Edmond could speak Chinese, but he couldn’t read the characters. He grabbed a young lady nearby and politely asked, “Hello, could you please tell me how to read this? Thank you.”
He pointed at the big, prominently displayed signboard ahead.
The young lady replied, “That’s pronounced ‘Jiang Ji Private Kitchen.’”
Edmond stumbled over the pronunciation a few times before he managed to barely get it right.
“Ugh—Chinese is so hard! Excuse me, is this restaurant really good?”
“Of course!” At the mention of it, the young lady’s eyes lit up. “It’s super delicious! There’s a long line every day!”
Edmond was sour.
Jiang Fuyue was treating everyone to such a nice restaurant—and didn’t invite him.
Hmph!
Meanwhile, inside the private dining room—
“That curly-haired kid from F Country actually followed us here! Poking his head around like a sneaky little raccoon—so funny!” Huo Fanjin’s laughter was crisp.
Lin Shumo frowned and stood up to head outside.
“Hey—where are you going?” Huo Fanjin called out.
“To make him scram.”
Jiang Fuyue took off her coat and hung it on the chair back. “No need. We’ll just enjoy our meal. Let him stay outside.”
Only then did Lin Shumo sit back down.
Huo Fanjin pouted: You listen when Sister Yue says it, but when I say it you ignore me… double standards much!
Fang Canyang commented, “Didn’t expect someone from the Tosaki family to show up. Doesn’t feel like a coincidence…”
At the IPhO, Jiang Fuyue had not only outmaneuvered Tosaki Chiba and ruined all her plans, but also led the team to a first-place finish, winning both a gold medal and a special award herself.
The more dazzling Jiang Fuyue was, the more humiliated Tosaki Chiba had become.
The myth of her invincibility had ended that day—an extraordinary blow.
Lin Shumo said, “I looked into it—this Tosaki Naohara is Chiba’s biological younger brother. Sixteen this year.”
Huo Fanjin: “The chess prodigy?”
“Yeah.”
The group fell silent.
Huang Hui and Gao Zhaoming exchanged a glance. They hadn’t taken part in the physics competition and only vaguely knew from the internet that Jiang Fuyue had clashed with the R Country team.
As for names—Tosaki, Kimura, or Kudou—they weren’t sure.
So when they heard “Tosaki Naohara,” their first reaction was to whip out their phones and search him up.
And sure enough, tons of results popped up…
Gao Zhaoming read aloud: “International Chess Master. Made his debut at age twelve. Considered one of R Country’s top chess players. Won the International Chess Championship in his first outing… Two years ago, crushed the competition at the International Masters Tournament and took first place, surpassing E Country chess legend Henry Atkins, setting a new world record…”
Searching “Tosaki Naohara” also led to the entry “Tosaki Family of R Country.”
Curious, Gao Zhaoming clicked on it.
And was instantly stunned.
—Father: A renowned geneticist, psychiatrist, pediatrician, mathematician from R Country. Winner of the 2010 Lasker Medical Award.
—Mother: A well-known chemist and biologist.
—Eldest brother: Professor of mathematics at Soudai University. Internationally recognized theoretical physicist.
—Second brother: R Country’s national treasure-level math prodigy.
—Younger sister: Famous artist.
He turned to look at Huang Hui, who also had a stunned expression.
Fanye leaned over to look at Gao Zhaoming’s phone screen, finished reading the profile, and clicked her tongue in disbelief.
Jiang Fuyue lifted her eyes and glanced at everyone before suddenly smiling: “You’re all so wary over just one Tosaki Naohara?”
Huo Fanjin: “But he’s clearly not here with good intentions.”
“So what? Just because someone bears ill will, we’re supposed to live in fear? No need. Relax. Don’t forget—we’re in Huaxia, not R Country. No matter how powerful the Tosaki family is, their reach doesn’t extend here.”
“Exactly! This is our turf. He wouldn’t dare try anything shady here!”
At that moment, Cao Dou entered with the food. The rich aromas instantly filled the room, and everyone promptly forgot about Tosaki Naohara—fully captivated by the mouthwatering dishes in front of them.
“Wow—what’s this? It looks amazing!” Fanye gasped in wonder.
Jiang Fuyue: “It’s called Galaxy Marbled Delight. The main ingredients are beef tripe and winter melon, combined with garlic, vermicelli, and green mussels…”
Huo Fanjin: “And this one?! Looks like Squirrel Fish, but the shape and the glaze seem off…”
“Taste it and see.”
Five seconds later: “Holy cr*p—it’s tofu?!”
The meal was filled with a chorus of exclamations, and everyone practically wanted to swallow their tongues along with the food.
It was just that good.
Even the usually reserved Lin Shumo sneakily helped himself to seconds—twice—and quietly let out a contented burp after finishing.
Jelina was even more amazed: “Oh my god! This is the most delicious Chinese food I’ve ever eaten! Now I finally get why those documentaries say—‘Want to taste ultimate flavor? Then venture to the mysterious and ancient East.’ These plates and bowls alone are incredible!”
The private room bustled with laughter and lively conversation.
Outside, Edmond was miserably stuck in the long line, grumbling in gibberish, “Why does she get to skip the line? Oh my god, what’s that smell—bread?! I’m starving… Why are there so many people at this restaurant? This is insane…”
But because he was speaking French, no one around him understood a word, and thus no one responded.
Until—
“Bread’s fresh out of the oven! Hurry and grab some! They’re debuting a new baguette today—it smells amazing!”
Edmond’s ears perked up.
Edmond: I’m so pitiful!
