dognovel Chapter 334 The Roast Duck Restaurant at the National Flag Square
Chapter 334 The Roast Duck Restaurant at the National Flag Square
Li Zhen arrived at the famous shop on the east side of the square. As soon as he entered, he saw two young ladies dressed in classic cheongsams smiling sweetly at him.
"Hello sir, welcome. How many of you are in your party?"
Having seen countless beauties throughout history, Li Zhen remained unmoved by this small scene. After he indicated that he was alone, one of the ladies in a cheongsam led him to a seat near the window on the second floor.
From the window, one could see the bustling traffic on Chang'an Avenue. Just as Li Zhen was admiring the scenery outside, another waiter came over and presented him with a well-made menu.
Li Zhen gently lifted the first page of the menu, and a mouthwatering photo of roast duck immediately caught his eye. Golden in color, with crispy skin and tender meat, it was as if one could smell its enticing aroma through the pages. However, the prices listed below this culinary masterpiece were somewhat surprising; even the most economical option cost over three hundred yuan to enjoy.
Li Zhen smiled slightly, having already made up his mind. He then closed the menu and gracefully handed it to the waiter who was waiting nearby: "Please give us a roast duck priced at around 300 yuan. I would like the duck carcass to be used for soup, not deep-fried. Also, please add a serving of duck liver and stir-fried duck intestines. I think that should be enough."
Although this was Li Zhen's first time stepping into this restaurant, he already knew every single one of its signature dishes like the back of his hand. Countless nights he had spent browsing short video websites, becoming intimately familiar with its culinary world, knowing exactly which dishes were worth trying and which were less impressive. For him, this meal was not only a feast for the taste buds, but also a perfect practice of his countless online "previews."
Soon, a cart loaded with golden, crispy, sizzling roast ducks was steadily pushed to the table by the chef. Holding a sharp knife shaped like a watermelon knife, specially designed for slicing ducks, the chef skillfully and rhythmically disassembled the roast ducks one by one.
First and foremost was the most tempting duck breast. Li Zhen couldn't wait any longer; while the meat was still warm, he lightly dipped it in a layer of fine white sugar and put it in his mouth. Instantly, an indescribable, rich aroma exploded in his mouth, as if awakening all his taste buds. As the chef's knife flashed, slices of roasted duck were presented one by one like works of art, while Li Zhen leisurely enjoyed his meal, each bite a pampering indulgence for his taste buds.
This scene, simple yet elegant, with every movement perfectly executed, showcases the chef's superb skills and paints a warm and pleasant picture of culinary delights.
In the blink of an eye, a plump roast duck was sliced into delicate pieces by the chef's knife, leaving only the carcass, which he then deftly carried to the kitchen for further preparation. At that moment, another waiter approached with a beaming smile, gently waving an elegantly designed and beautifully printed "roast duck ID card" in his hand, and handed it to Li Zhen. This small card not only recorded the unique information that Li Zhen had tasted—which roast duck from the restaurant—but also contained a special sense of ritual, adding a touch of fun and memento to this culinary journey.
After finishing his meal, Li Zhen returned to his hotel and dialed Tang Shao's number from his room.
Li Zhen: "Hey, Young Master Tang, hehehe... It's been a long time. Yes, I just arrived in the capital and was thinking of paying you a visit. Okay, I'll head over here according to the location in a bit."
After leaving the hotel, Li Zhen hailed a taxi. After a half-hour drive, he arrived at a secluded courtyard in the western part of Beijing.
As Li Zhen stepped out of the car, he slowly walked towards the solemn doorway. His gaze inadvertently swept over the armed guards standing by the door, who stood as solemn as statues, guarding this mysterious place. Just as Li Zhen was about to ask a question, a guard hurried out of the guardhouse, his steps both urgent and steady.
"You must be Mr. Li Zhen? Everything has been arranged properly. Please follow me." The guard's words were concise and clear, conveying an unquestionable respect.
Li Zhen smiled and nodded to express his gratitude, then followed the guard into the courtyard. The sheer size of the courtyard was rare in the bustling and crowded capital; every inch of land seemed to carry extraordinary value. The capital was a gathering place for the powerful and wealthy, yet a courtyard of this size was not easily acquired, even by the most wealthy. The reasons for this lay in the unique complexity and subtlety of the capital.
The two strolled through the quiet corridors and lush scenery, each step seemingly treading on the intersection of history and reality, leading Li Zhen deeper and deeper into this courtyard full of stories.
Passing through a series of ancient doors, Li Zhen finally stopped in an elegant room. The room opened up before him, and there stood Tang Shao, dressed in a flowing Taoist robe, smiling. Upon seeing Li Zhen enter, Tang Shao's face instantly lit up with a warm smile, as gentle and bright as the spring sun.
"Hahaha... I wondered who this celestial being was that made the magpies sing so joyfully in the courtyard. It turns out to be Brother Li Zhenxian's esteemed presence! I suppose you must have brought some rare and precious treasures with you, otherwise why would you have gone to such lengths to travel thousands of miles to this bustling capital?"
Tang Shao's words, tinged with both teasing and sincerity, perfectly captured the joy of this unexpected encounter.
Li Zhen exchanged a few brief pleasantries with Tang Shao, then glanced around the room and noticed several other guests still seated. Li Zhen vaguely remembered seeing some of them on television; they were renowned antique appraisal experts in the industry.
Li Zhen slowly placed the large rectangular box on the table, his movements carrying a hint of solemnity. He gently lifted the lid and gave Tang Shao an inviting look.
However, Tang Shao did not rush forward, but instead gestured to the expert beside him with his eyes. The expert understood, a gentle smile appeared on his lips, and he nodded to Li Zhen. He then reached into the box, took out a piece of calligraphy and painting, and began to examine it carefully.
Tang Shao gently picked up the antique teapot on the table and elegantly poured Li Zhen a cup of steaming tea. Then, he put down the teapot and looked at Li Zhen with a gentle yet inquisitive gaze. He slowly opened his mouth and said, "Brother, you have come to the bustling capital alone this time. I'm afraid you're not here for these mundane things."
Upon hearing this, Li Zhen laughed heartily, picked up his teacup without hesitation, tilted his head back, and drank it all in one gulp. The tea seemed to carry a subtle warmth that seeped into his heart.
"Hahaha... Young Master Tang is indeed insightful; nothing escapes your discerning eye."
He put down his teacup, his expression showing sincerity and anticipation: "This trip has a dual purpose. First, naturally, I want to present my brother with some rare treasures as a token of my appreciation; second, I am thinking of Elder Li and long to see him again so I can purchase some items from him. A friend of mine has a very successful business outside, so his demand is also quite high."
Tang Shao smiled slightly, seemingly appreciating Li Zhen's frankness. He picked up the teapot again and skillfully refilled Li Zhen's teacup with water. The aroma of tea wafted through the air, blending seamlessly with the tranquility of the room.
“Very good, very good,” he said softly. “It is quite a coincidence that I just returned from Old Master Li’s residence yesterday. I heard that they have indeed accumulated some good things over the years, and their inventory is quite abundant. If you go there now, my good brother, you may just catch a rare opportunity.”
Just then, the expert appraiser exclaimed repeatedly, "What amazing things! Truly amazing things! If these paintings were to enter the market, they would probably cause a sensation in the entire collecting world!"
Hearing the expert's exclamation, Tang Shao got up in confusion and went to the unfolded calligraphy and paintings. He picked up a magnifying glass and began to examine them carefully.