Saidemon Restaurant.

The nose first senses the indoor aroma: the warm milk fragrance, the stewed meat smell, and the subtle smoky scent of charcoal, mixed with a unique smell akin to fermented grease that one has never encountered before.

A waitress in a blue apron pops her head out from the steamy open kitchen window, holding a piece of dark red lamb. Upon seeing three people, she arranges a small square table by the wall.

Next to them are several men in thick leather vests speaking quietly in Mongolian. On their table is a huge copper pot with milk-white soup boiling, and around it, bones picked clean are scattered.

After ordering, Lan Yiyi briefly introduces the restaurant to Li Younan and the others.

While chatting, Li Younan becomes curious and asks about Lan Yiyi’s family situation, after all, Lan Yiyi is an actress who joined the crew with funding, so he wonders what kind of business her family is in and how they compare to Huang Xiaoyang’s family.

Initially, Lan Yiyi is a bit shy in answering, but eventually, she slowly reveals some details about her family.

Lan Yiyi is indeed from Xilinhot, but now only her grandparents live there. Her parents are currently developing their careers in Beijing.

She mentioned with a bit of pride a fun fact: "Let me tell you quietly, the place with the most standard Mandarin in China is Xilamute, you can remember this, if you ever encounter a trivia question asking you where the most standard Mandarin is spoken in China... it’s our hometown Xilamute, hehe."

Her family owns hotels in several cities in Inner Mongolia, including Huhetatar. Overall, they are in the hotel business and also have a travel agency and a cab company in a county town.

The reason for Lan Yiyi’s hesitation... naturally stems from thinking about her own "join the group with funding" black history.

Of course, despite the embarrassment, she couldn’t have joined the crew without funding; it’s a bit sad.

At this time, the man at the adjacent table skillfully slices off the meat between lamb bones with a dagger, and in the semi-open kitchen, the chef tosses a whole beef tripe into the boiling pot, releasing a stronger steam with the unique organ scent.

The pot tea is served first.

Not the expected beverage in a cup, but a heavy little copper pot placed on a small alcohol stove, bubbling gently.

The fragrance of milk mixed with a slight meat aroma rises directly.

After settling down, Lan Yiyi takes out her phone to show Li Younan photos and videos of Little White Cabbage and its baby.

Li Younan stares at the video on the phone, unable to look away.

Lan Yiyi comes very close, swiping left and right, showing Li Younan all the videos and photos she has taken, and accidentally swipes to a private photo of herself, hurriedly and a bit flustered, swiping back.

Li Younan blinked, not seeing it clearly, but it seemed to be a swimsuit photo?

So white...

Remaining composed on the surface, pretending not to have seen it.

Lan Yiyi coughs to cover up her embarrassment, just about to speak... only for Li Younan to see through it.

He sighs slightly inside; the best way to deal with such minor embarrassment isn’t a complicated explanation but to pretend it didn’t happen and everyone acts like ostriches burying their heads in the sand.

Before Lan Yiyi can speak, he diverts the topic: "Is this horse the one you want to give me?"

Lan Yiyi blinks, momentarily forgetting what she was going to say, and quickly nods: "Do you like it?"

Li Younan nods: "Altai horse, the bloodline looks really pure."

"Ah, yeah, yeah! You can even tell that? You know this horse?"

It was really wonderful news; such a horse is quite precious, but saying so outright about its value would be... slightly shameful.

Li Younan has equestrian skills, along with knowledge of almost all horse breeds. The characteristics and nature of different horses indeed influence handling, which is definitely essential knowledge.

Li Younan genuinely compliments the horse in the photos and videos.

Lan Yiyi is initially very happy, but as she listens, her expression grows a bit strange.

Because Li Younan mentioned "tall and mighty, though the eyes look tired, it’s clear that when in good condition, they must be splendid..."

Until Li Younan says "what a pity it’s a mare..." and Lan Yiyi finally reacts, rubbing her forehead, saying with resentment, "Where are you going with this? The horse I want to give you is this one, this one!"

She points to the little foal beside Little White Cabbage.

Li Younan is momentarily stunned: "Ah? A little horse..." 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"What’s with that disappointed tone?"

"I mean, it can’t be ridden immediately... but I still like it a lot, hahahaha..."

"Together... oh no, it’s more fun to slowly raise it."

...

The pot contents appear chaotic, with a creamy soup base floating roasted yellow crushed grains, curled deep brown beef jerky strips, and a thick layer of semi-melted milk skin on the surface.

The wooden spoon stirs, and a few soft chunks of cheese rise from the bottom.

The first sip is scorching, the saltiness covering the milk flavor noticeably, the chewiness of the beef jerky, and the softened toasted grains’ texture intertwines on the palate.

As it slides down the throat, a peculiar heaviness remains, like swallowing a mouthful of warm porridge.

Even with Li Younan’s culinary skills, today’s meal leaves him very satisfied.

There are also lamb chops.

Soon, bones pile up on the plate edge.

Lan Yiyi turns her gaze to Chen Rui, who hasn’t spoken much.

She had been chatting with Li Younan and hadn’t really attended to Chen Rui, so now she initiates a conversation: "By the way, I heard your brother say you’re his sister, what’s your relationship?"