Chapter 169: Celestial Abode

September brought crisp autumn air and the lingering fragrance of sweet osmanthus.

"Nectar wine, intoxicating immortals;
Five-flavor dishes, satisfying the appetite;
Jade Spring rice, strengthening bones and muscles;
If guests ask where, it's a dwelling in heaven."

Children with hair tied in tufts clapped their hands and chanted the catchy rhyme as they played through the bustling streets and alleys.

A curious passerby stopped in his tracks. "Little girl, what are you reciting there?"

The little girl stared at him with wide eyes and shook her head, just about to answer when a voice called out from the mouth of the alley, "Eryas, Eryas, get back here right now, you naughty girl! All you know how to do all day is play, not even helping your mother with chores!"

The little girl waved her hand and continued running, singing as she went, "Nectar wine, intoxicating immortals; five-flavor dishes, satisfying the appetite..."

If guests ask where, it's a dwelling in heaven.
A dwelling in heaven?
What kind of place was this "Dwelling in Heaven"?
The passerby touched his short chin beard, pondering and shaking his head as he walked away.

The nursery rhyme spread all across Wucheng, echoing for days on end, until today, when the mystery was finally unveiled for everyone to see.

South Street was a scene of jubilation today, with the beating of gongs and drums, and dragon and lion dances creating a lively spectacle that drew a crowd stretching half the length of the street.

As they followed the procession to the former Changsheng Restaurant, everyone realized that the establishment, which had been closed for nearly a year, was actually reopening. Manager Liu was still at the helm, dressed in a well-fitted blue robe, looking energetic and beaming as he cupped his hands in greeting to the neighbors.

"Manager Liu, where have you been all this time? We thought you had given up the business and gone off to enjoy a life of leisure."

"Haha, not at all, not at all! I was just taking a little time to renovate. And look, we're reopening now! I must rely on the blessings of all you brothers and neighbors to patronize and support us from now on."

"Of course, of course! Since it's just a reopening, surely even the shop's name hasn't changed?"

The speaker pointed toward the plaque covered with a red silk cloth, drawing everyone's gaze upward. In the restaurant trade, everyone knew that a mere reopening did not require unveiling a new plaque.

Manager Liu only smiled—a rather mysterious smile. Just then, a waiter came over to inform him that the auspicious hour had arrived, and instantly, gongs and drums clashed while firecrackers erupted in a deafening roar. Manager Liu grabbed a corner of the red silk and pulled hard.

The red cloth slowly drifted downward, gradually revealing a set of gleaming, gold-lettered characters.

"Dwelling in Heaven?"
Dwelling in Heaven.
Someone murmured aloud, and a collective intake of breath swept through the onlookers.

Ah! So the "Dwelling in Heaven" that had been on everyone's lips across the streets and alleys, awaited with such anticipation, was none other than this place—none other than the former Changsheng Restaurant!

"Nectar wine, intoxicating immortals; five-flavor dishes, satisfying the appetite..." Another child nearby jumped up and down, singing the rhyme once more.

"Respected brothers and neighbors, this Dwelling in Heaven of ours is no longer the old Changsheng Restaurant. The wines and dishes inside have all been completely replaced! The wine is Wucheng's most renowned Nectar Spirit, and such fine liquor can only be found at our Dwelling in Heaven, aside from the Nectar Pavilion itself. As for our culinary creations, we have engaged Master Gao Zhongyi, a celebrated chef from the south. Master Gao has promised to personally prepare a new specialty dish every day for the first ten guests who enter the shop, guaranteeing that once you taste it, you'll be back for more."

When Manager Liu reached this point, the gasps from the crowd grew even louder. Not to mention the Nectar Spirit, Gao Zhongyi was the most sought-after culinary master in the south right now, having clinched the top honor at this year's cooking competition. No one had expected the Dwelling in Heaven to possess such clout and deep pockets as to actually secure his services.

Yet Manager Liu was not finished. He continued, "And then there is this Jade Spring Rice. This is no ordinary rice such as we eat every day; it is harvested in Jade Spring Village. Legend has it that the spring water of Jade Spring Village was once transformed from a wine gourd left behind by an ascending immortal. Rice irrigated by this spring water is not only tender, soft, and savory, but its primary benefit is that it strengthens the body and builds physical vigor. I am not merely boasting on behalf of our establishment—this is the consensus of several esteemed physicians here in Wucheng, and a few of them are even preparing to use this rice as medicinal ingredients to treat illnesses and save lives. If any of you doubt this, you are welcome to verify it yourselves."

