Starting as the President of a Billionaire Group Chapter 1081: 1056: Bestowing a Name

Zhuge Liang turned his gaze toward Ye Chen, his expression etched with profound reverence.

Ye Chen responded with merely a subtle, enigmatic smile.

He understood clearly that while Zhuge Liang possessed an uncanny talent for interpreting one’s fate through physiognomy, it was hardly a surprise that he found himself stumped by Ye Chen. Since he hailed from the modern world, even a genius like Zhuge Liang could never hope to discern his true origin.

“Enough, everyone, let us consume this meal before the dishes turn cold.”

Without delay, Liu Bei and his companions settled around the table. Looking at this assembly of legendary historical figures—the very pillars upon which the future Shu Nation would be built—Ye Chen felt a lingering sense of surrealism. Never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined dining alongside such icons of antiquity.

After a few brief pleasantries, the feast truly commenced. Guan Yu, clearly famished, wasted no time. As soon as he shoveled a mound of rice into his mouth, his eyes went wide with disbelief. The fragrance was intoxicating. He swore to himself that never, in all his years, had he tasted anything so heavenly—even the tribute rice reserved for the Imperial Palace paled in comparison to this fare.

“Brother, consume your meal quickly; if our Third Brother returns before we finish, there will be nothing left for us,” Guan Yu urged, shoveling food into his mouth with hurried intensity.

The others echoed his desperation, devouring the meal as if they had been starving for days. Each bite filled them with profound astonishment. The flavor profile was simply unparalleled. Many among them secretly concluded that Ye Chen must surely be an Immortal descended from the heavens; how else could such divine cuisine possibly exist in the mortal realm? From the intoxicating aroma of the grains to the addictive taste of the dishes, it was an experience that defied their worldly understanding.

Watching them gorge themselves in such an unrefined manner, Ye Chen let out a chuckle. Even the great heroes of history could not escape the allure of true Hua Country culinary artistry.

“What exactly is this?” Liu Bei inquired, eyeing the item Ye Chen extracted from his trunk.

Ye Chen smiled. “This is BBQ. I am preparing some lamb skewers for all of you.”

“BBQ?” The entire group remained perplexed.

With practiced ease, Ye Chen threaded the meat onto sticks and generously dusted them with seasonings. He laughed at their confusion. “Do not be taken aback. These are lamb skewers—a staple of the common folk in my homeland.”

Disbelief rippled through the room. “Heavens! Surely such a delicacy is meant only for the Imperial table? To think commoners could enjoy such luxury is simply inconceivable.”

Zhuge Liang’s surprise deepened with every passing moment. He could not help but wonder if the descriptions Ye Chen provided were mere glimpses into the life of the immortals. His eyes ignited with a keen light, for he had long practiced Abnormal Technique with the secret hope of attaining immortality himself.

Ye Chen observed the cooling meat and chuckled. “Since the BBQ has sat too long and lost its warmth, allow me to grill it to perfection.”

Zhuge Liang gestured quickly. “That is easily done. I shall have my men build a fire at once.”

He summoned a pair of soldiers, who scurried to pile flint and tinder to initiate a flame. Watching them struggle with the primitive stones, Ye Chen shook his head. “Do not trouble yourselves. Let me handle this.”

He produced a simple lighter. A collective gasp went through the onlookers as they stared at the small object in his palm. Ye Chen applied a thumb to the mechanism. A sharp click, and a steady, dancing flame erupted from the nozzle.

The room descended into utter silence. A Divine Artifact! They were witnessing something truly impossible. As Ye Chen ignited the firewood with effortless precision, the conviction in their hearts solidified—he was undoubtedly an Immortal. Was this the fabled ability to conjure fire from thin air? Zhuge Liang, in particular, was spellbound. This act completely shattered his logic; unlike the spark-based method of igniting tinder with stone, Ye Chen’s method was instantaneous. “May I dare ask, Immortal? Is this perhaps the legendary Three-Flavored True Flame?”

Ye Chen burst into laughter at the absurdity of the suggestion. “Three-Flavored True Flame? You are thinking far too much into it.”

He began to grill, and soon, a rich, savory aroma began to permeate the air. Before they even had a bite, the group found themselves salivating uncontrollably. It was simply too aromatic to ignore.

“Alas,” Ye Chen remarked, “such a feast is incomplete without a proper drink.” He withdrew bottles of beer from his inventory and cracked them open. He passed one to each man, eschewing glasses in favor of drinking directly from the bottles. “Everyone, believe me: beer and BBQ are the ultimate pairing. Drink up.”

Only Zhao Yun had encountered such a beverage, and his anticipation was immediate. He took a long, deep swill and sighed in pure contentment. “Exquisite.” Encouraged by his satisfied expression, the others followed suit.

“The flavor of this liquor is truly magnificent,” Guan Yu praised. After consuming the beer, the exhaustion that had been plaguing him and his brothers seemed to vanish entirely. “What variety of wine is this? I have tasted much in my life, yet nothing compares to this. Even the finest rice wines feel like swill compared to this nectar.” Guan Yu laughed heartily, his face flushed with joy. “To drink an Immortal’s wine such as this, I, Guan Yu, could die with no regrets!”

They continued the feast, alternating between the tingling, spicy skewers and the refreshingly crisp beer. The numbing spice sensation captivated them completely—the more they ate, the deeper their cravings grew. Ye Chen watched them with amusement, knowing full well that chili and modern seasonings were completely foreign to this era, making these flavors feel almost miraculous to them.

“That tingling sensation is the result of chili,” Ye Chen explained with a grin.

“Chili... this flavor is truly remarkable,” Liu Bei mused, then added with a visionary gleam in his eyes, “If we ever find ourselves establishing a base in the Sichuan region, we must certainly promote this culinary style with vigor.”

Ye Chen paused, realizing with an internal chuckle that he had inadvertently inspired the legendary spicy roots of the Sichuan diet. As they conversed and dined, several hours drifted by. They remained profoundly moved by the culinary experience, but even more so by the honor of sharing a table with an Immortal.

Seeing that his time was drawing to a close, Ye Chen prepared his departure. Suddenly, Liu Bei turned to him. “Immortal Ye, my young son, Ah-Dou, was born under tragic circumstances having lost his mother. As you are his benefactor, would you do us the honor of bestowing upon him a formal name?”

Ye Chen nodded solemnly. “Let him be called Liu Chan.” He spoke the name with the full knowledge that, regardless of his interference in history, the path ahead was set. Liu Chan! Liu Bei rolled the name over his tongue, savoring its weight. “A majestic name. My sincerest gratitude for this blessing—from this day forward, my son shall be known as Liu Chan.”

Zhuge Liang nodded in approval. “Truly a name crafted by an Immortal; it possesses a profound depth and the dignified air of an Emperor.”

Liu Bei’s face beamed with pride. Though he always professed his loyalty as a minister of the Han, the suggestion of imperial destiny was exactly what he longed to hear. As Ye Chen departed, a sudden thought struck him: he had inadvertently named the very same Liu Chan who would go down in history as the famously helpless Ah-Dou. He sighed privately; it seemed that no matter how dignified a name he bestowed upon him, certain fates were simply impossible to change.