Chapter 386: Chapter 355: Do You Believe I Could Get a $3,000 Concussion in a Minute?

In the dining area of the Dorami Kindergarten cafeteria.

Aunt Li was bustling between the tables, helping to serve two meals to the two police officers: "Officer Yue, Officer Xie, here are your dishes, enjoy."

"Thank you!"

Yue Xifeng and Xie Wenze politely accepted the meals, thanked her, but were quickly captivated by the enticing food before them.

"It smells so good!"

"These dishes look so appetizing!"

"What kind of meat is this? It smells sweet and sour, and looks a bit like lychee?"

Xie Wenze’s gaze was instantly fixated on the lychee meat dish.

Though he had never been to a five-star hotel restaurant nor tasted many high-end dishes, the lychee meat before him felt like an unprecedented culinary temptation.

Its color was bright red, with a slightly crispy outer layer, coupled with a unique sauce that was mouthwatering...

It was the first time Yue Xifeng had seen such an exquisite dish, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and he laughed and replied: "If I’m not mistaken, this should be the legendary lychee meat. It’s said to be a classic traditional dish, very particular in preparation, sweet and sour, try it! It won’t taste good if it’s cold."

"Alright! I have to taste the food from this kindergarten to see how delicious it really is."

Xie Wenze’s curiosity was thoroughly ignited, he picked up his chopsticks, grabbed a golden and fragrant piece of lychee meat, and eagerly brought it to his mouth.

One bite...

The crispy exterior and the tender inside perfectly fused, the sweet and sour sauce danced on his taste buds, instantly conquering Xie Wenze’s palate.

At this moment, he realized deeply that the kindergarten meals were far more than just to satisfy basic hunger.

It’s a culinary delight!

A kind of food that can touch hearts and bring a sense of happiness!

True gourmet food not only satisfies the appetite but also stirs warm ripples deep in the heart.

This lychee meat undoubtedly achieved that.

His eyes involuntarily widened, a look of joy evident on his face, and he finally understood the online praise for the meals at Dorami Kindergarten; those compliments were certainly not unfounded.

But thinking about his mentor who deceived him about the kindergarten meals being not tasty, his heart couldn’t help but feel a bit aggrieved.

He felt as though he was no longer his mentor’s favorite pupil!

Xie Wenze couldn’t help but question: "Master, the meals at Dorami Kindergarten are so delicious, yet when we asked you, you blatantly lied and said the kindergarten’s meals were average. Doesn’t your conscience hurt?"

Yue Xifeng: "..."

Oh~

I kindly brought you here to eat, and yet you said such things about your mentor, doesn’t your conscience hurt?

Yue Xifeng explained: "If the kindergarten meals are known by everyone at our station, they’d be scrambling to come and eat. I considered the unity and harmony of our station and didn’t want too many people to know, so it doesn’t become highly competitive and stop us from enjoying them in the future."

"Moreover, Xiaoze, you must know, your mentor has been quite considerate of you. Wasn’t it on purpose that I brought you to taste the kindergarten’s culinary delights this time?"

These words warmed Xie Wenze’s heart, and he also realized his mentor’s good intentions, and his initial grievance gradually dissipated.

Xie Wenze smiled sincerely and said: "Master, I understand now, I wrongly accused you."

Yue Xifeng nodded, continuing to remind him: "Good, remember not to say anything when you go back."

"Don’t worry, I am very tight-lipped, and wouldn’t confess even under torture."

Xie Wenze cheerfully responded, while gesturing a zip across his mouth, visually indicating he would keep the secret.

But then he thought of the online buzz, and couldn’t help but worry: "But, Master, this secrecy won’t last long, right? Just now, the news about the person having the kebabs made by Huang Jun sparked heated discussions online. Netizens are talking about how delicious the meals at Dorami Kindergarten are. Many people from our bureau have seen it and are discussing it too!"

Yue Xifeng pondered for a moment: "Hide it as long as possible. If anyone asks, we’ll firmly say it’s not tasty, those are exaggerated rumors online. They haven’t tasted it, can’t enter the kindergarten, nor have the time to verify. Once the online buzz fades, who will remember any of it..."

It sounds quite sensible!

Xie Wenze nodded in agreement.

Yue Xifeng called out: "Alright, let’s eat! Worrying won’t help, let’s enjoy the present!"

Xie Wenze nodded, "Yeah, Master, you should try it too, this lychee meat is superb!"

"I know, I’ll drink some soup first!"

Yue Xifeng picked up the spinach pig liver soup, gently blew on it, and took a big sip, his brows and eyes unwittingly relaxed.

Xie Wenze drank as well.

Instantly.

The fresh taste and perfect texture overturned all his previous perceptions of spinach pig liver soup.

The fragrance of spinach and the freshness of pig liver were perfectly blended, the soup rich yet not greasy, every mouthful was filled with happiness.

He exclaimed in surprise: "Master, this soup... this soup is incredibly delicious! Compared to the spinach pig liver soup I had before, it’s a world of difference."

