He scooped up a spoonful of egg fried rice and fed it into his mouth. The soft, tender egg wrapped around the slightly firm grains of rice, the fragrance of the rice and the aroma of the egg blending together perfectly. These flavors merged flawlessly, creating a taste and texture unlike anything he’d ever experienced.

Damn, how can egg fried rice taste this good!

Such delicious egg fried rice made David Clark's expression resemble that female judge in Stephen Chow’s “The God of Cookery,” who was intoxicated by the legendary rice. David Clark was just as enraptured by the egg fried rice.

All those thoughts earlier about being tricked or whatever were completely forgotten. Now, his heart, his eyes, and his mouth were filled with nothing but the delicious egg fried rice.

Eat, keep eating.

David Clark felt that the 188 RMB was totally worth it.

No!

He even felt like he’d made a profit. This was the first time in his life he realized egg fried rice could taste this amazing.

“Chomp chomp”

Bite after bite, David Clark simply couldn’t stop. In the meantime, he didn’t forget to give Brian Cooper, who was sitting across from him, a thumbs up to show his admiration. As for why he didn’t say anything, of course it was because his mouth was stuffed with egg fried rice—he didn’t want to waste time talking, so this was the only way to express himself.

Brian Cooper nodded calmly, looking completely unfazed, as if such deliciousness was only to be expected.

When the plate was as clean as if it had been washed, David Clark finally had time to speak. “Is this egg fried rice?”

“As you can see, it’s just ordinary egg fried rice, only a bit tastier than what you get elsewhere.” Brian Cooper replied nonchalantly, as if it was nothing special.

“This skill is on par with a five-star chef, right? Although I’ve never eaten at a five-star place. Did you learn the head chef’s secret technique?” David Clark looked at Brian Cooper with curiosity, speculating as he spoke.

“No, that old guy specializes in refined Su cuisine. Even his egg fried rice should be something like Yangzhou fried rice. Yours is just egg and rice, right?”

David Clark started playing detective, guessing all sorts of things like Sherlock Holmes. Brian Cooper just watched him quietly, looking like a master with a calm demeanor.

Hmm, and took the chance to act cool himself.

Seeing that he couldn’t guess left or right, David Clark gave up and looked at the empty plate.

“Never mind the rest, just give me another bowl. Your portion is way too small—it barely fills the gap between my teeth.”

“Sorry, only one bowl per person per meal.” Brian Cooper shrugged with a regretful tone that made you want to punch him.

“You brat, what’s our relationship? Hurry up and make another serving, go on, go on.” David Clark was getting anxious now, completely forgetting his earlier thoughts about not being friends with this guy.

“Even though you’re my bro, it’s still not allowed. That’s the rule in my shop. I can take you out for some skewers instead.” Brian Cooper still refused without hesitation.

“After eating this egg fried rice, who would want those smoky, greasy skewers? Just make me another bowl.” David Clark persisted, but seeing Brian Cooper still smiling and shaking his head, he could only admit defeat.

“I’ll call you ‘brother,’ or even ‘uncle’ if you want. You know I only have this one hobby.”

At this point, Brian Cooper called out to the system, “Is it really not possible? He’s my friend.”

The system displayed: “No rules, no standards.”

In the end, Brian Cooper could only look at David Clark's hopeful eyes and say, “We’re brothers, so don’t make me break my shop’s rules. It’s only the first day of business. Come on, let me treat you to something else as compensation.”

Seeing Brian Cooper say this much, David Clark had to give up. “Forget it, after eating your egg fried rice, how could I eat anything else? What time do you open tomorrow? I’ll come first thing in the morning.”

“Nine thirty in the morning. Want to sit a bit longer?” Brian Cooper asked, seeing that David Clark looked ready to leave.

“If you’re not making another bowl, I’ll just go home and sleep. That way I can come back early tomorrow.” David Clark said with a hint of self-mockery.

“Thanks for understanding, bro. I’ll make it up to you next time.” Brian Cooper couldn’t do anything about the stingy system, so that’s all he could say.

After hearing the explanation, David Clark understood that his friend had this kind of talent, and having a rule was perfectly normal. After all, geniuses always have their quirks, especially a chef who can make food this delicious.

Once he figured it out, he didn’t mind. In fact, David Clark thought of a brilliant idea: birds of a feather flock together, and foodies always have foodie friends. This was perfectly true for David Clark.

Now, David Clark decided to bring his friends over to try this bowl of egg fried rice. Of course, the real purpose was to let them experience the best egg fried rice in the world—not to make them suffer because he couldn’t have a second bowl himself. David Clark would never do such a thing.

Thinking about how those friends would react after eating the first bowl and not being able to get a second, David Clark felt he was truly too kind. Excited, he waved at Brian Cooper, got in his car, and headed home.

Watching David Clark disappear into the night, Brian Cooper returned to the shop, glanced at the few pedestrians on the street, then brought all the flower baskets back inside and closed the door.

Back in the kitchen, he got ready to wash the bowls he’d put away, still wondering if he should hire a dishwasher. After all, he couldn’t do that job himself.

But hiring someone would definitely cost money, and spending money was the thing Brian Cooper disliked most.

“System, look at my hands.” Brian Cooper suddenly said to the system, seemingly out of nowhere.

……