Chapter 309: The Astonished Yue Hen
Sitting across from his granddaughter, Yue Hen couldn't help but show a trace of helplessness.
"Alright, alright. After we visit your Grandpa Kang, we'll go find Qi Han."
This time, Yue Hen had come to Shrek City at the invitation of an old friend who lived here, intending to take the opportunity to experience the bustling Shrek Food Festival.
Originally, he had planned to come alone, but somehow his granddaughter, Yue Lian, found out about the trip and insisted on coming along.
Yue Hen doted on his granddaughter dearly, and after a little bit of pleading from Yue Lian, he agreed without hesitation.
Who would have thought that as soon as they got on the carriage, the girl had been talking non-stop about wanting to see her "Big Brother Qi Han"?
As for this young man named Qi Han, Yue Hen barely had any impression of him.
After all, he was just a passerby they had met while helping his granddaughter obtain a spirit ring—nothing memorable.
A fleeting encounter, nothing more.
The only vague memory he had of the young man was that his cooking was quite decent and that he wasn't a bad person.
So, since his precious granddaughter wanted to meet her "Big Brother Qi Han," Yue Hen didn't object too much.
She probably just remembers him because he grilled meat for her.
Children have simple minds. That's not a bad thing.
Yue Hen recalled that Qi Han had opened a restaurant in Shrek City, so if they did find him, he wouldn't mind supporting his business a little.
The only problem was...
Shrek City is enormous. Finding one person here won't be easy.
Yue Hen didn't hold much hope of running into the young man.
For now, he would just humor his granddaughter.
Children are easily distracted—once she experienced the grandeur of Shrek City, she'd likely forget about this matter altogether.
<+>
"Sir, we've arrived."
The voice of the carriage driver came from outside. Yue Hen lifted the curtain and looked out. When he saw the sign hanging above a nearby shop that read "Kang Trading Company," a smile appeared on his face.
Finally here.
"Lian'er, let's get off and visit your Grandpa Kang."
<+>
Kang Trading Company was only a small business within Shrek City. The city was home to countless massive merchant associations spanning the entire continent, making competition fierce.
However, this small company thrived due to its decent location and sound management.
The owner, Kang Rong, had built the business from the ground up since arriving in Shrek City decades ago. He was also a fairly powerful spirit master, which allowed him to lead a prosperous and respectable life in the city.
Some time ago, he had traveled to another city to purchase goods, and by coincidence, he had run into his old friend Yue Hen.
They hadn't seen each other in decades. After sharing a meal, they rekindled their old friendship.
Knowing that the Shrek Food Festival was approaching, Kang Rong enthusiastically invited Yue Hen to visit. Yue Hen gladly accepted.
By now, he should be arriving soon, right?
Sitting in his quiet study, Kang Rong set down the account book in his hands, deciding to step out and take a look.
Just as he pushed open the door, he vaguely heard Yue Hen's voice from the trading company's main hall.
Hmm?
He's here?
Kang Rong quickened his pace. Before long, he reached the hall and caught sight of Yue Hen's familiar figure.
"Hahaha, Brother Yue! Over here!"
Seeing his old friend, a genuine joy filled Kang Rong's heart, and he quickly called out.
Hearing Kang Rong's voice, Yue Hen, who had been asking a clerk for directions, immediately turned his head.
Seeing Kang Rong's slightly plump figure, he couldn't help but laugh.
"It's only been a few days, and you've gained weight again, Brother Kang."
"Heh." Kang Rong patted his slightly rounded belly. "Can't be helped. There's just too much good food at this year's festival. You know me—I live for this stuff. I ate a little too much and ended up gaining some weight."
His gaze soon shifted to the shy little girl standing beside Yue Hen.
"This must be your granddaughter, Yue Lian, right? I remember you mentioning her before, but this is the first time I'm seeing her. She's adorable."
After a quick search in his pocket, Kang Rong pulled out a jade longevity locket and smiled.
"Here, this is a gift from Grandpa Kang for our first meeting."
