CH 50

The expansion and renovation of the Three Thousand Food House lasted for half a month. During this period, Zhuo Long also returned. On the afternoon of his return, the entire TongTong internet suddenly exploded with the scandal of the Time-Space Orphanage. Shocking surveillance footage emerged, revealing the true faces of the orphanage’s director, principal, and even security guards committing obscene acts with young girls.

These videos were posted by anonymous users and spread rapidly throughout the Three Thousand World. Some people initially expressed doubts, considering the orphanage’s previous good reputation. Could these videos be fake? However, a few hours later, the official Time-Space Management Bureau confirmed the authenticity of the videos and initiated an investigation into the Time-Space Orphanage. The news went viral, and countless netizens were furious. They flooded the accounts of the orphanage’s staff, including the director and principal, with harsh criticisms. The same people who used to trust them now loathed them.

Filled with remorse, numerous netizens began to confess their guilt towards the children of the Time-Space Orphanage:

【”I apologize to the heroes who died on the Time-Space battlefield. They sacrificed their lives for the safety of the Three Thousand World, but we, the protected ones, couldn’t even take care of their children. I feel ashamed.”】

【”I can’t face them either! Watching these surveillance videos, I feel so uncomfortable. How could I have praised the Time-Space Orphanage in the past, not knowing the torment these children were going through!”】

【”My heart aches at the thought of what these children have experienced!”】

【”We are all sinners! We failed to see through their hypocritical masks and instead pushed these children into the abyss!”】

【”Ah, please, give me a chance to repent, Time-Space Management Bureau! I’m willing to donate money or volunteer!”】

【”Agreed! It’s too distressing! These poor children! I urgently want to do something for them!”】

….

Of course, Bai Xianzhi saw this huge news as well. He was shocked by the darkness of the Time-Space Orphanage and immediately thought of Zhuo Long, who came from there. He quickly found Zhuo Long, who was actively helping to supervise.

“Zhuo Long, have you been online?” Bai Xianzhi asked with concern, looking at the young man. Under his gaze, Zhuo Long flicked his TongTong device, and the screen showed the scandal of the Time-Space Orphanage. He smiled faintly and said, “Boss, I’m fine, no need to worry.”

Since Zhuo Long said so, Bai Xianzhi left, but as he turned away, a sudden thought struck him, and he turned back in shock to ask, “It’s not you, right?”

“Did you release the surveillance videos?”

Because there were workers nearby, Bai Xianzhi’s question was ambiguous, but Zhuo Long instantly understood. A smile he couldn’t suppress appeared on his face, and he nodded firmly, saying, “Yes, it was me. I released the videos.”

Bai Xianzhi left in a daze, opening the door on the mirrored space on the wall. He looked at the Huaguo workers who were renovating, still unable to recover from the shock of the incident that unfolded while the children from the shop were on a half-month leave.

A worker approached and asked, “Boss, do you want to replace this door?”

Bai Xianzhi looked at the old rolling shutter door and shook his head, asking, “How’s the tiling on the wall?”

The worker replied, “It’s almost done. We’ll finish today. But, boss, if you want to do business, this door, though not broken, is not a good sign being so old. Why not get a new one? I have the latest automatic rolling shutter doors here…”

Bai Xianzhi waved his hand, saying, “No need, thank you.”

“Alright then, boss. If you ever want to change the door, just let me know!”

Bai Xianzhi nodded, “Sure.”

The worker left, and as Bai Xianzhi looked at the small shop before him, he couldn’t help but feel emotional. In fact, this small shop was just one of the shops behind the Three Thousand Food House. The landlord was Liu Qingshan, and after discussing with him, Liu Qingshan readily leased this shop to Bai Xianzhi. He even agreed to have a door opened in the wall between the two shops.

On the other side of the door was the original Three Thousand Food House, which had now undergone significant changes. With the spatial overlapping device and the renovation, the area of the Three Thousand Food House had more than tripled. The overall design had a classical style, giving a sense of grandeur and stability. The tabletops featured buttons for ordering and paying, adding a pleasant surprise for the customers.

This button was suggested by Tu Linlin. He said that for timid individuals like him from certain races, ordering and paying always make them feel very nervous. Speaking softly might make it difficult for the waiters to hear, leading to awkward situations, while speaking loudly might draw unwanted attention. So, he proposed having a button that can be pressed for ordering and paying.

In the future, this area will serve as the exclusive reception place for Three Thousand Food House customers. On the other side of the door is a space similar in size and layout to the original Three Thousand Food House. The decoration style here also remains consistent with the other side, and this area will serve as the reception place for customers from Huaguo (China). The two sides also have separate kitchens. One is responsible for Three Thousand World cuisine, and the other naturally handles Huaguo cuisine. As preserving fresh vegetables is quite challenging, currently, both sides share a small room to store ingredients.

