The cafeteria kitchen was large, and Luo Huai’an found a spot nearby to clean the carp and marinate it for later use. When the carp was put into the pan, a huge flame rose from beneath the pan. Sizzling sounds came and soon an alluring aroma of oil emanated form the pan.

Luo Huai’an’s control over the heat was unparalleled. She didn’t need a thermometer nor did she do guesswork; she could simply place her hand over the pan to determine the temperature of the food being cooked.

328 degrees, 1 second, 2 seconds, 3 seconds…

The carp in the pot gradually became white and tender, and the sweet and sour sauce began to bubble due to the high temperature, gradually seeping into the texture of the carp, making it more flavorful.

Luo Huai’an’s cooking was not like ordinary cooking. Her movements were smooth and flowing, and over all it looked like she was giving a wonderful performance.

The aroma of fish in the pan gradually spread throughout the kitchen, forcing everyone to stop what they were doing.

The cafeteria chef was so busy watching Luo Huai’an’s movements that he was actually just stood there, fascinated. He completely stopped what he was doing until a burnt smell reached his nose. “Ah! My fish is burnt.”

He was busy scraping the burnt fish from the pan when, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed someone else coming into the kitchen. As his vision gradually cleared, his eyes widened, his hands paused, and he stammered, “Chancellor…”

Chancellor Wen and his group filed in. Hearing the chef’s words, Chancellor Wen turned and looked at him. He didn’t want to disturb Luo Huai’an, so he lowered his hand and shook his head.

The chef saw his actions, gradually understood what was going on, and immediately shut his mouth.

Everyone was immersed in the sweet and sour aroma until they saw the figures of Chancellor Wen and the others. Everyone was immediately startled.

Before they could greet the Chancellor, Luo Huai’an also saw Chancellor Wen.

Luo Huai’an kept moving her hands and said with a smile, “Uncle Wen, you are here. Have you had breakfast? If you don’t find the meat and vegetables greasy, you can eat some later.”

When the people in the cafeteria heard her words, they were all extremely surprised, especially the person who had interviewed her.

Holy shit, this young girl actually knows Chancellor Wen!

Chancellor Wen still looked kind and said with a smile, “I’ve already had breakfast, but I’m a little hungry at this time.”

Luo Huai’an served the sweet and sour carp on a plate and placed it on one of the tables in the dining area.

Chancellor Wen smelled the tempting aroma in the air and couldn’t help but walk with her out of the kitchen.

Chancellor Wen thought to himself, ‘Well, it does smell nice, but I wonder how it tastes like.‘

Everyone slowly gathered around the sweet and sour carp. Everyone else looked eager to try it, but the school leaders’ steps gradually stiffened after seeing what was on the plate.

Chancellor Wen looked at the carp on the plate and instantly thought of the wenyao he had seen before. The smile on his face faltered slightly.

Luo Huai’an served them some rice and muttered to herself, “If I could use the wenyao to make sweet and sour carp, it will probably taste better.”

Chancellor Wen and other school leaders: “…”

Chancellor Wen wiped his face and smiled. “You have a special taste.”

Chancellor Wen and the other school leaders have developed some traumatic feelings towards fish because of the encounter with the wenyao that spoke human language, and they probably wouldn’t eat fish for a long time.

Chancellor Wen changed the subject, “Aren’t you here to apply for a job? Why are you here to cook?”

Luo Huai’an explained, “They said I was too young and wouldn’t stay here long. They wanted to find a more stable employee, so they didn’t let me take the job. I think I’m a pretty good cook, so I wanted to show my talents and change their minds.”

Chancellor Wen nodded and began to think about how to repay Luo Huai’an. Since this master wanted to find a job so much, he would help her solve this problem.

Luo Huai’an handed the bowls to the others, one by one. “Eat quickly, otherwise it will taste bad if it gets cold.”

Chancellor Wen’s hands were stuffed with bowl and chopsticks and he now had a headache. Although he didn’t want to lift his chopsticks for the time being, it would be unreasonable for him not to eat something since Luo Huai’an invited him so warmly.

He then picked up a piece of fish, overcame his psychological discomfort, and slowly put it into his mouth.

As the fish entered his mouth, his hands paused slightly and his eyes gradually widened.

He sighed sincerely in his heart—the fish meat was so tender!

Perhaps due to the chef’s exceptional skill, the carp was surprisingly softer and more delicate than the grouper he’d previously tasted. The plump, tender fish was fragrant and tender, striking a chord with the palate, without a single fishy odor. The sweet and sour sauce seeped into the fish’s texture, revealing every nuance of its flavor. Everything came together for a truly delightful experience.

… …

The other school leaders were still immersed in the shadow of the wenyao and were reluctant to start eating. After seeing the Chancellor’s expression, they could not help but be stunned.

The Vice-Chancellor asked, “Is it too unpalatable?”

The Vice-Chancellor looked at the sweet and sour carp in front of him, which looked very appetizing, and sighed inwardly, thinking that the dish was flashy but ultimately superficial.

When Chancellor Wen heard what the Vice-Chancellor said, he shook his head and said, “This is the most delicious fish I have ever eaten. It is incredibly fresh and tender.”

Chancellor Wen even had a strange thought. As Luo Huaian said, using the wenyao to make sweet and sour carp would probably be so delicious!

… … translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

The Vice-Chancellor was very surprised. It was just a home-cooked dish: sweet and sour carp. Chancellor Wen didn’t seem like someone who had never tasted good food before. Was there any need to praise it so much?

The Vice-Chancellor became curious, so he suppressed the shadow in his heart and stretched his chopsticks towards the sweet and sour carp.

The sweet and sour sauce slid into his mouth and down his throat, leaving behind a savory aftertaste. The ratio of sugar to vinegar was incredibly precise, not overly sweet nor sour, and it didn’t steal the show from the fish, instead bringing out its naturally delicious flavor.

The Vice-Chancellor’s originally serious expression suddenly brightened.

He was a military veteran with a clean record. He’d been to rainforests and deserts, even eating insects. The food in the cafeterias at the Aeronautics University was notoriously bad; this was known even in the town that surrounded the university. The university leaders all know it. While the other university leaders would normally eat outside, he would always eat on campus.

He could even eat the ‘Ant Steamed Egg¹’—which was infamous among students—without batting an eyelid.

He actually didn’t have many requirements for the taste of food. He thought that filling his stomach was the most important thing, and if the food was delicious, then it was just an added value.

But after eating this sweet and sour carp, the Vice-Chancellor realized that food could be so delicious and so wonderful that it could uplift people’s spirits.

After trying the sweet and sour carp, the other school leaders were all surprised and quickly put down their chopsticks, as if they were afraid that it would be gone if they ate too late.

However, the Vice-Chancellor took a deep breath; his radar that sensed danger beeped urgently, and he immediately put down his chopsticks.

He couldn’t eat anymore.

This dish would corrode his strong willpower!

Mythical Beast Cafeteria translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

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T/N: Sweet and sour carp

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FOOTNOTE:

1. ‘Ant Steamed Egg’ seems to be a ‘real thing’ but nothing widely popular. I saw several links all alluding to a university canteen that served it, claiming it was nutritious and good for protein. I didn’t delve too deep because the photos squicked me. So no visual aid for us too. ↩︎