Daddy's Gourmet Shop

Chapter 658 - 642: Still Going Strong

"Oh dear, let’s go, hurry up..."Old Qin, dressed in a traditional Chinese outfit, lightly shook the folding fan in his hand and leisurely walked to the Delicious Restaurant with Lao Liu, who had deliberately come over from West City Old Street.

However, Old Qin, who was as sharp-eared and bright-eyed as ever, with a nose sharper than a dog’s, caught a whiff of a distinctive aroma wafting from inside the restaurant as they approached, and with a look of delight, he quickly urged Lao Liu to hurry.

Lao Liu, not understanding, said helplessly, "We’re already at the door, what’s the rush?"

"Lao Liu, let me tell you, Boss Huang has a new dish at noon today. This aroma is different from last night’s sweet and sour ribs. It smells like garlic ribs..."

As Old Qin spoke, he dragged Lao Liu into the restaurant in haste.

Upon entering the restaurant...

They saw many customers gnawing on garlic ribs, accompanied by praises for Huang Tao’s culinary skills echoing in their ears.

"Delicious! These garlic ribs are extraordinary," "Delicious, these garlic ribs are finger-licking good," "Crispy fried garlic ribs are both a snack and a dish, the garlic aroma is particularly strong, with a hint of spice that leaves you wanting more," "Delicious, I’ll take some to-go to snack on while watching TV."

Gulp!

Gulp!

Old Qin and Lao Liu couldn’t help but gulp in unison, instantly tempted by the sight and sound.

Lao Liu with a look of surprise: "Wow, it really is! Everyone’s eating garlic ribs! I came at just the right time today!"

He didn’t forget to praise his old friend, "Old Qin, you’re still sharp as ever. Your nose is sharper than a dog’s!"

The compliment "sharp as ever" made Old Qin grin, but the latter part froze his smile halfway through.

Bah~

Dog’s nose...

Is that how you compliment someone?

Old Qin shot Lao Liu a "Are you doing this on purpose?" look and, sounding exasperated, said, "Hey, Lao Liu, at your age, how can you still not say anything nice?"

Lao Liu: "..."

Sigh~

Old Qin, why are you scolding people?!

If anyone can’t say anything nice, it’s you and your whole family that can’t say anything nice.

Lao Liu retorted, "I think you’re the one biting Lv Dongbin, not knowing a good person when you see one."

"Lao Liu, explain to me clearly, who’s the dog and who’s Lv Dongbin here?" Old Qin’s arm twitched in hidden irritation.

Geez!

These two old jokesters are at it again.

Speaking of which,

Were they both born to bicker?

Otherwise, how do they end up arguing within moments of meeting?

Jiang Qihang and some other rich kids, seeing this, found it amusing but also worried that their bickering might make new customers think poorly of the dining environment and affect Huang Tao’s business.

So...

They quickly interrupted to distract them: "Qin, Liu, you came at the right time. I must tell you, you have to try the new garlic ribs and sweet and sour ribs at lunch. They’re so delicious!"

Upon hearing this, Old Qin and Lao Liu stopped arguing.

Old Qin lightly shook his folding fan, smiling, "Nothing Boss Huang makes is ever bad. I tried the sweet and sour ribs last night; they’re the real deal! I’ll try these garlic ribs later."

"Everything Boss Huang makes is definitely tasty. You all start eating, and I’ll order a serving to try in a bit."

Lao Liu’s mouth twisted into a gentle smile, then he shouted a belated congratulations to Huang Tao: "Congratulations, Boss Huang! Keep bringing out new dishes in the future!"

Old Qin also joined in urging Huang Tao to introduce more new dishes in the future.

"Thank you, Lao Liu. I think that last sentence is what you really wanted to say?"

Huang Tao teased with a smile, looking at Lao Liu with a bit of surprise, "You didn’t come all the way from West City Old Street just for this, did you?"

Lao Liu smiled helplessly, "Indeed, Old Qin started inviting me two days ago, but I was busy yesterday and couldn’t come. Today, I had some free time, so I came over to join him for a meal."

Old buddies need to plan meals together; since he was free today, he came to satisfy his cravings and join the fun.

"Alright, find a place to sit. Sorry if I can’t entertain you fully~"

Huang Tao said with a smile, exchanged a few words with them, and then continued busying himself with cooking.

Old Qin and Lao Liu, as if nothing happened, sat down together at a dining table nearby.

While ordering, they discussed what to order together.

It was as if the argument had never occurred.

After ordering, they chatted and laughed as they waited for their food.

Soon.

The garlic ribs were brought to the table by Li Chengzhan: "Qin, Liu, here are your garlic ribs. Please enjoy."

"Thank you!"

Old Qin and Lao Liu said thank you and looked at the enticingly golden garlic ribs on the white porcelain plate, making their mouths water.

Both of them started picking up their chopsticks.

Old Qin was the first to pick up a piece of garlic rib and put it in his mouth.

As he bit into it, his eyes widened unconsciously.

Delicious!

The half crispy-tender rib filled his mouth with intense meaty aroma, and as he chewed, the starchy coating burst in his mouth, the strong garlic flavor filling his entire mouth. Upon careful savoring, the meat had a hint of spice and sweetness, with no trace of a gamey or overly seasoned taste—only the proper garlic and spicy flavors.

Lao Liu, on the other hand, with one bite, felt the soft, crispy garlic rib meat fall off the bone and into his mouth. As he chewed, layers of aroma exploded in his mouth, bringing an ultimate taste sensation.

They both wished they could chew the bone and swallow it.

But unfortunately,

Their teeth aren’t good enough for that, so they had to regrettably put down the now clean-licked bones.

Eating to this point, Old Qin felt it was a waste not to eat the bone too.

"These garlic ribs are really quite good, slightly charred and fragrant, the outer skin is slightly crispy, full of garlic flavor, not bitter at all, and not overwhelmed by garlic taste, only the aroma. The seasoning is spot on, and you absolutely won’t experience the kind of flavorless meat after a few bites." Old Qin couldn’t help but comment.

Lao Liu kept eating, just nodding in agreement.

You silly old man.

Such delicious garlic ribs, why aren’t you eating them while they’re hot and busy commenting?

With your time spent commenting, you could eat several more pieces of garlic ribs. Isn’t it flavorful?

After finishing, Lao Liu reached for the chopsticks again and picked up two pieces of garlic ribs at once.

Seeing this, Old Qin panicked and couldn’t help but point out, "Lao Liu, are you even human?! While I was talking, you almost finished half a plate of garlic ribs by yourself, and now you’re picking up two pieces at once?!"

"Can’t I have good chopstick skills?"

"Give it back!"

The two, whose combined age almost reached one hundred and fifty, were here quarreling over garlic ribs.

They were just too delicious!

Although the portion of garlic ribs on the plate wasn’t small, and there were quite a few pieces, one piece was only enough for two bites. While enjoying them, they suddenly realized it was all gone. Seeing the empty plate and the pile of scattered rib bones in front of them silently told them that this plate of garlic ribs was finished.

They wanted another plate.

But for their own health, they restrained themselves.

After all, health is paramount!

As long as they stay healthy, they’re not afraid of having nothing to eat in the future!