The only potential problem is that when fetching ingredients, there might be a risk of exposure. However, currently, they haven’t hired anyone for the Huaguo side, so this is not an issue.

….

The renovation is almost complete, and with a few days left before the grand opening, Bai Xianzhi visited his master’s home. His master is not from S City, and neither is his home; it’s in A City. After getting off the plane, carrying bags of gifts and a box of something he made himself, Bai Xianzhi arrived at his master’s door and knocked.

“Coming.”

The door opened from the inside, revealing a young man with purple hair. When he saw Bai Xianzhi, he clicked his tongue and shouted into the house, “Old man, your disciple is here!”

Bai Xianzhi recognized him; he was his master’s grandson, Jiang Chao.

After speaking, Jiang Chao didn’t pay any attention to Bai Xianzhi and turned around, entering his own room and slamming the door shut. Bai Xianzhi waited at the door for a while. He saw the left door of the room where Jiang Chao went in move, and the door opened.

The elderly man walked unsteadily, with white hair covering his head, and his face showed undeniable exhaustion. He was carefully leaning on a cane while walking towards the door. He was none other than Bai Xianzhi’s master, Jiang Zhenhuang.

Bai Xianzhi was startled by his master’s frail appearance and quickly went forward to support him, asking with concern, “Master, what happened? We were only separated for a year, and you…?”

At this moment, Jiang Chao also came out of the room and supported the elderly man from the other side. He said angrily, “Why are you asking why? Isn’t it because of cooking? The old man doesn’t accept aging and still wants to handle the pots. As a result, the pot didn’t flip, but he fell.”

Bai Xianzhi’s master hurriedly said, “No, no, don’t listen to Xiao Chao. I just slipped on the floor, and it has nothing to do with flipping the pot.”

Jiang Chao was exasperated on the side, “Exactly! You have always loved cooking your whole life. That’s fine, but now you’re old. Can’t you rest properly? Can’t you go for a walk or play chess outside? You’re always fiddling in the kitchen, and it led to you falling!”

Bai Xianzhi’s master looked embarrassed.

Together with Jiang Chao, they helped the elderly man sit on the sofa. Bai Xianzhi looked at his master’s legs and asked, “Is it serious? What did the doctor say?”

Jiang Chao, who had calmed down, spoke, “It’s not too serious. He didn’t fall heavily, but because he’s older, his recovery ability is weaker. His leg still hurts a bit, and the doctor said he might experience discomfort on rainy days.”

Bai Xianzhi’s master also stretched his leg, trying to show that he didn’t have much of a problem.

Bai Xianzhi felt a little distressed. He carefully learned about his master’s condition and finally handed the gifts to his master. He then took out the pastries he made and said, “I know that Master likes to eat mung bean cake, so I specially made this for you. I replaced the sugar with xylitol, so you can enjoy it even if you have diabetes.”

Taking the mung bean cake and putting a piece in his mouth, Jiang Zhenhuang closed his eyes and chewed before exclaiming, “It’s great! Xianzhi’s culinary skills are getting better. The mung bean filling is smooth and without impurities, sweet but not greasy, delicious!”

Being praised by his master made Bai Xianzhi happy. Jiang Chao, who was watching nearby, felt tempted. There weren’t many things that his grandfather praised as delicious, so he also picked up a piece of mung bean cake and tried it. Indeed, it was delicious. Because his grandfather was a chef, his taste buds had been picky since childhood. The commercially-produced mung bean cakes were too greasy for him, but this one was just right.

After finishing a piece, he wanted to get another, but his grandfather swatted his hand away. Jiang Zhenhuang glared at his grandson and said, “This was made by Xianzhi for me!”

“There’s such a big box, can you finish it all?” Jiang Chao covered his hand and glanced at the box that had five or six layers of mung bean cakes.

Jiang Zhenhuang snorted, “I’ll put it in the refrigerator and eat it slowly. If you want to eat, you can make it yourself!”

Jiang Chao rolled his eyes. He had tried to make him learn cooking before, but he refused!

Jiang Chao went back to his room, and Bai Xianzhi chatted with his master a bit more. He noticed that his master seemed tired, so he bid farewell and left.

He stayed in A City for two days, spending time with his master, discussing culinary insights, and reuniting as teacher and disciple. On the fourth day, Bai Xianzhi boarded a plane back to S City. Three Thousand Food House was about to open.

….

After seeing Bai Xianzhi off, Jiang Zhenhuang walked around the neighborhood downstairs with his cane. Just as he returned home, Jiang Chao anxiously said, “Grandpa, why can’t you sit still? The doctor said you need to rest during this period and not walk too much. You still went for a walk. Are you trying to paralyze yourself?!”

At this time, Jiang Chao’s parents also returned and hurriedly asked, “What happened, Xiao Chao?”

