Chapter 617: It's So Nice to Be Pampered Like This
Just glancing at the ingredients was enough to understand the sheer, decadent temptation of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. When laymen who had never heard of emperor salmon or Mangalica woolly pigs tried to name high-end ingredients, the first things they usually blurted out were abalone, lobster, and shark fin.
Naturally, this legendary dish contained all of those and more. Premium golden abalone, sea cucumber, shark fin, fish maw, and rich yak hide gelatin formed the oceanic base. To this, savory Jinhua ham, tender chicken and duck, crisp winter bamboo shoots, and earthy wild mushrooms were carefully layered.
The very name "Buddha Jumps Over the Wall" represented the absolute pinnacle of delicacies from the mountains and the seas, dozens of world-class ingredients gathered into a single earthen jar. The resulting flavor defied simple description. Seafood was already inherently rich, but when slow-stewed in a master stock for hours on end, the taste became something that made mouths water at the mere thought.
Whether it was the chewy, fragrant bite of the golden abalone, the gelatinous shark fin that had absorbed every drop of the savory broth, or the tender, melt-in-the-mouth ham that held its shape perfectly—every spoonful offered an exquisite, luxurious enjoyment.
It was a culinary miracle born from the convergence of the earth's finest treasures. All those distinct flavors gathered in one vessel, marrying the crisp freshness of mountain forage with the unmatched umami of the ocean. It was no exaggeration to say that the essence of birds, beasts, mountains, and seas were all sealed within this single jar.
The magic of the dish lay in its harmony. The ingredients did not compete; rather, they complemented and elevated one another, adding deep depth to the overall broth. Yet, this unity did not erase their individuality. It was a perfect balance of mutual assistance and a hundred schools of thought contending.
Each ingredient retained its unique flavor and texture, refusing to sacrifice its identity to the melting pot. Every bite was a surprise, every chew an absolute marvel, and every swallow deeply satisfying.
Because dozens of ingredients were simmered together, the dish possessed a unifying savory richness while maintaining its complex profile. It was soft and tender, rich but never greasy; the flavors permeated one another, creating layers upon layers of taste.
The old poem was entirely accurate—during the long stewing process, not a single wisp of aroma escaped the sealed jar. But the moment the lotus leaf lid was lifted, absolutely no one could withstand the overwhelming, intoxicating fragrance that flooded the room. If it couldn't tempt a vegetarian monk to jump over a monastery wall, it wouldn't have earned its legendary name.
When served, the soup was thick, glossy, and amber-brown. As it touched the tongue, the subtle aroma of aged wine mingled with the myriad scents of the meat and seafood, filling the senses. It was tender but not mushy, offering an endless, lingering aftertaste. The ultimate feast for the taste buds was nothing more than this. No matter the culinary tradition, all chefs pursued the perfect fusion of color, aroma, and taste—and right now, all of that was contained in this one bowl.
Aside from perhaps being a bit too mild for those who absolutely couldn't live without heavy spice or sharp vinegar, there was simply nothing to criticize.
Ren sat quietly off to the side, casually flipping through a book, completely ignoring how blissfully Lucifer and the others were devouring the feast. Even Riven and Pandemonica looked somewhat amazed by the sheer quality of the meal.
As everyone was thoroughly immersed in the decadent flavors, Lucifer suddenly paused, licking a drop of broth from her lips. She looked over at him and asked softly, "So, what exactly do you mean by sitting all the way over there?"
"I'm not very interested in Buddha Jumps Over the Wall," Ren replied without looking up from his page.
The girls were momentarily stunned by his words, but the truth quickly dawned on them. Ren simply wanted them to eat more. Given the large number of mouths to feed, he had chosen to step back so they could have their fill.
Nakiri Mana's eyes softened as she thought of Senzaemon Nakiri. A true family man, no matter the era or the circumstance, would always save the best things for his family. Ren had just casually claimed he didn't like it and wasn't interested, brushing it off to move away. He was willful and stubborn in his own quiet way, yet it was a trait that made people feel incredibly secure—and a little heartbroken.
Yomotsuki Runa and Jabami Yumeko were also slightly taken aback. Runa lowered her spoon and whispered, "He's surprisingly sweet..."
Momobami Kirari simply smiled, her icy blue eyes warming with amusement.
Ichihara Yuko, however, wasn't about to let him get away with it. She leaned over, holding up a piece of abalone on her spoon, and spoke in an amused, exasperated tone. "Open your mouth."
