Universe Infinite Canteen
Chapter 782 - 782: Specious Shredded Pork with Fish Flavor

Ma Lu planned to keep pushing forward and continue creating his second dish.

—The Paradoxical Fish-Flavored Shredded Pork.

The inspiration for this dish came from his experiences in the university debate club, where the young people excelled at using paradoxical arguments to play with words.

Ma Lu hoped to endow the eater with this ability through a dish of fish-flavored shredded pork.

No sooner said than done.

In the back kitchen, while playing an online novel on his phone, Ma Lu walked around selecting and preparing various ingredients with Old Wang's assistance.

This was the method he discovered after many attempts to be the easiest way to find inspiration.

In plain terms, it was to completely relax and follow one's instincts.

It was somewhat like the meditation state when using a bug egg, but a bit more casual than meditation.

In less than five minutes, Ma Lu finished cooking the paradoxical fish-flavored shredded pork.

He leaned his nose over the pot to take a sniff; a blend of sour, spicy, and fragrant aroma, along with the smoky scent of meat, penetrated his nostrils.

It seemed pretty good.

Ma Lu picked up his chopsticks, intending to have a taste, when he suddenly heard a knock on the door.

He thought it was Yan Wu and the others returning, but when he opened the door, he was somewhat surprised by who was outside.

"Why is it you?"

"Uh, I... heard the news that you suddenly closed the restaurant, so I came to take a look."

Yu Yitong adjusted the strap of her shoulder bag, looking a bit uneasy, "As long as you're okay. Then I'll just head back to work."

After speaking, she turned to leave but was called back by Ma Lu, "Wait a minute."

"Hmm?"

"Since you're here, why not come in and sit for a while?"

Yu Yitong glanced at the empty restaurant behind the door, feeling a bit hesitant.

"Don't you want to know why I closed the restaurant?"

"Oh, would you be willing to tell me? If it's too personal then..."

"There's nothing I can't share," Ma Lu said, "Come in."

"Alright then."

Yu Yitong walked into the restaurant, and Ma Lu led her to a table.

Once seated, Yu Yitong immediately went into work mode, pulling a voice recorder, a laptop, and a smartphone gimbal from her bag, and looking up at Ma Lu.

"Is this okay?"

"I'm always candid, having nothing to hide," Ma Lu said.

"That's good to hear, mainly because the forum has been buzzing about this matter for the past two days. After all, Universe Infinite Canteen has the highest rating on Meiping Website now.

"It's not just in City B; many foodies from out of town came after hearing its fame but found the restaurant closed. They had no choice but to leave, with no clear reopening date. Everyone's quite curious about what happened."

Ma Lu fetched a wine glass from the sterilizer, "What would you like to drink, beer or a soft drink?"

"No need, I brought my water bottle." Yu Yitong placed a thermos on the table.

"Ah, is that the one we bought together at the souvenir shop when we climbed Mount Tai? You still carry it with you."

Ma Lu glanced at the thermos with "Mount Tai, the sole summit" printed on it.

"Uh..." Yu Yitong felt a bit embarrassed, "Although it's a generic brand, the quality is decent. I've always used it, carried it abroad, and brought it back."

"I see."

"In any case, Boss Ma, your restaurant was such a success, becoming the most famous in City B and even worldwide within just half a year. There were so many customers every day. Why did it suddenly close? Does it have something to do with the head chef?"

Yu Yitong opened her phone and voice recorder, forcefully steering the conversation back to work.

"Well... do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"

"What if it's the truth?"

"I'm busy saving the world," Ma Lu said with a serious face, "with Old Wang."

"Uh... what about the lie?"

"Universe Infinite Canteen hasn't been open for long, but I've already made a lot of money. Recently, I started to reflect: Is money really that important to me?"

"What do you want to do if you don't run the restaurant, Boss Ma?" Even though instinct told Yu Yitong that the man in front of her was just trying to show off, she maintained interviewer's politeness and continued to ask.

"I'm not against making money; I just mean there are many important things beyond that, right? After all, we're in a world full of uncertainties and turbulence. Recent events made me realize you never know what comes first, tomorrow or an accident."

"So you plan to... become a philosopher?"

"No, I plan to become a traveler after this is over."

"You want to play Genshin Impact?"

"No, no, really traveling through different cosmic planes, flying in a plane spaceship. Young people these days also like to resign and travel due to stress, right? So this closure could be indefinite."

"....."

Yu Yitong shut off the voice recorder, "You could've just told me if you didn't want to be interviewed."

"Why do you say that?"

"Universe travel? Is that why you brought me into the store," Yu Yitong brushed her bangs, "to tease me? Just like before, but you clearly said during our last trip to Sanya that all our grievances were settled. I'm really foolish for believing you."

As she spoke, she began to gather her things to leave.

Ma Lu added, "I'm not teasing you, whether you believe it or not, everything I said is true, even the part that seems like a lie."

"Really?" Yu Yitong obviously didn't believe it.

"I can prove it to you," Ma Lu said, "After all, the world is almost ending, and those guys at the Earth Autonomy Management Committee are too busy, turning a blind eye to many things.

"But before that, I've made a dish that needs someone to taste test it." Ma Lu's ulterior motive finally surfaced, which was why he wanted to keep Yu Yitong around.

"Why don't you taste it yourself?"

"I'm the chef, and it's hard for me to judge my own dishes impartially."

"What about other people, like that girl upstairs named Zhen Ye? You could bring it to her to try."

"You know about Zhen Ye... but no, I don't know her well enough."

"What?"

"Just do me this favor, would you? I even helped you when you had your period in Sanya. This is important, not just for me but for the entire Multiverse."

"Bring it on then," Yu Yitong eventually relented, "I'll try it, but I have to get back to work afterward."

Ma Lu returned to the kitchen and plated the paradoxical fish-flavored shredded pork, then thought for a moment and added a bowl of rice, bringing them out together on a tray.

It had to be said that the fish-flavored shredded pork he made looked quite good; at first glance, Yu Yitong couldn't help but swallow a gulp.

Moreover, she had once witnessed Ma Lu showcasing his skills in the God of Cooking Competition, so she didn't doubt his culinary prowess.

Though she didn't say it, she was quite looking forward to this dish in her heart.

"Alright, I'll eat it then." Yu Yitong picked up her chopsticks.

"Enjoy your meal."

Yu Yitong first sampled the bamboo shoots: fresh, tender, and with a hint of spring. She then ate some wood ear mushrooms, which emitted a crispy sound between her teeth.

Finally, she tasted the shredded pork. Unlike the quick-cooked pork sold in today's markets and supermarkets, the pork in this fish-flavored shredded pork had a much richer flavor, surpassing even that of local pigs.

It had no fishy smell whatsoever; instead, it carried a subtle acorn scent that complemented the sauce, firmly locking in the meat's flavor.

Though Yu Yitong had already had lunch before coming, intending just to have a taste, she found herself unable to stop. Fish-flavored shredded pork is known to be a dish that pairs well with rice, so she ended up finishing the bowl of white rice along with it.

Only after putting down the bowl did she realize she was stuffed.

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