Chapter 13 - Chef's Gift

Translator: Lynn

 “…”

Long Zichen posed for a while, but the silence remained as the only response. Frustrated, he faked a couple of coughs and said angrily, “Really, it’s so embarrassing! Forget it, I’m generous enough to not care about you, kid.” He waved his hand magnanimously and added, “Now that the person who was in the way has left, let’s enjoy our meal.”

Since meeting Long Zichen, Jian Jie’s perception of the world had been repeatedly refreshed, leaving him feeling somewhat melancholic. He wondered if this mood swing was a common trait among people in the arts and literary circles. Would he eventually become like this too? The future seemed rather daunting.

Soon, Long Zichen devoured all the food on the table. Jian Jie couldn’t help but wonder if he had been deprived of proper meals for years, given his eagerness to devour every dish. After wiping his mouth, Long Zichen expressed his satisfaction, “These small sesame seed cakes are truly delicious. They’re crispy and soft, much better than the ones sold outside.” Despite devouring eight of them in one go, no one would believe him if he criticized their taste.

Jian Jie suggested, “Then why not buy a few more to take home and enjoy?”

Long Zichen’s eyes lit up immediately, and he exclaimed, “Oh, that would be embarrassing, haha! It’s a great idea to get a few more. Just don’t spend too much money, haha…”

Jian Jie called the waiter over and ordered more than a dozen packs of small sesame seed cakes to go. Pleased with how obedient Jian Jie was, Long Zichen patted him on the shoulder and said approvingly, “Very good, you have potential, and you’ve earned my goodwill. I have something for you when we return. Once the afternoon class is over, come to my office. I have a surprise for you.”

“No need, Mr. Long. I can’t accept your gift,” Jian Jie quickly declined.

“I insist. I can’t keep track of how many times I’ve treated you, after all,” Long Zichen said with a smile. “If you end up tossing and turning in bed due to the pain, resorting to smoking and drinking while cursing me at night, that wouldn’t be good. So, consider it gone.”

Jian Jie felt embarrassed and tried to explain, “Mr. Long, why would you think such things? I don’t–“

“Just kidding,” Long Zichen interrupted, still smiling. “I just couldn’t help but imagine a scene where you’re smoking and drinking… Well, it would definitely make for a thrilling plot.”

“…Mr. Long, I think it’s about time. Let’s head back now. We still have classes in the afternoon.” Faced with Long Zichen’s ever-changing rhythm, Jian Jie felt he could only choose to ignore it and respond in kind. Adaptation was key.

The afternoon class was a physical training session focused on improving the newcomers’ expressions, gestures, and body language. It aimed to enhance their personal image and temperament.

Jian Jie never expected to encounter such a challenge during the class. He struggled to perform the required facial expressions and movements, whether it was smiling charmingly or waving gracefully. The more he practiced, the worse he became. In the end, he resembled a stiff robot, leaving the teacher despairing.

“Well, you should try to figure it out on your own for now,” the teacher said with a smile before quickly walking away. He decided to regain his confidence as an educator by attending to other students.

Jian Jie stared blankly at the teacher’s sudden departure, feeling a tinge of melancholy

 in his eyes. He realized for the first time how difficult it could be to smile genuinely.

After struggling until the end of the class, as soon as the teacher stepped out of the classroom, Long Zichen called out, “Is class over? Come on, hurry up! If you don’t come, I’ll come to your place.”

Jian Jie grabbed his backpack and headed toward Long Zichen’s office.

“Ha-ha, come in. Let me show you something you might like,” Long Zichen said as he took out a black guitar case from behind the desk. He opened it and placed it on the coffee table. Jian Jie saw a wooden guitar with a beautiful golden-yellow surface, and the neck and body were ink-black. Even someone like him, who knew little about guitars, could tell it wasn’t an ordinary instrument.

Long Zichen introduced, “This is a folk guitar, and I think it suits you very well. Wooden guitars require great skill to play because even the slightest mistake is noticeable. You should practice and refine your skills on it.” Long Zichen then explained, “I bought this wooden guitar after earning money for the first time in my life, but I ended up using it only a few times. Back then, I was a newcomer just like you, touring with a group and barely making a thousand dollars. I couldn’t afford to keep it. This guitar cost me 25,000 at the time and wasn’t even available in China. It’s not suitable for a singing and dancing troupe like ours. Now, it’s great to find a new owner for it.”

How could Jian Jie possibly accept such an expensive gift? He waved his hands hurriedly, saying, “No, Mr. Long, this is way too valuable. I really can’t accept it. Just come to my place for dinner whenever you want in the future; you don’t need to give me anything.”

“Oh, don’t be so polite! Let me leave this guitar here; otherwise, it’ll just gather dust, and I have no intention of selling it. It’s meant for you to make the best use of it. Write some more great songs and shine!” Long Zichen packed the guitar and stuffed it into Jian Jie’s arms. “I am sincere, and I’ll be upset if you don’t accept it.”

Feeling helpless, Jian Jie held the guitar case, not knowing what to do. He finally suggested, “Okay, let’s go back together. You’ve been very kind, but this gift wasn’t what I asked for. Come to my place, and I’ll teach you how to practice. Of course, before that, we’ll buy some groceries. You know the deal—Jian Jie pays, and Long Zichen takes care of the cooking. It’s fair and reasonable, not taking advantage of an honest kid.”

“Seeing you not achieving anything made me want to help and give you something valuable. Don’t feel sorry about it,” Long Zichen said until they bought the vegetables and returned home, still trying to convince Jian Jie.

Long Zichen, wearing an apron, exclaimed from the kitchen’s doorstep, “Hey, why are you moving so slowly? Do you want us to use dozens of spoons of salt in our dishes? We’ll die from that!” 

Jian Jie blinked, unsure how the conversation had shifted to being “salted to death.” Wisely, he avoided mentioning the gift again. He resolved that since Long Zichen valued him so much, he would work hard on his guitar skills and write even more excellent songs.

For dinner that day, Long Zichen prepared his best Coca-Cola chicken wings. The main course was tomato and shrimp risotto, accompanied by potato soup. Every dish was delicious, leaving Jian Jie amazed once again. “Mr. Long, you’re incredible! You know so many dishes, and they all taste fantastic.”

Long Zichen replied proudly, “Of course, it doesn’t matter who I am. Just tell me what you want to eat, and I’ll figure it out. Sometimes I wonder if I was a chef in my past life. If I hadn’t pursued music, I might have become a chef at X Dongfang!”

Blushing, Jian Jie said, “…Well, maybe you’d be a renowned chef by now.”

“…Decisiveness led me to become a music director; I’m glad I didn’t have the brain to become a chef,” Long Zichen remarked, expressing his gratitude for his career path.

After dinner, Long Zichen spent some time practicing the guitar with Jian Jie, only to realize that Jian Jie didn’t actually need much guidance. He quickly got the hang of the new guitar, changing chords smoothly, and producing a flawless sound. Long Zichen couldn’t help but feel a mix of annoyance and delight. He thought, “Genius is so vexing, but at least this genius is mine!”

Please let me know if there are typos/mistakes in the chapter.

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