Yue Xifeng smiled contentedly: "Of course, you should see who made the soup. This is Chef Huang’s masterpiece, let me tell you, the dishes made by Chef Huang are unparalleled in the kindergarten!"

Xie Wenze agreed with a nod: "Oh, right, Chef Huang’s culinary skills are so incredible, why doesn’t he work in a big hotel? They must pay more than a kindergarten, right?"

Yue Xifeng enlightened him to a blind spot: "I heard Chef Huang became the head chef at the kindergarten, not solely for the money!"

Xie Wenze was a bit confused, he couldn’t comprehend that in this day and age, someone would work not for money.

He curiously asked: "Then what for?"

Yue Xifeng smiled as he explained: "For his two precious daughters! His two lovely daughters study here at the kindergarten."

"Oh!"

Xie Wenze nodded in understanding, feeling a deep respect for Huang Jun, thinking that he was an extraordinary and great father.

Yue Xifeng continued, "For Chef Huang, nothing is more important than watching his daughters grow up healthily."

"Working here, he can take care of his family while ensuring his daughters eat healthy and delicious meals. It’s a win-win situation!"

"Besides, working at Dorami Kindergarten, the benefits are quite good."

"Full insurance and housing fund coverage, and I heard the salary is over ten thousand each month. Plus bonuses and other benefits, the total income is not much less than that of chefs at big hotels."

"Most importantly, he gets summer and winter vacations, can take time off during holidays, and his two kids can enjoy half-price tuition and free miscellaneous fees. Isn’t this work-life balance much better than exhausting yourself in a big hotel?"

These words made Xie Wenze realize his worries were unnecessary, and he couldn’t help but feel a tinge of envy.

After all, as a policeman, his salary wasn’t high, overtime was routine, and holidays often required him to be on duty, so family time was limited.

In comparison, Huang Jun, working as a chef in a kindergarten, not only earns a decent income but also avoids the misery of overtime, enjoys long summer and winter vacations, and has more time to spend with his family, feeling the warmth of family life.

Isn’t this work-life balance something to envy?

How can it not make him feel mixed emotions?

Indeed!

No comparison, no pain...

But what can be done?

Only good food can comfort his troubled heart.

He buried his head in his meal.

A moment later.

A large plate of food and a big bowl of soup were devoured completely.

His stomach was full, but he felt he could still eat some more.

Yet, he was embarrassed to ask for more, so he restrained his desire with strong willpower and wiped his mouth with a napkin.

Then he said to Chef Huang not far away, "Chef Huang, your cooking is amazing. Even my mentor would only say your food is average at the station just to have another bite!"

Huang Jun: "???"

Hmm, is he complimenting or dissing me?

Looking at Xie Wenze’s expression, he shouldn’t be dissing me...

Could this be some new way of giving praise?

Huang Jun wondered if he was lagging behind the times.

Yue Xifeng heard this, reaching out to tap Xie Wenze’s head with a "smack," and sternly said, "You, if you can’t express yourself, don’t express nonsense."

"Ouch~"

Xie Wenze gritted his teeth, rubbing his head.

You really are my good mentor!

Such a heavy hand!

Mentor, do you believe I’ll get a 3000 yuan concussion soon...

Yue Xifeng, unaware of his thoughts, turned to Huang Jun and explained, "Chef Huang, he was complimenting you. The reason I said that at the office was to confuse my colleagues so they wouldn’t think about your food."

Huang Jun was slightly puzzled but quickly understood Yue Xifeng’s intent. He smiled, "Officer Yue, you’re very considerate. I understand your kindness, you’re trying to avoid unnecessary trouble."

"Exactly, exactly!"

Yue Xifeng nodded with a smile.

After finishing the meal, he and Xie Wenze together cleaned up the bowls and took them to the sink to wash.

Huang Jun and Liang Yinqiu saw their insistence and didn’t refuse, letting them help.

"Chef Huang, Director Liang, thank you for your hospitality. I have to leave now, still have some matters to handle back at the station," Yue Xifeng said while drying his hands.

"Alright, Officer Yue, take care and feel free to visit anytime," Liang Yinqiu replied warmly as she escorted them out of the cafeteria and watched them head towards the school gate...

Once out of the kindergarten...

Yue Xifeng and Xie Wenze couldn’t help but glance back, wondering when they would have the chance to sneak back in for a meal.

"Xiaoze, I think I made a mistake telling those influencers not to come again..." Yue Xifeng mused.

Xie Wenze was puzzled, "What do you mean, mentor?"

A mischievous smile flashed across Yue Xifeng’s face as he explained, "Think about it, as long as the influencers gather at the kindergarten gate, we have a reason to come by and maintain order."

"Right! As long as we’re there to maintain order, we can have a reason to sneak some food from the kindergarten. Mentor, you’ve really opened my eyes..."

Xie Wenze realized, wondering why he hadn’t thought of this.

Yue Xifeng said with a tone of self-mockery, "It’s not really about opening your eyes, more like closing the stable door after the horse has bolted. After all, I’ve already scared them off, so they probably won’t dare to come back..."

Xie Wenze: "..."

Hmm, if I go to their livestream now and ask them to come back, would it still be in time?