Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Hold Hands When It's Time
After chatting for a while, two waiters brought up the first dish.
There was also a culinary presenter on hand to explain the dish to them.
The name of the dish was "Roasted Fruits à la Provence with Jiaodong Cherries," a starter.
It was essentially red wine marinated plums and peaches, topped with a large cherry.
Wu Wei didn't really like having someone babble on while eating.
But both he and Sun Yi were dining at such a high-end restaurant for the first time and were afraid of not knowing how to eat certain dishes, which could lead to embarrassing situations.
He didn't particularly care, but Sun Yi, being a girl with a thin skin, would have felt uncomfortable if something awkward had happened, affecting the experience and atmosphere, so he didn't reject this service.
Fortunately, the culinary presenter was quite discerning and stepped away after explaining, so it wasn't too disturbing.
Although the ingredients were not expensive, the plating was exquisite and the presentation was very attractive.
After listening to the explanation, Sun Yi took out her phone and started taking pictures.
As per international custom: the phone eats first!
Wu Wei didn't take any pictures; he picked up a fork, tried a bite, and it was so sour he almost cried!
But he had to admit, it was indeed very appetizing.
Seeing Wu Wei's twisted expression, Sun Yi couldn't help but laugh, "Haha, is it that sour?"
"Hmm, you try."
Sun Yi carefully took a bite.
The next second, her pretty face also immediately put on a mask of pain.
Wu Wei couldn't help but laugh.
After finishing the appetizer, the waiters cleared their plates and then served a dessert—Hazelnut Dacquoise.
This dessert, with red on top and black on the bottom, had cherry and chocolate sauces sandwiching a hazelnut mousse, silky and rich in texture, sweet but not overpowering, both beautiful and delicious.
Even Wu Wei, who was usually indifferent to desserts, fell for it.
Sun Yi, on the other hand, was nodding incessantly as she ate, unable to resist praising, "This is the best dessert I've ever had!"
"Good to hear you like it."
Seeing Sun Yi enjoying herself made Wu Wei quite happy as well.
After the dessert, they moved on to a starter of four types of cold dishes.
Each dish was just bite-sized, and they all tasted good.
After three starters, it was time for today's main event to take the stage.
There were four dishes in total: Scallion Braised Sea Cucumber, Beef Wellington, Roasted Silver Cod, and an additional Bluefin Tuna Sashimi.
Besides the sea cucumber, the other three dishes were all new to them.
Wu Wei was initially looking forward to the latter three, but once the sea cucumber was served, he immediately changed his mind.
The size of the sea cucumber was much bigger than the one he had eaten at a yacht dinner the day before; it was about the size of his cellphone!
And the scent of scallions was continuous and irresistible.
Wu Wei immediately cut a piece and took a bite; it was smooth, springy, and thoroughly seasoned, much tastier than yesterday's.
It was no wonder this was the restaurant's signature dish.
Sun Yi, who originally didn't like sea cucumber, now relished it.
The next two main courses, the Beef Wellington, featured very tender meat with a specially made mushroom sauce that was quite flavorful.
The roasted silver cod paired with caviar was also perfectly tasty and enjoyable.
Then came the dish Wu Wei was personally most excited about—the Bluefin Tuna Sashimi.
Previously, on a small video platform, watching food vloggers eat Bluefin tuna had made him drool, and now he could finally taste the delicacy himself.
Compared to Wu Wei's excitement, Sun Yi seemed hesitant.
"Not used to eating it raw?"
Wu Wei immediately asked seeing her reaction.
"Hmm, I've never had anything raw."
Sun Yi answered, "I'm worried about getting parasites."
"Oh..."
Wu Wei was taken aback for a moment.
He had almost forgotten that Sun Yi studied medicine and was naturally apprehensive about eating raw foods.
"At this level of restaurant, there shouldn't be parasites, I guess."
Wu Wei said, "Why don't you try a piece and see if you like it? If not, you don't have to eat it."
"Okay, with something this expensive, I must give it a try."
