his plate, saying smoothly, "I ca before on business, sotis I travel around."
Shi Dadan said nothing further, but the listeners filled in the gaps themselves.
Wang Gen Sheng suddenly understood, "No wonder you’re so familiar with the roads here. When I took the wrong path earlier, you guided back."
"It’s not really about being familiar or not. I just wandered around the area last night," Shi Dadan said cheerfully. "It was you, Old Wang, who was preoccupied with work. Instead of going straight, you insisted on turning right and couldn’t be stopped."
Gong Liang’s eyes lit up, finding a new topic, "This area is really worth exploring. I also live in an apartnt complex across the street, right next to Xiao Qin’s house. This is an older district, and there used to be state-run factories all around. Though most factories and dormitories have been dismantled, many of the old shops remain. Next ti if ti permits, I’ll show you around."
"Accountant Wang, you worked in the cotton mill back in the day, right? You must be familiar with this area, but it’s actually changed quite a bit over the years. Do you rember where the old grain and oil store was? That storefront is still there and continues to sell grain, oil, as well as so nuts and snacks. The roasted peanuts there are simply amazing. Particularly the small peanuts, fragrant and crispy, you can’t find them elsewhere."
Shi Dadan asked, "Is it the grain and oil store that’s a right turn from Huang Ji, walk two blocks and turn left at the alley corner? I wandered over there last night and thought the roasted peanuts were quite good, so I bought so."
After saying this, Shi Dadan cheerfully said to Wang Gen Sheng, "Those roasted peanuts are the ones I brought from ho this afternoon."
Gong Liang: ?
Are you the local or am I the local?
Qin Huai: ?
No wonder Uncle Wang was full in just a few minutes, how much did he eat this afternoon?
Not giving up, Gong Liang continued, "There’s also a store specializing in rice candy and sesa candy..."
Shi Dadan excitedly said, "I saw that shop yesterday too. I bought sesa candy, Old Wang you had so this afternoon."
Gong Liang: ??
Believing he still had a chance, Gong Liang thought for a mont and brought out his trump card, "There’s an old wonton shop with shrimp wontons..."
Shi Dadan, feeling as if he’d found a kindred spirit, said excitedly, "I also wandered into that wonton shop yesterday, the small wontons were really quite good. But they weren’t as tasty as what Master Zheng makes, and especially not as good as those Zou whatever wontons."
Gong Liang: ...
Not buddy, are you the local or am I the local?
Didn’t you guys arrive late last night? How did you manage to go everywhere, do you like strolling that much?
For the first ti, Qin Huai saw the despair written all over Gong Liang’s face. He could even clearly detect the inner voice of Gong Liang, who seed to be silently pleading with him to stop the competition, because it was unwinnable.
This one is a local too, truly a local, in a past life.
Qin Huai realized he needed to change the topic to a subject that would interest Gong Liang, without being abrupt, giving him an exit.
Qin Huai pondered for a few seconds, suddenly coming up with a brilliant idea.
He gave Shi Dadan a look, indicating, "Gold-plated support, your role isn’t over yet today, you still have one more scene to play."
Shi Dadan: ?
"Wow, who would have thought there are so many old shops near Huang Ji? Mr. Gong, you’re not being fair. I’ve been in Gusu for months and not once did you suggest visiting any of these old shops," Qin Huai said with a smile.
Understanding that Qin Huai was giving him an out, Gong Liang quickly replied, "Those are just small shops with fresh tastes, but they definitely can’t compare to Master Qin’s culinary skills."
"If Master Qin is interested, we can take a tour of the area when you’re free."
"Sure, sure." Qin Huai smiled politely, skillfully steering the conversation, "Mr. Gong, I’ve heard you particularly enjoy eating lotus root powder balls."
Gong Liang: ? Who said that? Who have you been listening to? Who’s spreading such rumors about ? I barely even eat that sort of...
Wait a minute.
Gong Liang hesitated for a couple of seconds, "Is... that so?"
"Yes, I heard it recently. Actually, I’ve been quite interested in this snack. You know Luoluo watches palace drama series, and in those, the concubines eat lotus root powder balls all the ti, which makes Luoluo crave them. He asked several tis, and I haven’t made them for him. Since I’m here in Gusu, having finished studying the Double Crab Bun, I’m considering making so new snacks. I’m just not sure if I can find high-quality lotus root powder here in Gusu."
"Since I heard you like lotus root powder balls, I thought I might take this ti to study them closely, and perhaps make so specially for you."
Gong Liang was deeply captivated by the words "specially for you."
"Making it specially for ... Wouldn’t that be a bit too much trouble? Master Qin, you shouldn’t..."
"It’s not a bother, not a bother at all," Qin Huai said with a smile. "Making snacks for Mr. Gong is only right; how could it be a hassle?"
Deeply moved, Gong Liang found himself untroubled by the mystery of who spread the rumor of his liking for lotus root powder balls.
Seeing that Qin Huai didn’t really need much support, Shi Dadan chid in casually, "Oh, right, I think I’ve also heard Mr. Gong likes lotus root powder balls."
Gong Liang was taken aback, "Even you’ve heard this?"
"Yes," Shi Dadan nodded earnestly, "Xiao Qin ntioned it to , saying that you helped him a lot when he was in Gusu. He talked about the things you like to eat, the dishes, the snacks, and any dietary restrictions you have."
Once again, Gong Liang was moved.
Qin Huai silently gave Shi Dadan a thumbs up.
As expected, as long as one accepts the idea of Shi Dadan possibly not being too bright, and not the most clever person, whatever he says will be believed by everyone.
Because he’s Dang Kang.
Sincere Dang Kang, who isn’t smart and only wants to eat wholeheartedly.
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