Chapter Seventeen: The Detective Agency

“Aunt Luo wasn’t lying to me, it’s really delicious!”
“Yes, I’m glad I gathered the courage to come in and try. Otherwise, I might have missed the best shredded pork with garlic sauce I’ll ever taste in my life.”
“That’s right, this is definitely the best shredded pork with garlic sauce I’ve ever had, bar none.”
“Boss Su, sorry about earlier. I got swept up by certain people—my apologies.”
...
Faced with the neighbors’ sudden change, Su Rui found herself momentarily at a loss for words, stunned for quite a while before regaining her composure.
“You’re too kind. I’ll need everyone’s continued support in the future.”
“Don’t worry, Boss Su.” The uncle with a bushy beard agreed cheerfully, though after speaking, he hesitated a bit and then asked, uncertain, “Boss Su, you’re not only going to serve shredded pork with garlic sauce from now on, are you?”
The others, including Luo Yuan, pricked their ears in anticipation.
“Well…”
Su Rui glanced through the curtain toward the kitchen, where the sound of cooking hadn’t paused for a moment.
Li Can was very busy.
To be honest, Su Rui was still in a daze, not expecting things to develop this way.
Even the shredded pork with garlic sauce at fifty-six yuan a plate had been accepted by everyone?
But that wasn’t the main point.
The main thing was, she hadn’t had the chance to ask Li Can about his plans, and it wouldn’t be wise to speak rashly.
If she said something inconsistent with Li Can’s original intentions, it could be troublesome.
Su Rui secretly berated herself.
She used to be a decisive woman—how had she suddenly lost her sense of direction?
Was it that Li Can’s aura was too strong, or was his character simply dominant?
Perhaps,
It was both…
“If he can cook such delicious shredded pork with garlic sauce, it proves he has the skills. Given that, should we really worry about eating the same dish every day? Maybe a bit of mystery isn’t a bad thing.”
As always, it was Lan Wei who stepped in to resolve the situation.
She was poised and confident, not at all timid. She looked less like a guest—
More like…
Well…
More like a comprehensive, extremely capable proprietress!
“The young lady is right. Someone with such skills surely knows more than just one dish.” The bushy-bearded uncle laughed. “As for this air of mystery, honestly, I’m already looking forward to seeing what new dishes will be offered tomorrow.”
“Looking forward is one thing, but the price…” Another middle-aged guest smiled wryly. “I know there’s a reason for it, but still…”
“But nothing! No one’s asking you to eat here every day. Even if you wanted to, your wife wouldn’t agree. Watch out or you’ll be kneeling on durian peels when you get home!”
Aunt Luo spoke her mind with no reservations, and her words made everyone laugh.
For a moment, the front hall was filled with laughter and a harmonious atmosphere.
Su Rui nodded slightly to Lan Wei in thanks, but the latter merely cast a calm glance her way, betraying nothing.