"I'm the one who cooked the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall; how much interest do you think I'd have in eating it, classmate Yuko?" Ren sighed, finally looking up. "Go back and finish your food before you talk. Otherwise, next time I serve you, I'll show you the cafeteria lunch lady's infamous trembling ladle—the one that magically drops all the good meat back into the pot."
This time, Yuko didn't back down. She just stared at Ren, her spoon still hovering in the air. "We're not pigs! How could we possibly eat all of that by ourselves!"
"These days... no one believes you when you tell the truth."
"Alright, alright, enough about truth or lies. Open your mouth. Even if you're not interested, it's not like it's poison. Hurry up!"
Ren let out a soft sigh. He glanced at the ingredient on the spoon—which already had a small bite taken out of it—and smiled faintly. He leaned forward and accepted the bite.
Waving his hand dismissively, he said, "Don't disturb my reading. Oh, and remember to save a portion for Justice. Just leave it on the counter when you're done. Figure out what you all want for dinner and let me know later. Erina, you girls are still coming into the kitchen to observe, right?"
"Yes!" the four girls chorused in unison.
Ren shifted his gaze to Kirari. "Staff meal or customer meal?"
"Since you're the one treating, it will be a customer meal, of course," Kirari replied smoothly, resting her chin on her hand. "I'll place my specific order in a bit."
Ren nodded and said nothing more. He leaned back into his chair, returning his attention to the new light novel he had bought with Yuko at the bookstore a while ago.
Watching him, the girls suddenly felt that the bowls in their hands had grown heavier. Every bite of the rich, savory food seemed to bypass their stomachs entirely, settling directly into their hearts with a deep warmth.
Lucifer and the others shared a single, unspoken thought: It's really nice to be pampered like this.
A sudden, quiet smile touched Ren's lips as he read. The novel was actually quite good. However, his eyes drifted to the author's name printed on the page: Yamada Elf...
For some reason, Ren felt an overwhelming urge to retort, 'What kind of chuunibyou pen name is that...'
Putting the silly pen name aside, the plot was genuinely engaging. Meanwhile, Yuko and the others had completely lost the mood for idle chatter. They ate their food in comfortable silence, their eyes continuously drifting back to the man reading by the window—the legendary pillar of their chaotic household.
Ren quickly became engrossed in the pages. There was a unique, obvious charm to a man who was entirely focused on his task, especially someone like Ren, who already possessed such a striking, quiet elegance. Combined with the fact that he had just selflessly given up his share of the meal to spoil them, the girls were left somewhat spellbound, lost in their own thoughts just by looking at him.
After a while, Ren felt the weight of their stares. He looked up, raising an eyebrow. "Hmm? Haven't you finished eating yet?"
"Huh? Oh! We're done!" they scrambled to reply, blinking out of their daze.
Ren smiled, shaking his head in amusement. "You're not ignorant little kids anymore. When you're done, put the bowls down. Sitting there clutching empty dishes makes you look like a row of little beggars." He glanced at the pristine bowls. "Wow, you practically licked them clean."
Seeing the gentle, teasing expression on his face, Lucifer couldn't help herself. She stood up, walked over, and wrapped her arms around Ren in a tight, affectionate hug from behind.
Ren paused, surprised by the sudden contact, before patting her arm with a soft smile. "What's wrong? If you're still not full, dinner will be ready soon, so just bear with it a little longer."
"It's nothing," Lucifer murmured, resting her cheek against his shoulder. "I just suddenly really wanted to hug you."
"Hmm? Lucifer, you really are..." Ren chuckled, gently untangling himself. "Alright, you guys think about what you want to eat. I'll go take care of the dishes."
The girls watched him walk toward the kitchen. His back, though appearing a bit thin, felt broad enough to carry the weight of their entire world.
Yuko rested her cheek on her hand, a fond smile gracing her lips. "Honestly... he really is a responsible big pig's trotters..."
"Agreed!" the others chimed in simultaneously.
Lucifer giggled, her crimson eyes sparkling. "But I just really like him, and I'm only going to like him more. Isn't that right, Yuko?"
"Hmph! I'm not like you!" Yuko retorted, her cheeks flushing slightly as she crossed her arms. "I'm much more composed!"
"Oh? Are you looking down on me now? You're not allowed to do that! Besides, who was it that just said they liked him?"
"That's enough out of you!"
[Akarin's Note: Yamada Elf is a major character from the light novel and anime series Eromanga Sensei. She is a highly successful, wealthy, and slightly arrogant light novel author who dresses in Lolita fashion and uses a very chuunibyou-sounding pen name.]
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