Introductions

"How disappointing,"

The old man shook his head.

"I wonder what if your parents know what you're doing. But none of that matters now. You placed a challenge and I've accepted… there's no turning back now."

The old man turned to the customer who was too focused on eating to notice the altercation between him and this stranger.

"Mr. Lee, you'll be our judge and witness. But just in case, dial the police for me so there'd be no room for him to run when he loses."

Turning to Zhi Luan, he asked,

"You have no objections, do you?"

Of which Zhi Luan shook his head.

"Come this way, this is where it goes down."

The old man led Zhi Luan into the kitchen. Zhi Luan knew this was a kitchen, but the equipment here was different from what he knew. Earlier, he saw the old man twist something and fire spewed out in an instant.

"Here are all you need to make the dish. I don't want you rummaging through my kitchen."

Zhi Luan wasn't offended by the remark and simply pointed at the cooker.

"How does it breathe fire?"

The old man wanted to say something but held back and twisted the knob of the cooker, and fire came out, albeit reduced.

Zhi Luan knew the challenge had begun and reached for a knife. The dish might have a different name and a different style of preparation, but the ingredients were still the same; the old man labeled them all, so it was easier to know what ingredient was used.

It was alright as long as he remembered everything the old man did and how he did it.

He started by dicing the vegetables and went forward to fry them in a spicy broth and so on. However, the old man who was observing by the side was at a loss for words. For someone who knew nothing about the dishes to cook, Zhi Luan wasn't moving like a novice in the kitchen. Instead, his actions were calm and confident. No matter how it was viewed, Zhi Luan didn't look like someone who was just preparing this dish for the first time.

This being his first time preparing something like this, Zhi Luan wasted quite a bit of time, hence he was done forty-five minutes later. The food was then brought to the customer, who patiently waited for another round of food. And just as the food was placed in front of him, he couldn't help but smack his lips.

"This… honestly smells good!"

The placement of the meat and vegetables were similar to the way the old man did his, and with that, everything was set. Mr. Lee took a huge chunk of rice with a piece of everything on the spoon and wolfed it down in a single gulp. And just then, as if compelled, Mr. Lee let out a soft groan, later shaking his head.

"I'm sorry to say this but, old man Shen… you lose."

Bells went off in the old man's head. He disregarded what Mr. Lee said and snatched the bowl of food from him, likewise, eating in the same manner. And an honest reaction bloomed on the old man's face as his eyes widened while he took another spoonful of food.

"It's delicious…"

He said in utter shock.

"You… you tricked me! You didn't say anything about being a professional chef!"

Zhi Luan frowned.

"I didn't trick you, it's rude to accuse people like that."

Mr. Shen lost it.

"You're speaking to me about being rude when all you've done since you walked in here is nothing short of being rude. And now, you've tricked me again!"

"We made a bet,"

Zhi Luan leaned forward, glaring at the old man.

"You stated the rules, and I obliged. And you want to go back on your word? How distasteful."

Mr. Shen felt his veins were about to burst. But Zhi Luan wasn't done speaking. He took a deep breath before speaking solemnly.

"I come from far away, but as to how far away it is from here, I have no clue. Nothing looks the same… nothing feels the same. I'm lost with no idea where I'm headed. I have no choice but to start my life all over again."

He then looked Mr. Shen in the eye.

"It might not look or sound that way, but everything I said since I walked in here has been nothing but the truth. I've never cooked that dish before… I just did exactly what you did. I have no reason to trick you when I don't know you. All I ask is a place to stay for the time being till I figure things out. I'll work for every chance you give me. I assure you; I won't bring you any trouble."

Old man Shen suddenly became conflicted. He had initially thought that Zhi Luan was one of those slippery customers who only wanted to eat and run. But at a closer look at things, it was just as Zhi Luan had said; there was no reason to keep the charade up for this long. And though it was uncertain if what Zhi Luan said was the truth, he had to admit that Zhi Luan sounded honest.

"You said you come from a far place… where is that?"

Mr. Lee asked.

Zhi Luan replied,

"Fushan village. It is a small town surrounded by a stone forest, and beyond it is an actual forest."

His reply was the same, with the omission of the 'Houtian Continent' part. Given how the old man had replied initially, Zhi Luan guessed that the continent might not exist anymore.

"It sounds like a remote place. How come you found your way here?"

"I didn't. I decided to leave on my own, but I had no way of telling directions… or I thought I did. Then I lost my way and wandered until I got here."

"How unfortunate," replied Mr. Lee.

Old man Shen took in deep breaths while tapping the countertop.

"A week," were the words he said next.