```
"Tofu is not just some commoners' food."
"This ancient ingredient's origins can be traced back to the 2nd century BC. It is said to have been invented by King Liu An of Huainan, the grandson of Han Gaozu Liu Bang."
"However, at that time, tofu was still very rough and didn't taste good. It wasn't considered a good cooking ingredient and didn't become mainstream. During the Tang and Song periods, tofu became a food eaten by everyone, from emperors to commoners. You Neon people believe that Jianzhen of the Tang Dynasty is the patriarch of Neon tofu. This perspective isn't wrong, as Jianzhen carried many techniques to you during his East Crossing..."
With a casual tone, Xia Yu spoke about the history of tofu.
There was no need to worry about being exposed. Xia Yu had thoroughly studied the history of this world. Before modern times, the histories of the two worlds almost perfectly matched, with only different developmental branches in modern times.
Color, aroma, taste, meaning, shape, nourishment.
Among them, 'meaning' refers to the cultural connotation of cuisine.
Xia Yu didn't care if the Divine Tongue was listening or not. He leisurely grabbed a handful of chopped cilantro and sprinkled it over the two bowls of tofu pudding.
"Here, enjoy!"
Pushing the bowl forward, Xia Yu made a gesture of invitation and then smiled, "In the future, please never say again that tofu is a commoners' dish. In my view, there is no hierarchy in cuisine. The original purpose of making food is to fill the stomach. Only on that basis can one talk about taste, color, and presentation."
Tiqie Helinai was taken aback.
Xia Yu was smiling as he spoke, but she inexplicably sensed his seriousness.
A string of sarcastic remarks got stuck in her throat. Tiqie Helinai pursed her lips, not even glancing at the tofu pudding on the table, using her actions to express her firm attitude.
"Really not going to eat?" Xia Yu asked amusedly.
"Not eating!"
"Alright then..."
Xia Yu didn't persuade her further or force-feed her. He picked up a small spoon and started eating.
"Mmm, delicious, still that heartwarming flavor," Xia Yu muttered to himself, quickly finishing half a bowl.
The Divine Tongue sniffed the aroma in the air, feeling her mouth water faster. Chefs have an unusually keen sense of smell, which only increased Tiqie Helinai's irritation.
"Is that sweet taste from brown sugar water?"
"The beany flavor of the tofu is so rich..."
"Why does the cilantro completely enhance the dish's flavor?"
Her professional instincts kicked in. Tiqie Helinai subconsciously bit her thumbnail, a complex expression on her face.
Knock, knock.
At this moment, there was a sudden knocking sound on the half-open door of the shop.
"Hey, is anyone home?"
"Yu, are you there? It's your sister Mu Xiaoyue!"
Hearing the voice, Xia Yu knew immediately who it was. He swallowed the tofu pudding in his mouth, "I'm here, come right in."
Thus, the two Chinese young women he met yesterday lifted the gray curtain at the shop entrance and walked in.
Mu Xiaoyue was the famous food blogger whose food travelogue she posted overnight was so powerful that it sparked cravings among many fans. So today, Xia Yu woke up to a bounty of over 200 Fame Points.
Speaking of which, Mu Xiaoyue also paid the bill last night. That gourmet soft article, oh no, food article, was practically free advertising for Xia's Restaurant.
"Hmm..."
As soon as Mu Xiaoyue entered, her nose twitched. Following the faint scent in the air like a puppet, she walked straight to the counter and stared at the untouched tofu pudding, her eyes sparkling. "Wow, tofu pudding, did you make this?"
"Yes, breakfast," Xia Yu nodded.
"Can I have it? It seems you've already eaten a bowl, you should be full by now." Mu Xiaoyue asked expectantly, her clear big eyes and cute outfit and appearance making her look like a little girl asking for candy.
In the corner of the shop, Tiqie Helinai perked up her ears, as if sensing a rival.
"Sure thing!"
Xia Yu casually said, "A bowl of tofu pudding is just a snack, nothing much. Soon it will be lunchtime. I'll definitely make a few dishes to properly thank you."
"Let's talk about thanks after I finish this bowl of tofu pudding!"
Upon hearing this, Mu Xiaoyue was not polite at all. She reached out to request two clean spoons from Xia Yu, handing one to her friend standing beside her, a cute smile revealing dimples, "Xiao Ya, let's eat together!"
Each took a spoonful of the snow-white tofu mixed with brown sugar water into their mouths. What followed were wonderful expressions.
At the counter, Xia Yu watched the changing expressions of the two young Chinese ladies, finding it very interesting. Especially Mu Xiaoyue, who ate while using various professional terms to express her appreciation.
"Tofu pudding!"
"What variety of soybeans is this tofu pudding made from? It's so rich. If I could have soy milk made from these soybeans for breakfast every day, that would be happiness!"
Unknowingly, a bowl of tofu pudding was finished. Mu Xiaoyue put down the spoon, staring at him intently.
"As expected of a famous food blogger!" Xia Yu praised, giving her a thumbs up. "The soul of this tofu pudding is indeed in the tofu pudding itself, or rather, the soybeans used to make it."
"But unfortunately, the soybeans we use for making tofu and tofu pudding aren't anything special. You can buy them at the storefront outside." Xia Yu said this, intentionally leaving a bit of mystery.
He inwardly apologized to the old man.
This tofu pudding was actually a skill he secretly learned from the old man. After previously being astonished by the tofu pudding, Xia Yu pondered and studied for quite a while before finally using the God of Cooking System's ingredient identification feature to understand the secret of tofu pudding.
Mu Xiaoyue found a chair to sit down and shot a strange glance at Tiqie Helinai before no longer caring about the angel-faced young girl, pointing to the wall on the left, "Where is the menu?"
"This morning, Xiao Ya and I purposely kept our stomachs empty, intending to come here to taste authentic Chinese cuisine."
Xia Yu's mouth twitched as he coughed, "Our shop isn't open yet. When it opens, we'll hang up the sign with the twelve dishes we're serving that day on the wall for customers to choose from."
"Not open yet?" Mu Xiaoyue widened her eyes. "It's almost noon now, isn't it?"
"Regular business hours are from 6 PM to 4 AM the next day, for a total of ten hours."
"..."
"I can understand business from 6 PM till late, but what's up with being open until 4 AM... After midnight, do people really come to this remote place and spend big money on Chinese cuisine?" Mu Xiaoyue looked utterly bewildered.
"This was the business hours set by the old man, it's been this way for over a decade, and I don't plan to change it, it's quite nice."
Xia Yu spoke the absolute truth.
The small restaurant wasn't accustomed to doing daytime business. These days, Xia Yu considered whether he should change the operating hours after inheriting the shop.
However, considering that after the spring break he'd start high school and spend most of the day in school, Xia Yu decided not to change the business hours. It was quite nice as it is.
```