Universe Infinite Canteen

"This short piece is really completely different from your previous style, Teacher Qi Yu," the female editor said, making Qi Yu anxious again.

"But," she changed her tone, "Teacher Qi Yu, you are a genius manga artist who can easily handle all kinds of styles. This time you're using a childlike, simple drawing form to challenge yourself again, right?"

"Challenge... my limits?"

"I understand now. You want to prove that even the most primitive and naive strokes can depict a compelling story. As a manga artist, we should focus more on the story itself rather than other trivial details, especially those showy drawing skills."

The female editor suddenly realized.

"What's that phrase, oh, returning to simplicity and truth, yes, returning to simplicity and truth."

"Is that... what I was thinking? That's right, I was thinking exactly that," nodded Qi Yu earnestly, "This is indeed the point I want to express. The manga circle is too flamboyant nowadays. It's time to straighten things out. Otherwise, how are we going to compete with short videos and win back readers?"

"I fully understand and support your stance. If that's the case, I don't think this draft needs fine editing. Just have the assistant teachers ink and color it, and then it can be published. This way we'll definitely meet the deadline."

After finishing her speech, the female editor packed up her computer and tablet, then gave Qi Yu a formal bow, "You've worked hard, Teacher Qi Yu."

"Ah, it's nothing," Qi Yu waved his hand, "You're the one who has worked harder, chasing me all over the place. This is something I should do anyway. When I'm free sometime, I'll treat you to a meal... Eh, we're actually at a restaurant right now. I was so engrossed in drawing that I completely forgot.

He slapped his forehead, "Since that's the case, let's eat together."

"No, I need to go back to work. I've already got the draft, and I need to rush to deliver it to the assistant teachers," the female editor stood up and said.

"Is that so..." Qi Yu seemed a bit disappointed.

The female editor put on her backpack and walked to the door, then stopped, "By the way, Teacher Qi Yu, you're free tomorrow, right?"

"Yes, yes." Qi Yu nodded hurriedly, a touch of anticipation emerging in his eyes.

"Then please start working on next week's update earlier; don't delay it until now like this time," the female editor cautioned.

"Eh?"

As the female editor pushed the door and left, Qi Yu seemed a bit saddened, but his mood didn't last long as his stomach started growling.

Qi Yu glanced at his newly bought Patek Philippe watch on his wrist, and only then did he realize it was already half past eight, and he hadn't had dinner yet.

At this moment, Ma Lu said, "I've already taken the spicy meat sauce corn roll back to Chef to reheat, and since you were busy earlier, I told the kitchen to delay making the rest of the dishes, but they've started cooking them now.

"Thank you."

Ma Lu quickly brought out the reheated spicy meat sauce corn roll, followed by a bowl of meatball soup.

Qi Yu was greeted by the fragrant soup; the meatballs were fresh and bouncy, with a strange, lava-like flavor, complemented by onions, chilies, and pepper powder that whetted his appetite.

He devoured seven meatballs in one go before putting down his spoon to ask, "What kind of meat is this?"

"Lizard meat."

"Hmm," Qi Yu almost spit out upon hearing this, "Why lizard?"

"You said you wanted to eat Mexican food, and lizard meat is indeed on Mexicans' menu."

"What, Mexicans eat lizard too?" Qi Yu was shocked, "You're not fooling me, are you?"

"If you don't believe me, you can look it up on your phone," said Ma Lu, "Why would I lie to you? Lizard meat is also quite expensive, you know."

"Even so, making lizard into food is a bit too much, though it really does taste pretty good."

Qi Yu looked at the half-finished bowl of soup before him with hesitation, then suddenly remembered something and quickly asked, "Are there any other weird foods coming up?"

"The next dish is Mexican caviar taco."

"Caviar, caviar is good. I remember that stuff being quite expensive. I've always wanted to try it," Qi Yu's interest was piqued at the mention.

"Mexican caviar is different from ordinary caviar; it's made with ant eggs."

With a single sentence, Ma Lu turned Qi Yu pale, "Ah, ants have eggs?"

"Otherwise, do you think ant colonies come from mitosis?"

"No, what I mean is, can those things actually be eaten?"

"Mexicans quite like eating insects."

Ma Lu had also looked up Mexican cuisine and found out that there were plenty of ants, lizards, and scorpions in Desktop Farm that weren't easy to sell off, so he planned to organize a Mexican food week to deal with these ingredients.

"Ah, is there anything more...Normal food?" Qi Yu swallowed and said.

"Weren't you the one who said you liked Mexican food?" Ma Lu raised an eyebrow.

"I've never had it before, I've only seen it in books." Qi Yu honestly admitted.

"What books?"

"I Sell Weapons in Mexico."

"Web novels, right."

"Mhm mhm, I used to listen to it all the time when I was a taxi driver, it's a pity I only heard up to a thousand chapters, then there were no more, it seemed to have an unfinished ending, because it always described banquets and such, which made me very curious about Mexican cuisine and wanted to try it, but I never imagined it would be this strange.

"Of course, the taste is still very, very good, but I'm kind of old-fashioned, emotionally I have a bit of a hard time accepting such novel food."

"Then I'll have the kitchen change the menu." Ma Lu snapped his fingers.

"That would be great." Qi Yu sighed with relief.

Ma Lu then switched the caviar taco to pit-roasted lamb taco, and the final dessert served was a fruit tart.

Old Wang first laid a base of potatoes, carrots, cucumbers, and chips on the bottom of the plate, then topped it with mangoes and sweet potatoes coated with chili and tamarind powder, drizzled with hot sauce and lemon juice.

A Mexican-style fruit tart was thus created.

Although the dish had a mix of sweet, salty, and spicy flavors and visually looked quite bizarre, it was saved by Old Wang's superior cooking skills.

At least Qi Yu enjoyed it very much, and after finishing all the dishes, belched contentedly, and looked up to find Ma Lu thoughtfully watching him.

Qi Yu misunderstood and generously extended his hand, "Hand it over."

"Hand over what?"

"My comic book, you're staring at me so eagerly, you must want my signature."

Qi Yu wiped his mouth saying, "Your restaurant's food is indeed delicious, well-deserved reputation, though I still think it's a bit expensive."

"Ah, no rush about the signature, Teacher Qi Yu, have you eaten your fill?"

Qi Yu patted his stomach, "Full, full, thank you for the hospitality."

"Then are you satisfied with today's dishes?"

"Satisfied, very satisfied."

"Good, in that case, it's time we got down to business."

After the female editor left, Ma Lu had already locked the restaurant's main door, and he gave Ma Youyou a look; she went to lower the bed curtains as well.

Qi Yu still looked oblivious, "Serious matters, what serious matters?"

"About how you became a comic artist."