Future Pet Shop

"You all go and rest. I'll make dinner tonight." Back at the forestry station, Shen Yibin went to the cafeteria and shooed all the cooks out to relax. He picked up a giant spatula and got busy. Cooking in a large wok for a crowd was very different from preparing private-kitchen dishes. However, under Hah'Er's tutelage, Shen Yibin's culinary skills had reached a godlike level. With a little experimentation, he quickly grasped the knack of it, skillfully chopping various ingredients and tossing them into the huge wok.

At first, the station's cooks were a little worried. They all stood by the door, watching, ready to take the knife and spatula from Shen Yibin's hands at a moment's notice. But when Shen Yibin started chopping vegetables, their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets! They couldn't even clearly see the speed at which Shen Yibin's knife moved. All they heard was a rapid BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG of the knife, and an entire basket of potatoes was shredded. One cook couldn't resist stepping forward for a look. He saw that the potato shreds were all uniform in thickness and length, even more perfect than those made with a special shredder.

An expert reveals their skill with a single move. When he showed off his knife work, they were instantly relieved. Some of them ran right out and shouted, "Boss Shen's skills are absolutely incredible! We're in for a real feast tonight!"

Others stayed in the kitchen, eagerly assisting Shen Yibin. They hoped that if he saw how diligent they were, he might reveal a few of his secrets. 'Even learning a tiny bit would be enough to benefit us for a lifetime!' Shen Yibin wasn't stingy with his knowledge. While stirring the food in the wok with both hands on the giant spatula, he explained the key techniques to them.

The chefs all took out their phones and started recording Shen Yibin. 'Hmm, technology really has advanced. In the past, they probably would have rushed out to find a pen and paper, right?'

He stir-fried a basin of shredded potatoes, a basin of twice-cooked pork, stewed a basin of chicken with potatoes, and then made a basin of braised rabbit. These were all hearty dishes that went well with rice and alcohol. "Alright, everyone dig in for now! I'll make more after you're done eating!"

"Mr. Shen, you rest! We can take it out!" The cooks helped Shen Yibin to a seat. One fanned him and poured him some water, while others quickly carried the basins of food out of the cafeteria. They went to the open space outside, where a large bonfire was already crackling. Dozens of men were gathered around it, drinking beer and trying to coax Hah'Er and the others into performing for them.

After resting for a bit, Shen Yibin regained his strength and went outside with them. He arrived just in time to see Hah'Er dancing energetically, drawing round after round of cheers from the men of the station.

"Boss Shen, your food smells amazing!" Someone immediately handed Shen Yibin a lunch box. They were all serving themselves from the basins and sitting around the bonfire to eat.

"Yeah! After eating your food, I realize what we've been eating before was just pig slop!" someone began to complain about the station's cooks.

"Can't be helped. Mr. Shen's skills are top-notch, even on a national level! How could we possibly compare?" The cooks weren't offended. Shen Yibin was indeed a much better cook, and he had even taught them some of his techniques. It would be ungrateful to complain.

"Boss Shen, what about the wine you promised? I've been holding back on the beer just waiting for your good stuff!" They were all young men; a meal wasn't complete without some alcohol.

"It's in the car. I'll go get it for you now!" Shen Yibin enjoyed interacting with these simple, straightforward men. He immediately went to his car and took out the Monkey Wine. He counted the number of people present and divided it up evenly among them. Each person got about a small cup's worth. "Sigh, it's good wine, but there's not much of it. Just think of it as a little taste."

"No problem! If it's not good, don't we still have a whole case of Moutai?" someone remembered what Shen Yibin had said earlier. However, after they tasted the Monkey Wine, no one mentioned Moutai again. The flavor of the Monkey Wine had conquered everyone. Unfortunately, there was just too little of it to pour them another cup.

"Boss Shen, try some of the fruit wine we brew here at the station. It's not as good as yours, but it'll help scratch the itch, right?" The men were content and didn't pester Shen Yibin for more. Instead, they took out their own treasured stashes to share.

"Whoa, the panda can drink too? Ha, and the monkey? Boss Shen, your pets are practically becoming spirits!" Someone couldn't resist challenging them to a drinking contest. "Boss Shen? How much can your panda drink? How about it drinks a small cup, and I'll drink a large one? Let me have a go at it!"

"That one's not good at drinking. If you want a drinking contest, you should challenge Xiaoliu. And forget about big cups and small cups. Whatever you drink, it'll drink the same amount. Whoever can drink it under the table, I'll make a special trip down the mountain tomorrow and get another bottle of wine just for him!" 'Heh, want a drinking contest? We have a Wine Immortal right here!'

"Then it's a deal! I'm up first!" A bald man immediately stood up. With a THUD, THUD, he placed two bowls on the table. GULP, GULP, GULP, he filled both bowls to the brim with wine. He picked one up, tilted his head back, and downed it in one go. After putting the bowl down, he gave Xiaoliu a provocative look. "I'm done. Your turn!"

Xiaoliu's head was drooping listlessly. It was a bit sad that all the Monkey Wine was gone. It lazily picked up the bowl and began to sip from it. Before long, a faint blush appeared on its face.

"Haha, its face is already red after just that much? Boss Shen, looks like you're definitely losing that bottle of wine!" the bald man laughed on the spot.

"Sigh, if I'd known, I would've gone up. Baldy got an easy win," a wave of sighs came from the crowd.

"I'm not a stingy person! If Boss Shen really gives me the wine, you think I won't share it with you guys?" The bald man grinned, looking as if victory was already in the bag.

"What's the hurry? Xiaoliu hasn't fallen over yet, has it?" Shen Yibin said with a chuckle. 'It's far too early to declare a winner.'

"Mmm! Mmm!" Hah'Er waved its paws on the side, cheering Xiaoliu on.

"Bin, is it okay for it to drink that much?" Wen Yuan asked worriedly, having never seen Xiaoliu drink without holding back.

"No problem, just watch!" 'The crowd this time isn't as big as at the wrap party, right? Xiaoliu could probably take them all down without breaking a sweat.'

SLURP, SLURP. The bowl of wine was soon empty. Xiaoliu casually placed the bowl back on the table, still wearing that same look of drunken haziness, as if it could collapse at any moment.

"Another half a bowl should do it! Let's continue!" The bald man was completely fooled by its appearance. They each poured another half bowl of wine and began to drink.

However, even after that half bowl went down, Xiaoliu still didn't fall.

"Again!"

"Keep going!"

"I don't believe it! Another bowl!"

"THUD!" Before he could even finish the fifth bowl, the bald man collapsed to the ground.