Liu Xining smiled and said, "Then we’ll head back first and come again tomorrow morning."
Jiang Yu smiled and nodded, "Alright, see you tomorrow."
Standing beside them, Xie Siqi was bursting with excitement, waving goodbye:
"See you tomorrow, junior! I had so much fun today!"
After watching them leave from the doorway, Jiang Yu finally turned around and walked toward the kitchen on the first floor of the dining hall.
The kitchen air was filled with the delightful aroma of braised dishes, soothing and pleasant. Lu Shuwu and Jia Zhibin sat by the workbench, one kneading dough and the other mixing fillings, occasionally chatting.
Seeing Jiang Yu arrive, Lu Shuwu smiled and asked, "Boss, why are you here so late today? Have the big stars upstairs left?"
Jiang Yu looked surprised, "You saw them?"
"I saw them when they came in. Besides, it’s not like they didn’t come last year; we’ve met them once before. How could I forget so quickly?"
Lu Shuwu was stirring the filling with long chopsticks as he chuckled and asked,
"What are they here for this time? Craving your cooking again?"
As he spoke, he couldn’t help but shake his head, looking incredulous,
"It’s impressive they held back so long, waiting half a year before coming by. I remember when I first tasted the steamed buns with soup, I couldn’t hold back the next day. I not only missed getting in line but ended up paying a hundred bucks to someone just to get a spot!"
"Not everyone is as idle as you, going wherever you want?"
Jiang Yu pulled up a chair and sat down, sulking,
"They have every day planned out, barely keeping up with their schedules. Where would they find the time to come all the way here just for a bite to eat?"
"You have a point indeed."
Lu Shuwu nodded, adding,
"These celebrities look glamorous, but in reality, they’re quite worn out. What’s the use of making so much money? No freedom, no privacy, and no time to even spend the money they earn."
"Alright, you, get on with your work."
Jiang Yu shot him a look, annoyed, "Earning a cabbage seller’s wage but worrying with a drug dealer’s anxiety!"
Standing nearby, Jia Zhibin couldn’t hold back and burst into laughter, "Puh puh puh."
"..."
Lu Shuwu was speechless and turned to Jia Zhibin,
"Xiaojia, go check if the braised dishes are done simmering. If they are, turn off the heat."
"Okay."
Jia Zhibin answered and quickly headed to the stove.
Too many big shots around here, better steer clear and keep a distance!
After Jia Zhibin walked away, Lu Shuwu said, "During dinner today, that Teacher Xiong came looking for you again."
"Really?"
Jiang Yu pulled out his phone to check, looking puzzled, "He didn’t call me. Did he say what he needed?"
"I told him you were on the second floor and suggested either he goes up to find you or gives you a call."
Lu Shuwu shrugged and continued,
"But he said you must be busy, so he didn’t want to disturb you. He asked me to pass on a message that there’s an international university delegation coming to visit for an exchange in a couple of days, about thirty people. The school leaders are thinking about having our Seventh Dining Hall host them.
Apparently, the school leadership considers our Seventh Dining Hall a highlight of the university’s food culture, and at the right moments, it should be showcased to the outside world, to reflect the profoundness of our Huaxia culinary culture.
Teacher Xiong wants you to call him back by tomorrow morning. If hosting them here is truly inconvenient, he wants to suggest an alternative venue to the school leadership as soon as possible."