Chapter 200: Are You Ready?
As soon as Ning Xiyue finished speaking, the three of them began to enjoy this special lunch.
Although it was Western food, it had been localized — a Chinese-Western fusion — so they ate quite casually, blending both dining styles.
Knives, forks, chopsticks, spoons — they switched between them freely, the main goal being to enjoy themselves.
They ate however they pleased, using whatever utensil they felt like.
Ning Qingyuan and Comrade Ji were even using chopsticks to pick up pieces of steak and pork chops, biting directly into them.
As for soup, they didn’t bother with spoons — they simply lifted the bowls and drank straight from them.
The surrounding diners were all leisurely cutting their food into neat bites, chatting and tasting little by little — savoring the atmosphere.
Only their table was seriously focused on eating — savoring the flavor rather than the ambiance.
And to be fair, the taste was quite unique.
The Chinese-style Western food suited Ning Xiyue’s palate perfectly. She even tasted a hint of mala (spicy and numbing) flavor in the borscht, so the head chef was probably from Sichuan Province — every dish had some chili and Sichuan peppercorn added.
Surprisingly, the soup was delicious — spicy, numbing, sour, and slightly sweet, an appetizing combination.
Ning Xiyue loved it.
If she were to rate this meal, she would definitely give it a five-star review.
And it wasn’t just her — the two male comrades were equally satisfied.
“Sis, I have to say, this is really good. No wonder so many people love coming here. Just being able to eat here in this lifetime makes me feel lucky,” Ning Qingyuan said, squinting his eyes in bliss as he sipped from his bowl.
Ji Yanming wiped his mouth with a napkin, chopsticks still in hand. “Next time, I’ll take you both to a Western restaurant in Beijing. The food there is excellent too — even more variety.”
“That’s great! Brother Ji, when we get a chance to go to Beijing, we’re definitely following you. We can skip all the sightseeing — but the food spots are a must!”
Ning Qingyuan, having been influenced by Ning Xiyue, had fallen in love with eating. He was powerless before good food.
Ning Xiyue took a sip of her tea and joined in the teasing, nodding quickly: “Yes, I’ve got it all noted down. Comrade Ji already promised to take us for roast duck, and now he’s saying Western food too. I’ve written everything down — just waiting for the chance to go to Beijing!”
Ji Yanming grinned widely and nodded. “Deal! I’ll take you both for sure — you’ll eat well and have a great time!”
Just then, the meal they’d ordered to bring to her older brother was ready. Ning Xiyue took out two empty lunch boxes she’d brought, and Ning Qingyuan also pulled out an aluminum container from his bag. The three of them carefully packed the food together.
They weren’t the only ones — several nearby tables were doing the same, packing up leftover soups and dishes into lunch boxes to take away. Not a bit went to waste.
It was perfectly normal; no one found it shameful.
Ning Xiyue’s group only packed the newly served dishes — everything else on their own plates was completely finished. Not a grain of rice left behind.
Leaving the restaurant, Ji Yanming again took the lead.
It was getting late, so they didn’t linger on the way. Comrade Ji even led them through shortcuts so they could reach the military hospital as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, Ning Qingzhi, bored in the hospital ward, had been staring blankly for so long that his eyes had grown weary. When he finally saw the three of them return carrying lunch, his face naturally lit up with joy.
“You’re back! How was the outing? Did you have fun?”
“Brother, we had such a great time today! The three of us worked together and beat out all those uncles and aunties to grab some cheap but high-quality items!”
As Ning Xiyue spoke, she set up the small folding table and shared the day’s funny moments.
Ning Qingyuan and Ji Yanming placed their shopping bags on the visitor’s cot, and once Ning Xiyue finished arranging the table, they began setting out the lunch one by one.
“Really? That amazing?” Ning Qingzhi listened attentively, smiling and nodding.
Ning Qingyuan chimed in, “Brother, Sis even treated us to Western food today. Look — this is what we packed for you. Eat it before it gets cold.”
“Wow, so fancy! Today I get to enjoy Western food too, thanks to my little sister.”
When Ning Qingzhi looked down at the spread on the table, he was stunned — what a feast! All kinds of meat dishes, and the fragrant soup instantly stirred his appetite. His stomach even growled aloud.
Unable to resist, he picked up the bowl and began drinking the soup, then started on this truly extraordinary lunch.
While he ate, the three others chatted about their day’s adventures, divided up their shopping spoils, and made sure their elder brother, lying in bed, could share in their happiness.
After the meal, Ning Xiyue fetched a basin of water into the ward, took out a white liquid from her bag, poured it in, stirred, and put in the sweater stained with engine oil to soak.
Ning Qingyuan watched curiously. “Sis, how long does it have to soak for the oil to come off?”
“Ten minutes at most — that’s enough for the oil to dissolve completely. Not a trace left,” Ning Xiyue said, clapping the water off her hands and standing up to wait for the chemical reaction to work.
Although Ji Yanming already knew the principle and the expected result, he still stood by, watching the basin closely — especially the gray sweater that belonged to him.
Ning Qingzhi, eating and watching the time, helped his sister count down. When ten minutes passed, he called out, “Sis, it’s been ten minutes.”
“Alright, then — the moment of truth! Let’s see if our sweater has been successfully cleaned of oil stains.”
Ning Xiyue reached into the water, lifted the sweater, and looked up at everyone with a grin.
“Are you ready?”
