BPIFC -Volume 1 – Chapter 82 The Banquet (Part 2)

“Fatty, was your wife doing that on purpose? It takes real talent to make fish head taste like that.” After finally recovering, Che Qianzi continued, “How did she do it? It smells delicious, but once you put it in your mouth it doesn’t taste human at all. She doesn’t want me staying at your house, so she deliberately messed with me, right?”

Sun Desheng let out a bitter laugh.

“Brother, didn’t you notice? Your sister-in-law already treats you like her own brother. To tell you the truth, she rarely cooks at home. Most of the time we either order takeout or take the kid to the Polls Bureau cafeteria. By the way, did I tell you? In theory, she’s still administrative staff in Division Six. Among everyone in Division Six, besides White Hair, your sister-in-law is the only ordinary person left. She only cooks when relatives come over. Last time, Director Wu was the one who ate that fish head…”

At the mention of Director Wu, Che Qianzi became interested.

“Your old father-in-law actually swallowed it? He must’ve spat it out immediately, right?”

“He finished the whole pot…”

Even after so much time, Sun Desheng still found it unbelievable.

“Ever since then, your sister-in-law has developed the illusion that she actually makes delicious fish head. She doesn’t eat freshwater fish herself, so she’s never tasted it. Besides, she doesn’t often make that dish. Thanks to you, brother, I finally got to eat it again today.”

Che Qianzi found it hard to imagine. Wu Rendi, a man known for his sharp tongue and bad temper, had actually eaten something that awful without exploding—and had even praised it.

Could someone of his stature really do something so against his conscience?

Fortunately, the fish head no longer mattered. They were about to attend an all-shark banquet. Judging from the name, there would certainly be shark meat and shark fin dishes. Since Huang Ran was paying, Sun Desheng and Che Qianzi treated it as an opportunity to enjoy their enemy’s hospitality.

Sun Desheng personally drove toward the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse.

Not long after leaving the residential compound, Che Qianzi suddenly thought of something.

“Fatty, one more thing. Who gave your wife the recipe for that fish head? Making something that smells heavenly but tastes so fishy and overpowering—most master chefs don’t have that kind of skill.”

His words woke Sun Desheng up like a slap in the face.

He suddenly slammed on the brakes and smiled bitterly at the startled little Daoist.

“If you hadn’t mentioned it, brother, I really wouldn’t have thought about it. That’s right… who exactly gave your sister-in-law that recipe?”

There was clearly something behind his words, but no matter how much Che Qianzi pressed him, Sun Desheng refused to say anything more. Instead, he started gossiping about the Polls Bureau and changed the subject.

By the time the two arrived at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, it was already after nine in the evening.

Huang Ran personally came out to greet them and led them to a private room in a small building.

When they entered, Meng Qiqi and Zhang Zhiyan—still wrapped in bandages—were already waiting.

“Shen La is on his way, and Yang Xiao will arrive later. Let’s sit first and take the opportunity to order some dishes.”

Smiling, Huang Ran handed the menu to Sun Desheng and continued:

“Tonight’s theme is an all-shark banquet. A friend of mine encountered a school of sharks at sea and caught several. They’ll be our main course, and with a few other dishes, that should be enough.”

“Old Huang, my brother and I are guests, so we’ll follow the host’s arrangements. Whatever you serve, we’ll eat.”

After saying that, Sun Desheng looked at the heavily bandaged Zhang Zhiyan and grinned.

“Little Stutterer, you’re covered like that and you’re still thinking about food? Shark meat is inflammatory. Eat too much tonight and maybe you’ll wake up tomorrow covered in fish scales.”

“There is no need for Director Sun to worry about me. I’m just accompanying Miss Meng.”

Zhang Zhiyan’s speech was perfectly smooth when he wasn’t talking to Meng Qiqi, and there was even a hint of provocation in his voice.

“You should worry about yourself instead. Shark meat is poisonous.”

