245: This is simply art!

Lu Chuan's movements were like flowing water, holding the wok with one hand to toss the rice, while his other hand moved so fast it almost left afterimages.

The egg was cracked into the hot oil, bursting with an intense aroma with a sizzle, and the golden egg liquid instantly puffed up into a fluffy cloud-like shape.

Overnight rice was poured in, colliding intensely with the hot oil and egg, each grain of rice distinct, precisely tossed, heated, and separated in the wok.

Even more miraculously, the dark blue set of chef's knives, seemingly imbued with starlight, came alive in his hands, elegantly and efficiently chopping green onions and diced ham. Amidst the flashing blades, the ingredients uniformly fell into the wok.

As various seasonings and a small amount of Lu Chuan's secret 'Cloud Mushroom Powder' were sprinkled in, an indescribable complex aroma suddenly erupted, like an invisible hook, instantly seizing Zhao Le's sense of smell!

The aroma was dominant and alluring, a perfect blend of extreme wok hei, egg fragrance, rice fragrance, oil fragrance, and an indescribable, appetite-whetting umami.

Zhao Le had long forgotten about being stingy with money. His eyes were wide like copper bells, his mouth open wide enough to fit an egg, saliva flowing madly, and his Adam's apple bobbing up and down continuously.

"Gulp!"

"Grrrrumble..."

The sound of swallowing saliva and his stomach rumbling was exceptionally clear in the suddenly quiet square entrance.

This wasn't just fried rice; this was art! It was magic!

In just a minute or two, a golden, distinct-grained, fragrant plate of fried rice was freshly out of the wok, served in an exquisite eco-friendly takeout box, a generously heaped portion.

Zhao Le almost trembled as he took the heavy box of fried rice. Just by smelling it, he felt that this 88 yuan... seemed, perhaps, maybe... not so unfair after all?

After bidding farewell to Lu Chuan, he eagerly took the lunchbox back to the security guard's lounge.

The moment he opened the lid, the rich aroma filled the entire room, drawing the attention of the other security guards.

"Damn! Little Zhao, what kind of fried rice are you eating? It smells so good!"

"Which place did you buy it from?"

Zhao Le had no time to answer. He scooped a large spoonful into his mouth.

The next second, his eyes widened abruptly, and he froze in place as if under a spell.

The crispy, fragrant egg, the chewy, springy rice, the rich and full flavor of lard, the fresh and crisp green onions, the just-right saltiness... and that ultimate umami boost from some unknown seasoning—all the flavors were distinct yet perfectly blended, exploding in a carnival of taste in his mouth.

Every grain of rice was coated with egg and fragrance, so delicious that he wished he could swallow his tongue.

This was absolutely the best fried rice he had ever eaten in his life! Without a doubt!

"Mmm... So delicious..."

Zhao Le was so moved he almost cried. He didn't care about the heat and began to wolf down the rice, mumbling praises.

Just then, the lounge door was pushed open, and Manager Liu walked in with a frown.

"What's that amazing smell? Little Zhao, what are you eating? Which shop did you buy it from? Go buy me a portion too..."

Zhao Le reluctantly looked up from his food, swallowed the rice in his mouth, and looked at Manager Liu with a complex expression, weakly saying:

"Manager... it's... the Boss Lu who set up a stall in the square."

Manager Liu was taken aback.

"Boss Lu? Which Boss Lu?"

He didn't react immediately.

"It's... the one you just went out to greet... the one selling fried rice..."

Zhao Le's voice grew even smaller.

Manager Liu instantly remembered, his face filled with disbelief.

"Him?! He can really make fried rice?! And it smells this good?! You're not pulling my leg, are you?"

He had always thought Lu Chuan was the son of some powerful family, and that setting up a stall was purely a whim or a strange hobby. He had never imagined that he actually had this skill.

Zhao Le pushed the lunchbox towards Manager Liu. The golden, fragrant fried rice was the best proof.

"It's really... especially delicious... but... he's already packed up and left..."

Manager Liu looked at the golden, powerfully alluring fried rice, his Adam's apple unconsciously bobbing.

"Let me try it."

Saying that, he didn't wait for Zhao Le's permission, directly picked up a clean spoon nearby, and unceremoniously scooped a large, heaped spoonful from the very center of the lunchbox.

Zhao Le's heart ached, but he could only watch as Manager Liu put the spoonful of fried rice, full of scrambled egg, into his mouth.

The next second, Manager Liu's eyes widened suddenly, and the doubt on his face was instantly replaced by extreme shock and enjoyment.

His chewing movements paused, as if he was carefully savoring the wonderful explosion of each flavor on his tongue.

"Mmm... This... this..."

He mumbled in amazement, and after a long while, he finally swallowed with difficulty, letting out a long sigh, his eyes filled with an incredible light.

"Amazing! Truly amazing! This fried rice... it's divine!"

He smacked his lips, savoring the inexpressible umami wok hei and the perfectly harmonious flavors, his face full of lingering satisfaction.

"Ahem... Little Zhao, this fried rice is indeed good. Um... you eat slowly. I have something else to do, I'll go get busy first."

Manager Liu coughed twice, waved his hand dismissively, and turned to leave, as if afraid he wouldn't be able to resist scooping another spoonful.

Zhao Le watched the manager's retreating back, then looked down at his lunchbox, his mind full of complaints.

However, the other security guards, whose appetites had long been piqued by the aroma, swarmed around him.

"A-Le! Share a bite with your brother! Just one bite!"

"Brother Zhao! Let your brother taste it too! It smells so good!"

"It looks really good, Little Zhao, share a bit with everyone to try!"

Seven or eight pairs of eyes stared eagerly at the lunchbox in his hand, clamoring.

Zhao Le looked at his colleagues, all with greedy expressions, and knew that he wouldn't be able to enjoy this meal alone today.

He sighed, resignedly picking up the spoon.

"Alright, alright, just one spoonful each! I said just one spoonful!"

He carefully scooped a small portion into each outstretched lunchbox lid or small bowl, the portions as precise as if he were conducting a chemistry experiment.

Even so, after going around, he looked down and saw that his own lunchbox was almost empty, with only a few scattered grains of rice clinging to the sides and corners, and a faint lingering aroma of oil.

Zhao Le held the almost empty lunchbox, looking at his colleagues who were savoring the delicious fried rice with expressions of ecstasy, and couldn't help but let out a wail.

"My fried rice! My eighty-eight yuan!"

...The next day's lunch break.

At the entrance of the Financial Building Plaza, the fried rice stall appeared punctually again.

Lu Chuan was still calm and composed, He Jingrui was still lost in thought, and only Ding Xinyang looked at the white-collar workers around him, who were pointing, discussing, but not approaching, appearing somewhat anxious.

The situation was identical to yesterday.

There were many curious glances, and quite a few secretly taking photos, but no one was willing to be the first to "eat the crab" under everyone's gaze.

Time passed minute by minute, and most of the lunch break was already over.

Just then, two familiar figures hurried past the stall: Luo Li and Xu Ying.

They seemed to be rushing somewhere, but less than two minutes later, they returned along the same path, looking frustrated and helpless.