Chapter 411 - 360: The Number 1 Person in the Art World Wants to Treat Us to a Meal?

Chapter 411: Chapter 360: The Number 1 Person in the Art World Wants to Treat Us to a Meal?

Liu Bai nodded. "That’s not wrong. By the way, where’s the menu? Let me see if you have any Huaiyang Cuisine from our Jiangsu Province."

Liu Bai was from Yangzhou, in Jiangsu Province.

"No," Guyi said, shaking his head. "At least, not at the moment."

"There aren’t any?" Liu Bai was a bit disappointed. "Our Huaiyang Cuisine has plenty of famous dishes. I’ll have to ask the owner later if there’s any Huaiyang dish he’s interested in."

Just then, Li You walked over carrying two cups of tea.

The tea, of course, was the superior-quality West Lake Longjing Tea awarded by the system.

Guyi loved tea, so Li You made sure to prepare it promptly.

As for Liu Bai, he probably loved tea as well.

Li You had overheard Liu Bai’s words. He smiled slightly and said, "I do. With so many famous dishes in Huaiyang Cuisine, of course there are some I’m interested in."

Hearing this, Liu Bai was overjoyed. "Then please tell us, Mr. Li, which one is it?"

Li You didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he set down the tea and said, "Please, have some tea first, you two."

Both Guyi and Liu Bai were delighted.

After the Nine-Turned Pork Intestines and beef noodles they just had, enjoying a cup of what could be called the finest tea in the world was simply sublime.

What is the good life?

This is the good life.

Liu Bai recognized it at first glance. This was the same exquisite tea he had drunk at Guyi’s place.

Truly exceptional tea!

It was just that Guyi was so stingy with it; every time, Liu Bai had to talk his ear off just to get a taste.

How unlike Mr. Li, who was so generous he brought the tea over without even being asked.

Liu Bai mentally gave Li You a thumbs-up.

Li You then answered Liu Bai’s earlier question. "There are many dishes in Huaiyang Cuisine that I’m interested in. For example: Crab Roe Lion’s Head, Braised Shredded Dried Tofu, Three-Nested Duck, Sautéed Eel Strips, Crystal Pork Terrine, Sweet and Sour Mandarin Fish, and so on. But the one I’m most interested in at the moment is Wensi Tofu."

"Wensi Tofu?" Liu Bai’s eyes lit up. "That dish requires extremely high-level knife skills!"

At this, Guyi said, "I say, Old Liu, do you really think that’s a problem for Mr. Li?"

Liu Bai replied, "I only said it requires great knife skills, not that it would be a problem for Mr. Li. So does this mean Mr. Li might add Wensi Tofu to the menu?"

Li You nodded. "It’s very likely that the next new dish will be Wensi Tofu."

Liu Bai was pleasantly surprised to hear this. He laughed heartily. "Excellent, excellent! Let the customers here experience the charm of our Huaiyang Cuisine."

Li You smiled. "Huaiyang Cuisine has always emphasized knife work. The finished dishes are exquisite and elegant, and it’s a staple of state banquets. It has always been very charming."

Liu Bai laughed heartily again and gave a thumbs-up. "Well said, Mr. Li!"

Just then, Guyi said, "Mr. Li, last time you mentioned preparing some extra tables and chairs. Are they ready now?"

Li You nodded. "They’re ready. Ancient, are you planning to..."

Guyi nodded. "I’m just going to treat everyone to a meal this one time, to thank them for their enthusiasm. I’ll treat anyone who wants to come. We can all have a lively time."

Li You smiled. "The customers will be so surprised and excited when they hear the news. So, which day have you decided on?"

Guyi said, "Any day in the next few days is fine. Which day is easiest for you to arrange?"

Li You considered this. "That’s a lot of people. I’ll need enough time to prepare in advance. How about the day after tomorrow? I can spend today and tomorrow preparing."

Guyi nodded. "No problem. It’ll be a lot of work for you these next two days. You can decide on all the dishes, just make sure there’s more than enough for everyone."

Li You said, "No problem. I guarantee there will be enough."

Guyi said, "Then I’ll leave it in your hands."

Li You waved his hand. "You’re too kind, Guyi. I should be the one thanking Ancient for his patronage."

The next two days were going to be very busy for Li You.

But he was also going to make a fortune.

So, it was alright. He didn’t mind being busy.

After that, Li You, Guyi, and Liu Bai chatted casually and took a stroll through a few of the courtyards.

Around 11 a.m., the first wave of customers arrived for lunch.

They were all regulars, so they all recognized Guyi.

So, they were very pleasantly surprised to see him.

"Ancient, good afternoon!"

"Ancient, it’s wonderful to see you again."

"Hello, Ancient!"

"..."

The customers greeted Guyi with great enthusiasm.

Guyi smiled in response. "Hello, everyone, hello. I’m also very happy to see you all again."

At the same time, the customers also greeted Liu Bai, who was standing next to Guyi:

"Hello to you too, sir."

"A pleasure to meet you, sir."

"..."

’We don’t know him, but since he’s standing with Ancient and the owner, there’s no harm in saying hello.’

Liu Bai also smiled in response. "Hello to you all, too!"

At that moment, Li You said, "Allow me to introduce you. This is Liu Bai, Mr. Liu."

"Liu Bai?"

The customers were all startled.

They knew of a person named Liu Bai—the great calligrapher currently known as the number one master of the art.

’Could this Liu Bai be *the* Liu Bai, the master calligrapher?’

’It has to be him.’

’Liu Bai is here too?’

All the customers were incredibly surprised and excited. They never imagined that they would meet Liu Bai here today, a man whose fame was nearly on par with Guyi’s.

The word "nearly" was used because Guyi’s fame was still considered a notch higher.

But Liu Bai wasn’t far behind.

Moreover, just like Guyi, Liu Bai almost never made public appearances on social media, in newspapers, or through other channels.

Therefore, for the vast majority of people, Liu Bai was a name without a face.

That was why the customers were so thrilled now that they knew the man before them was Liu Bai.