28 A Touch of Salt

In exchange for a delayed lunch, Li Mo Shang had earned his classmates a free afternoon session for the day. Currently, he was being guided by Wan Xue to a nearby restaurant just off-campus, the Ah Di Restaurant.

Ah Di Restaurant was a noodle store, hence Li Mo Shang was faced with an extensive menu with over twenty noodle cuisines that were all uncommon in Nan Qing. Mulling over the uncommon names of these dishes, he looked over to see Wan Xue waving towards the restaurant's owner. Compared to other restaurants located in the same district, Ah Di Restaurant was very different in appearance and nature.

Located in Blue Rose City's luxury commodity district, Ah Di Restaurant had a very plain and unassuming appearance compared to the other extravagant and domineering restaurant chains nearby. With a simple brick exterior and maple interior, the lack of decorations and the overwhelming presence of woodcraft created a relaxing and somewhat pleasant atmosphere. Even the kitchen door was constructed out of wood, and Li Mo Shang's observation confirmed that the walls, furniture, and flooring were completely made of natural maple and oak wood.

Near the kitchen entrance was a large tabletop counter, and a middle-aged man dressed plainly with a light apron could be seen kneading a large ball of dough while twirling a knife. As Li Mo Shang and Wan Xue entered through the doors, the man paused, his beady eyes narrowing upon Wan Xue's appearance before breaking into a joyful laugh. Playing with the knife in his left hand, he dropped the partially-kneaded dough onto the countertop before heading towards the standing duo.

Watching the middle-aged man approach them with a large steel knife tossing in his hand, Li Mo Shang was filled with some apprehension, but Wan Xue eagerly greeted him with a demeanor unbefitting of a university professor.

"Boss Ah, I want the usual! Extra spicy, with two portions of buckwheat noodles!"

"So it's little Wan again, you want the usual dish? How's teaching at Blue Rose University?"

The owner replied, a warm smile gracing his slightly wrinkled face. Within his small eyes was a hardly concealed warmth and affection directed towards Wan Xue, causing both Li Mo Shang and the other customers to quietly stare at the owner. As the owner looked over Wan Xue once more, his eyes shifted over towards the seated Li Mo Shang, and his smile became ever more pronounced.

"Looks like little Wan has grown up now? Bringing a boyfriend to my small store, could it be that the next visit will be a wedding invitation?"

"Who said it's like that!"

Upon Wan Xue's delicate and beautiful face were cheeks tinged with a light blush as she indignantly protested, and Li Mo Shang received glares of envy and jealousy from the other customers as they greedily stared at Wan Xue's pretty appearance. As their eyes unceasingly captured every detail of her appearance, the restaurant owner frowned as he slammed the knife against the counter, causing a shrill ring to resound throughout the store. The owner then let out a loud roar, his powerful voice causing the customers to shiver in terror.

"Focus on your noodles before this father plucks out your eyes, ah! Dare to look at my niece, don't blame me for raising the price!"

Surprisingly, not a single murmur of dissent could be heard from the customers as they begrudgingly returned to their food. Unknown to Li Mo Shang, this non-assuming noodle shop was quite famous in Blue Rose City for the influential foodies, and the boss' temper was renowned. Given his habits of blacklisting anyone who dared speak back to him outside of criticism on the food, the customers had long become accustomed to Ah Di's owner's ballistic and unpredictable rage.

After restoring visual tranquility into the store, the restaurant owner smiled towards Wan Xue once more before striding over to Li Mo Shang, his small eyes scrutinizing every detail. Li Mo Shang stared back, his customary deadpan expression not changing in the slightest as he maintained eye contact, causing the restaurant owner to nod happily as his expression became more amiable.

"Little Wan, your boyfriend is quite the suitable man for you! Very handsome appearance, rich and influential demeanor, truly worthy of pursuing you!"

*cough*

Li Mo Shang frowned towards the owner as Wan Xue coughed once more. Noticing his displeasure, her temper flared up for an instant but receded once she remembered that she had brought Li Mo Shang to request a favor. Hastily tugging on the owner's arm, she pouted and complained quietly, causing the owner to passionately laugh.

"I said, he's my student! Boss Ah, you never listen!"

Upon receiving the owner's playful acquiescence and apology, Li Mo Shang pointed towards the menu before asking the owner for a random specialty dish. Although he was appreciative of the restaurant's down-to-earth atmosphere and interactive owner, he wanted to visit the university's administrative building before closure to gain entry into the specialized libraries. After his wanton plunder, the general studies library could hardly provoke his interest.

Observing Li Mo Shang's nonchalant and disinterested attitude towards his dishes, the restaurant owner smiled once more before back towards the countertop. There, he began to viciously knead the dough, his hands moving in untraceable arcs as the dough was flattened, amassed, then pounded once more to remove any hidden air bubbles. Tossing the ball of dough into the air, the owner held the knife in a reverse grip as his right arm flashed several times, the blade traveling in unpredictable trajectories.

Within a few strokes, the ball of dough had been severed into extremely thin strands of equal length, of which he easily looped around his arm before heading into the kitchen.

Seeing his casual action of slicing the dough, Li Mo Shang was stunned by the sheer speed of the cutting. He could see that other than the arm providing the initial movement, the rest of the blade's oblique trajectory was from rotating the wrist. After swinging his arm once, the owner had not moved it until he had stepped forth to pick up the strands of dough. Within the single exhibition of cutting skills, Li Mo Shang could identify the vast accumulation of natural practice, and a faint idea began to germinate.

Wan Xue saw that he remained staring blankly at the countertop and lightly cleared her throat to no avail. She could only avert her gaze and pretend that such a person did not sit across from her.

