It's just that they have money.

Although Fang Chen is not old, he has always been a big eater.

Since starting university, he has traveled all over Jiangcheng, eating and drinking his way through the city.

Young men have a strong metabolism. Fang Chen never gained weight during his student days, but his weight increased rapidly after he started working, and he soon became swollen.

However, Fang Chen never had much money, and if he spent a lot of money to be ripped off and ended up eating bad food, it would be even more painful than losing the money.

So Fang Chen used to frequent those small, unassuming restaurants in the back alleys, catering to the locals.

Now, money is not a problem.

Fang Chen also cooks for himself regularly, and the "free-flowing" cuisine prepared by the chef based on the ingredients purchased that day is quite appealing to him.

The shop is located in an inconspicuous corner of the street, and it's very small, with only five tables inside.

As soon as Fang Chen entered, he saw the chef behind the transparent glass holding a live sea bass, its gills opening and closing as it desperately thrashed its tail.

With a flick of his wrist, the chef's knife made a precise cut, the fish stiffened for a moment, then quickly went limp again, and the once lively creature fell silent.

Before long, the fish scales flew off, and a live fish was transformed into an ingredient waiting to be cooked on the cutting board in the blink of an eye. It was so efficient that Fang Chen couldn't help but move closer.

"You've got something special," Fang Chen couldn't help but exclaim.

A restaurant that has an open kitchen, where customers can see the cooking process, is likely to be a good one.

Upon hearing the voice, the head chef, without looking up, said, "The entire restaurant is sold out. We have no more dishes and are not accepting customers."

Fang Chen asked in confusion, "Then what are you doing?"

The head chef looked up: "Even chefs need to eat!"

Fang Chen scratched his head somewhat awkwardly: "I haven't eaten anything all morning..."

The chef continued working, but his tone softened slightly: "It's not that I'm kicking you out, it's just that we didn't prepare enough ingredients today, so we really can't cook anything."

Fang Chen's stomach rumbled twice at just the right moment.

"Are you really starving?"

Fang Chen quickly nodded: "Of course, I came here specifically to see you, but I didn't expect to arrive during your mealtime."

The chef wiped his hands: "How about we team up and have hot pot together?"

"Can!"

Fang Chen was overjoyed.

These small shops, especially those centered around the chef and with a touch of online celebrity flair, often have chefs who tend to have quirky personalities.

Why do you have to eat the middle of a claypot rice dish first and then the sides?

What a gentle breeze, let me walk along the road!

Even though it wasn't closed, Fang Chen was somewhat prepared to see the rules of the small shop.

But the person in front of me was clearly a straightforward person, without all that nonsense.

Freshly sliced ​​sea bass, beef, and fresh seasonal leafy greens are already on the table.

Fang Chen, the head chef, and a waiter sat around the stove, and the three of them began a simple meal.

"I haven't asked your surnames yet," Fang Chen asked politely before putting down his chopsticks.

The head chef was quite straightforward, saying casually, "No need for formalities, just call me Zhang Wen. This is my wife, her surname is Li."

Fang Chen greeted them one by one: "Brother Zhang, Sister Li."

The waiter showed no displeasure whatsoever, but instead smiled and said, "My husband Zhang is just that straightforward, don't take it personally. Once we sit down, we're friends. If you like the food, come back often."

When Zhang Wen initially refused, Fang Chen was already mentally prepared to go eat fast food.

Now it was Fang Chen who felt a little embarrassed.

The couple had a bit of a江湖 (jianghu, a term referring to the world of martial arts and chivalry) vibe; both were outgoing and didn't stand on ceremony, and there was never a dull moment. This cheerfulness allowed Fang Chen to completely relax.

The bone broth in the copper pot was bubbling and steaming, the milky white soup swirling and carrying the aroma of scallions and ginger slices.

Zhang Wen picked up a slice of sea bass meat as thin as a cicada's wing, briefly dipped it in the boiling soup, and the edges of the fish instantly curled up and turned white. With a flick of his wrist, he put it in his mouth, nodding as he chewed, "This fish is fresh and the meat is very tender."

Sister Li smiled and ladled a spoonful of soup into Fang Chen's bowl: "Try it, this broth has been simmering for three hours."

Fang Chen blew on the steam, took a sip, and felt the warmth spread through his body. With just the right amount of salty and savory flavor, his hunger was immediately relieved.

"Master Zhang's knife skills are truly superb," ​​Fang Chen said, picking up a slice of beef. The marbling was clear, and the slice was evenly thin. "Watching you prepare the fish earlier was a real treat for the eyes."

Zhang Wen waved his hand, but couldn't hide his smugness: "My little shabby shop would have starved to death long ago if I didn't have some skills."

He pointed to the cramped shop, "Just these five tables. I can cook whatever I want, the customers eat comfortably, and I enjoy cooking. Unlike before, when I worked in a hotel, I earned more, but I wasn't comfortable."

Sister Li added from the side, "He's just stubborn. He gave up a high salary as head chef and insisted on opening this little shop of his own. He says that true skill lies in judging the ingredients before cutting them."

Despite her playful complaints, Sister Li was actually helping out in the shop, running this small family business together.

It's not that I'm really dissatisfied.

Fang Chen thought to himself, "We get along well."

Zhang Wen chuckled, "Doing business is all about getting things done smoothly. Whatever new stuff you buy in the morning, you cook it that day. Like these sea bass today, they're so lively, it'd be a shame not to make hot pot with them, so I kept one."

Fang Chen drank the soup and looked at the couple in front of him. He suddenly felt that this impromptu meal together was much better than enjoying the cooking himself.

He picked up a piece of bright green chrysanthemum greens with his chopsticks, dipped it lightly in the soup, and the crisp, tender leaves absorbed the broth. He took a bite and enjoyed it.

"Oh, right," Fang Chen suddenly remembered something, "I saw that your shop is called 'Sui Shi' (随食), which means 'eat according to the ingredients'?"

Zhang Wen chuckled, "It also means you can come anytime; we're not really closing. It's just that we only have this much food left from this morning, so we won't be taking customers there specifically."

Fang Chen smiled too.

The couple in front of me are truly unrestrained and love freedom.

Amidst laughter and conversation, Sister Li chuckled as she added a handful of handmade noodles to the pot: "Quickly try Old Zhang's hand-pulled noodles, they're incredibly chewy."

The noodles were cooked after a few quick dips in the boiling broth. Fang Chen picked up a chopstick and put it in his mouth. The noodles were smooth and chewy. He slurped them down, soup and all, and sighed with satisfaction.

Before they knew it, the food in the copper pot was almost gone, and Fang Chen's stomach was bulging. Zhang Wen patted him on the shoulder: "How about it? Didn't you come all this way for nothing?"

Fang Chen nodded repeatedly: "This is the most comfortable meal I've had recently. How much did it cost? I'll transfer the money to you."

Zhang Wen glared at him: "What are you talking about money for? There's no reason to charge for a meal shared with others. Just come back often."

Sister Li smiled and chimed in, "Yes, come often in the future, it'll be good to make more friends."

"How could I possibly accept this?"

"There's nothing to be embarrassed about. We've already eaten together, so we're friends."

Fang Chen thought for a moment and asked, "Is the evening market still open?"

"It's still open. I'll go to the market to buy some more later, but they won't be as fresh."

Fang Chen tentatively asked, "I'm meeting some friends tonight, how about reserving a table for me at 6:30?"

Zhang Wen clapped his hands and said, "Great!"

Fang Chen took out his phone, opened WeChat, and sent his location to his friend.

"Take the vegetables you planted at 6:30 this afternoon."

"inappropriate."

"My treat."

"Okay!"