Chapter 336: Chapter 336

Han Qiwu stared at the clock until it hit the hour.

At that exact moment, the previously quiet malfunctioning compass suddenly started spinning wildly, its speed astonishing.

It looked just like a tiny helicopter.

If it weren’t firmly suctioned to its base, Han Qiwu would have thought this thing was about to take off.

A few seconds later, the compass slowly came to a stop, and a line of system notifications appeared in front of Han Qiwu.

[The location of the marked item has been updated]

Glancing at the map, Han Qiwu instantly got hungry.

The mini-map was crammed full of iron ores, practically filling it to the brim.

"With this many iron ores, if I ever get desperate, I could probably come here and beg Master Shuzi for some," Han Qiwu shamelessly thought to himself.

"So, by that logic, the compass should also work inside the mine. When the time comes, I can use it to pinpoint ore locations directly. My mining efficiency will definitely get a boost." Feeling pleased, Han Qiwu decided to take it to the mines for some fun this afternoon.

Perfect chance to test out the Miner’s Lollipop, too.

But before that, Han Qiwu decided to first complete a helping task and stop by the ranch to check the construction requirements for the rabbit pen.

After all, I’m now someone with hundreds of pieces of lumber at my disposal.

A few spicy rabbit heads should be within my budget.

Hopping on his bike, Han Qiwu headed straight to the restaurant.

Once he arrived at the restaurant, the first order of business was to reward his Five Internal Organs.

At the entrance of the restaurant, Tian Guangpan was sitting there, trying to drum up business.

"Hey kid, had your meal yet?"

"Come on in, the food’s amazing!"

"Mapo Tofu—eat it and you’ll land yourself a wife!"

Amid his enthusiastic pitch, Han Qiwu couldn’t help but notice a hint of worry on Tian Guangpan’s face.

"Boss, get me a stir-fried beef and a Mapo Tofu," Han Qiwu greeted him and walked inside to find a seat.

"Got it!" Tian Guangpan yelled toward the kitchen before turning back to chat with Han Qiwu.

The bosses here were all great at spinning tales; whatever was going on, they’d chat with you about it for ages.

After a few minutes of conversation, Tian Guangpan sighed and asked helplessly, "Xiao Han, do you happen to know anyone from SD? I heard the double-layered milk custards there are the most authentic, the most traditional."

"Double-layered milk custard? So now your restaurant wants to sell desserts?" Han Qiwu teased, pretending not to know.

"Ah, it’s my daughter’s fault. She watched some documentary and has been begging for traditional double-layered milk custard ever since. But tell me, how is a Sichuan restaurant owner like me supposed to make that? What I can whip up is maybe a stir-fried milk beef with double chilies!" Tian Guangpan exclaimed, looking thoroughly exasperated.

How is that remotely the same?!

After hearing Tian Guangpan’s complaints, Han Qiwu cleared his throat and said seriously, "To be honest, I actually have a bit of experience with traditional double-layered milk custard. I learned from an old master in the past, and the results aren’t half bad."

"Xiao Han, you’ve studied this stuff? That’s fantastic! I’ve got all the ingredients here—why don’t you make a bowl right now? Don’t worry, Uncle Tian won’t just freeload off your skills." Tian Guangpan’s face lit up with joy; he hadn’t expected this guy, who was just learning how to cook shredded potatoes from him last time, to have expertise in desserts, of all things.

As for whether it would be authentic or not, well, one taste would settle it! Couldn’t be simpler!

Seeing that his two dishes weren’t coming out of the kitchen anytime soon, Han Qiwu decided to use this opportunity to make the traditional double-layered milk custard.

"Alright, it’s actually pretty straightforward. As long as you grasp a few key points, you’ll be fine." Han Qiwu smiled slightly, rolled up his sleeves, and headed into the kitchen, explaining the process step by step as he went.

