Starting Cultivation During a Trip

Chapter 98: Chapter 87: Young Zhang Fan! The Unrivaled Hidden Dragon

11:37 PM.

Old Town, 101 Xiangliu Street.

Old Nine Hot Pot House.

”There’s still a hot pot restaurant here?”

Zhang Fan followed his two uncles to the door, momentarily confused.

This place was just two streets away from Hongfu Garden, and although he had lived here for years, he had never noticed it. The façade seemed to belong to an old establishment, yet it was somewhat remote.

This old street was nearly deserted, with only a few elderly people; the young had long since moved away.

In the scorching days of summer, business was even quieter; upon entering and looking around, the few shabby tables were encrusted with grease, and the wooden benches seemed to have been discarded by schools, with some already missing legs.

The light bulb hung by a long wire, swinging in the air, somewhat disorienting.

For such a place to still be in business, it was nothing short of a commercial miracle.

”How about we go somewhere else, Uncle?” Zhang Fan couldn’t help but suggest.

”This place... your dad used to come here often.” Xiong Sanqi said flatly.

”My dad? Why didn’t he ever bring me here?” Zhang Fan asked curiously.

”He did bring you... but ever since you ate...”

”Cough, cough, cough...”

Xiong Sanqi hadn’t finished speaking before Liu Fusheng coughed twice.

”Ate what?” Zhang Fan pursued.

”Ate... something bad for your stomach, and after that your mom wouldn’t let you come again.” Xiong Sanqi laughed.

”Was my mom strict?” Zhang Fan asked, his memory of his mother growing increasingly vague.

”Strict... of course she was strict... everyone feared her, especially when she ate...”

”Cough, cough, cough...”

Liu Fusheng coughed twice again, facing Zhang Fan’s gaze, he chuckled awkwardly, ”Old age, too much air conditioning, my throat’s a bit uncomfortable.”

”Uncle Sanqi, what did you just say about my mom?” Zhang Fan turned to Xiong Sanqi.

”I said she... had a fierce demeanor when eating, none of us dared speak when she ate.” Xiong Sanqi chuckled dryly.

”Come on, let’s sit there.”

Saying this, Xiong Sanqi pointed to a table in the corner, leading Zhang Fan over.

Liu Fusheng trailed behind, pulling Xiong Sanqi hard.

”Is your mouth leaking information?”

”I was going to say the same to you, can you stop coughing for no reason? Why act clever? You’re not young anymore...”

Xiong Sanqi glared sharply, then walked over.

”Master Jiu, let’s order.”

Xiong Sanqi patted the table, and before long, a stooped, bald old man came out from the kitchen...

Even in the peak heat of summer, he was wearing long-sleeved black clothes, looking somewhat stuffy.

”Xiong Family kid, you’ve returned.” The bald old man walked to the table, glancing at Xiong Sanqi.

”Xiong Family?”

Zhang Fan’s heart fluttered slightly, this Uncle Sanqi’s last name is Xiong!?

”Master Jiu, it’s been years, you’re still not dead.” Xiong Sanqi grinned.

”Liu Fusheng, why did you bring this foul mouth again?” Master Jiu looked at Liu Fusheng beside him.

”Please forgive him.” Liu Fusheng chuckled awkwardly.

”And this one is...”

At that moment, Master Jiu’s gaze sharpened, looking at Zhang Fan beside him.

In this old shop, young faces like his were very rare.

”He’s Zhang Fan.”

Xiong Sanqi and Liu Fusheng exchanged glances, lowered their heads, and said quietly.

”The little rascal from Zhang Lingzong’s family!?”

In Master Jiu’s murky eyes, a light suddenly flickered brighter than the old bulb overhead.

”Hello, Grandpa Jiu.” Zhang Fan stood up, respectfully greeting him.

He could tell this old man was not just the owner but also quite familiar with his uncles, considered an elder by relation.

”Good men don’t live long, mischief-makers survive a thousand years.” Master Jiu stared fiercely at Zhang Fan, then grinned.

”Just wait, I’ll go prepare your dishes.”

”We haven’t ordered yet.” Xiong Sanqi called out to Master Jiu’s retreating back.

”No need to order, just the usual ones.”

”Uncle, was that comment about me?” Zhang Fan asked, looking puzzled.

”Don’t mind him, old age has brought dementia.”

Saying this, Xiong Sanqi pulled out bottle after bottle of Malan Mountain Erguotou from his bag, opening them, the strong smell of alcohol spreading.

”Come on, have a couple of drinks with Uncle.”

Saying this, Xiong Sanqi pushed a bottle toward Zhang Fan.

Zhang Fan curled his lips, feeling obliged to partake.

A moment later, plates of freshly cut meat appeared on the table, though it was unclear what meat it was, with a ratio of three parts fat to seven parts lean, sizzling on the iron plate with onions and leeks, the tempting aroma filling half the street.

”Uncle, what kind of meat is this? It smells great.”

Zhang Fan picked up a piece of meat, wrapped it in lettuce, dipped it in thick sauce, and ate it, the fat dripped onto the table, the succulent taste nearly melting his tongue.

He had never tasted such delightful barbecue.

”Haha, it’s just the...”

”Pork belly... pork belly...” Liu Fusheng interjected.

”Pork belly? How’s their pork belly so fragrant?”

”It’s native pig, raised in the mountains, drinking spring water, eating grains, how could it not smell divine.” Liu Fusheng casually explained.

”Come, Fan, eat more.”

As he spoke, Liu Fusheng picked up a piece of meat and placed it on Zhang Fan’s plate.

Zhang Fan couldn’t stop eating, his peripheral vision caught Master Jiu standing at the counter, his squinted eyes seeming never to have left him.

The night grew deeper, rain started pouring outside, thunder rumbled, echoing continuously.

On a midsummer night, hiding in such a small restaurant, listening to the sounds of the storm, eating meat, drinking, it had its own charm.

”Uncle Sanqi, did I meet you when I was young?” Zhang Fan asked, emboldened by the drink.

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