Sun Yi nodded, adopting a determined look, "If worse comes to worst, I'll just take Praziquantel!"
"Praziquantel? What's that?"
Wu Wei looked puzzled.
"It's a deworming medicine."
As Sun Yi spoke, she picked up a slice of tuna, dipped it in soy sauce, and popped it into her mouth.
"Deworming medicine?"
Taking pride in the fact that she was a medical student, Wu Wei then looked at Sun Yi with anticipation. "How is it? Is it good?"
After chewing a few times, Sun Yi's eyes suddenly lit up.
Then, with a look of surprise and clear eyes gazing at Wu Wei, she nodded vigorously, "Delicious!"
After finishing one slice, Sun Yi immediately grabbed another and ate it, her face full of enjoyment.
Seeing Sun Yi like this, Wu Wei couldn't help but break out in a grin.
Indeed, no one could escape the so-called true fragrance principle.
Driven by hunger, Wu Wei also quickly grabbed a slice and ate it.
The fresh bluefin tuna belly was soft and fat, delicate and smooth in texture, melting in your mouth, and the flavor was incredibly fresh and tasty.
It was simply too delicious!
As Wu Wei ate, he thought to himself: Rich people really know how to enjoy themselves!
Soon, the two of them had polished off their servings of tuna.
"I think I'm starting to like this flavor."
With a hint of reluctance, Sun Yi said: "Indeed, the only drawback of expensive things is that they're expensive!"
"Haha, if you like it, then we should come here often."
Wu Wei smiled. What others saw as a disadvantage, he saw as a great advantage: "Or we could just buy a whole fish, I guarantee that'll satisfy your craving!"
Sun Yi shook her head: "No need for that, it's too expensive."
After the main courses were served, what followed was a combination of three meats and one vegetable for the table.
The two went from the individual servings of Western cuisine back to the shared mode of Chinese dining.
Wu Wei deliberately used his own chopsticks to pick up a piece of marbled beef and place it on Sun Yi's plate, eager to see her reaction.
Sun Yi didn't show any aversion and naturally ate the piece of beef after saying thanks.
Seeing this, Wu Wei felt more assured.
The meal lasted almost two hours before it was over.
After leaving the restaurant, they strolled around outside for a while.
Then they walked towards Jicheng's Qilu University.
"Wu Wei, when are you going back? Tomorrow?"
As the school gate came into view, Sun Yi glanced at Wu Wei, her eyes flickering with a hint of reluctance.
Wu Wei didn't answer but instead teased her: "Why, are you fed up with me after these two days and want me to leave soon?"
"Of course not! Don't talk nonsense," Sun Yi quickly responded.
"So you can't bear to see me leave?"
Wu Wei smiled and teased Sun Yi: "So, do you want me to stay a few more days?"
"What are you talking about?"
Hearing Wu Wei's words, Sun Yi looked down bashfully, without denying it.
"Whether or not I want you to stay, aren't you going back anyway?"
Sun Yi said with a touch of disappointment: "Besides, I have to go to the lab tomorrow, I can't hang out with you even if you don't leave."
"That's okay, we can do our own things during the day."
Wu Wei said: "In the evening, we can have dinner, take walks, go shopping, just like these past two days."
"But won't staying in Jicheng delay your things?"
Sun Yi looked at Wu Wei with some conflict.
"Not at all, I don't have to work, it's all the same to me wherever I am."
Wu Wei said, staring intently at Sun Yi: "Just tell me if you want me to stay or not, I won't leave if you don't want me to!"
Sun Yi, blushing under Wu Wei's gaze, lowered her head, and nodded slightly. Her voice was as faint as a mosquito's whisper. "Then... stay a few more days."
When he heard these words, Wu Wei's smile almost reached the back of his ears.
"Good, then I'll stay!"
Looking at Sun Yi, now too shy to lift her head, Wu Wei knew the moment was ripe.
He took a deep breath and, without any hesitation, stepped forward and took Sun Yi's hand!