Only had the noodle dish appeared before Li Mo Shang did he break from his contemplation. Ignoring the slightly fuming Wan Xue, he looked at the dish before him in appreciation. Dressed in a clear broth, a ball of lightly wrapped noodles sat in the middle of a green porcelain bowl, with lotus seeds decorating the rim. Upon tasting the dish, Li Mo Shang could not help but praise the restaurant owner; the light scallion and oysters broth with the combination of fine noodles resulted in a refreshing sensation without any unpleasant aftertaste. Even without any salt, the dish could be considered a true culinary masterpiece.

In response to his praise, the owner smirked in satisfaction before placing himself in an adjacent chair near Wan Xue. To Li Mo Shang, that smirked seemed rather familiar, but he could not clearly attribute it in his memories.

Opening her mouth once more, Wan Xue attempted to draw Li Mo Shang's attention once more, this time with success. As he looked at her with an indifferent expression tinged with slight confusion, she flushed before pointing at the table.

"I bought you lunch. Can you please hear me out now?"

"What is it you wish to say, Professor Wan? Those pills are of a considerable sum, even my wealth is unable to purchase it."

Li Mo Shang attempted to downplay her plea's contents as he prepared to stand and leave. Before he could even rise from the chair, Wan Xue directed her misty eyes, which immediately caused the restaurant owner to quietly grunt. Apprehensive of the previous display of anger and unwilling to attract attention, Li Mo Shang acquiesced and motioned for her to continue.

"I know the Yin Restoration Pill is truly expensive, and the physical makeover is probably many times that. But still, I want to help my sister recover! She's too pitiful, having suffered such trauma like that."

"What happened to little Ning? She suddenly stopped coming to eat a year ago, did something happen back then?" The restaurant owner interrupted, drawing his chair closer. A worried expression covered his aged face as he continued, "You never said anything about her, so I thought that she was too busy with her studies. Why didn't you let me know of such an incident?"

Wan Xue bit her lip, a sad expression shadowing her countenance. Suddenly, she abruptly stood, the wooden chair's legs scraping against the floor in her haste, attracting the attention of many. As the restaurant owner guessed her intentions, he stood as well, walking towards the kitchen. Turning back to Li Mo Shang and Wan Xue, he motioned for them to follow, before quelling the interest of the fellow customers with a fierce glare.

With no other appropriate choice, Li Mo Shang helplessly stood as he headed towards the kitchen with Wan Xue. The kitchen was very neat and orderly, with cooking utensils, pots, pans, and a large basin placed in door-less compartments. A row of knives was arranged above a large convection oven, and nearby was a nearly overflowing pantry. Sweeping his gaze around, Li Mo Shang quickly discovered that the restaurant owner and Wan Xue were heading towards a inconspicuous hallway entry, which led to a series of small but homely bedrooms.

Entering a vacated bedroom, the restaurant owner sat on the bed, arms crossed as he looked at Li Mo Shang and Wan Xue. Li Mo Shang closed the door behind him as he fixed his gaze on Wan Xue, who suddenly gave him a ninety-degree bow, her voice slightly choked as she pleaded once more.

"Please, Student Li. My little sister desperately requires this treatment to continue living. Her depressed face, I don't enjoy watching it every day." Wan Xue's eyes misted once more, but stubbornly continued, refusing to rise from her bow.

"My sister was kidnapped and defiled by the Third Prince of Bei Yan Long, Huo Siyan, before her own boyfriend. Although my family is still influential in Nan Qing's academic society, it can't compare to a true imperial family like the Huo Imperial Clan. My parents could only resort to agreeing to an engagement contract with Bei Yan Long, but my little sister fell into severe depression. Every day, she would attempt to maim herself, and if something isn't done quickly, she will commit suicide!"

"Have you not contacted any doctors? With your family's influence, contacting Tai Zi Hua shouldn't be impossible." Li Mo Shang frowned. From observing her expression, he could determine that Wan Xue was sincere about her concern for her younger sister, for any inclination of her previously supercilious attitude had completely vanished. Only raw anguish remained, her pretty countenance distorted by a motley of rage and despair.

"Bei Yan Long issued a silent threat towards any nearby famous doctor, forbidding my little sister from seeking treatment. Because we couldn't find any decisive evidence that could incriminate a nation's ruler, we had no choice but send my sister into intensive care at the university hospital. Even then, any qualified doctor is forbidden from giving treatment due to Bei Yan Long's threats." Wan Xue's fists clenched tightly, hidden under her sleeves. "Please, Student Li, Wan Xue begs for your Li Family's assistance."

"Can a deep familial concern warrant the usage of blackmail, Professor Wan? You could have simply requested for help by utilizing the mediums provided by my family, but why did you have to resort to blackmail? Do you think I would willing request my family to provide assistance towards someone who waves damaging material over my head?" Li Mo Shang refuted, his countenance cold and indifferent to her misery and pleas. "The Li Family is a pharmaceutical clan, a family devoted to the research of medicine. Even if we do learn the medicinal practices akin to a doctor, that does not mean we aid just anyone!"

"But," Wan Xue protested, "Shan't you have some mercy for a life? My sister has lost her chastity, her dignity, and even her reputation and emotional support from that vile man! I'll apologize for attempting to force your aid-"

"Professor Wan, could it be that you are capable of making water naturally flow upstream?" Li Mo Shang uttered a cold bark of laughter. Returning a supercilious smirk similar to the one he had previously received from Wan Xue, "Perhaps after providing the Wan Family aid for their Young Miss, my Li Family would have to hold back the brook's fury and rampaging soldiers of Bei Yan Long! As for the noodle dish, a touch of salt would do!"