After the date with Allie, Bob had finally reached A++++++++ Genetic grade!!!!!
Bob and Old Man Li were now currently celebrating with a feast of Chinése BBQ, delectable perfectly roasted Char Siu with just the right amount of fat, char, and coated with a gleaming honeyed glaze, golden roast pork, with the crispy skin crisp and crackling, yet with melt-in-the-mouth tenderness oozing molten flavour...
Generous slices of red sausage glistened alongside lo suei eggs which had absorbed the rich, flavour-infused liquid of the meat cooking. There was also plump, fragrant Roast duck which was paired with specially stewed plum sauce... And speaking of sauces, there was also a mouthwatering assortment, including ginger and shallot oil, brewed sweet chilli sauce, and caramelised soy sauce, amidst a plethora of artisan options. For every connoisseur of Chinése-style BBQ, this was, literally, the secret sauces that would truly enrich the gustatory experience.
And of course, to allow one to perfectly tailor the ratios of the full flavours and textures to their own tastes... thick, fluffy white bowls of rice, generously drizzled with the sauces from the meat…and juicy steamed choi sum with just a touch of oyster sauce...
Ah, This was the life!!! As they toasted their bowls of Rice Wine, Old Man Li expressed his hearty sentiments:
"My good disciple, Congratulations on finally breaking through to the A++++++ grade!!!!"
"It was due to your guidance. Thanks Master." Bob knew that if it hadn't been for Old Man Li, he might still be at F- grade, even to this day!!!
Old Man Li completed the classic ritual, waving it off, whilst he paused for a moment to take some photos on his phone, which he claimed was 'for the memory'.
*Ahem.* "Bob, my good disciple, you don't mind if I share some of these... memories with some old friends would you?!"
"Yeah, no problem." Bob saw Old Man Li's hopeful face light up, but to be honest, he really didn't mind.
There was a moment whilst Old Man Li again messaged his Whatsupp groups along with some sunglasses emojis, whilst awaiting the inevitable outward congratulatory messages from his Rizzmaster colleagues, who nevertheless would probably be inwardly spewing bread!!!
"Well. That's that. Bob... Congratulations... You are now... officially... ...
Average."
Bob didn't have high expectations, since he knew his Master extremely well by this point, but even he choked on his tea mid-sip. He was expecting a bit more after all the buildup... but now what was the Old Man saying?!?!
Who knew that the A in A++++++ stood for... Average?!?!
Bob quickly visualised the grading matrix in his mind.
Was it something along the lines of this?
A for Average
B for Below Average
C for Cannot
D for Disaster
E for Extremely bad
F for Failure... ?
Old Man Li kept up his serious poker face up for a bit, before he couldn't hold it in and started laughing, before giving Bob a warm and hearty pat on the back of congratulations, and then attempting to give Bob a hug, which Bob skillfully avoided, since he didn't want to... erm, ruin Old Man Li's 'Magical Treasure' Bathrobe [it was washed approximately once every 3 months]...
"I'm only joking, my young and good (and only) disciple. It is good, definitely better than average, in fact you could be considered a provisional, candidate Rizzmaster already...
but there are still many levels still to transcend. You must continue to work hard in order to fulfill your potential!!!
"I see. Master, What must I do to continue along the Path of becoming a True Rizzmaster?!"
"You have all the capability, but now it is time for you to begin doing… things."
Old Man Li wiggled his eyebrows.
As for what these 'things' were that needed doing, well I suppose they would be stories for another chapter...
"I see. Disciple Bob thanks Master for the guidance." Bob kowtowed. He realised that it was indeed an accomplishment, a significant milestone, but that there were still many more levels to transcend before he could be considered a True Rizzmaster.
___
Meanwhile, Sally was on her post-date high, and was currently speaking with Empress Bing Qi Ling regarding Bob's potential suitability, as they enjoyed a leisurely afternoon in the Winter Palace Gardens.
"Auntie, I went on a few dates as Allie, but the one with Bob was truly... magical." Sally murmured, as they strolled enjoying the cool Arctic breeze.
Empress was trimming some of the ice flowers and glacier bushes in the garden with some pruning scissors, and nodded in acknowledgement.
"Okay. In that case, we can let him live -
...For now."
"But!"
"If he acts up..."
Empress Bing was currently trimming a tall leafy plant, when she purposefully... tightened the two naked blades of the scissors firmly up against its... tender stalk, at the level where it protruded up above all the others plants, as she said the words... and exuding a terrifying intent.
Sally watched on wide-eyed, as the sharp blades cut into the trunk-like stem, and... a... whitish-greeny-yellow sap... was now leaking out!!!
*SNIP* *SNIP*!!!!
Suddenly! Empress sliced the stem in half with a swift stroke of seamless savagery!!!!
Huh. Sally was non-plussed, but she could tell that the Empress was now suddenly exuding a chilling, killing intent!!!
"Remember my dear. Most boys are no good. Even the good ones... they are usually only good for two things: Being corny... and being horny. Bob is a boy... so you must be careful, and keep him under surveillance!"
"I see."
"Also, the World Ball is coming up. If you decide to attend, you should also be on the lookout for any promising candidates which could help you on your journey to become the Supreme Ice Queen…"
"Yes, Auntie."
Sally kowtowed.
___
As a result, it was clear that although the date had been successful for them both, that it was still only a small part of their bigger plans and aspirations. Following the date, Bob and Sally kept in touch via phone, and although they were both busy, they were still able to keep in touch via message and chat…
And so, whilst Bob was considering the best way to validate the "Future of Humanity" Project via Valentine, Sally too was working towards the whirlwind that would be the World Ball...
___