Chapter 22: Sample Analysis Machine

Han Jiayi hesitated for a moment but still sat down beside Bai Renzong.

“I ate the sandwich you left behind,” Bai Renzong said. “Let me buy you this meal.”

“It was meant for you anyway,” Han Jiayi retorted with a pout, then hurried to clarify, “But I didn’t make it especially for you! It’s just that making food for one person or two isn’t much different, so I made an extra sandwich for you.”

As she spoke, she ordered from the owner, “Brother Xing, I’ll have the Hainanese chicken rice.”

After a pause, Han Jiayi smiled faintly and asked, “How did the sandwich taste?”

“It was a bit dry from sitting too long,” Bai Renzong replied blandly. Han Jiayi’s face fell, but he continued, “But it was still delicious. The sauce was particularly well made. The combination of pineapple and salad dressing is somewhat like Thousand Island dressing, but the flavor is even more intense.”

“What?!” Han Jiayi stared at Bai Renzong in astonishment. “How did you know it was pineapple?”

She was truly surprised. She had never shared this recipe with anyone; it was something she had experimented with privately. Sometimes the pineapples she bought were too sour to eat, so she tried mashing them and mixing with other sauces, similar to how lemon is used in salad dressings. After refining her method, she created this special sauce. It tasted much like Thousand Island, and most people wouldn’t notice the difference—that was her intention when she developed it.

This morning, she had found the pineapple she bought was too sour, and not wanting to waste it, she made it into this sauce.

“Well, isn’t that just the taste of pineapple?” Bai Renzong looked at her curiously. “Why do you ask?”

“Nothing…” Han Jiayi muttered, frowning.

At that moment, the owner pointed at the boiled fish dish in front of Bai Renzong and asked with a laugh, “Can you tell what ingredients are in this boiled fish?”

Without hesitation, Bai Renzong replied, “The usual—Sichuan pepper, chili, garlic, ginger, crushed peanuts, plus soy sauce, white pepper, salt, and so on…”

The owner nodded with satisfaction. After a moment’s thought, Bai Renzong added, “But there’s a unique fragrance, coming from the oil. I haven’t tasted this kind of oil before; it’s different from regular cooking oil.”

“Impressive, very impressive—you didn’t miss a thing.” The owner applauded. “We use camellia seed oil in our boiled fish. Its aroma, combined with Sichuan pepper and the fish, creates a layered fragrance. I didn’t expect you to pick up on that—you really are remarkable. You should check out the wine exhibition. Maybe you could become a high-end wine taster one day; it pays well, too.”

“I’ll definitely go,” Bai Renzong replied with a smile.

“What’s his tongue made of, anyway? Is it some kind of sample analyzer?” Han Jiayi muttered, frowning from the side.

After finishing his meal, Bai Renzong greeted the owner, “Brother Xing, I’ll pay for her Hainanese chicken rice as well. I’ll head back now.”

“Got it,” the owner replied with a smile. “Here’s your braised pork set meal.”

“I’ll be off then,” Bai Renzong said to Han Jiayi before leaving.

Only after he had walked out did Han Jiayi stick out her tongue at him, annoyed.

Just then, the owner’s wife brought Han Jiayi her Hainanese chicken rice and teased, “The two of you are already this close? Looks like you’ll be dating soon.”

“Sister Xiaoxiao, don’t joke like that,” Han Jiayi protested, cheeks puffed. “He wouldn’t be interested in me anyway—he’s so picky.”

“Is that so?” The owner’s wife grinned mischievously. “But he spoke highly of you. He said you’ve got a strong personality but you’re a good person.”

“He—he said that?” Han Jiayi was genuinely surprised. She had never been particularly nice to Bai Renzong, yet he’d said something so positive…

For some reason, she suddenly felt a bit guilty. Maybe she should treat him better in the future.

“So, what was it you wanted my help with?” the owner asked with a smile.

“I want your advice on a new set meal,” Han Jiayi said, a hint of coquettishness in her voice. “You are my mentor after all.”

“Do you really need me anymore?” The owner dropped this cryptic remark.

“?” Han Jiayi looked at him in confusion. He crossed his arms and said, “Your restaurant’s reviews have been picking up lately, haven’t they? Everyone’s giving you high marks.”

“Oh, that…” Han Jiayi fiddled with a lock of her hair, stammering. The recent set meals had all been improved based on Bai Renzong’s suggestions, but she couldn’t bring herself to say it. So she simply lowered her head and started eating.

After Bai Renzong returned home, he put the takeout in the refrigerator and began pondering the wine exhibition the owner had mentioned.

Wine tasting usually involves sampling a wine and identifying its variety, brand, and vintage. To do this, you need experience with many kinds of wine—something that’s quite expensive, a pastime for the wealthy.

This exhibition would be a good opportunity to immerse himself in wine culture and decide if it was worth investing more into. After checking the time and location, he decided to book a ticket in advance.

Just then, the door behind him swung open and Han Jiayi stepped in.

“Is something wrong?” Bai Renzong asked calmly.

“It’s just…” Han Jiayi suddenly felt awkward. She had come to apologize for being curt with him lately, but the words stuck in her throat. She glanced at his computer and, inspired, said, “Hey, you’re interested in that exhibition too? Why don’t we go together?”

“You’re interested as well?” Bai Renzong asked curiously.

“Yes, of course. Western cuisine often uses wine,” Han Jiayi replied with a gentle smile.

“…Alright,” Bai Renzong agreed. He wasn’t sure why her attitude had changed, but with someone accompanying him, she could help him take photos and videos—much better than handling everything alone.

“It’s settled then.” Han Jiayi breathed a sigh of relief. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words.

Afterward, Bai Renzong organized his notes about “Ge’an Sushi Restaurant” and edited a short video for scheduled release. The video was mostly audio, text, and images, only five minutes long, so it was simple work. Before nightfall, he had finished the editing.

With the video done, Bai Renzong headed downstairs to reheat the braised pork set meal he’d brought home for lunch, but as soon as he entered the kitchen, he saw Han Jiayi busy at work.

She clearly had years of experience here; she moved about the kitchen with practiced ease.

Wearing an apron, she looked especially gentle and virtuous, exuding the warmth of a homemaker. Her skills—chopping, stir-frying, flipping the wok—were all proficient, displaying a calm confidence.

She was beautiful as always, but tonight she was not only beautiful, but also had a dash of charisma.

Unconsciously, Bai Renzong found himself captivated by her as she cooked, standing at the foot of the stairs watching her quietly.

Only when Han Jiayi finished a dish and began plating it did Bai Renzong snap out of his daze.