Chapter 118 Chicken Without the Chicken, Tofu Without the Beans!
A few customers who had just bought fried rice noodles opened their lunch boxes, shoveling the food into their mouths while strolling through the street.
Noticing the Stick Nation streamer with his bodyguards, they found it amusing and began eating while watching the scene.
The rich aroma of the fried rice noodles wafted over, and the second-generation rich kid twitched his nose, turning his head towards the smell.
“Anni! Why does that fried rice noodle smell so good?”
His mouth started watering uncontrollably, and he felt an overwhelming craving. He had tried so many gourmet foods before, but none had ever made his mouth water just from the smell. It was strange!
He opened a box of Ice Crystal Cake—a delicately crafted dessert that immediately boosted his appetite.
He almost bit his tongue!
How could something be this delicious?
“What kind of cake is this?”
“So soft, sweet, and fragrant! It’s cool and refreshing, like eating ice cream!”
“Amazing and delicious!”
The rich kid blurted out without thinking, completely forgetting his original purpose—to feign dissatisfaction with all Dragon Nation cuisine, no matter how delicious.
Stick Nation viewers loved content where Dragon Nation food was belittled, and it was common for them to boost their own nation’s ego while tearing others down.
But as he savored the Ice Crystal Cake, memories of pastries from world-class patisseries in Paris came rushing back—croissants, vanilla mille-feuille, and other desserts that he once thought were divine.
Now, this simple-looking Ice Crystal Cake—a seemingly humble Dragon Nation dessert—was leagues better. The taste and texture were beyond anything he had ever experienced!
One piece, two pieces, three pieces…
After five pieces, he let out a satisfied sigh, savoring the lingering sweetness and coolness in his mouth.
It felt as if a summer breeze had washed over him, refreshing and uplifting. But then his assistant began signaling desperately. The plan was to criticize everything on camera, regardless of taste. The rich kid struggled internally.
He was supposed to trash talk about this food, but how could he lie about something this amazing?
“Uh… This Ice Crystal Cake… Um, it’s sweet… a bit too sweet, yeah… It’s kind of cloying.”
Sweet foods being ‘too sweet’ was the perfect catch-all excuse for criticism.
But as the flavor lingered in his mouth, the rich kid knew he was lying through his teeth. The cake wasn’t cloying at all—it was perfectly balanced, rich yet light. He wanted more!
Just as he reached for another piece, his assistant, in front of the camera, grabbed the remaining cake and handed it to the four bodyguards, implying it was ‘too bad to eat’.
The rich kid shot a murderous glare at his assistant.
Ah-sibah! You’re too quick! This is delicious, and you just gave it to those four oafs?
The bodyguards, who usually preferred meat over desserts, reluctantly took a piece. As one of them bit in, his eyes widened behind his sunglasses, and his body shuddered with delight.
The viewers watched intently.
Stick Nation viewers.
The rich kid glanced at the chat, then at his assistant. With no choice, he lied.
Stick Nation viewers.
Dragon Nation viewers.
The rich kid turned his attention to the other dishes.
“Chicken Tofu Pudding,” the assistant awkwardly translated.
“Chicken Tofu Pudding? What a weird name.”
Intrigued, he opened the box.
Inside was a clear broth with a silky, tofu-like substance floating in it.
“Is this chicken or tofu?”
The rich kid had eaten tofu before—its soft, delicate texture could be sweet, savory, or spicy. But what was this?
He brought the box close to his nose. The broth had a light yet enticing aroma.
His assistant asked a middle-aged man in line nearby, “Excuse me, is this chicken or tofu?”
The man, noticing they were foreigners, smirked and replied cryptically, “Chicken you can’t see, tofu made without beans. Get it?”
Then he turned back to the line, leaving them baffled. The rich kid and his assistant were completely confused.
“Chicken you can’t see? Is that some sort of idiom? So is it chicken or not?”
Dragon Nation viewers.
The rich kid scooped a spoonful of the broth and took a sip. The clear, tea-colored soup entered his mouth. As he savored it, he felt like his soul was leaving his body. The seemingly simple broth was anything but ordinary.
It was light yet rich, subtle yet profound. He detected flavors of chicken, duck, pork ribs, and ham—all blending harmoniously into a symphony of taste.
Could it be true that extreme richness leads to simplicity? The rich kid was utterly stunned.
He had often criticized Dragon Nation food for show, but now he was humbled. A nation with over 5,000 years of culinary tradition was no joke.
He set aside his usual arrogant demeanor, replaced by genuine respect, and took another bite. The tofu-like substance was silky and smooth but carried the rich umami of chicken. It was an incredible combination of texture and flavor.
How could chicken be transformed into tofu-like perfection?
The rich kid, deep in thought, nodded and murmured, “I understand now.”
His assistant blinked in confusion.
“‘Chicken you can’t see, tofu made without beans.’ This level of culinary artistry isn’t something just anyone can achieve!”