Chen Kai was originally just going to pass by and check out the Mega Evolution before heading home, but Zhao Jie insisted he stay for dinner at the Research Institute.
Chen Kai didn't want to stay, but Miraidon heard Zhao Jie say that the Dacheng Research Institute had a new Sichuan cuisine master, an elderly man who was retired and had nothing to do, so he came to the Research Institute to cook.
"Xiao Kai, I haven't tried Sichuan cuisine yet," Miraidon said.
As a true 'Jing Ye,' Chen Kai wasn't very good with spicy food. He advised, "Sichuan cuisine is very spicy; we won't be used to it. How about we go home instead?"
"Very spicy?" It was fine until Chen Kai mentioned 'spicy'; then Miraidon thought of spicy seasonings and became even more excited.
"How about we occasionally eat out?"
Zhao Jie noticed Chen Kai's hesitation and suggested, "I'm not very good with spicy food either. We can ask the master to make it mildly spicy."
"Xiao Kai! It can be mildly spicy!" Miraidon immediately transmitted to Chen Kai upon hearing this.
Chen Kai sighed, "Sichuan cuisine, is there any for Pokemon?"
"Of course there is," Zhao Jie said without hesitation.
This is the Pokémon world; there must be special Sichuan cuisine for Pokemon.
Chen Kai said helplessly, "Alright, but I'm telling you beforehand, my Pokemon can eat a lot!"
Zhao Jie patted Chen Kai's shoulder, "Relax, the Research Institute's cafeteria isn't paid for by me, hahaha."
Chen Kai complained, "You're really a competent director..."
Afterward, Chen Kai and Xiao Mei performed data recording again.
"You guys..." Zhao Mingzhu frowned as she looked at the data.
This made Chen Kai and Xiao Mei nervous. "What's wrong?"
"Your improvement speed is a bit fast! How long has it been? Xiao Mei's energy level has increased by several tiers again," Zhao Mingzhu said with emotion.
Chen Kai and Xiao Mei both breathed a sigh of relief. "Phew, I thought it was something serious; you scared me."
Xiao Mei replied unceremoniously:
"Dragon~" (I'm very strong, so this is to be expected!)
Zhao Jie said with a smile, "Alright, it's about time. Shall we go to the cafeteria for dinner?"
"Gaaah!" Miraidon cried out happily!
The Research Institute's chef was named Lin; everyone called him Lin.
Lin had gray hair and wrinkles etched by time on his face, but his eyes were still bright and full of passion for cooking. He wore a faded but clean apron that he had used for decades, skillfully moving between the stoves in the kitchen.
Beside him were several Pokemon: Kingambit and Simisear.
"Thank you, Lin!" Zhao Jie greeted him with a smile.
"No problem!" Lin rolled up his sleeves, ready to start.
On the cafeteria's stove, various fresh ingredients were laid out: fiery red chilies, vibrant green vegetables, and tender meats, all seemingly waiting for Lin's magical touch.
Kingambit's forehead blade swung, slicing vegetables cleanly and efficiently, producing sounds like a beautiful melody. The potato shreds he cut were uniform, like silver threads; the bamboo shoot slices were as thin as cicada wings, exuding a fresh color.
Simisear helped with the wok and hot oil. With a "sizzle," the ingredients went into the pan, and a fragrance instantly filled the air. Lin's spatula flew up and down, stir-frying skillfully.
He deeply understood the essence of Sichuan cuisine's "hundred dishes, hundred flavors" and seasoned with incredible precision. A spoonful of Pixian bean paste released a rich, savory aroma, and a sprinkle of Sichuan peppercorns provided a perfectly balanced numbing sensation that stimulated the taste buds.
Soon, a series of classic Sichuan dishes were freshly prepared. The bright red Twice-Cooked Pork was fatty but not greasy, with a rich, savory flavor; the Mapo Tofu was garnished with green scallions, glistening with red oil, and the tofu was so tender it seemed it could break with a touch, melting in the mouth with a spicy, numbing, and fresh taste.
Several researchers who hadn't left work yet gathered around the dining table in the Research Institute, eating with relish and praising the food.
Chen Kai couldn't help but exclaim that a master was indeed a master, truly extravagant, with Kingambit cutting vegetables and Pansear handling the fire.
However, he didn't stop his chopsticks, picking up a piece of tofu to taste. The fire from Pansear's cooking was indeed different, very fragrant.
Miraidon and the Hydrabbles had long been unable to contain themselves. The seven Hydrapple siblings almost fought over the food.
Chen Kai and Big Boss barely managed to pull them apart, giving each snake Pokemon its own separate bowl.
"Hahahahaha." Zhao Jie watched from the side, laughing heartily.
Throughout the cafeteria, everyone forgot the fatigue of work, and laughter intertwined into a beautiful symphony.
The security guard also got a meal and went back to his post at the gate, but he looked at Yelena, who was still waiting, and advised:
"Little girl, don't wait any longer. It's already dark; hurry home."
Yelena glanced at the security guard and said nothing more, taking out a small Dacheng Garden cake she had just bought from the convenience store and sharing it with Dewott.
Doublade didn't eat such things and could only watch.
Fortunately, the evening breeze in Da City at the end of September was not cold, and Yelena and Dewott could still endure it, but she couldn't help but complain in her heart:
"Damn Chen Kai, he stays home for a whole day, then runs out for a whole day, and he's nowhere to be seen!"
The evening breeze blew and blew, reaching an old house not far away.
"It smells so good, the food outside." Among the people from the Southern Kingdom, a fat man with a fleshy face was deeply attracted by the aroma from the window.
"Fei Zhu, be quiet. Can't you see the master is still meditating?" The short man patted 'Fei Zhu' and said sternly.
"But 'Weisuo Fu,' it really smells good! How long do we have to wait?" Fei Zhu patted his stomach, saying unhappily.
The group of people around also felt a bit hungry and were in low spirits.
The short man, known in the martial arts world as 'Weisuo Fu,' was about to retort to Fei Zhu when Master Poomimpon opened his eyes:
"Alright, it's dark. Let's get ready to go. First, we'll scout the area and make preparations."
This group of people, who had been sitting listlessly in twos and threes, instantly perked up upon hearing this and surged out the door in a disorderly fashion.
Only Fei Zhu remained fixated on dinner: "When are we eating dinner?"
Master Poomimpon, supported by Alakazam's Confusion, floated in mid-air. He cast a sinister glance at Fei Zhu before walking out the door.
He had originally intended to act later, but this damned Fei Zhu had been complaining for half the day, lowering the team's morale, which forced him to act earlier.
Weisuo Fu knew Fei Zhu had displeased Master Poomimpon, so he jumped up and slapped Fei Zhu's head: "Eat, eat, eat! Eat your big head! Hurry up and catch up."
"Oh! Oh!" Fei Zhu waddled to catch up with the others.
Poomimpon led his group on a wide circle from a distance and found that the entire Dacheng Research Institute had only one main gate and one closed back gate.
However, the number of gates didn't matter to him; he said confidently:
"Hmph, what's the use of a security guard? Alakazam, Teleport. Ow!"
Alakazam fell to the ground in a confused heap, and Poomimpon also landed on his backside.
"Are you alright?" Weisuo Fu tried to help him up.
"MD, there's a Dark-type energy barrier!" Poomimpon cursed, then kicked Weisuo Fu.
"You guys go! Charge in through the main gate!"