Jiang Chao immediately told them about his grandpa going downstairs against medical advice. The three of them then jointly criticized the old man for not taking care of his health.

Jiang Zhenhuang felt a headache listening to them. He waved his hand to interrupt their words, took two steps in the room, and said, “Look, my legs don’t hurt as much these days, and it’s much smoother when I walk compared to before!”

The three of them quickly looked and indeed found that their father/grandfather looked much better than before when he was shivering and unsteady. Though he couldn’t walk as agilely as before, he looked much better than a few days ago.

“Really? Grandpa, you’re not pretending, are you?” Jiang Chao asked.

Jiang Zhenhuang glared at his grandson, “Do you think I’m still a young man? I need to be strong to pretend!”

That makes sense. A few days ago, when his legs were hurting, his grandpa didn’t even want to step on the floor. It has only been a few days, and if it wasn’t for real improvement, he wouldn’t have the strength to pretend.

At this moment, Jiang Chao’s father was already happily crouching down to touch his dad’s legs, feeling the joints. He raised his head and asked, “Dad, do your legs still hurt?”

The old man smiled and said, “They hurt a bit when you press them, but I don’t feel anything if you don’t.”

“Is it true or not?” Jiang Chao also rushed over to press his grandpa’s leg, also taking a look at his grandpa’s expression. In the end, he came to a conclusion: his grandpa’s leg had indeed improved!

“This is so miraculous! Just a few days ago, my grandpa’s legs seemed quite severe. How did they suddenly improve so much today?”

Voicing his doubts, Jiang Chao and the other two anxiously waited for the old man’s answer. The three juniors looked at him, and Jiang Zhenhuang felt a bit embarrassed. His face turned red, but luckily, his dark skin hid it well. After thinking for a moment, he said, “…Maybe it’s because Xianzhi came and had a good chat with me about culinary matters. My mood improved, and my legs followed suit.”

In truth, when Jiang Zhenhuang began speaking, he wasn’t sure what to say. But as the words came out, he felt more and more convinced that it was true! He was acutely aware that the day his leg pain began to ease was the night Xianzhi arrived. He ate another piece of green bean cake before going to bed, prepared for another night of tossing and turning. However, unexpectedly, he fell asleep not long after lying down and woke up after sleeping until past six in the morning. To his surprise, his legs felt much better compared to the day before!

The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became. He got so excited that he slapped the table and exclaimed, “That’s it! Xianzhi came, and my mood improved, and then my legs got better. No wonder there are so many psychologists abroad; it turns out they can really treat illnesses!”

Jiang Chao and the others: “…”

What kind of reasoning is this?

The key point is that psychologists abroad treat mental illnesses, not leg pain!

However, no matter how the three of them tried to explain, the old man firmly held onto his belief. He insisted that it was Xianzhi’s presence that improved his mood and, in turn, his legs. The three juniors were exhausted and in the end gave up arguing. They figured that if the improvement in his legs is a good thing, then let him think whatever he wants!

….

Three Thousand Food House has officially opened for business!

After enduring half a month of anticipation, the loyal fans of Three Thousand World couldn’t wait to spread the news far and wide. They wanted to share this exciting event with the entire Three Thousand World. What thrilled them the most was that Three Thousand Food House had finally expanded its reservation capacity to one thousand people! As soon as the reservation channel opened, all one thousand slots were snatched up within two hours, showcasing the immense popularity of Three Thousand Food House.

A fortunate young Crane Clan man named Wen Ze, who managed to secure a reservation, couldn’t contain his excitement and transformed into his original form to sing joyously by a nearby pond. His grandmother rushed out and scolded him, “You’re going to die! What are you howling for?”

Wen Ze quickly stopped and eagerly said to his grandmother, “Grandma, it’s been half a month, and I can finally eat at Three Thousand Food House tomorrow!”

His grandmother frowned, “You’re going out to eat tomorrow? But it’s your sister’s birthday, and we have to celebrate at home with the four of us.”

Slapping his forehead, Wen Ze calmed down and suggested, “How about we celebrate at Three Thousand Food House as a family? I’m sure my sister will enjoy the delicious food there.”

“But your sister’s condition, and there will be so many people at Three Thousand Food House…”

Wen Ze’s sister had a psychological disorder since birth. She was afraid of interacting with strangers and crowds. Apart from speaking a few words to her family members, she couldn’t speak a word outside. When pushed too far, she would cry and go into a frenzy.

Wen Ze pondered for a moment and said, “Let me message the boss and see if there’s a solution.”

Meanwhile, Bai Xianzhi was checking the reservation situation. All one thousand slots were taken in no time, and he realized that his current capacity was still too small. He would have to expand further once his apprentices were fully trained. At that moment, he noticed a message from a user named ‘Little Crane Doesn’t Eat Fish.’ After reading the message, he promptly replied:

【Hello, are you Mr. ‘Little Crane Doesn’t Eat Fish’? We are aware of your sister’s situation, and we have prepared a private room for you and your family tomorrow.】

“Wow! Grandma, Three Thousand Food House replied to me!”