After about ten minutes, Tian Guangpan eagerly took a spoonful of the double-layered milk custard and tasted it carefully.

The more he tasted, the brighter his expression became.

Excited, Tian Guangpan slapped his thigh and exclaimed, "This is delicious! It’s got the authentic flavor! My daughter will definitely love it now. Double-layered milk custard is all about simplicity—it’s the best!"

While piling beef onto his chopsticks, Han Qiwu glanced at Tian Guangpan and chuckled, "I’m glad you like it. As long as you remember those key points I mentioned, the taste shouldn’t go wrong."

"Xiao Han, you must have spent a long time perfecting this recipe. I can’t just take advantage of your hard work for free. Here, take it—this is just a token of appreciation. You must accept it." Tian Guangpan snapped out of his excitement, walked to the counter, pulled out a wad of cash, rolled it up, and stuffed it into Han Qiwu’s hands.

"No, no, that’s way too much," Han Qiwu protested, all the while opening his jacket pocket.

The money couldn’t have come at a better time; he figured he might need it later to buy rabbits.

Tian Guangpan laughed heartily as he shoved the money into Han Qiwu’s hands and said, "Don’t worry. I won’t be teaching this recipe to anyone else—it’s just to make some for my little girl."

Han Qiwu nodded, his attention already drawn to the system interface in front of him.

[Helping Task - Traditional Double-Layered Milk Custard Completed]

[Task Reward of 500 Gold Issued]

[Please choose one of the following kitchen ingredients. Upon selection, you will receive ×5 of the chosen ingredient.]

[Flour, Cucumbers, Chili Peppers, Scallions, Garlic, Cured Meat, Doubanjiang]

"So many delicious options, and I can only pick one!"

After agonizing over it for a while, Han Qiwu reluctantly chose flour.

[Congratulations! You’ve received Flour ×5]

Truth be told, he really wanted to pick the cured meat. That stuff, with its oily richness and juicy tenderness, was bursting with flavor. Stir-fry it with some fresh greens, and it’s absolutely amazing!

Too bad it wasn’t an option this time.

But his household did have a pretty big demand for flour, after all.

"Uncle Tian, if you ever need anything in the future, just let me know. No need to stand on ceremony," Han Qiwu said directly.

He was secretly hoping Tian Guangpan would give him more tasks.

Next time, maybe he’d get his hands on that cured meat!

Hearing this, Tian Guangpan nodded and let out a hearty laugh.

After eating his fill, Han Qiwu tried to settle the bill, only to have Tian Guangpan forcibly drag him out of the restaurant.

The scene at the time was bizarre, to say the least.

The moment Tian Guangpan saw Han Qiwu pulling out his phone to scan the payment code, he took three big strides forward, bear-hugged Han Qiwu, and carried him right out of the restaurant.

The bustling townsfolk outside and Han Qiwu’s own expression mirrored one another.

A collective look of utter confusion.

If it weren’t for Tian Guangpan shouting, "What’s the point of paying?! Uncle Tian’s treating you!" as he carried him out, the onlookers might’ve seriously misunderstood.

Coincidentally, Aunt Guo happened to walk by and, seeing this scene, angrily marched over to scold Tian Guangpan. "Xiao Tian, I’ve told you countless times to be more proper! Look at you, a grown man still acting ! You’ve scared poor Xiao Han; look, his face has gone pale!"

Facing Aunt Guo, Tian Guangpan turned into a grinning child and said, "Aunt Guo, Xiao Han’s complexion is naturally fair—he’s not scared. Have you eaten yet? If not, let me personally cook up your favorite dish: Spicy Boiled Pork Slices."

As Han Qiwu nodded in silent admiration of the restaurant owner’s generosity,

Aunt Guo raised her hand and smacked Tian Guangpan right on his shiny forehead. "Tian Wazi! Just yesterday, you and I went to the clinic to get medicine for reducing internal heat, and now you’re spouting nonsense to invite trouble again!"