Chapter 323: A Taste Beyond Imagination
Han Shi's daily business hours lasted only two hours, and its small dining area had just eight four-person tables — a maximum capacity of 32 diners at a time.
That meant each day's service could only accommodate around 200 customers.
This number was already generous, thanks to the fast-paced, no-nonsense eating habits typical of the people in Douluo Continent. Otherwise, it might've been even fewer.
Due to the release of the Top Ten List from the Food Festival that morning, Han Shi was once again swarmed with eager customers. Even before opening, there were already close to 300 people waiting outside. Those who couldn't get a seat had no choice but to turn away in disappointment or opt for takeout.
Han Shi's fame in Shrek City had essentially hit 100%, there was no one left who hadn't heard of it.
But knowing about Han Shi and actually eating there were two different things.
Many foodies who had long heard the rumors but remained skeptical finally gave in after seeing the festival rankings and decided to come try it for themselves.
On top of that, many out-of-town visitors hadn't yet left Shrek City. After seeing Han Shi high on the rankings, those who hadn't visited during the three-day festival were filled with regret and made it their mission to stop by before departing.
These two factors combined created an overwhelming turnout.
Ye Lingqing was relatively lucky. Having woken up early to pick flowers for his bouquet, he arrived at Han Shi before most others and managed to snag a spot in the final batch of diners.
After patiently waiting for over an hour, the aroma of countless delicious dishes drifted from the dining area and into his nose as he inched closer to the restaurant door.
Gurgle—
He held his stomach with a wry smile.
He had forgotten to eat breakfast — a tactical error.
Luckily, the long wait finally came to an end. The line in front of him cleared, and at last, it was his turn to dine.
"Welcome—"
Fu Ya's tone froze mid-sentence as she saw who it was, her expression turning a bit strange.
"Hello."
Ye Lingqing offered a warm, friendly smile. He had just seen this Han Shi employee the night before.
"Where should I sit?"
"This way, please."
Fu Ya quickly regained her composure and led him to an open seat.
"Take a look at the menu first. I'll be back shortly to help with your order."
With that, she turned and briskly walked toward Ying Shuang.
"Ying Shuang!"
Still buried in takeout orders, Ying Shuang looked up. "What is it?"
"Look who just walked in."
Fu Ya smiled subtly and motioned in Ye Lingqing's direction.
Following Fu Ya's cue, Shuang looked up — and there he was, Ye Lingqing, quietly flipping through the menu.
"Ye—"
Her heart skipped a beat, thudding like a deer caught in headlights. She nearly blurted out his name before Fu Ya quickly pulled her back, reminding her it wasn't the time or place.
Her cheeks turned pink as she studied the calm, collected boy.
The lighting had been too dim last night, so she hadn't seen him clearly — but now, in the bright midday light, he looked even better than she remembered.
Wait a minute…
Was that a bouquet next to him?
Could it be…
Was it for me?
Is he going to confess?
Ying Shuang's face turned an even deeper shade of red as her mind filled with wild fantasies about the boy.
"Stop daydreaming, we're still open for business."
Fu Ya tugged at her sleeve, clearly regretting telling her about Ye Lingqing's arrival.
"Oh, right."
Ying Shuang snapped back to reality and returned to sorting orders — though her eyes occasionally wandered in Ye Lingqing's direction, betraying the turmoil in her heart.
Carefully examining the menu in his hands, Ye Lingqing found himself growing even hungrier.
In truth, there was no real need for him to study the menu so intently—after all, he could barely afford anything on it.
But the menu itself was so exquisitely designed that he couldn't resist flipping through its pages.
And once he started flipping, he couldn't stop.
Each dish was presented so beautifully, so delicately crafted, and the lengthy descriptions made his mouth water.
Even though he couldn't afford to order most of them, just looking was enough to bring a sense of satisfaction.
"What would you like?" Fu Ya finally returned to Ye Lingqing's table, pen and paper in hand, ready to take his order.
"Uh… Just a small serving of egg fried rice, please. Thank you." Ye Lingqing responded a bit shyly. He imagined he was probably the most frugal customer Han Shi had ever seen.
He sneaked a glance at Fu Ya's expression but saw no hint of disdain or disapproval. Only then did he quietly let out a sigh of relief.
Naturally, Fu Ya showed no disdain. Coming from an ordinary, thrifty family herself, she treated every customer with the same level of respect and kindness.
After jotting down the order, Fu Ya gave a small smile.
"Alright, please wait a moment. Egg fried rice is quick."
She then turned and walked toward the kitchen.
"What did he order?"
Before Fu Ya could step inside, Ying Shuang tugged her arm anxiously and asked.
"One small egg fried rice."
"That's it?"
"That's it."
"Hmm…"
Ying Shuang furrowed her brow. "That won't do. How about we add another dish for him? I'll pay for it!"
Fu Ya tapped her forehead lightly.
"Since when do servers pay to add dishes for guests? You're overthinking this. Focus on your orders."
"Alright…"
Rubbing her forehead, Ying Shuang turned back to sorting delivery orders, though her eyes occasionally wandered toward Ye Lingqing, and she muttered under her breath,
"Just one egg fried rice… Is that enough to fill him up?"
Egg fried rice was one of the fastest dishes served at Han Shi—aside from pre-prepared items like Xiaolongbaos or Crystal Sugar Hawthorns.
In just about two minutes, Fu Ya returned with a plate of steaming egg fried rice and placed it in front of Ye Lingqing.
"Here's your egg fried rice. Enjoy."
Ye Lingqing nodded and turned his attention to the dish before him.
Each grain of rice was perfectly separated, fluffy, and inviting. The surface of the rice was lightly coated in golden egg, giving it a soft and enticing sheen. Between the grains, vibrant green scallions were scattered throughout, adding a fresh splash of color that made the dish visually pop—it looked unmistakably delicious.
The rich aroma of the eggs, the fragrance of the rice, and the freshness of the scallions blended perfectly together, wafting into Ye Lingqing's nose. The scent was rich yet not overpowering, teasing his hunger like a gentle lure.
His stomach growled again.
He couldn't wait any longer.
Picking up the spoon, he scooped up a bite and brought it to his mouth.
Even before chewing, the rich fragrance immediately filled his mouth and nose. As he began to chew instinctively, the flavor deepened—elegant yet vibrant, bursting with life.
A delicate, vivid wave of deliciousness danced across his tongue, and Ye Lingqing couldn't help but close his eyes, savoring the experience with a look of bliss.
So this… is egg fried rice made by Boss Qi?
Before arriving, Ye Lingqing had imagined countless times what Qi Han's cooking might taste like.
But now that he was actually tasting it, he realized his imagination had been far too limited—no matter how hard he tried, the flavor he pictured couldn't compare to even one-thousandth of what he was experiencing now.
The desire in his heart—to become Qi Han's disciple—only grew stronger.
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