Chapter 14: The Stainless Steel Lunch Box & Bottle

Su Lan agreed and went with everyone to the garden. When Su Lan took out her 3 tier stainless steel lunch box and large water bottle from the basket everyone looked at it curiously.

King: "What is this box that holds the food? I never saw this type of ... lunch box."

All takeout food was still being put on plates and then put into a basket.

Su Lan: "I made this. It helps keep the food temperature for a day or so."

In reality, Su Lan had purchased it online. As for how to make this she could just look it up online. The only problem was the material, machines and factory needed. She wasn't sure how to explain it. Also she had to make sure they had all the raw materials to make stainless steel. After all, stainless steel isn’t a natural resource. 

King: "Oh?"

Su Lan opens the lunch box. The lunch box had 3 levels. The first level contains cold spicy noodles. Su Lan used Langpi instead of Lo Mein. To make the Langpi she had to make a dough with flour and water. Then continue to wash the dough until it becomes smaller. Take out the dough and keep the water that turned white due to washing the dough. Leave the dough washing water overnight. Then remove the water on top and steam the paste looking texture on the bottom.  The second dish was apple shrimp salad. This dish was to help reduce the spiciness from eating Langpi. The seasoning was made with lemon juice and mayonnaise. Mayonnaise also has lemon juice in it. It is made by using eggs, lemon juice, oil and salt. This could reduce the spiciness without dairy. The last level contained fruit and grass jelly. The large water bottle container had green bean soup.

Su Lan: "It's summer right now so I made some food that helps with the heat."

King: "What is that colorful cube shaped food?"

Su Lan: "Oh, it is a type of dessert called jelly. I made it with different types of fruits and the black one is made with a plant. If I didn’t make green bean soup then milk tea with grass jelly would be good too."

Seeing these colorful and cold dishes made them hungry in this heat.

King: "Then let us eat."

Liu Shan: "Humph."

Su Lan: "Father...."

The Langpi spiciness helped them open up their appetite in this weather. 

When everyone started to eat, Su Lan almost had her mouth hung open.

Su Lan (in her mind): How can they eat like a whirlwind just flew by and still look so graceful!!!???  Not only was it graceful but because of their movement and handsome faces it looked like a painting. The way they move their chopsticks was like doing a sword dance. Su Lan never thought one day people eating could look like art, especially at their pace. Su Lan stared at them to see if she could learn this skill while speeding up her eating pace.

When everyone was done the King started to speak.

King: "Xiao Lan, the lunch box and water bottle can you make another one for us."

Su Lan: "Sure, it is pretty useful to keep the water hot in winter and food cool in the summer."

Liu Shan: "It's pretty good for the army too."

Su Lan: "Ah, I can't make that many! Also the raw materials needed are a lot. How about I open a store and sell it instead?"

Su Lan (in her mind): I can’t make it but I can purchase a whole bunch online and put it in the store. Only she would need a lot of money. 

Liu Shan: "Not bad, tell me what you need, I will help you set it up. Also remember to charge Jin for it."

Su Lan (in her mind): A mini Su Lan dancing and throwing confetti in the air. Yes! Father is the best! Look how he hands over what she needs without her asking. 

King: "Shan really."

Liu Shan: "Really."

King: "Fine, tell me when it is done. Oh, also open a pastry store while you are at it."

Su Lan: "Sure...., do you have a color you want in mind for the lunch box and bottle or is silver okay?"

King: "Oh, you can change the color?"

Su Lan: "Yes. Also you can request the size too. The bottle I brought here is 64 oz. Around 8 cups."

King: "No, the color silver is fine. As for the size I would like a small one and a one around this size too."

Su Lan: “Sure. How about one that is 25 oz?”

King: “Sounds good.” 

Su Lan turned and faced the two princes.

Su Lan: "Prince Ran (1st Prince) and Prince Jun (2nd Prince) would you guys like one?"

Prince Ran: "Yes, if possible I prefer dark blue."

Prince Jun: "I want red."

Su Lan: "Got it, how about the size?"

This conversion goes on for a while till Su Lan gets all the details of the order.

After the King and the two princes left Su Lan finally can talk to her father about what she came here for. 

Su Lan suddenly froze and remembered she came here to make friends! She could have asked the two princes to be her friends! How could she just let her two people who could help her accomplish her mission walk away! After all this was the castle their home! She let the golden opportunity strut away in front of her. 

Su Lan (in her mind): Can I still save this golden opportunity by running after them? No, if I run after them now people would think I have other motives. Also who asks people to be their friend after speaking business? Would you ask someone to be your friend after being with them for less than an hour? Especially in that hour more than half was eating and speaking with their father! Mini Su Lan held her head with her hands and started weeping with tears. A background with sad music from a flute and wind blowing.