Even though the restaurant was nearing closing time, the customers who had finished their meals lingered. They were all astonished to see a renowned master chef like Yamadaya willingly stand in line for over an hour to eat at such a small, unassuming establishment.
Though the regular patrons were already aware of how extraordinary the food was, it was still a surprise to see someone of Yamadaya's caliber wait patiently in the cold for a meal. This newfound recognition elevated the restaurant's reputation in their minds even further.
Meanwhile, Yamadaya and Airi had finally begun eating. After standing outside in the cold for over an hour, they were both chilled and famished.
The pork belly had been fried to a perfect golden hue, balancing the richness of the fat and the tender lean meat. The first bite delivered a spicy, numbing sensation that instantly ignited their taste buds. The lean meat was crispy yet refreshing, while the fat melted deliciously in their mouths. It was an indulgent experience.
With just one bite, they felt a warmth spread throughout their bodies, as if a fire had been lit deep inside. Soon, their faces flushed, and the cold that had once seeped into their bones vanished, replaced by a comforting heat.
For Airi, who had tasted Sui's cooking before, the sensation was familiar. But for Yamadaya, it was an entirely new and exhilarating experience. His entire body felt rejuvenated—he hadn't felt this energized in years.
The effect of the Stir-Fried Pork with Garlic was different from Sui's shredded cabbage dish. While the cabbage alleviated mental fatigue, the Stir-Fried Pork with Garlic restored physical vitality, making even a weary body feel young again.
"Amazing!" Yamadaya's eyes widened in awe. Medicinal cuisine is meant to harmonize the body through carefully selected ingredients. However, this was the first time he had encountered a dish with such profound effects.
'Is there some kind of secret medicinal ingredient in this dish?' he wondered.
But beyond its healing properties, the flavor was astounding. The spice was perfectly balanced with a numbing heat, creating an addictive experience that made it hard to stop eating. Despite the fiery sensation, the need to continue devouring the dish only grew.
Both Yamadaya and Airi's faces flushed, and their foreheads began to glisten with sweat as their bodies grew warmer with each bite. The dish was served with a bowl of rice and a steaming bowl of beef bone soup. They ate until they were drenched in sweat, fully immersed in the intense, satisfying flavors.
Even Airi, accustomed to the finest cuisines, found herself relishing the simple, common food more than she ever imagined. She had never anticipated that one day she would enjoy a meal of Stir-Fried Pork with Garlic and rice so much.
Before long, both plates were cleared, and Airi, much to her surprise, had finished two entire bowls of rice. Her cheeks flushed slightly in embarrassment—it was the first time she had ever eaten so much in one sitting.
After the meal, the two rubbed their full stomachs contentedly, sipping the fragrant beef bone soup. The warmth from the food and the happiness it brought was indescribable.
"I haven't eaten this well in a long time," Yamadaya sighed, deeply satisfied.
He had initially been skeptical when Airi praised Sui's cooking. How could anyone create such remarkable dishes? But now, after tasting the food himself, all doubts vanished. He felt reinvigorated, as though years had been lifted from him.
"May I ask what medicinal herbs you used in this dish?" Yamadaya asked, turning to Sui with genuine curiosity.
From what he saw, the dish contained nothing more than pork belly, green peppers, freshly ground black pepper and coriander seeds. Surely, Sui must have added some special medicinal ingredients to achieve such effects.
"Medicinal herbs?" Sui was momentarily surprised but quickly realized the misunderstanding. Of course, given the dish's effects, it was easy to mistake it for medicinal cuisine.
"I'm afraid I can't share that," Sui replied calmly. Even if he explained, it wouldn't be something they could easily comprehend.
Yamadaya chuckled softly. "I was being presumptuous. A recipe like this must be a closely guarded secret. I wouldn't expect you to reveal it to just anyone."
"Mr. Yamadaya, are you able to create a dish with similar effects?" Airi asked, unable to contain her curiosity.
Yamadaya paused, then shook his head. "No, I'm afraid I cannot."
"Even you can't?" Airi's face briefly showed disappointment. As the top master of medicinal cuisine, Yamadaya was known for his skills, but the fact that even he couldn't replicate Sui's dish intrigued her even more. She began to wonder if Sui's abilities were the result of some secret family recipe passed down for generations.
Nearby guests overheard the conversation and were stunned. They had always thought of Sui as a young, talented chef, but to hear that even a renowned master like Yamadaya couldn't replicate his dishes made them realize just how exceptional Sui truly was.
Excitement rippled through the crowd. To be able to eat such high-level cuisine regularly at such an affordable price—it felt like they had struck gold. Many made a mental note to return often, fearing they might one day lose the chance to savor Sui's creations.
By this time, Airi had already paid the bill.
"Sui, I'd like to formally offer you the position of food consultant for our group. The terms will be generous, and I assure you, you won't be disappointed. What do you think?" she asked, her tone respectful.
Previously, she had only asked Sui to become her grandfather's personal chef. But now, her offer had expanded, reflecting the high regard she had for his talents.
"Food consultant?" The surrounding guests were taken aback.
Sui didn't appear to be more than 20 years old, yet he was being offered such a prestigious position by a major corporation? It was hard to believe, but Airi's and Yamadaya's composed expressions made it clear they thought Sui was more than capable.
"I appreciate the offer, but I must decline," Sui responded calmly.
Airi's face fell slightly. Though she had suspected he might refuse, hearing it from him directly was still disappointing.
"What about the position of chief food consultant?" Yamadaya chimed in suddenly.