In the afternoon, Mrs. Wen came to the Chancellor’s office, bringing her grandson Tongtong with her.

As soon as she entered, she asked directly, “Have you ordered food?”

Chancellor Wen’s voice carried a hint of frustration, “There were only two kinds of meals available on the delivery service: large crispy chicken leg rice and bamboo rice. Although there were more options available today, there was also more competition, and I somehow missed out on buying any.”

Mrs. Wen looked at Chancellor Wen with disappointment in her eyes. She clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction, and then took Tongtong’s hand, “Come on, Tongtong, I’ll take you to the Eighth Cafeteria for lunch.”

Ever since Tongtong tasted the big crispy chicken leg that day, she actually developed a liking for the food in the Eighth Cafeteria. Mrs. Wen was overjoyed to see that Tongtong, who had anorexia, actually had an appetite. After that, she came to the Chancellor’s office every day and asked Chancellor Wen to order food delivery for them.

Tongtong looked longingly at the thought of the crispy chicken leg and started walking closely behind Mrs. Wen.

However, he suddenly realized that his grandfather hadn’t come along, so he asked curiously, “Grandpa, aren’t you coming with us?”

Madam Wen snorted softly upon hearing this, “He won’t come with us. I really don’t know what he’s up to. These past few days, he could have taken us to the cafeteria for meals, but he insisted on making us order delivery. The Eighth Cafeteria is just a cafeteria with good food, not filled with some supernatural beasts. He’s being really strange.”

Chancellor Wen: “…”

Chancellor Wen was very dissatisfied when he heard his wife say that about him. He was about to get up from his desk and follow his family.

But just then, he suddenly remembered the current situation of the staff in the Eighth Cafeteria. Not only were there twenty wenyao, but there was also a bluebird. It was terrifying!

A deep fear welled up in Chancellor Wen’s heart, and he immediately withdrew his previous thoughts, sitting up straight again. He looked down at the documents on his desk, putting on a righteous and awe-inspiring appearance, “Xiao Li, you’re overthinking it. The reason I’m not going to the Eighth Cafeteria is simply because I have official business to attend to, not because I’m afraid of what’s inside. Official business is urgent, and I should be working day and night to concentrate on it. I can’t go with you.”

Seeing his grandfather’s upright and dignified appearance, Tongtong was filled with admiration and even clapped his hands, saying, “Grandpa is so amazing! I’m not as enthusiastic as you when I do my homework.”

Chancellor Wen: “…”

Mrs. Wen had no idea what Chancellor Wen was struggling with, so she simply took his employee meal card and left the office.

Mrs. Wen led her grandson into the Eighth Cafeteria and found the air to be very fresh, and the staff to be quite good-looking. Since classes hadn’t ended yet, the Cafeteria wasn’t crowded.

Mrs. Wen was actually a bit of a looks-obsessed person; seeing handsome young men and women made her feel better. The more she observed the Eighth Cafeteria, the more she felt that her husband was up to no good.

She walked up to the window of Luo Huai’an, who looked the most dashing, and asked happily, “What do you sell in this window? The air is filled with the faint, refreshing scent of bamboo.”

Tongtong really wanted to eat chicken leg rice and was about to go looking for it. Suddenly, he caught a glimpse of a student holding a white cylindrical ‘popsicle’.

The popsicle was as white as mutton fat jade, dotted with red beans, and emitted wisps of white mist—it was absolutely beautiful.

Tongtong couldn’t help but grab his grandma’s hand and excitedly said, “Grandma, I want to eat a big popsicle.”

Mrs. Wen frowned upon hearing this, “No, the doctor said you can’t eat anything spicy or cold lately. I’ll take you to eat big chicken legs.”

Suddenly, Luo Huai’an spoke up, “That’s not a giant popsicle, that’s sweet bamboo rice, would you like one?”

Madam Wen was somewhat surprised, then nodded, “If it’s bamboo rice, Tongtong will have no problem eating it.”

Behind the food window, Luo Huai’an took a bamboo from the tray, opened it, poked the bamboo rice through with chopsticks, and handed it to Tongtong.

Because it had been inside the bamboo throughout, it retained the natural aroma of bamboo and remained steaming hot, exuding the fragrance of glutinous rice and bamboo.

Tongtong reluctantly accepted the bamboo rice. He actually wanted to eat a big white popsicle, not hard rice. But since it was given to him by the pretty older sister, he felt too embarrassed to refuse, so he had no choice but to bring the sticky rice to his mouth.

The red beans, having absorbed the essence of summer, were plump and juicy. After being lightly roasted with water, they releases a rich, refreshing aroma.  With a bite, the juice hidden within the red beans instantly flooded the mouth, leaving a sweet and lingering flavor.

Glutinous rice was a specialty of Fragrant Mountain. The rice grains were shiny and white. After cooking, they were smooth and soft, so much so that no rice grains would stick to the empty bowl. It was the perfect match for making bamboo rice.

To Tongtong’s surprise, the glutinous rice wasn’t hard at all; instead, it was chewy and soft. With a little bit of force, you could easily break through the hard outer shell of the glutinous rice and feel its delicate and smooth interior.

One bite and you’re hooked; it’s so sweet and soft it melted one’s heart.

Madam Wen knew her grandson well; seeing him frown, she knew he didn’t like the bamboo rice. Feeling reluctant to waste it, she tried to take the rice and eat it herself, but her grandson devoured half of it in just a few bites.

Mrs. Wen was overjoyed to see him eating so happily, finally seeing a glimmer of hope that her grandson’s health would improve.

… …

Luo Huai’an did not recognize Madam Wen. She assumed she was just an ordinary teacher and did not pay her any serious attention.

To her surprise, Mrs. Wen brought her a huge order the very next day.

Mythical Beast Cafeteria translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

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