Holding his communication device, Wen Ze excitedly read the manager’s response out loud to his grandmother. After finishing, he exclaimed, “We can take my sister to Three Thousand Food House for a meal!”

He then picked up his small and quiet sister, spinning with joy, “Sister, tomorrow, I’ll take you to eat delicious food!”

The next day, Wen Ze’s family arrived early at Three Thousand Food House. They didn’t want to encounter too many people and frighten his sister. As they appeared, Bai Xianzhi recognized the quiet little girl right away. He approached them and asked, “Are you Mr. ‘Little Crane Doesn’t Eat Fish’?”

Embarrassed by being called by his online username, Wen Ze nodded shyly, “Yes, that’s me.”

Bai Xianzhi smiled gently, “Please come in. The private room is ready for you.”

Wen Ze’s family followed Bai Xianzhi into Three Thousand Food House. He was amazed by the new environment, which was entirely different!

Although he wasn’t familiar with this eastern antique style, it didn’t hinder him from appreciating the elegance and grandeur it exuded.

Soon, they reached the private room, and the four of them took their seats. Bai Xianzhi handed them a bamboo menu and pointed to the wooden wine jar on the table, “To order, add dishes, or pay the bill, please press this wine jar. Our staff will assist you.”

After explaining, he left the room. Wen Ze’s family marveled at the decoration inside the private room. They found it exceptionally beautiful!

Unable to control their excitement, Wen Ze and his parents took out their communication devices and started capturing the sights. The ancient wooden door covered in paper pulp, landscape paintings on the walls, dark wooden square table, intricately carved chairs depicting flowers, birds, insects, and fish, as well as the exquisite and dignified wooden bronze wine jar on the table…

The three of them took pictures enthusiastically, increasingly enamored by the charm of the eastern antique style. They became so absorbed in taking pictures that they forgot to order food. The little girl sitting quietly on the side took in her surroundings and, after a while, shifted her attention to the wine jar on her right. Carefully and decisively, she reached out her hand and gently pressed it. Instantly, a melodious sound filled the private room, and a child’s gentle voice came from a small hole on the table, “Hello, dear guest. Our staff is coming; please wait a moment.”

The three were instantly drawn back to attention. Looking at the wine jar and then at the source of the sound, Wen Ze couldn’t help but exclaim, “This…is amazing!”

Many people who shared the same sentiment as Wen Ze marveled at Three Thousand Food House’s reopening. Originally, people came just for a meal, but they were immediately impressed by the novel and elegant environment, thoughtful and considerate service, and the beautifully presented dishes. All these elements pleasantly surprised the people of Three Thousand World.

In the past, there were people who complained about Three Thousand Food House’s environment, but now, no one could utter such words. The current environment was simply outstanding, far beyond their expectations!

Among the diners were many women, some of them being fans of Xiao Long. When they saw the newly transformed Three Thousand Food House and heard their son’s or boyfriend’s voice after pressing the wine jar, these women were so excited that they almost fainted! They had come for a meal, but unexpectedly, they could hear their son’s/little boyfriend’s voice, which was simply too delightful!

….

After the meal, Wen Ze’s family was preparing to leave. Bai Xianzhi appeared once again, holding a simplified version of the wine jar with rounded edges, which he presented to the little girl. The girl’s eyes were drawn entirely to the wine jar as she received it, her hands gently and repeatedly touching it. Wen Ze, seeing how much she loved it, felt touched. He thanked the manager, “Thank you, the gift is greatly appreciated by my sister!”

Bai Xianzhi smiled, “You’re welcome. It’s a small gift for the child. I’m glad she likes it. Take care, and you’re welcome to visit us again.”

Wen Ze nodded, “We will, for sure!”

On their way back home, Wen Ze couldn’t wait to share the pictures he had taken today on his social media account, along with his thoughts.

—–

The author has something to say: I’m sorry! I’m sorry! It’s late! The morning was a bit slow, so I was late~ Bowing~

Thanks to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated nutrient solution between 2020080618:05:13 and 2020080715:36:58~

Thanks to the little angels who planted landmines: 267685034 times;

Thanks to the little angels who irrigated nutrient solution: 10 bottles of pickled vegetables, 8 bottles from Dian Dian Cat, 6 bottles from Morning Light Snow and Sheng Shi, 5 bottles from 3039366 and Shen Fan Fan, and 1 bottle from I Give Daochang Hubi Water and Xiao Xiao Xi.

Thank you all very much for your support! I will continue to work hard!

1TL: YSIAD “You can support me if you like my translations by leaving a comment below, or by sending me a Ko-fi. Thank you ”