Chapter 38: The Orleans Series

All because he had beaten up Zhangsun Chong, a misunderstanding had ensued, leading to Cheng Chumo being thrashed by his own father. Could he really be blamed for this? Li Yi pondered seriously for a moment—perhaps not…

But indeed, as Luo Tong had said, he was somewhat involved in the matter. On reflection, Li Yi couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Cheng Chumo.

“Brother Chumo,” Li Yi cleared his throat softly, glanced at Cheng Chumo with a hint of awkwardness, lifted his wine cup, and smiled, “As the saying goes, a fight brings acquaintances together. I truly had no intention, and besides, that useless Zhangsun Chong certainly deserved a beating.”

“Today, let’s put aside our grievances and become friends. In the future, should you need anything, just look for me. What do you say?”

Resolutely, Li Yi drained his cup in one go, then looked at Cheng Chumo earnestly and sincerely.

After all, having one more friend is one more path in life. Besides, Cheng Chumo wasn’t like those other idle young men who only knew how to waste their days in pleasure and frivolity. He was, indeed, someone worth befriending.

“Hmph!” Cheng Chumo glared at Li Yi in annoyance, then shifted his gaze to Luo Tong.

Luo Tong merely smiled and sipped his tea in silence.

By now, much of the wine’s effect on Cheng Chumo had worn off. Seeing how forthright and sincere Li Yi was, Cheng Chumo couldn’t lose his composure either. He picked up his cup, downed it heartily, and grunted at Li Yi, “Hmph! Li Bo’an, since we get along so well, I’ll accept you as a brother—for now!”

With that gulp of wine, Cheng Chumo forgot his earlier resentment, and a faint smile returned to his face.

“Excellent, Brother Chumo, you’re straightforward enough!” Li Yi raised his thumb in praise, lifted his cup again, and smiled at Luo Tong, “Brother Luo, let me offer you a drink!”

“Heh, please!” Luo Tong responded cheerfully, and together they emptied their cups.

Beside them, Yue’er continued to pour wine for the three.

They drank and feasted heartily, chatting at times about romance, at others about the pleasures of life. At last, all three were thoroughly drunk and had to be supported home.

…

…

The next day, Li Yi woke with a slight headache.

It must have been the excessive drinking from the night before. Although the wine of the Great Tang was not particularly strong, too much of it could still leave one feeling unwell.

Thinking of this, Li Yi suddenly conceived a business idea and couldn’t help but grin.

“You’re awake, young master…” Yue’er, seeing Li Yi awake and grinning foolishly, wiped his face with a warm cloth and, curious, asked, “Young master, what’s so funny?”

“Yue’er, it seems… you’ve grown!” Li Yi paused, then mischievously grabbed her small chest.

“Young master…” Yue’er’s face turned scarlet with embarrassment.

Seeing her blush and lower her head, Li Yi stopped teasing, quickly finished off half a fried chicken, and recalled that today was his first day doing business in the Great Tang. He promptly ordered, “Yue’er, come with me.”

“Yes, young master,” Yue’er replied, cheeks still flushed, and followed after him.

When they arrived at the kitchen, they found Master Song and the others all wide-eyed in amazement, tasting the fried chicken.

“No wonder the young master loves this fried chicken—the flavor is extraordinary!”

“Indeed, this is perhaps the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted!”

“Our young master is a true genius…”

The cooks could not stop praising the taste after sampling the fried chicken.

But when they suddenly saw Li Yi and Yue’er enter, they quickly wiped the grease from their mouths, as if caught stealing food, bowed their heads, and greeted him respectfully, “Young master.”

“No need for such formality,” Li Yi waved with a smile and asked, “So, what do you think of the taste?”

“Young master, the flavor is simply divine!” Master Song replied first with great enthusiasm, savoring the aftertaste, “In all my life, I’ve never tasted anything so delicious!”

“We are simply not in your league, young master…”

The others echoed his words earnestly, their faces sincere.

Satisfied, Li Yi nodded and smiled. After all, if they didn’t approve of the taste, they would hardly give their best effort, let alone help him make money. These were cooks from the Grand Secretary’s residence—why would they want to cook for just anyone?

“Let’s go, to the Drunken Immortal Tavern!” Li Yi ordered.

They all nodded, “Yes, young master.”

Without further ado, Li Yi led Master Song and the others, all in disguise, to the Drunken Immortal Tavern.

…

…

At that moment, the Drunken Immortal Tavern had already hung up a placard for its latest “Orleans Series” signature dishes—

Orleans Grilled Wings, three taels of silver per serving!
Orleans Chicken Drumsticks, five taels per serving!
Orleans Fried Chicken, seven taels per serving!

However, each dish was limited to a hundred servings per day, one serving per person, first come, first served.

Most of the patrons were regulars. Seeing the new menu, none had ever heard of these dishes, and the limited sales method was also unprecedented. Curiosity abounded, and everyone was perplexed.

Still, they trusted Manager Xu of the Drunken Immortal Tavern to never overcharge without reason. After all, not a single guest was someone he could afford to offend.

One scholarly-looking young man, unable to contain his impatience, asked a waiter, only to be told, “Sir, the chef has not arrived yet—please wait a moment.”

Everyone was dumbfounded.

The chef hadn’t even arrived, the dishes weren’t even being cooked yet, but the signature dishes were already posted? When had Manager Xu’s business become so bold?

Was it that he’d become arrogant, or was the tavern bullying its patrons?

The crowd surged toward Manager Xu, demanding an explanation, and for a time he was overwhelmed, apologizing profusely, nearly questioning his own sanity.

“Could Young Master Li have set me up on purpose?” Manager Xu thought bitterly.

Fortunately, just then, a waiter rushed in from the back, whispered in Manager Xu’s ear, “Sir, the young master has arrived with his people and is cooking in the kitchen. He says you may begin taking orders.”

“...Good!” Manager Xu felt a weight lifted off his shoulders and quickly informed the patrons they could start ordering.

Those who had been waiting impatiently, eager to try the new flavors, grumpily placed their orders at last.

Many ordered all three new “Orleans Series” dishes at once!

Before long, all one hundred portions of the “Orleans Series” were sold out by pre-order even before being served.

Those who missed out on the signature dishes felt a touch of anger, but many watched the others with the schadenfreude of bystanders, mocking them in their hearts for being foolish and wasteful…

But soon enough, they would regret it…