Just as Manager Liu finished this speech, one of the physicians in the crowd chimed in, "Manager Liu speaks the truth. This Jade Spring Rice indeed strengthens bones and muscles, and consuming it regularly is beneficial to one's health."

Some were still on the verge of asking further questions, but others grew impatient and shouted, "Manager Liu, stop blocking the doorway and chattering away! Since the Dwelling in Heaven is so wonderful, why don't you open your doors and welcome the guests? I want to secure one of those ten spots and taste the dishes personally cooked by Master Gao!"

"Yes, yes, yes! This young brother is quite right. Blame me for getting carried away, hahaha! Everyone, please, right this way!"

Manager Liu stepped aside, and the young man who had just spoken bolted in as the vanguard. Right behind him, a multitude of people scrambled eagerly inside.

Two rows of waiters stationed behind Manager Liu hurried forward to guide and greet the guests, escorting them one by one to their seats. Within moments, the main hall was filled to capacity, and the private rooms on the second floor had already been fully booked in advance.

In a private room located at the very eastern end of the second floor, Liu Qin, Jiang Li, Xiaowu, along with Fang Nuo, Changsheng, and Ankang, had gathered around a table.

A man of about thirty stood nearby, slightly bowed and exceedingly respectful.

"Elder Brother Gao, you are now the premier culinary master in Jiangnan, and our Dwelling in Heaven must rely heavily on your reputation."

"For the young master to speak thus is to humble Zhongyi entirely. Without the young master, where would Zhongyi be today? Where would today's Master Gao be? The young master's kindness is something Zhongyi can never fully repay in this lifetime."

"Hehe, Elder Brother Gao, I was merely joking. You don't need to be so restrained. Look at these fellows; they are completely at ease in front of me and don't treat me like a young master at all."

Everything had been going smoothly up to that point, but why did the end of that sentence taste so sour?

Changsheng and Ankang exchanged glances. What was going on? How did this fire manage to spread to their heads?

Changsheng had always been bold and immediately retorted, "The young master is quite wrong to say that. Heaven and earth are my witness, when have we ever dared to disregard the young master? Do we possess such audacity?"

"Is that so? Then who was it just now that rejected my words and only listened to Brother Li?"

Liu Qin glanced at him sideways from under her lashes. Only then did the others realize she was still displeased about the earlier incident. They could only pull wry faces and lower their heads. Changsheng also quietly took a seat and said no more.

So what if there were too many people and she wouldn't let them wander aimlessly on the street? Did she have to hold a grudge until now? They inwardly muttered complaints.

"You, truly..." Jiang Li tapped her on the head, turned back to Gao Zhongyi—who looked perplexed and slightly nervous—and smiled. "Elder Brother Gao, go attend to your duties. The young master is only joking; you needn't take it to heart."

"Understood. Later, I shall personally prepare a few of my signature dishes for the young master and the young gentlemen to sample."

"Mm."

Gao Zhongyi withdrew. As he looked out at the packed-to-bursting main hall, the bustling and energetic scene inside the kitchen, and heard the respectful calls of "Master Gao" coupled with the reverence in their eyes, waves of emotion washed over him.

He could never have imagined that he would have a day like this.

Years ago, when Changsheng Restaurant fell into decline and failed to attract a single customer, he lost his livelihood as a kitchen assistant and hit walls everywhere, unable to find work. Just as he was struggling to put food on the table, Manager Liu had sought him out.

Not only did Manager Liu lend him silver to support his family, but he also financed his travels to study the preparation of specialty dishes from various regions, allowing him to absorb the strengths of many schools and blend them into a distinct style of his own.

He had loved cooking since childhood, but due to impoverished family circumstances and a lack of guidance, he had only been able to work as a kitchen assistant in restaurants and learn culinary skills in secret. Now, given the opportunity for open and legitimate study, he was like a fish in water, and his culinary arts had rapidly advanced in leaps and bounds.

A few months later, Manager Liu brought him before the young master, and it was only then that he learned it was the young master who had been supporting and elevating him all along. (To be continued.)