Calories Don't Count When You're Enjoying

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Daniel gazed once more at his feast with the gleam in the eyes of an art curator who had just discovered a long-lost collection of masterpieces. To him, what lay before him was not merely food, but a declaration of independence from the tyranny of calories. He took a deep breath, letting the aroma of spiced oil and the savory scent of fried food gently caress his taste buds with warmth.

Amid the symphony unfolding on the porcelain table, Daniel whispered to himself, “Let’s begin this ritual.” In the center of the table, the level 3 fried noodles twisted and turned, their appetizing golden-brown hue glistening in the glow beneath the dining room’s crystal chandelier. When it came to noodles, for Daniel they were not merely a source of carbohydrates, but a web of bonds that held everything firmly together. Then he began to lift his chopsticks with the precision of a musical conductor.

“Looking at these noodles, I feel like I’m constantly weaving a future that’s… ah, a little wider around the waist, but far happier in the heart”, he murmured as the first bite landed perfectly. Then, his attention shifted to the row of dim sum sitting daintily inside the bamboo steamer. Daniel looked at them with respect. “You are little diplomats on a mission of peace between hunger and satisfaction”.

However, the highlight of that afternoon’s culinary symphony was two types of fried snacks that created a harmonious contrast. The Cheese Shrimp Nuggets, a shrimp-based batter enveloping the cheese, didn’t look particularly appealing. For Daniel, devouring them with such enthusiasm was the ultimate expression of gratitude. In contrast, the eccentric Rambutan Fritter, adorned with strands of crispy “hair,” looked like an ancient artifact holding a mystery of flavor that would surprise.

"By the laws of nature, this is a challenge for my shirt buttons. But should we sacrifice art for a piece of cotton that has no feelings?" he asked the empty room, which, of course, answered with its ever-approving silence.

‎He didn’t care if his weight would hit a concerning number tomorrow. To him, every bite was an investment. If his body expanded, it didn’t mean he was getting “fat.” He was simply expanding his capacity to hold happiness.

“Sophia!” he called out to his wife in the next room, “Please call our regular tailor and tell him I’m expanding my territory, and I need pants with a higher tolerance for oil.”

‎He then sipped his sweet iced tea, feeling deeply satisfied that he had conquered the dining table without compromising his dignity in the slightest and was ready at any moment to take a flight to heaven.