Seeing the atmosphere growing tense, Huang Ran quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

He called a waitress over, ordered several specialties on Sun Desheng’s behalf, and said:

“No need to wait any longer. Please tell the kitchen to start serving. Just don’t bring the dishes out too quickly. We still have guests coming.”

For the sake of tonight’s feast, Sun Desheng decided not to argue with Zhang Zhiyan.

He smiled and asked Huang Ran:

“Old Huang, there’s something I still don’t understand. That thing in the tomb you pretended was a Love-Union Parasite—what exactly was it? Even Wan Changluo couldn’t recognize it.”

“That creature was called a Bodhi Cicada. It was a little demon spirit raised by Master Shangshan in southern Guangdong many years ago.”

As he spoke, Huang Ran personally poured Sun Desheng a cup of tea.

“Master Shangshan pitied it and kept the spirit by his side. Later, when he discovered the ancient tomb of the Hehuan Sect and found that the Love-Union Parasite had already hatched, he placed the Bodhi Cicada beside it, hoping that by basking in the parasite’s influence, the little demon spirit might also have a chance to achieve immortality.

As time passed, the old master forgot all about it. It wasn’t until recently, when I mentioned exploring the tomb, that he remembered the Bodhi Cicada and asked me to bring it back. Unfortunately, I still failed to complete the task he entrusted to me…”

Before he could finish, several waitresses in qipaos entered with dishes.

One of them carefully placed a nearly transparent dish on the table and explained:

“This is braised shark oral cartilage. It has been stewed until perfectly tender. Please enjoy.”

“Try this.”

Huang Ran picked up two pieces with the serving chopsticks and placed them onto Sun Desheng’s and Che Qianzi’s plates.

“When I was in Malaysia, I had shark cartilage once. It’s truly one of the finest delicacies in the world. But this, coming from the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, tastes even better.”

Sun Desheng and Che Qianzi didn’t stand on ceremony and quickly finished the dish.

Sun Desheng smiled and asked, “Brother, this is my first time eating it too. What do you think?”

“Not as good as your wife’s fish head.”

Che Qianzi gave him a strange smile before turning to Huang Ran.

“When you get the chance, you should visit Old Sun’s house and try his wife’s cooking. That fish head of hers… you’ll never find another flavor like it in this world.”

As a devoted foodie, Huang Ran immediately laughed.

“So Madam Sun possesses such remarkable culinary skills? I must go and sample that fish head someday.”

Just then, a waitress entered again and bowed slightly to Huang Ran.

“One of your guests has arrived. Shall I bring him directly in, or would you like to personally welcome him?”

Only Yang Xiao and Shen La had yet to arrive, and neither was an outsider.

After a moment’s thought, Huang Ran said:

“Please bring him in. He’s also an honored guest of mine, so make sure not to neglect him.”

The waitress acknowledged and left.

A few moments later, she returned with a bald old monk.

It was impossible to tell his age. He wore something halfway between a monk’s robe and a traditional gown. If not for the burn scars on his shaved head, nobody would have guessed he was a monk.

Upon seeing the old monk, everyone except Che Qianzi immediately stood up.

Sun Desheng and Huang Ran both hurried forward, trying to seat the monk beside themselves.

“Ha! Huang Ran, you little rascal, you’ve got no loyalty. You’re eating something this good and didn’t invite Buddha Master here?”

The old monk glanced at the nearly empty plate of shark cartilage and frowned.

Then he turned toward Che Qianzi.

“You little brat, are you some starving ghost reborn—”

Before finishing his sentence, the monk suddenly froze.

His eyes widened as he stared at the youth from top to bottom without blinking.

After a moment, he smacked his lips and laughed.

“Interesting… very interesting indeed…”

“No wonder, hahaha… this is far too interesting…”

At that moment, Che Qianzi glared back and said: “Old geezer, what the hell are you looking at?”