Chapter 301: Dragon Well Tea Shrimp
As a spoonful of Bodhi Vegetarian Dish entered her mouth, Yue Lengxin felt the lingering rich and umami taste of the dish on her lips and teeth. She gently pressed her rosy lips together, feeling an intense craving awakened by that single bite. Without much hesitation, her spoon quickly reached for the plate filled with Bodhi Vegetarian Dish.
After savoring several mouthfuls of the fragrant and tender dish, Yue Lengxin finally set down her spoon, pausing for a moment.
Her gaze shifted to the plate of Dragon Well Tea Shrimp.
On a delicately arranged plate, dozens of plump and round shrimp were piled together, each one glistening with a translucent white sauce. Among the gaps between the shrimp, strands of dark brown tea leaves peeked through, accentuating the shrimp's pristine whiteness. This contrast made the dish look particularly elegant and appetizing.
As Yue Lengxin pulled the plate of Dragon Well Tea Shrimp closer, a light yet vibrant aroma slowly drifted into her nostrils.
The fragrance was a combination of the shrimp's natural umami, intensified through the processes of oil blanching and stir-frying. Interwoven with this freshness was the subtle yet rich scent of tea—pure and aromatic without being overpowering. The delicate tea aroma seeped into the shrimp, effortlessly dissolving any hint of greasiness. Just a single whiff was enough to make one's mouth water.
According to the menu, Dragon Well referred to a special type of tea known as Longjing tea.
On the Douluo Continent, tea-making techniques had not yet become widespread, making tea a rather precious commodity. Otherwise, even a small amount of Star Luo Tea would not have been so highly treasured by Tang Qianqiu. Tea was still mainly consumed as a beverage here, and methods like Qi Han's—incorporating tea into cooking—were unheard of.
Thus, this plate of Dragon Well Tea Shrimp gave Yue Lengxin a particularly unique experience.
She rarely drank tea, finding its bitterness unappealing. However, the refined and mellow fragrance of the tea in front of her was so elegant yet captivating that she felt an irresistible urge to take a bite.
Why does this Dragon Well Tea… have such a special aroma?
While Yue Lengxin was still pondering, Tang Qianqiu, seated at a nearby table, could no longer remain still.
He and Qi Poxiao were sitting together, and both of them had also ordered a plate of Dragon Well Tea Shrimp.
Neither of them had come for lunch earlier; after all, as the master of Tang Sect and the Pavilion Lord of Sea God's Pavilion, they occasionally had responsibilities to attend to.
Now that they finally had time for a meal, the two elderly men were astounded by the changes in the restaurant's menu.
Flipping through the menu, they were immediately drawn to the Dragon Well Tea Shrimp.
Tea was one of the few pleasures they indulged in, so a dish prepared with tea leaves piqued their curiosity.
And as soon as the dish was brought to them, a single whiff of the tea aroma made their expressions change dramatically.
This…
The finest tea on the Douluo Continent came from the area around Star Luo City—Star Luo Tea—and both men had always treasured it.
Yet, the pure tea fragrance wafting from this dish made them suddenly feel that even Star Luo Tea might not be so special after all.
Exchanging glances, they both picked up their chopsticks at the same time, each taking a shrimp wrapped with a bit of tea leaf and placing it into their mouths, chewing slowly.
As soon as the shrimp entered his mouth, Tang Qianqiu's first impression was how smooth and tender it was. The white shrimp seemed to be coated in a thin layer of oil, giving it a silky and slippery texture. It danced between his teeth, almost evading his bite.
Interesting.
It was the first time Tang Qianqiu had eaten such a fascinating dish. As the rich tea fragrance and the fresh umami of the shrimp mingled in his mouth and nose, his eyes showed a hint of indulgence. He closed his teeth together, finally biting down on the shrimp.
The shrimp was exceptionally bouncy, unlike any he had ever tasted before. As he chewed, there was even a slight crispness—not the hard crunch of deep-fried food, but a subtle snap that came with each bite, releasing the fresh and succulent flavor of the shrimp.
As he continued chewing, the taste of tea and shrimp became even more pronounced. The two flavors did not overpower each other; instead, they complemented one another, gradually intertwining into a delicate yet lively culinary experience.
Swallowing the shrimp, Tang Qianqiu could no longer hold back. He waved over Fu Ya, cleared his throat, and asked, "Little Fu, could you ask Little Qi if he's willing to sell this Dragon Well Tea separately?"
"Count me in as well." Qi Poxiao, sitting across from him, cleared his throat and added, unable to resist joining the request.
Though the shrimp was delicious, the lingering hint of Dragon Well Tea in their mouths had sparked an intense yearning. They found themselves longing for this tea, feeling an itch in their hearts, eager to acquire some from Qi Han.
This request clearly put Fu Ya in a difficult position. After all, it was her first time encountering someone wanting to buy ingredients directly from a restaurant. "Please wait a moment, seniors. I'll ask the boss."
With that, Fu Ya turned and headed toward the kitchen to inquire about Qi Han's decision.
Very soon, Fu Ya returned, holding two exquisite gift boxes in her hands. "The boss said that since the two seniors have always been so supportive of our humble establishment, these two portions of Dragon Well Tea are a gift of appreciation."
"Oh?" Tang Qianqiu and Qi Poxiao exchanged a glance before breaking into delighted smiles as they accepted the boxes. "Then we must thank Little Qi for his generosity."
The two carefully tucked the gift boxes into their robes as if they were priceless treasures before turning their attention back to savoring the Dragon Well Tea Shrimp in front of them.
<+>
"Phew~"
Looking at the now-empty plates and bowls before her, Yue Lengxin gently patted her slightly rounded stomach, a somewhat embarrassed smile appearing on her face.
It seemed… she had accidentally overeaten.
Her usual appetite wasn't large. Normally, a portion of Bodhi Vegetarian Dish along with Dragon Well Tea Shrimp would have been just the right amount. However, after adding an extra dish of Wensi Tofu, she now felt just a little bit too full.
Fortunately, it wasn't a big deal.
Recalling how she had triggered a special effect after just one taste of the Wensi Tofu, her eyes gleamed with excitement.
She planned to return to the academy immediately and enter seclusion to begin practicing, hoping to master the mystical technique called "Refining Power to Silk" as soon as possible.
Originally, Yue Lengxin had also intended to try that dish called Mo Wu Tuan after finishing her meal at Han Shi.
Now, that plan would have to wait for next time.
While waiting in line earlier, she had already noticed the name on the sign outside. Since Mo Wu Tuan seemed somewhat similar to the explosive-flavored fat intestines, she was quite curious about it.
She wouldn't say she was particularly fond of the explosive fat intestines, but she didn't dislike them either. Having them occasionally was rather enjoyable, so she had no objections to trying Mo Wu Tuan.
On the contrary, she was quite surprised that this was the first time Qi Han had recommended someone else's dish.
Could this Mo Wu Tuan really be that delicious?
For Qi Han to give it such a strong endorsement…
Wait, could the chef who makes Mo Wu Tuan be a woman?
Ah! Yue Lengxin, what are you thinking?
What does it matter if they're a man or a woman?
Hmph!
"Senior Sister, here's your recommendation vote."
Shaking her head to rid herself of the stray thoughts, Yue Lengxin took the recommendation vote Fu Ya handed her. After a brief moment of consideration, she decided to cast her vote for Wensi Tofu this time.
After all, Wensi Tofu had let her experience what it felt like to be a lucky winner.
<+>
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