Chapter 18: Chapter 18: The Captive of Braised Pork with Fried Tofu
Translator: 549690339
Chen Ze took a short while to return to the bedroom on the second floor, changed into his own clothes, and took care of his personal hygiene; then he checked his phone, which showed it was six thirty in the morning.
"What's going on today? Why is there a customer so early?"
Chen Ze was a bit puzzled; this had never happened before.
But it was a waste of time to think about it now. Since the customer had arrived, Chen Ze naturally had to host the guest and take the opportunity to inquire about ingredients from the Otherworld.
Chen Ze went back to the kitchen, skillfully turned on the stove to heat water, then started cooking rice. After all, braised pork just doesn't seem complete without rice.
Chen Ze glanced at the dining room; Raphael was sitting in a corner of the dining room, his two pairs of wings slowly flapping behind him.
"Indeed, no matter how you look at it, it resembles a creature like an angel, and even a four-winged one at that."
Looking at the pristine white feathers on the other's back, Chen Ze always felt a bit disconnected from the scene.
[You have made a normal serving of braised pork. Your home cooking experience has increased by 5 points.]
Due to having practiced quite a bit, Chen Ze's speed in making braised pork had also improved slightly. He managed to serve a portion of braised pork and a bowl of rice before Raphael could get impatient.
"Braised pork and rice—please enjoy your meal, and feel free to ask for more rice if needed," Chen Ze wiped his hands and stepped back into the kitchen.
He didn't have a habit of watching others eat, and he had heard that if someone stares at you while you're eating, it can affect your appetite and make it difficult to swallow. Although he wasn't sure if it was true, Chen Ze felt it was better to err on the side of caution.
"Braised... braised pork? What a strange name."
Raphael swallowed, the aroma incredibly enticing. The scent of the meat and some unknown spices made Raphael feel as though just smelling it could satisfy his hunger immensely.
Raphael picked up the chopsticks that Chen Ze had placed to the side. He wasn't quite sure how to use them.
"How do you use these two sticks?" Raphael felt a bit embarrassed. He held one chopstick in each hand, trying to pick up the meat that way.
Chen Ze couldn't help but laugh. It seemed that for these Otherworld guests, chopsticks were just too complicated.
"You can start by using a spoon." Chen Ze handed over a spoon, feeling quite sorry for his chopsticks—they were being used like forks.
Raphael laughed a little awkwardly as he took the spoon. He had never used it before, but he had seen Human Nobles use it, so he had a general idea of how to use it.
After scooping up some braised pork, Raphael licked his lips. The closer he got to the aroma, the more enticing it became, making him feel as if his recently satiated stomach was hungry again.
Slowly bringing the braised pork to his mouth, Raphael took a bite. The flavor of the sauce, the seasonings, the taste of the meat itself—all burst into Raphael's taste buds, boldly asserting their presence.
"Ah..." Raphael exhaled involuntarily.
He had never tasted such delicious food before. Even in the King's City of the Orc Nation, there was nothing like this. Compared to the meats charred by flame, these small cuts were more delicious and flavorful.
Raphael felt like all the meat he had eaten before was fake, merely serving to fill his belly. In contrast, this dish called braised pork was a delight both to smell and to taste.
Raphael's tears streamed down without control, and he suddenly remembered that he had just come through a Magic Portal. What if he couldn't have this kind of food again if the portal disappeared after he returned?
Chen Ze peeked from the kitchen, fortunately for him Raphael was facing away, so he could see his expression.
"Is it that good?" Chen Ze was a bit shocked, the first time he had seen someone cry while eating braised pork.
Raphael wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes, deciding he needed to change his habit of crying when excited—all the more so to prevent tears from falling into his bowl of braised pork.
"Rice, huh... It tastes quite bland," Raphael said as he scooped another spoonful of rice.
It was a bit disappointed; the white rice tasted rather bland, which made Raphael wonder if Chen Ze was trying to swindle him out of some money, as human merchants are known to be quite cunning.
"Don't trust the words of humans and goblins." This was something even the children in the Orc Nation knew very well.
Chen Ze saw the other party push the rice aside and roughly guessed why Raphael did that, especially after hearing his comment about the plain rice.
"My guest, the rice is meant to be eaten with the braised pork. You can pour some of the pork's gravy into the rice and then have a spoonful of braised pork with a spoonful of rice," Chen Ze recommended, assuming that there probably wasn't anything like rice in the Otherworld.
Raphael hesitated for a moment but eventually followed Chen Ze's advice, pouring the braised pork gravy into the rice and topping it with a spoonful of pork, then putting it into his mouth together.
"Hmm!" Raphael's expression changed instantly.
"What is this soft little cube? The moment you bite into it, a rich broth bursts out, and when paired with the bland rice, it tastes even better!" Raphael's eyes widened, and the little cube once again altered his perception of the dish.
He had thought the star of braised pork was the meat, but surprisingly, this unremarkable little cube was even better.
"This is delicious! This little cube tastes even better than the meat itself, and the texture is so unique—it feels a bit like the heart of a Blizzard Giant Wolf," Raphael wiped off the dripping sauce from the corner of his mouth, smiling contentedly.
Chen Ze, watching Raphael devour the food, sported a smug smile. His favorite part of the braised pork was also the fried tofu, and now seeing his guest seeming to enjoy it as well, he felt a sense of jubilation in finding a kindred spirit.
"This braised pork is too delicious! Shop owner, what's the little cube inside?"
"Fried tofu."
"Fried... tofu? As expected, it's a strange name., but whatever, it's incredibly tasty! Another bowl of braised pork, please!" Raphael felt like his stomach could fit another ten bowls of braised pork.
"Coming right up." Chen Ze clapped his hands, thankful that he had anticipated such an occurrence and had cooked extra.
"Another one!" After finishing ten bowls of braised pork, Raphael still wasn't full.
"Alright." Chen Ze felt a bit tired.
"Another one!"
"Okay."
"And another!"
...
In the end, Raphael ate a total of thirty-two bowls of braised pork, consuming all the pork Chen Ze had left, before he finally stopped.
Chen Ze took a few deep breaths, now feeling like he didn't want breakfast anymore. He had been smelling braised pork all morning and didn't feel hungry.
[You have made a dish of ordinary braised pork, and your home cooking experience has increased by 5 points.]
[You have gained a new passive effect.]
[Home Cooking Novice: Increased olfactory sensitivity.]
Chen Ze stretched lazily, satisfied. After making so many servings of braised pork, he had unlocked a passive effect for home cooking, albeit a basic one.
Chen Ze took a light sniff and felt that, in addition to the rich aroma of braised pork, there was also a hint of spices in the kitchen.
Chen Ze wiped his hands with a towel and walked out; it was time to discuss the meal expenses with Raphael.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone