Huayu97: Starting with Wu Song Fighting the Tiger

The neon lights along the side of the cruise ship lit up one after another. Liu Xiang arrived at the restaurant, ready to attend the dinner appointment.

This high-end ocean liner from the 1990s mainly operated routes to Hong Kong, Macau, and Southeast Asia. The design of the dining area was particularly meticulous. The restaurant was divided into three independent dining areas by a half-height carved rosewood wall. The wood carvings combined the classic Lingnan "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" motif with Portuguese scroll patterns. The mortise and tenon joints were exquisite, and the ingenious combination of Chinese and Western styles perfectly suited the regional characteristics of Hong Kong and Macau.

Each area is equipped with rattan carved dining chairs and marble-patterned round tables. Crystal vases filled with fresh white chrysanthemums and orchids are placed on the sideboards. The waiters are all dressed in smart white tailcoats. They pour tea and serve dishes in a soft voice. Even when changing bone plates, they are done gently. Everywhere you look, you can feel the exquisite and thoughtfulness of high-end luxury.

Liu Xiang changed into a beige silk short-sleeved shirt and dark straight-leg trousers, and slowly walked towards the Cantonese cuisine area.

Just as he turned the corner around the carved wooden wall, he saw Li Binbin sitting at a round table by the window, waving at him. Outside the window was the sparkling sea, and the neon lights fell on her, adding a touch of softness.

Today she changed into a pale yellow floral silk dress, her hair was loosely tied in a low bun, and her face was lightly made up. She looked less spoiled and cheerful by the pool during the day and more charming and lively like a girl from Jiangnan.

Seeing Liu Xiang approach, she smiled and waved: "Liu Xiang, over here! I specially ordered a Cantonese-style signboard from the waiter. It's made according to the old Guangzhou methods, and I guarantee it will suit your taste. You must be tired from practicing your boxing today, so it's a good time to eat something nice to replenish your energy."

Liu Xiang walked over quickly, pulled out a rattan dining chair and sat down. The table was gradually filled with exquisite Cantonese dishes.

The purple clay pot with two handles in the very center is steaming slightly; it's a classic dish of black-boned chicken with fish maw.

On a white porcelain plate to the side, the roast goose from Shenjing was cut into even slices, and the skin was roasted to a golden-red and glossy color.

The poached chicken rests on a blue and white porcelain plate, its skin glossy white and springy, accompanied by a small bowl of freshly prepared ginger and scallion dipping sauce.

Liu Xiang said with a smile, "You've gone to so much trouble, even choosing Cantonese dishes."

"Thank you for coming. Of course, it will be to your liking!" Li Binbin picked up the serving chopsticks and skillfully placed a piece of roast goose leg on Liu Xiang's plate. The goose skin was still attached to a little bit of fat. He dipped it in sweet and sour plum sauce and handed it to Liu Xiang's bowl.

Liu Xiang picked up a goose leg and put it in her mouth. As soon as her teeth touched the skin, she heard a soft "crunch." The crispy skin melted in her mouth instantly, and the aroma of the oil mixed with the sweet and sour taste of the plum sauce was not greasy at all.

Seeing that he liked it, Li Binbin's eyebrows curved even more, and the dimples at the corners of her mouth appeared and disappeared. She then picked up a silver spoon and served Liu Xiang a bowl of bamboo chicken and fish maw soup. The fish maw in the casserole was stewed until it was soft and translucent, and the bamboo chicken meat was so tender that it fell off the bone with a gentle touch.

Li Binbin added, "This soup is simmered slowly over low heat. The fish maw used is thick yellow fish maw, which is very nourishing. You must be very tired after practicing boxing all morning. Drink more to replenish your energy and spirit so you'll have the strength for tomorrow's competition."

Liu Xiang took the soup bowl and chatted with Li Binbin while drinking the soup. They talked about everything from funny anecdotes from practicing boxing to their experiences on the cruise ship, from the food on the mainland to the customs and culture of Hong Kong and Macau. The two chatted back and forth in a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Liu Xiang's tense nerves, which had been on edge all day, gradually relaxed in the fragrant Cantonese food, the warm tea, and the easy conversation.