"Take it," Yue Hen said with a slight smile, noticing his granddaughter looking at him for approval. "A gift from an elder should not be refused."
Though the longevity locket was not cheap, given their friendship, it was nothing significant—there was no harm in accepting it.
Hearing this, Yue Lian finally took the locket and grinned at Kang Rong. "Thank you, Grandpa Kang."
Kang Rong looked at her kindly before turning his attention back to Yue Hen. "You two must be tired from the journey. You haven't eaten yet, have you?"
"Not yet."
"What a pity," Kang Rong shook his head. "If you had arrived an hour earlier, I could have taken you to Han Shi to try their food. But by now, it's probably fully booked. We'll have to wait until tonight. For now, let's go to Nine Dragons Delicacy instead."
"Perfect timing!" Kang Rong chuckled, looking expectant. "I haven't tried the Dingyu Longzhen there yet. Let's go together."
However, as Kang Rong spoke, Yue Hen's expression grew more and more bewildered.
Han Shi?
Nine Dragons Delicacy?
Dingyu Longzhen?
Every term Kang Rong mentioned felt completely unfamiliar to him.
Seeing Yue Hen's confusion, Kang Rong patted his forehead. "Ah, I forgot—you've never been to Shrek City before."
"Han Shi is currently the best restaurant in Shrek City. But because it's so popular, you have to line up early every day. At this hour, we won't be able to get a table, so we'll have to settle for another place."
"Nine Dragons Delicacy is also one of the finest restaurants in the city. Their signature dish, Dingyu Longzhen, is ranked among the top ten dishes of this year's food festival. The taste is absolutely excellent—we should give it a try."
"Brother Yue, don't blame me for the lack of proper hospitality."
"How could I?" Yue Hen smiled. "Dingyu Longzhen already sounds like an extraordinary dish. Lian'er and I are in for a treat today."
Han Shi… the best restaurant in Shrek City?
Yue Hen's mind stirred. The word "Han" in its name suddenly reminded him of his promise to inquire about Qi Han for his granddaughter.
"Brother Kang, I have something to ask you."
"Go ahead, Brother Yue."
"Have you ever heard of a young man named Qi Han in Shrek City?"
"Huh?" Kang Rong's expression suddenly turned strange.
Seeing this, Yue Hen chuckled. "Never mind, it's not important. I just happened to remember and thought I'd ask."
After all, Qi Han was just a chef. Given how busy Kang Rong was running his business, it was completely normal if he didn't know him.
"No, no, no!" Kang Rong waved his hand, his expression quickly shifting from odd to shocked. "Brother Yue, you actually know Young Master Qi?"
Young Master Qi?
Was he talking about Qi Han?
Yue Hen suddenly felt something was off.
A young man he barely remembered had made his old friend look this surprised?
Was there something he didn't know?
Unable to hold back his curiosity, Yue Hen asked, "I only met Qi Han once. I heard he opened a restaurant here in Shrek City. But Brother Kang, you're so busy—why do you know him?"
"Of course I know him," Kang Rong laughed. "Right now, there's probably no one in Shrek City who doesn't know Qi Han. After all, he's the owner of Han Shi."
What?!
Qi Han… is the owner of the best restaurant in Shrek City?!
Yue Hen's heart trembled, and old memories flashed through his mind.
"My shop is located in Shrek City. If the senior has a chance, you can come and try it."
That young man… was actually this remarkable?!
<+>
if you want to see more chapters of this story and don't mind playing $5 per month to see my latest update, please go to my Patreon[1]
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/collection/67255?view=condensed[2]
Latest Chapter in Patreon: Chapter 384: The Sweet–Savory Dispute Emerges[3]
Link to the latest chapter: https://www.patreon.com/posts/becoming-food-in-138083855[4]
[1] https://www.patreon.com/collection/67255?view=condensed
[2] https://www.patreon.com/collection/67255?view=condensed
[3] https://www.patreon.com/posts/becoming-food-in-138083855
[4] https://www.patreon.com/posts/becoming-food-in-138083855