Su Rui was taken aback, sensing that this impossibly beautiful girl seemed to be warning her.
“Must be my imagination.”
She dismissed the thought, turning her gaze just in time to see Zhao Gang and his companions leaving.
“He’s in such a hurry to leave—he must realize the situation is irreversible and is worried about being embarrassed later. But knowing his vindictive nature, he won’t let it go so easily.”
Su Rui’s lips curled in disappointment.
As long as the matter wasn’t settled, she couldn’t rest easy.
Thankfully, she now had a powerful, if inscrutable, ally by her side, so she wasn’t overly worried.
…
Li Can stayed busy in the kitchen until about one-thirty in the afternoon before finally having a break.
He wiped the grease from his face with the towel around his neck and took a big gulp of cold water.
“It’s been ages since I’ve been this busy. It feels like I’m back to when I first became a chef, having to do everything myself and actually enjoying it.”
He placed the cleaned wok back on the stove,
Checked the sticky notes on the wall,
And, after confirming that all the shredded pork with garlic sauce ordered had been cooked, walked out of the kitchen at last.
A few satisfied guests lingered in the dining hall.
Su Rui stood behind the cashier, absentmindedly opening and closing the drawer, grinning idiotically at the cash inside.
Apart from that,
Two young people sat near the entrance, chatting—
A man and a woman.
The man had a straight, elegant posture, every movement effortlessly graceful yet proper, making one feel inexplicably drawn to him.
As for the other…
“Li Can, you finally came out. They’ve been waiting a long time for you.”
At Su Rui’s words, Lan Wei spun around. Her breathtaking eyes instantly reddened.
“Can.”
The girl rubbed her eyes in a fluster, forcing a cheerful smile.
“Li Can, it’s been a long time.”
Luo Yuan stood as well, his face serene, betraying little emotion.
For a moment, the air seemed to stand still.
“Li Can, are you stunned? They’re calling you.”
From her position, Su Rui could only see their profiles and missed the subtle changes, so she reminded him.
“I know.”
Li Can drew a deep breath.
“Sister Su Rui, I’ll step outside for a bit.”
With that, Li Can, under everyone’s gaze, took Lan Wei’s slender hand and walked out. She didn’t resist, obedient as a little lamb.
Luo Yuan lingered a moment before saying goodbye to Su Rui and quietly following.

“Boss Su, could that beautiful girl be the new chef’s girlfriend?” a guest asked, uncertain.
“Seems so, I guess.” Su Rui was just as confused.
…
On the bustling street,
The cherry trees swayed gently in the breeze stirred by passing cars.
A few pink petals fell,
Dancing around Lan Wei,
A fleeting moment of beauty, breathtaking.
But she paid it no mind, letting Li Can lead her forward, asking neither their destination nor direction.
They walked for an indeterminate time,
Until a small park appeared at the corner. Li Can led Lan Wei inside.
The two sat quietly by a flowerbed, silent for a long while.
“Last night I called Miaomiao. The little girl cried her heart out on the phone.” After a while, Lan Wei spoke with a gentle smile.
“Really?” Li Can recalled Guan Miaomiao’s tearful farewell and sighed, “I blame myself for not considering Miaomiao’s situation when I sensed the Imperial Court was about to make a move against me.”
“Then let her come help you here. With her around, I’ll feel more at ease. Hmph, otherwise you’ll work yourself to exhaustion.”
Lan Wei pretended to be angry, adorably so, utterly different from her commanding presence in the restaurant when confronting Zhao Gang.
“I’d like that too.” Li Can pursed his lips. “But now isn’t the time.”
“Are you worried about Zhao Gang?”
“Zhao Gang? Someone like him could never trouble me.” Li Can had no intention of revealing his extraordinary experiences to her and continued,
“I just haven’t settled down yet, nor have the time to teach her culinary skills. When the restaurant is running smoothly, I’ll consider bringing her here. Until then, she’s actually better off at Imperial Court.”
Lan Wei nodded thoughtfully.
“Can, this whole Imperial Court incident hit you hard, didn’t it?” Lan Wei said, her voice full of concern.
Last night, upon hearing the news, she’d been most worried about Li Can’s state of mind. But at the time, she couldn’t reach him by phone and didn’t know the specifics.
Fortunately, around two in the morning, Li Can sent her a message, which eased her worries somewhat.
“At first, yes. It was a big blow.” Li Can didn’t deny it—there was no need.
He and Lan Wei had grown up together and knew each other’s personalities well.
“Now, I don’t feel anything anymore.”
“But the Imperial Court owes its status in the culinary world entirely to you.” Lan Wei’s tone was teasing, clearly trying to provoke him.
“You…”
Li Can saw right through her little test, and gazed at the distant golden rooftop.
“Don’t worry. If I could create the first Imperial Court, I can create a second—
Even if it’s currently just an unknown hole-in-the-wall!”
Lan Wei nodded happily, then continued, “By the way, any news from the detective agency?”
(To be continued…)