CHAPTER 54: CHAPTER 54: HOW DID I NOT NOTICE BEFORE

In the dumpling restaurant, Jiang Yu and Lu Shuwu, among others, were sitting around a table eating.

"Lao Jiang, who is that person inside?"

Hu Zhihai, while eating dumplings, didn’t forget to stuff a piece of chicken into his mouth, eating with great delight.

Earlier, he had rushed into the back kitchen without noticing any strangers, still feeling a bit embarrassed, he swallowed the food in his mouth and couldn’t help but ask in a low voice,

"That person looks somewhat familiar, have I seen him somewhere before?"

"He’s Teacher Xiong from the academic affairs office. I went to the administration building this morning to find him."

Jiang Yu took a sip of hot and sour soup, smacked his lips, and said, "He was just passing by and decided to come in and take a look, nothing else."

As for Teacher Xiong’s offer to help him find a larger stall, that was still up in the air, best not to spread it lest everyone overthink it.

Otherwise, it’d be great if it works out, but if it doesn’t, it would only disappoint.

"Oh, so he’s a teacher at the school, that explains why he looked familiar."

Hu Zhihai had a look of realization, didn’t say much more, and continued eating.

"I might have something else to do later, but everyone please eat well and then kindly tidy up the store a little. Once it’s cleaned up, you can all go home and rest."

Jiang Yu was thinking about Teacher Xiong sitting alone inside and wanted to accompany him quickly, so he ate faster than usual. In no time, he finished a basket of dumplings, drank a few more sips of hot and sour soup, and then said,

"Thank you all for your hard work these days, this mouthwatering chicken..."

Before he finished speaking, he noticed someone coming from the kitchen, upon a closer look, it turned out to be Teacher Xiong.

Jiang Yu quickly greeted him, somewhat surprised:

"Teacher Xiong, are you leaving already? Won’t you stay a bit longer?"

"Ah, no..."

Teacher Xiong let out a couple of awkward laughs, wearing a hesitant expression, and finally, he bit his teeth as if making a firm decision, raised his head to look at Jiang Yu, and said a bit sheepishly,

"I... I just smelled a numbing and spicy aroma in there, cough cough, I couldn’t resist, just wanted to come out and see what you guys were eating...

Really, don’t misunderstand me, I just wanted to take a look!"

"Ah, Teacher Xiong, I apologize, it’s my oversight! Here, please sit over here!"

Jiang Yu was momentarily stunned but quickly reacted, apologizing profusely while pulling Teacher Xiong to sit at the table,

"Since you’re here, I forgot to let you taste the food we sell. Please wait a moment, I’ll bring it to you immediately!"

Saying so, without giving Teacher Xiong a chance to refuse, he immediately turned around and brought out a steaming basket of dumplings from the pot, served a bowl of hot and sour soup, and took a previously prepared portion of mouthwatering chicken from the refrigerator, placing it all in front of Teacher Xiong.

After placing the food, Jiang Yu smiled and said,

"Teacher Xiong, I just made these randomly, please try the taste, and if they’re not to your liking, don’t laugh at me!"

Lu Shuwu, who was eating beside him, couldn’t help but roll his eyes hearing this, thinking to himself:

"Boss, you’re being overly modest, way too hypocritical!

If these delicious foods aren’t to his taste, then he might as well eat dragon liver and phoenix gall!"

He pouted, stayed silent, and continued eating his food.

Teacher Xiong felt a bit embarrassed, hurriedly said, "Ah, this... I already had dinner."

"It’s so late, treat it as a late-night snack."

Jiang Yu continued to persuade, "Besides, it’s not much to eat, just try the taste."

"Well, okay then."

Teacher Xiong showed a slight hint of reluctance, gave Jiang Yu an awkward smile,

"Then I’ll have a taste."

Though he said no, his body was honest; he had already grabbed the chopsticks with his right hand and, as soon as he finished speaking, eagerly reached for the mouthwatering chicken.

A piece of chicken covered in red oil sauce entered his mouth, and Teacher Xiong’s eyes widened, his body froze for a moment—

His entire mouth was instantly enveloped by a numbing sensation, as if countless ants were crawling inside.

This feeling was wonderful, giving an indescribable sensation.

A moment later, the numbing lessened, and the spiciness of the red oil hit again, followed by a surge of the chicken’s freshness, the scent of crushed peanuts, and the fresh taste from the cilantro all at once...

"Delicious!"

At that moment, Teacher Xiong’s mind was left with only these two words. He no longer cared about his image and began to chew vigorously, finding it more flavorful the more he chewed.

While eating, he glanced at the dumplings placed beside him and quickly reached out with his chopsticks, placing one in his bowl, bit open a small hole, and gently sucked, his eyes lit up again:

"Wow, what a fresh broth!"

How could Xiaojiang’s unassuming little shop have such delicious food?

An inexplicable question popped into Teacher Xiong’s mind, but there was no time to ponder now.

With such delicious food in front of him, who had time for anything else?

Nothing else mattered, just eat to the heart’s content first!

Subsequently, Teacher Xiong discarded the elegant teacher image he had maintained for decades, transforming into a passionate food enthusiast, gobbling down the food, occasionally exclaiming loudly:

"So numbing and spicy! It’s so satisfying!"

"These dumplings are incredibly fresh, give me another basket!"

"This hot and sour soup is sturdy, delicious!"

"..."

In the little shop, Hu Zhihai, Lu Shuwu, and Yan Tongtong hid aside, witnessing Teacher Xiong’s unrestrained demeanor firsthand, each looking somewhat dumbfounded.

Even university teachers, when they encounter tasty food, lose control just like us ordinary people!

A few minutes later, Teacher Xiong slumped in his chair, looking at the chaotic table in front of him, then raised his hand to touch his slightly bulging stomach, appearing a bit embarrassed:

"Cough cough, um, Xiaojiang, I think I might have eaten a bit too much just now...

But honestly, the food in your store is truly delicious, better than what they serve at those large hotels!"

As he said this, a hint of shock flashed across his face.

While eating, he didn’t feel much, but looking back now, the food here was really uniquely delicious!

No wonder this little store attracts so many students who remember it so fondly and are even willing to queue early to get in!

Even new students, who hadn’t been here long, ran to the campus forum to seek help because they couldn’t get enough good food during military training!

How could I not have discovered such a magical little shop before?