Chapter 129: Let Us Do It Together

Watching Krystal’s expectant expression, Chen Zhe hesitated for a long moment before finally convincing himself. Swallowing nervously, he leaned in and took a bite exactly where Krystal had bitten into the shrimp cake.

"Mmm, it's springy and chewy. My culinary skills are truly top-notch! Though, perhaps it’s because someone added their own 'special ingredient' that it tastes so good!"

Having bitten off half of the shrimp cake held in Krystal’s hand, Chen Zhe chewed quickly and swallowed, deliberately wearing a look of lingering delight to tease her.

Seeing his expression, a blush crept across Krystal’s face. Annoyed and shy, she reached out and poked his forehead firmly with her finger. However, she didn't hesitate for long; she popped the remaining half of the pan-fried shrimp cake into her mouth and chewed slowly, savoring the flavor.

Seeing her swift and decisive action, Chen Zhe was stunned for a moment, feeling a bit ashamed of his own earlier hesitation.

"Well? Why are you still spacing out? Open up! It’s not often I feed people, you know!"

Just as Chen Zhe was wallowing in his own embarrassment, another half-bitten shrimp cake was held up to his lips by Krystal.

"Mmm, after adding your 'seasoning,' it really is much more fragrant than when I made it before. It tastes even better."

Having reflected on his previous behavior, Chen Zhe didn't hesitate this time. He took the shrimp cake from her and, instead of gulping it down as he had before, he joined Krystal in savoring the taste.

After swallowing, Chen Zhe flashed a smile, gave her a thumbs-up, and offered his verdict on the dish.

"What are you rambling about now? Anyway, let’s finish these shrimp cakes quickly, or they’ll get cold and won't taste good anymore!"

Seeming immune or at least accustomed to Chen Zhe’s penchant for joking around, Krystal simply complained a little before resuming her routine. She would bite off half a cake and feed the other half to Chen Zhe. Before long, the few shrimp cakes that had just come out of the pan were gone.

"Alright, the shrimp cakes are finished and the plate is clean. Now, I’ll prepare the next dish for you."

Chen Zhe picked up the plate, washed it thoroughly, and set it aside. After drying his hands, he clapped them together and nodded at Krystal.

"The next dish? What are you going to make, Zhe?"

After wiping the corners of her mouth with a tissue, Krystal noticed Chen Zhe reaching for something and looking too busy to clean his own face. She quickly grabbed a tissue and gently wiped the corners of his mouth for him.

After tossing the tissue into the small bin behind the counter, Krystal hurried back to Chen Zhe’s side, tilting her head as she watched the serious and focused expression on his face.

"For the next dish, I had originally planned to make 'Immortal Tofu' for you, but after much consideration, I’ve decided on Mapo Tofu."

He took the silken tofu that Bai Fan had bought for him that morning out of the refrigerator and placed it on the cutting board. Turning to Krystal, he held up a finger to explain the upcoming dish.

"Mapo Tofu? I know that one. Victoria used to make it for us. But why is it called 'Mapo' Tofu? What does 'Mapo' mean?"

Hearing the name, Krystal’s eyes lit up. She had eaten the dish before—not just when Victoria made it for them, but at Chinese restaurants as well. However, she had always been curious about the name, and Victoria had never explained its origin. Now that she had the chance, she decided to ask her Chinese friend, Chen Zhe, to explain it.

"Ah, Mapo Tofu. There’s a very popular legend behind that. Since you want to know, I can tell you."

Hearing Krystal’s question, Chen Zhe became animated. He had done his research on today’s menu, and while he wasn't an expert on everything, he knew the history behind this dish well.

"Ahem. Mapo Tofu originated in the first year of the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty—that’s 1862. Back then, next to Wanfu Bridge in Chengdu, there was a small eatery called Chen Xingsheng Restaurant."

Clearing his throat, Chen Zhe put down his kitchen knife, turned around, and began to explain the origin of the dish.

"The owner, Chen Chunfu, passed away early, so his wife ran the small restaurant. The owner had pockmarks on her face, so people called her 'Chen Mapo'—Old Lady Pockmark."

"I get it! Because this dish was invented by Chen Mapo, it’s called Mapo Tofu! Am I right, Zhe?"

As soon as Chen Zhe mentioned the nickname, Krystal excitedly waved her hand, looking like a student who had guessed the answer and was waiting for praise.

"That’s pretty much it. You’re quite sharp, Krystal. You figured out the origin as soon as I mentioned the nickname."

Used to this side of Krystal that she only showed to those she was close to, Chen Zhe shook his head with a helpless smile and clapped his hands, praising her.

"I knew I was the smartest. Anyway, I’ve guessed the name, but you haven't finished the story, have you? Keep going!"

Satisfied with the praise, Krystal nodded, complimented herself once more, and urged Chen Zhe to continue.

"Fine, fine. Since you want to hear it, I’ll continue."

Chen Zhe couldn't resist her playful, pouting behavior and surrendered with a wave of his hand.

"Wanfu Bridge crossed the river, so there were many dock workers and porters working in the area, and they were the main customers of the eatery."

"One time, when they were low on ingredients and about to close, a group of workers arrived and asked for a cheap, hot dish that would go well with rice."

"Seeing that she didn't have much left—only some tofu and a bit of minced beef—and that it was too late to go to the market, Chen Mapo had to improvise."

"She minced fermented black beans, fried them in oil with chili bean paste until fragrant, added some broth, and dropped in two-centimeter cubes of tofu. She seasoned it, added the crispy fried minced beef, thickened the sauce, and finished it off by sprinkling Sichuan peppercorn powder and chili powder on top."

"A bowl of colorful, fragrant, spicy, numbing, hot, and tender tofu was served. The workers ate until they were sweating, polished off several bowls of rice, and left with full bellies, raving about how satisfying it was."

"Later, word spread among the workers. Everyone learned that Chen Mapo’s tofu was delicious, satisfying, and cheap. More and more people came, and it eventually became the restaurant's signature dish."

"Because the tofu was numbing and spicy, and the owner was called Chen Mapo, it became known as Chen Mapo Tofu."

After finishing the story, Chen Zhe clapped his hands to bring Krystal’s attention back.

"So that’s how Mapo Tofu came to be! It has such a long history. Zhe, can I help you cook? I want to learn how to make Chinese food, too."

Brought back to reality, Krystal clapped her hands in wonder and looked at Chen Zhe with eager eyes.

"Sure, let’s cook together. But what’s with the sudden interest in learning Chinese cuisine?"

Chen Zhe thought for a moment before agreeing. Although he didn't know a huge number of dishes, he was more than capable of teaching a complete beginner like Krystal.