Just as the two were getting into a lively conversation, Liu Xiang caught a glimpse out of the corner of her eye of Su Wanyi leading Shen Qing into the adjacent Macanese cuisine area.

Zhang Xueyou was wearing a navy blue casual suit with the top two buttons undone. His hair was neatly combed, and he was holding a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses. He followed beside her with a gentle and refined demeanor, whispering something to Su Wanyi in a particularly soft tone.

Before Liu Xiang could think further, Su Wanyi also caught sight of him, and a smile immediately appeared in her eyes. She waved and called out across the carved wooden wall, "Binbin, you're here too! What a coincidence! I thought you went back to your room to rest."

Su Wanyi simply took Shen Qing's hand and walked over, with Zhang Xueyou following slowly behind. She walked to Liu Xiang's table, patted Li Binbin on the shoulder, and then looked at Liu Xiang, teasing her with a half-smile, her tone carrying the banter between best friends: "Liu Xiang, you're really lucky. It's rare for our Binbin to go to such lengths to treat someone to a meal, running around like this. It seems you're quite valued by her."

Her tone was relaxed, but a hint of jealousy flickered in her eyes, so quick it was almost impossible to catch. Liu Xiang smiled and nodded, about to respond, when he saw Shen Qing glance at him, then quickly lower her head, her long eyelashes drooping down, obscuring the emotions in her eyes, which held a hint of grievance.

Clearly, she hadn't recovered from Su Wanyi's words about "fair competition" during the day. Seeing him and Li Binbin chatting happily and eating their meal with gusto, she felt a pang of jealousy, like a small dish of vinegar had been spilled.

"Sis, please sit down and have something to eat with me?" Li Binbin warmly pulled over a rattan chair, moved aside to make room for her, and said, "The roast goose and fish maw soup are both delicious, you should try them."

Su Wanyi waved her hand and declined with a smile, "No, I have an appointment with Qingqing and Mr. Zhang for Macanese cuisine. The waiters have already prepared everything, so I won't disturb your time together." Her words were teasing, which made Li Binbin's cheeks turn slightly red. He reached out and pushed her, scolding her playfully, "Sis, what nonsense are you talking about?"

Su Wanyi smiled, exchanged a few more pleasantries with Liu Xiang, and told him to stay calm, perform well, and achieve good results in tomorrow's competition before leading Shen Qing and Zhang Xueyou back to the Macau cuisine area. When they sat down, she deliberately chose a spot where she could see Liu Xiang through the gaps in the carved wooden wall, so that her every move would be seen by Liu Xiang, and her intentions would be obvious.

Not long after they sat down, Ching Siu-tung and Lee Tim-shing walked into the Hong Kong cuisine section of the restaurant side by side. As soon as they entered, they saw Lau Heung and then glanced at Su Wan-yi and her two companions next door. They exchanged knowing smiles and understood each other perfectly, naturally becoming the best mediator to ease the awkwardness between the two tables.

In an instant, the cruise ship's dining area was divided into three distinct areas.

Liu Xiang and Li Binbin's Cantonese-style table, Su Wanyi, Shen Qing, and Zhang Xueyou's Macao-style table, and Cheng Xiaodong and Li Tiansheng's Hong Kong-style table, each occupying an area, are separated by a carved rosewood wall.

At this moment, the gentle Cantonese opera "Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon" slowly flowed from the hidden speakers. The melody was melodious and graceful, but it could not suppress the thoughts of the people at the three tables. A subtle atmosphere was floating in the air. The waiters could feel this strangeness as they moved among them. When pouring tea and serving dishes, they walked lightly around the edge of the table.

On Su Wan-yi's side, the Macanese dishes have been served one after another. Portuguese chicken, bacalhau balls, Macanese pork chop buns, and coconut jelly are all classic Macanese flavors.