The Myth of Daqin: The Soul of Yi Xiaochuan

Bai Li brought Meng Yi to the kitchen and sighed as they walked, "Lieutenant, Gao Yao is truly an eccentric. He always has so many bizarre ideas in his head, and they always come true. Every dish he makes is unique and original. However, we once asked him where he was from, but he couldn't remember it."

Hearing this, Meng Yi couldn't help but feel very surprised, and muttered to himself: "Could it be that Gao Yao also traveled from the future? If so, then he might have been affected by some force when he traveled, causing some of his memories to be lost!"

Bai Li continued, "At the beginning of this year, Your Majesty had a poor appetite, so I searched the counties for unique chefs, hoping to change His Majesty's taste. It was a coincidence that I found this man named Gao Yao in Xiapi. He then entered the palace."

Meng Yi asked curiously, "Master Bai, if that's the case, Gao Yao should have been castrated, right?"

Bai Li quickly shook his head and explained, "Lieutenant, no, because these chefs were hired on a temporary basis and there's no telling when they might no longer be needed. So now they are being managed individually."

Hearing this, Meng Yi couldn't help but develop a strong interest in Gao Yao. At the same time, he began to think about how his and Yi Xiaochuan's fate would develop...

After a while, they arrived in front of Gao Yao's kitchen. Meng Yi saw a familiar figure busy at work.

Bai Li yelled at the top of his lungs, "Gao Yao, the lieutenant is here to see you!"

Hearing the sound, Gao Yao, who was busy, turned around, with a confused look on his face, and looked at Meng Yi in confusion.

He quickly put down his work, walked quickly to Meng Yi, saluted respectfully, and said, "Lieutenant, Master!"

Gao Yao thought to himself that this lieutenant looked familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before, but for a moment he couldn't recall the specific scene.

Meng Yi smiled and said to Gao Yao in a friendly tone, "Gao Yao, I heard from Master Bai that you are very good at cooking."

Gao Yao quickly and humbly replied, "Your Excellency, I simply do my best to prepare each dish to satisfy Your Majesty's taste."

Meng Yi nodded, his eyes sweeping around the kitchen. The aroma of food filled the air, the various cooking utensils neatly arranged, and the ingredients perfectly prepared. Meng Yi couldn't help but feel a little excited about Gao Yao's cooking skills.

Gao noticed Meng Yi's gaze, and he quickly brought the dishes he had just prepared to the table, and then respectfully asked Meng Yi to taste them.

Meng Yi looked at the dishes on the table. They were alluring in color and fragrant in aroma. He picked up a piece, put it in his mouth, and savored it carefully.

Gao Yao looked at Meng Yi nervously. Meng Yi chewed the food carefully, then nodded and said to Gao Yao with a smile, "Gao Yao, your cooking skills are indeed good. These dishes are delicious and very appetizing."

Gao Yao smiled delightedly upon hearing this. He said to Meng Yi gratefully, "Thank you, Lieutenant, for your compliment. This is what I should do."

Meng Yi nodded, picked up another piece of food, and chatted with Gao Yao while tasting it. He asked Gao about his cooking experience, and Gao Yao enthusiastically shared his experience with Meng Yi.

The kitchen was filled with laughter, and the conversation between Meng Yi and Gao Yao became increasingly harmonious. Bai Li stood aside, watching this scene, a relieved smile on his face.

Meng Yi nodded slightly in acknowledgement and continued, "Do you still remember where you came from?"

Gao Yao shook his head, a hint of confusion and bewilderment flashing in his eyes.

Seeing Gao Yao's reaction, Meng Yi became more and more certain that Gao Yao had most likely lost some of his memories during his time traveling. So, he decided to test Gao Yao and see if he could evoke his memories.

Meng Yi took a deep breath, his face solemn, and slowly said, "Gao Yao, do you remember there was a man named Yi Xiaochuan in Xia Pi Village?"

When Gao Yao heard the name, he frowned, his eyes confused, and he tried hard to recall.

However, no matter how hard he racked his brain, the image in his mind remained blurry. Finally, he could only shake his head helplessly and replied, "Lieutenant, I really can't remember."

Meng Yi stared at Gao Yao intently, a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. It seemed Gao Yao had indeed lost most of his memory. However, he didn't give up hope easily and decided to continue questioning. He then asked, "Do you remember doing anything special? For example, meeting any special people or events?"

Gao Yao lowered his head, lost in thought. After a moment, he shook his head again, indicating that he had no idea about these questions.

Seeing Gao Yao so confused, Meng Yi couldn't help but sigh deeply, thinking to himself: It seems that this is the only way for now.

Meng Yi turned around and looked at Bai Li, explaining to him, "I'm also from Xia Pi. A few years ago, when I was fleeing famine, I was helped by Gao Yao, who gave me a meal along the way. So, I hope that Master Bai can take good care of Gao Yao in the future."

Bai Li nodded repeatedly and said respectfully, "Please rest assured, Lieutenant. I will do my best to take good care of Gao Yao. His cooking skills are so superb that he will surely add more delicious dishes to the palace meals."

Meng Yi nodded slightly, expressing satisfaction. He then turned his gaze to Gao Yao, his eyes revealing concern and encouragement. "Gao Yao, if you ever recall anything about the past, feel free to let me know. I firmly believe that one day, you will be able to recover those lost memories."

Gao Yao was deeply moved, tears welling in his eyes, and nodded repeatedly in thanks. Although he was still full of doubts, Meng Yi's concern warmed him deeply.

He knew very well that in this strange land, there were still people willing to lend a helping hand, and this kindness was enough to comfort his confused heart.

After Meng Yi left the kitchen, Gao Yao stood there, frowning, lost in thought. He tried hard to recall the conversation he had just had with Meng Yi, trying to find some clues, but his mind was blank.

"Who am I? Why am I here?" Gao Yao muttered to himself, his heart filled with confusion and unease. He felt as if he had lost an important memory, a memory that was crucial to understanding his current situation.

Meanwhile, Meng Yi paced outside the palace, his heart heavy. He gazed into the distance, thinking that even if Gao Yao might never fully recover his memory, he would still be able to provide for him in this lifetime.